Greater Norwalk Amateur Radio Club (GNARC)
Meeting Minutes 02/13/2025
Present (8): Hugo AA1XV, Toy K1WYQ, Steve K1RF, Pete KC1PWH, Rusty K4SAA, Jon AI1V, David N1DPD, Steve W1SMS
Meeting opened 7:00 by AA1XV
Jan minutes approved.
Department Reports:
Finance: Checking and savings both good. However, we have had only 32 paid renewals so far this year which is running behind last year at this time. Please don’t forget to renew.
Communications: No communications of note.
Board: No Board actions.
Technical Committee: Steve W1SMS continues to work on getting the new repeater and new antenna ready for the hospital site. Once the hospital site has been upgraded we will then address the Strawberry Hill site.
Public Service: No items of note this month. Nothing in the immediate future.
Education Committee: Nothing new.
Other Old Business: We still need to deal with the trailer at the firehouse since we are going to have to move it. We either need a place for the trailer itself or at least a place for the equipment in the trailer.
New Business:
We are doing a survey of what club members want out of the club. The survey has been put on-line and a link has been sent by email to everyone on the reflector mailing list. Please respond to the survey so that the board can better plan club activities and meetings.
We will try a hybrid meeting next month – both in-person and on-line. Apparently there are a number of club members who prefer to not be driving at night, especially given rush hour traffic in lower Fairfield County.
We discussed Field Day 2025. Hugo AA1XV would prefer a more traditional Field Day than going to the Westport Astronomical Society, but so far has not found a suitable place. While Vets Park is probably available, it is a tough place given the lack of trees for antennas and lack of shade. Rusty K4SAA suggested that we look at Waveny Park. Hugo has also suggested that if we cannot find a place of our own that we consider combining with another club such as Stamford.
We also discussed the desirability of a remote HF operation. We do have an Icom 7300 that was set up for remote operation but was not used very often. It was suggested that we talk to the Norwalk Senior Center to see if we can get room in there as a permanent shack and also for a permanent remote HF operation, perhaps with a 40-10 HF vertical which would probably be more practical to implement, especially if we’re going to be someplace like the Senior Center. It was pointed out that as good as the 7300 is for remote operations, it’s a lot easier to set up a Flex Radio for remote operations.
We also talked about re-implementing the formal member database that was allowed to get out of date over the past year or so.
The meeting was closed at 9:00 pm.
Next meeting is expected to be WEDNESDAY March 12.
On the menu, hover over PHOTOS and then click on GNARC Holiday Party
GNARC 9-11-2024 Meeting Minutes.
Westport Library.
Meeting was called to order by Hugo – AA1XV at 7:35 PM.
Attending:
Steve W1SMS, Paul W1PPL, David N1DPD treasurer, Hugo AA1XV president, Jim KC1FB, Martin K1MGD vice president, Tom KB1FBX vice president.
The meeting notes of the last meeting were approved.
Old Business:
Don Hudson SK. Estate donated equipment to club and family, in addition donated funds.
Treasurer’s report. The picnic cost, approximately $800, the club sec. is unsure if the gift card to the party host, is included in the $800.
Discussed at meeting: Christmas party, various options reviewed.
The repeater at the hospital is to be inspected, visit to be announced.
Club trailer at FD has to be moved. Perhaps to Fairfield Ave FD. Trailer contents to be cataloged.
Mike N1PLH is believed to have some club equipment at his house.
Hugo would like to sell extra “stuff” at Oct 13 Nutmeg Ham show. He could use another ham to attend show and help with tag sale area.
Next meeting Oct. 8,2024 at Westport Library 7:30 PM.
Submitted by Tom R. KB1FBX
We’ve been closely monitoring the weather forecast over the past few days, and the chances of rain are high, with a 50/50 chance of getting wet and sticky. As a result, we’ve decided to postpone the picnic to next Sunday, August 25, at 1 PM.
If you’d like to update your attendance, side dishes, or the number of guests in your party, please let us know by using the link you were originally sent or by email.
No need to reconfirm or take any further action if your plans remain the same.
We hope to see you all there for a sunny and pleasant afternoon on Sunday, August 25, at 1 PM.
Best regards,
Hugo W. Catta – AA1XV
President, Greater Norwalk Amateur Radio Corporation
July 17, 2024.
Westport Library
The meeting was called to order by Hugo – AA1XV at 7:35PM.
Attendance:
N1DPD, treasurer; K1MGD, vice president; AA1XV, president; W1PPL, WG1HM, K1WYQ, W1SMS, K1ARF.
Treasurer’s Report:
The club is solvent. Sixty two paying members reported so far this year. Treasurer presented expenses for the new repeater and accessories.
Previous meeting minutes:
Held on June 12 were reviewed and two corrections approved:
– Typo: W1DPD, should read: N1DPD.
– Under new business, it should be noted that Jon, AI1V, took over as the permanent webmaster, not temporary. There was a misinterpretation by the board.
After these corrections, the minutes were approved.
Old Business:
A progress report on the new 2M repeater was presented by Steve, W1SMS and Paul, W1PPL. In the next weeks, The new Yaesu Fusion repeater and antenna will be field tested. A controller provided by AI1V will be incorporated into the system.
New Business:
A few words were expressed by several members on the passing of Don Hudson, KA1TZR, his long time work and influence in the life of GNARC. Marty K1MGD will provide Don’s information to the ARRL in order to include him in the Silent Keys section of QST.
N1DPD, K1RF and K1MGD commented on the Field Day participation at the Westport Astronomical Society, this year.
The ARRL grants offered to clubs were discussed. There will be no action taken.
Announcement:
This year, like in the past, many will gather for the summer picnic. To that end, we will be contacting the generous member who has lent the house and their time for us to enjoy this tradition. It will be on August 18th and we will provide the time and location very soon.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM by AA1XV, who is submitting these minutes.
Hugo W. Catta – President
Greater Norwalk Amateur Radio Corporation
We will be holding a VE session on Saturday August 17 at 10am at the
Norwalk Public Library
One Belden Ave
Norwalk CT 06850
VEs needed
