[HCARC] Need help understing Repeater option comments by DennisKF5STP and Harvey K5HV

Tue Oct 15 18:37:21 EDT 2013

Gary, take a look under committees.  It's there minus the name of Mort which 
needs to be added.  It's called Repeater Committee.  If you remember when 
you first joined I was president.  Each month I had a published agenda to 
all of the officers.  Each month I went through the list of committees and 
requested a report. This was not just for there information but was to bring 
to the attention of the membership that we had these working committees. If 
you remember we had reports from committees such as repeater, website, VE 
testing, social, and the list goes on and on.

And while I am here I just as well report that even when we, Harvey, K5HV, 
and I are on vacation, Harvey is still addressing the needs as related to 
the repeater since he is pretty much the one who will "do the deal" when 
needed, even in the middle of the night.  Of course the others on the 
committee help also.

As for volunteers, the world of volunteers is long gone.  It's called, talk 
to someone ahead of the appointed time and work it so they feel the pleasure 
of being needed.

I could write volumes but it's time for the news.

Marilyn
KE5DDR and Harvey's wife for those who might not know

-----Original Message----- 
From: Gary Johnson N5BAA
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 5:22 PM
To: lee at besing.com ; Hill Country Amateur Radio Club
Subject: Re: [HCARC] Need help understing Repeater option comments by 
DennisKF5STP and Harvey K5HV

"Board and Engineering committee" ?? Just looked at the Kerrhams website and
while I do find an Executive Board (minus AC4CA who I understand has
resigned from the board - he served his time and should be thanked for doing
so), I don't find an Engineering Committee anywhere and if anyone cares to
ask our President, there is likely little chance of finding people willing
to serve.  Heck at the last meeting Terry could only find one volunteer to
be on the nominating committee for next years officers.  Out of 30+
attendees at the meeting Terry could only get 13 responses to a poll he
passed around.  What makes us so sure that enough people care one way or
another to plan a change of site for the repeater??  Volunteers have not
been beating the doors down lately!!

Second,  is there a requirement in our charter to support NWS or do we do
that because we have been able to??  I am not trying to be confrontational
in this, but what is our charter??  If we change our charter then we should
reevaluate the funding (i.e. Dues).  The following is what we are supposed
to do according to Kerrhams.org::

"The purposes of the Club shall include:
A. Provide a sociable environment for its members at meetings and elsewhere.
B. Increase the knowledge of radio and related subjects among its members
through technical programs and discussions
C. Encourage and assist those who are not currently licensed amateurs to
obtain licenses
D. Provide communication assistance as needed during emergencies in
conjunction with public service organizations including the Hill Country
Chapter of the American Red Cross
E. Project a favorable image regarding Amateur Radio to the general public"

I guess D is the catch all to support whatever "public service organization"
needs help.  Be careful, a lot of organizations may want to fall into this
catagory.

Gary J
N5BAA
HCARC Secretary 2013

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lee Besing" <lee at besing.com>
To: "Hill Country Amateur Radio Club" <hcarc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 2:21 PM
Subject: Re: [HCARC] Need help understing Repeater option comments by Dennis
KF5STP and Harvey K5HV

> From my past experience with SARO in San Antonio, working to replace the 
> heluax & antenna on the (former) 147.14 Canyon Lake repeater, some 
> engineering / cost factors could include:
>
> Unless there is a pre-existing feedline / heliax & suitable antenna on the 
> proposed new site, the club would need to obtain the availability of an 
> acceptable licensed / bonded tower climber crew to install new feedline / 
> heliax & a new antenna.
>
> That implies paying for the labor of such tower climber crew, if the tower 
> lease holder won't let some agile hams with proper safety gear do the 
> work.
>
> That also implies the club would need to purchase (or get donated) 
> suitable feedline / heliax, connectors, mounting hardware, paint (to match 
> tower per FCC / FAA regulations), and antenna(s) to mount on tower. With 
> current copper costs, low loss feedline is quite expensive.
>
> And it probably implies the need to re-coordinate the frequency with the 
> Texas VHF-FN Society (shouldn't be a big deal, just paperwork filed with 
> them).
>
> The SARO Canyon Lake 147.14 repeater project (at 600+ ft) died due to the 
> cost of an acceptable (to the tower leasing company) tower climbing crew. 
> With the spread of LTE installations by major cellular carriers, tower 
> crews are able to charge premium rates because they are so busy.
>
> SARO was quoted $8,000 on their last bid. REACT had offered to donate the 
> heliax & GVARC had offered to donate the mounting hardware. But the 
> requirements for a professional tower crew killed it, due to that single 
> expense factor.
>
> Either way, the cost factors alone should initiate a feasibility study by 
> the club's board & engineering committee to determine the probable costs 
> associated with such project & if the club can handle those costs. (I.e. 
> raise the funds or have sufficient resources already on hand.)
>
> The hosting cost at the proposed new site is quite reasonable and the 
> availability of emergency backup power is a bonus. But those are minor 
> factors in the decision to relocate or not.
>
> Certainly I think the general membership ought to be informed of the 
> option, but without knowing the total bottom line cost to the club up 
> front, no reasonable decision could be made.
>
> Just my unsolicited 2 cents worth....
>
> I don't think anyone is particularly against the concept of trying to 
> improve the coverage area & reach of the current  repeater. It has great 
> coverage now. But if it can be improved to the point of enabling a 
> stronger signal as far as the NWS office in New Braunfels, that would be a 
> desirable end result in my book.
>
>
> Lee Besing, N5NTG
> 210-771-7075 ( voice/text)
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