Greater Norwalk Amateur Radio Club (GNARC)
Meeting Minutes 9/9/26
Present In Person (10): Hugo AA1XV (President), Steve W1SMS (Vice President), Jeff KB1C (Recording Secretary) , Dave N1DPD (Treasurer), Rich K1CYW, Chuck K1CWT, Daniel KC1WSE, Peter KC1YMJ, Peter KC1TMT, Paul W1PPL
Present Virtually (2): Steve K1RF, Toy K1WYQ
Preamble: Bringing Dave’s RigExpert AA-55 ZOOM Antenna Analyzer back from the dead…Hugo will drop it off and Steve K1RF will troubleshoot.
W1PPL renewed his HAM license directly from FCC, huge pain! Can go through QRZ, it’s easier but costly.
Business Meeting: called to order by President Hugo AA1XV at 7:30.
Minutes from last meeting were approved.
Old Business:
Picnic was great, plenty of food, great location. We thanked our host/hostess with a gift card. (More about this including pictures can be found in the August newsletter).
Treasurer’s Report: by Dave N1DPD: Club financial statement distributed, we have a paid membership of 64.
Very good party, did well budget wise, can cut back even a bit more next time! We spent about $100 less than last year, with some menu adjustments next year we can probably cut back a bit.
Some future expenses include website hosting, holiday party coming up. We’ve sold some surplus equipment which helped keep club finances in great shape.
VP Report: by Steve W1SMS
New repeater is working at the new site, with new antenna to be installed before winter. There have been some difficulties with Echolink, someone needs to troubleshoot the node/equipment. Ideally we need a radio/computer setup in Norwalk, in sight of the repeater. Hugo has a laptop waiting for a radio to match with it, maybe we can use the current radio with it. Steve is investigating an Arduino/Raspberry pi option for future implementation. Building a new node would give us a backup.
We also need hardware to be able to monitor and administer the hospital repeater remotely; the hospital site won’t allow us an internet connection, so we need a hot spot, which will involve a monthly service fee.
Steve has been in contact with the ATT tower owner, who has requested info on equipment & antennas & how it all serves the city of Norwalk. He may want to be paid. We need access to troubleshoot & maintain.
New Business:
Rich K1CYW is seeking club members interested in Meshcore, and getting activity going for the group. Only a few members are currently engaged. In the fall there will be area wide emergency exercises involving Meshcore.
Lighthouses on the air…recently Dave N1DPD, Paul W1PPL & Paul W1IP worked approx 60 contacts from Sheffield Island (more about this along with pictures from the event can be found in the August newsletter). Also Dave reported some POTA at Putnam Park. Peter KC1TMT has activated Sleeping Giant State Park with an HT.
Steve Urso from Stamford is moving to NC. Blooming Metric will miss him!
Daniel KC1WSE asked about APRS, more to follow?
A motion to close the meeting passed, and we adjourned at 8:25
Respectfully submitted, Jeff KB1C, Recording Secretary
