Category Archives: Meeting Minutes

June 2023 Meeting Minutes

GNARC Zoom Meeting Minutes – 06/14/23.

Attendees

KC1YL    Lisa

Paul       W1IP

Steve    K1RF

Jon         W1DYN

Dee        N1ZD

Dave      N1DPD

Discussed Field Day participation and how to generate more interest in this event. Jon AI1V will be sending out another sign-up for operating at Field Day.

W1IP suggested starting a regular get together to do some educational things like POTA, Antenna Setups, and maybe fox hunts.

Respectfully submitted,

David D’Arinzo

N1DPD

February 2023 Meeting Minutes

AttendingOfficer members –Jon Perelstein AI1V, President; Dave D’Arinzo N1DPD Treasurer; Tom Gunther W1TEG, Secretary.  Other members in attendance included: Paul W1PPL; Bill KC1TX; Toy K1WYQ; Dee N1ZD; Hugo; Steve W1SMS; Steve N9SJM; Ed K3EIN; Jess ND1L; Jonathan W1DYN; Dave N1DPD; Tom KB1FBX; Steve K1RF; Rusty K4SAA; MJG N1VSV and Pete Hubbard.    

Minutes:  Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM by Tom W1TEG; via Zoom

Order of Business

  • Open Discussions:  Members discussed various recent DX and other FT8 experiences on 10M and 15M; as well as other general radio topics.  General discussions occurred before and after the presentation. 
  • Classes:   no new class is currently planned.
  • Treasurer’s Report – Accounts remain strong with minimal spending during the prior period and future month;  41 members have paid their dues to date; forms 990 were filed as required.  The treasurer will look into expanding the funding source from just check or Pay Pal today to potentially add Venmo.
  • Meeting Presentation – Dr Jonathan Shapiro presented an interesting overview titled “Introduction to Python Programming”.  He ran through both his library of reference materials on the subject and how he had utilized the programming technique to support testing routines.  He provided a real time look at the program in use and answered many questions.  The presentation and Q&A ran for 45 minutes.
  • VE Session:  next session is Feb 25 at Norwalk Library.  Extra VEs are needed. 
  • Future meetings – We have asked one member to present an overview of his Raspberry Pi projects for our March meeting and Steve K1RF is prepared to present a look at a specific dipole antenna type in April. 
  • Club DuesAnnual Dues of $35 were due and payable January 1, 2023.  Please PAY VIA PAYPAL.  A link is on our website.  http://gnarc.org/join/

Next meeting will be March 8th. Via Zoom starting at 7 PM.    

Meeting adjourned 8:40 PM

W1TEG, Secretary.

November 2022 – Meeting Minutes

AttendingOfficer members –Jon Perelstein AI1V, President; Dave D’Arinzo N1DPD Treasurer; Tom Gunther W1TEG, Secretary.  Other members in attendance included: Paul W1PPL; Jesse .    

Minutes:  Meeting called to order at 6:05 PM by President Jon AI1V; at Colony Grill in Norwalk.

Order of Business

  • Open Discussions:  Members discussed the upcoming holiday party; potential locations for setting up a radio facility and meeting locations.
  • Classes:   no new class is currently planned.
  • Holiday Party 12/14 at 7 PM – Members discussed the planned party at the restaurant “PONZA Italian Kitchen” https://ponzaitaliankitchen.com. [690 Connecticut Ave, Norwalk].  A Sit-down menu with 3 options has been selected.   While the meal will cost approximately $50, Members will be charged $35 each and the club will cover the difference.  There will be a pay-Bar and Prizes / drawings.  Please pay before attending via PayPal.  Look us up at “Greater Norwalk Amateur Radio Club” in the PayPal portal. 
  • Future meetings – will probably continue at Comstock Community Center. 
  • Meeting Presentations – No presentation was scheduled for this meeting.
  • Treasurer’s Report – Accounts remain strong with minimal spending during the prior period. 
  • Club Dues — Annual Dues of $35 will be due and payable January 1, 2023.  Feel free to pay early in support of your club.  Please PAY VIA PAYPAL.  A link is on our website.

Next meeting will be the Holiday Party December 14th. – see above.  January meeting is Jan 11, 2023 … at Comstock Community Center 183 School Road in Wilton. 

October 2022 – Meeting Minutes

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

Meeting Minutes – July 2022

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 W1SMS, Dan N3DAN, Hugo AA1XV

Minutes: Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM by President Jon AI1V; with members noted in attendance, in-person.
LOCATION: Colony Grill, 155 West Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851

Dues – The president noted our “Dues Holiday” for 2022 will end for 2023. New year dues will be payable at $35 each for the calendar year 2023, starting in December 2022.


Future Meeting Presentations – No meeting presentation in August as we will hold our summer picnic at a member’s home. Other presentations planned include: Steve Dick talking about doublet antennas in September; Jon P on Winlink for October; No topic yet selected for November and Holiday Party in December. PLEASE Send your topic suggestions for future meetings to Jon.


Events:
o Field Day = June 25-26, 2022. 11 members attended FD and all reported a positive experience at the Westport Observatory. A HEX beam was secured by Jon and raised for use during FD. Members made contacts with all but 4 entities. Steve D was the master in CW contacts. Four clubs (WASARC, HARC, GFARA, GNARC) all worked very well together at Field Day with good cooperation and coordination. Working with them was just a real pleasure – including their providing food for members. Thanks to Mike S and Marty for moving the trailer to and from FD.

o Summer Picnic = Sat August 27, Noon to 3 PM. SAVE THE DATE. Location (at a member’s home) to be forwarded directly to members. Pot-luck dishes will be requested and club supplied items provided. Stay tuned for more details.

Treasurer’s Report – Balances remain strong in club accounts. Bills paid included $200 for field day food and $46 for trailer tax.

Education/Testing – The readiness Collective has closed. We are looking for a new venue. Any suggestions should be forwarded to Jon. Discussion is underway to hold a Technician license class in September / October and potentially hold a General class in January / February. A Location for the class must be found that is suitable.


New Business:
o Thanks to Paul W1IP for finding a new vendor for club badges. www.thesignman.com
o Discussed the need to find a location for Club activities and a radio shack. Members are again 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 at the Picnic August 27th. September meeting is Sept 14th 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 8:30 PM
W1TEG, Secretary.

March 2022 Meeting Minutes

AttendingOfficer 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 13th 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.

October 2021 Monthly Meeting

Monthly Members Meeting

October 13, 2021 – Meeting Minutes

AttendingOfficer 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 Dick, Toy K1WYQ, Hugo AA1XV, Steve N1CM, Ray WB1U, Steve KC1MDK, Paul W1ip, Bill KB1IFY, David N1DPD, Rick K1OF, Don, Tom KB1FBX

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

Order of Business

  • Holiday Party — Jonupdated the members on the Board’s decision to hold our Holiday Party on Wed 12/8th at the Silver Star Diner in Norwalk (just off Exit 14 of Rt 95) at 7 PM.  The club will provide appetizers, desert and the venue.  Three selected entree’s will be available for quicker service and members can also order off the menu.  Est price per entre is $25 (paid at the diner), a ~30% savings from the pricier location we used in the past (at $35 each).  Raffle prizes will also be provided by the Club.  Jon will send an email to all members requesting a response concerning who will attend.  All members are encouraged to respond to this survey.  Guests are welcome to join you.
  • Dues – The Board has decided to call a “Dues Holiday” for 2022.  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. 
  • Future Meeting Presentations – Next month TBD
  • Events – Tom KB1FBX is involved with a Boy Scouts event promoting Ham radio, this weekend Oct 16.  If available, please reach out to him.
  • Treasurer’s Report –– $15,291 remains in our accounts with little or no spend occurring.  Checking is $2226 and Savings is $13,025.  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 Oct 23 at 1pm at The Readiness Collective.  VE’s needed. 
  • Presentation:  Member Paul W1ip provided a most informative and exciting presentation on Parks on the Air.  He described the process, the tools to get on the air, how many parks are in the data base, the reporting & awards available as well as the success of several Club members with POTA at a recent outing to Sherwood State Park.  Some key words noted in his presentation:
    • Bioenno batteries; Wolf River Coil antenna; G-90 transceiver; picnic tables in the park; Spotting and getting noticed via Parks on the Air | POTA ;  JS8CALL to spot yourself; be a hunter or an activator; ADFI file formats for submitting logs to k1@parksontheair.com  Paul logs contacts to N3FJP Log.
    • We are hoping Paul W1ip can post the preso to our web site.
  • New Business:  None presented

Next meeting will be Nov 10th. 

Meeting adjourned 8:45 PM

W1TEG, Secretary.