June 2022 BandBits

President’s Report

All,

I think you will all agree that the last couple of years have been challenging. With pandemics, the economy, politics and world events, we have had to deal with uncertainties and change. Some people would say that life is all about change, and change is inevitable.

Our Club has had to deal with change as well. At one time, the W9UVI repeater was located on free tower space. The tower’s ownership changed and we had to move the repeater, resulting in a smaller coverage area and an annual rental fee. This is a challenge, since the 147.075 is one of the most used repeaters in the area.

The PAARC Board is taking positive steps to meet these challenges, among them making dramatic improvements to the 147.075 repeater’s location and coverage. Recognizing that free tower space is a thing of the past, the Board and several members polled have agreed to move the 075 repeater and to relocate and consolidate the D-Star repeaters.

Yes, this is change. In the long run, it will be positive change for the success and future of this club. The repeater will be moved to the Supreme Radio Communications tower in East Peoria. It will nearly double our antenna height to 300 feet (we are currently 180 feet). The move will also help with some internet problems we have had impacting EchoLink and Wires-X. The rent has been locked in for a five year contract which will help our budgeting process.

We currently operate two D-Star repeaters on VHF and UHF. They do not get much use, so we will consolidate and relocate to one repeater.

We will discuss all of this in detail at our upcoming June meeting at the Bartonville American Legion. We hope you attend and that you make your voice heard with your vote. We want to hear from you because this is YOUR CLUB!

Don’t forget Field Day June 25-26 at the Bartonville American Legion. We will post details on the website and Facebook. This month has also been declared “Amateur Radio Month in Illinois” by the Governor.

I hope to see everyone at the next Club Meeting on Thursday, June 9th.

Justin Flick – N9WX President PAARC

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Meeting Minutes: Board of Directors

7:03 p.m. call to order. Deb, Scott, Rob, Justin, Matt, Tom and Adam.

OLD BUSINESS:

Talked at the emergency executive board meeting last week that we need
to get tower climbs going. Craig talked to Supreme and they didn’t get
back; Justin will do as well, along with other places.

BandBits: Tom moves approval, Matt seconds. Motion passes.

TREASURER’S REPORT: The treasurer’s report is not available since John
isn’t in attendance.

REPEATER COMMITTEE: Matt has been sick and hasn’t been out to the
repeater site. May look into getting a second set of keys so Scott or
someone else can help with repeater issues as well.

SUPERFEST: Deb got the contract from Three Sisters for 2023. A few
things need to be discussed with them, but overall very happy with it.
$3500 annually… $1500 non-refundable deposit, with remaining $2000
prior to access. The contract is for five consecutive years through
2027, with an option to renew for another five years at a potentially
new rate. Three Sisters Park retains rights to concessions.

Tickets will go to RapidPrint for printing so we can have tickets by
the end of May.

Tom is still working on the SuperFest logo and details on signs.

NEW BUSINESS:

POTA is this weekend at Starved Rock. Justin is planning to get there
a little later at 6:30 or 7 p.m. Friday due to rain, but Darrin and
Rich will be there a few hours earlier.

7:20 p.m.: Meeting adjourns after Deb motions, everyone seconds.

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Peoria County ARES

June 1, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater 

June 8, ARES Net @ 7:00 PM CDT on the W9UVI (147.075) repeater 

June 15, ARES On-line Conference @ 7:00 PM CDT (Watch your email for Zoom conference info)

Call or email Rich if you are not on the ARES Roster and desire to join the Zoom Conference.

On-Line Conference Agenda includes but is not limited to: a presentation on Emergency Communication Readiness.

ARES website: http://www.peoriacountyares.org/

Rich Holtman, KD9ANU, Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Peoria County ARES

email: kd9anu@arrl.net

Winlink: kd9anu@winlink.org

Cell: 309-256-4272

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SuperFest

Superfest is fast approaching, we have our forums confirmed and we will soon be distributing tickets for sale. The June Superfest meeting will be held on Thursday June 30th at 7pm. It will be an in person meeting with the location to be announced.

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May Net Logs

5/1
W8NWG KD9ANU KC9IH K9HJ, K9XJT N9GUE K9TNT KD9SZZ N9NDF KB9ATO NM0O KD9JXR WF9E N9WFT W9JDP N9SJZ KD9XPZ KD9AER K9QZ K9UQF N9SJZ NP2WJ KB9TNZ KD9RYH KD9PXZ W9WGN KD9DBQ Submitted by KD9QQU 73

5/8
KD9ANU KD9AER KD9IVV W8NWG KD9PXZ W9JDP N9WFT KD9JXR K9HJZ N9GUE KD9NYE K9TNT KD9TAE KD9SZZ K9XJT KD9MPI N9GZ WD9EGV KD9ERS AD9DM K9CEW KD9TEG KD9RYH KD9STL KB9TNZ KD9NYI WF9E W9WGN Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

5/15
KD9ANU N9GUE W8NWG W9JDP W9FYR K9XJT N9NDF KD9IVV W9WGN KD9PXZ KD9JXR KD9IBC W9TTX KD9SZZ KB9ATO N9SJZ KB9ATO N9SJZ N9WFT KD9RYH K9RCS WW9DLM K9HJZ KD9ERS KT9TB KD9NYE NP2WJ KD9STL W9SEB KD9TEG KD9AER K9CEW Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

5/22
KD9ANU WD9EB W9JDP KD9SZZ NM0O W8NWG KD9PXZ WW9DLM KD9ERS W9WGN KD9JXR KD9AER K9XJT WF9E KD9MPI K9TNT N9GUE NP2WJ KD9STL KD9RYH KB9TNZ K9HJZ KD9IBC Submitted to KD9DBQ 73

5/29
N9WX KD9SZZ N9SJZ W9JDP N9NDF W8NWG KB9ATO WF9E KD9PXZ W9WGN KD9JXR N9GUE K9XJT KD9IVV K9HJZ KD9AER K9UQF KD9QQU K9TNT KD9STL KD9MPI KD9RYH N9CN N9IUA KD9ERS KD9NYE Submitted by KD9DBQ 73

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June Club Events

June 1 – 7:00 pm: ARES Net – 146.075 Repeater

June 2 – 7:00 pm: Board of Directors Meeting via Zoom.

June 9 – 7:00 p.m. Club Meeting – Bartonville American Legion – Repeaters.

June 18 – FCC License Testing: Morton Knights of Columbus, 616 W. David Street, Morton, IL. FRN Required. Bring two forms of identification and a copy of your license (if upgrading). Testing Fee: $15.

June 23 – 7:00 p.m. Superfest Meeting – Location TBA

June 25 – 26: ARRL Field Day – Bartonville American Legion.