Category Archives: Breaking News

Attending: Officer members –Jon Perelstein AI1V, President; Dave D’Arinzo N1DPD Treasurer; Tom Gunther W1TEG, Secretary. Other members in attendance included: Chuck K1CWT; Hugo AA1XV; Joe KC1AUH; TomR KB1FBX; Steve K1RF; Peter KC1PWH; SteveS W1SMS; and Martin K1MGD.

Minutes: Meeting called to order at 7:20 PM by President Jon AI1V; at the Comstock Community Center (room 13) in Wilton.

Order of Business
Pizza and soda were served to the members.
Open Discussions: Members discussed various radio topics and relayed their experiences. Some items covered included: Different types of antenna in use by government entities and others as well as home installed antenna and various difficulties experienced and some remedies; RF problems and solutions; Use of USB cable connections to a rig and overcoming some difficulties; FT8 and JSA Call super-fast speed; Ground rod use and the benefits of tying all home ground rods together. Most members contributed and found the discussions informative.
VE Session was held for the concluded Technician license class held by Jon and Paul W1IP for Wilton CERT members. Six students took the test and passed. Two also advanced to General. No new VE test is currently scheduled.
Classes: no new class is currently planned.
Holiday Party – Members discussed the potential for a party at the restaurant “PONZA Italian Kitchen” https://ponzaitaliankitchen.com. [690 Connecticut Ave, Norwalk] Also discussed was a sit-down event or just cocktails and pass around foods. Sit down was he recommendation in the room.
Future meetings – will probably continue at Comstock Community Center.
Meeting Presentations – No presentation was scheduled.
Treasurer’s Report – Accounts remain strong with minimal spending during the prior period. The Tres. Filed annual CT Lic. and is following up on a client contribution match processed.
Club Dues Annual Dues of $35 will be due and payable January 1, 2023. Feel free to pay early in support of your club.
Activities – Upcoming event include the CQDX sideband contest. The Westport club will participate and GNARC members are welcome to join them 10/29-30. Pizza Night at the Fairfield Coast Guard Station. Members invited to attend 11/5. The ARRL BBQ and open house is scheduled 10/29 in Newington 10 AM to 2 PM. Pre-Register here: http://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0yNTc4Mjg0JnA9MSZ1PTUyMDU0MzkyMiZsaT0yNjU1ODM4MQ/index.html

Attending:  Officer members –Jon Perelstein AI1V, President; Paul LaVorgna W1PPL, Asst Treasurer, Tom Gunther W1TEG, Secretary, Marty K1MGD VP and David N1DPD, Treasurer.  Other members in attendance included:  Steve K1RF, Pete H KC1PWH, Steve W1SMS,

Minutes:  Meeting called to order at 7:40 PM by President Jon AI1V; with members noted in attendance, in-person.

LOCATION: American Legion Post 12, at 60 County St, Norwalk, CT 06851

Order of Business

• Dues – The president noted our “Dues Holiday” for 2022.  Where Members will not be asked to pay dues for the coming year as a way of saying thank you for your patience during the pandemic.  This will probably change in the next fiscal year.
• Future Meeting Presentations – For next month Steve K1RF agreed to reach out to Larry Reed who provided a very interesting presentation on his high-altitude balloon launches in the past, for an update on his latest balloon activities.  Other topic possibilities include Solar Energy advances, cable business updates and EVs. 
• Events –:  Field Day = June 25-26, 2022.  Field Day planning has begun at GNARC.  Considerable discussion occurred on various antenna options such as directional unit, a spider beam with 2 or 3 elements, a hex beam for 20/15/10; etc.  Discussion on height up occurred i.e. 30’ +/- and various mast sizes available; as well as the simplicity of a wire antenna.  Also discussed how many members will come and participate in FD.  Location for FD was discussed such as Vets Park; West Rocks School, Westport Observatory or other potential sites.  Members Jon and PPL will visit the Westport Observatory K1WAS | Westport Astronomical Society (was-ct.org).  It looks like the Astronomical Society location may have a lot of benefits and excellent location for joint FD activities. Stay tuned for updates on this.
• Treasurer’s Report –– The club finances remain strong.  The Treasurer has filed the appropriate tax forms, paid our insurance, and handled the CT state non-profit fee and trailer registration costs.
• Education/Testing – We have a VE session on Sat March 26 at 1 pm at The Readiness Collective.  VE’s needed. 
• Presentation:  No formal presentation was planned for this event.  This meeting was a trial to evaluate the new location at the American Legion Hall.  The club pays $50 to utilize a large hall and have access to the facility Bar in the lower level after the meeting.  Members did indeed go down for some refreshment at 9 PM after the meeting.  All present agreed it was a great success to use this wonderful location complete with ample parking.
• New Business:  Discussed the need to find a location for Club activities and a radio shack.  Members are encouraged to seek out potential locations such as a town community center, social clubs, senior citizen centers or Senior Residences, a local Fire house, a local high school or other facilities.  Each of these could provide a mutual benefit with GNARC having a presence in their facility.  Members are encouraged to seek out such locations and forward to club officers.

Next meeting will be April 13^th at the American Legion Post 12,   60 County St, Norwalk, CT 06851

    Members are encouraged to attend in person!  Social distancing is easy in such a large facility and the bar downstairs is open after the meeting.

Meeting adjourned 9:00 PM

W1TEG, Secretary.

Monthly Members Meeting

July 14, 2021 – Meeting Minutes

Attending:  Officer members –Jon Perelstein AI1V, President; Paul LaVorgna W1PPL, Treasurer; Peter Healy KC1GBZ, Vice President; Tom Gunther W1TEG, Secretary.  Other members in attendance included: Dee-N1ZD, Jonathan AB1HI, Jonathan K1RFD, David W1DPW, Jim KC1FB, Hugo AA1XV, Steve N1CF, Steve K1RF; Marty KA1WBN; William; Don.

Minutes:  Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM by President Jon AI1V;

Order of Business

• Reminder Bloomin Metric is moved to Sept 19^th  Bloomin’ Metric (bloominmetric.com)  Members will be needed to support this event.
• The GNARC picnic at Lyz Richards is scheduled for SUNDAY August 29^th.  Save the date.
• Tower/Trailer – has been scrapped
• Field Day was a success with 6054 points recorded.
• VE Session is Saturday 7/31 at SoNO mall – Readiness Collective at 1:00 pm
• Jon is preparing to offer a Tech License class in the spring and a GENERAL class in September.
• FD Outreach – no response as yet but will be followed up.
• Future meetings at Shop Rite?  Zig N1ICL is the contact to follow up with.  Also the Coast Guard Aux building at Calf Pasture Beech is also available as an alternative.
• Meeting Presentations – Jonathan K1RFD “What’s New in EchoLink”  to discuss Internet Connectivity – EchoLink updates. Jonathan is the creator of Echo Link.  Latest version is V2.3 for PCs; V2.16 for IOS devices.  See www.echolink.org for more info.
• Treasurer’s Report –– $16K+ remains in our accounts with little or no spend occurring other than for Field Day.  Once all invoices are processed an updated report will follow.  The club finances remain strong. 
• Activities – Discussed a summer show & tell focused on “mobile radios”.  More discussion to follow.

Next meeting will be August 29^th … at the GNARC Picnic.  Stay tuned for details to follow. 

Meeting adjourned 8:25 PM

W1TEG, Secretary.

Attending: Officer members –Jon Perelstein AI1V, President; Paul LaVorgna W1PPL, Treasurer; Peter Healy KC1GBZ, Vice President; Tom Gunther W1TEG, Secretary. Other members in attendance included: Dee-N1ZD, Jonathan AB1HI, Steve K1RFD, David W1DPW, Jess ND1L, Toy K1WYQ, Jim KC1FB, Pete KC1PWH, Hugo AA1XV, Jonathan K1RFD, Steve KC1MDK, Steve N1CF, Beth Morgan, Ray WB1U.

Minutes: Meeting called to order at 7:39 PM by President Jon AI1V;

Order of Business
Trailer – Discussed the need to have the tower trailer disposed of as scrap ASAP. Hugo indicated he may have a person to take it.

Future Meeting Presentations – Next month (May 12th) Jonathan K1RFD to discuss Internet Connectivity – EchoLink updates.

Treasurer’s Report — $16,260.94 remains in our accounts with little or no spend occurring. With no holiday party expenses, the club finances remain strong. We have 69 paid members – down from our usual ~120.

Education/Testing – The class for new Tech license is concluded yesterday with Jon. The recent testing produced 6 new licensed Tech’s – mostly from the Wilton CERT class taught by W1IP. A few more are expected to take the test on 4/17.

Field Day Planning – We expect a “lite” version this year and focused on discussing a portable antenna i.e. BYOA as an approach. AARL will have some new rules this year including BYORadio.

Activities – Discussed a summer show & tell focused on “mobile radios”. More discussion to follow.

Presentation: Grounding a Station by Jon P. Some key points covered: A/C, RF and Lightning protection; Chasis to building grounds; RF ground approaches; see “The Wireman.com and Radio Works for more info .

New Business: Should there be a picnic in the summer? Pandemic rules will probably rule.

Bloomin Metric: tentative date is Sunday August 29th, Sherwood Island to Fairfield. Save the date to attend and support this event. For more info see:
https://www.bloominmetric.com

Next meeting will be May 12th. Preso to be made by Jonathan K1RFD on Internet Connectivity and “EchoLink updates”.

Meeting adjourned 8:46 PM
W1TEG, Secretary.