Murray State University Amateur Radio Club

Meeting Minutes, May 4, 2010

The meeting was called to order at 19:00 by Vice President Chuck Williams.  

In attendance:

The question of the day was: “Are you going to Dayton?”

Program – John Hart did a presentation on balloon launches. Balloon launches are part of the Kentucky Space Program. This program is an important aspect of aerospace education and getting aerospace businesses in Kentucky. Murray State University is involved in handling the outreach program for K – 12 grades.

·         Weather Balloons commonly reach 90,000 ft (17 miles)

·         Scientific Balloons routinely reach 137,000 ft (26 miles)

·         Unmanned Balloons routinely reach 170,000 ft (32 miles)

·         Manned Balloons commonly reach 113,740 ft (21.54 miles)

·         Altitude record for a parachute jump from a balloon is 102,800 ft (19.5 miles) by Capt. Joseph Kittenger

John showed a slide that gave information on the payload of the balloon launches, which include a video camera (427.250 Mhz Tx), GPS (144.390 Mhz APRS Tx), a cutdown command circuit and a crossband repeater with 445.000 Mhz Tx and 146.550 Mhz Rx frequencies. The cutdown circuit is to enable the command personnel to cause the balloon to come down sooner than the 100,000 ft altitude, he is planning on the first flight to only go to an altitude of about 35,000 ft.

To make predictions on where the balloon payload would come down he has both the Missouri data and Nashville data to use, surprisingly there is a large variance between them. As our weather tends to come from the west the Missouri data seems to be more accurate for our area. John’s department has two Kenwood D710’s and an AVMap G5T to locate the payload. A test flight with no actual payload was released and although John’s business card was included the balloon was not recovered.

Balloon schedule is still being coordinated with the schools, although tentatively set for Thursday, May 6^th. If that date does not work it will be sometime next week. Two flights are being scheduled for the near future. A short question and answer session followed. One question was whether John needs special clearance to go over Fort Campbell? John replied yes, if the balloon is to be under 40,000 ft and although FAA notification is not required by law he does notify the FAA when he is releasing a balloon. Average flight time is 3 – 4 hours.

Minutes – Charlton Young motioned to accept the minutes as emailed, Bob Aldrich seconded. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Bill Call reported a current balance of $1959.20, after deposit of $893.00 (dues and exam fees).  

Systems Report – Bill Call reported the Hamlin repeater amplifier has been repaired and reinstalled as of yesterday and is working well. 94 repeater as usual, wind causes noise. 440 repeater acts deaf sometimes, it tested ok but doesn’t receive as well and the sensitivity seems to getting progressively worse.

Staff Advisor Report – None.

VE Report – April VE session had seven examinees and all passed.

QSL Managers Report – No cards to report.

Net Report –Matt Freeman emailed the April Net Report of 4 sessions, 0 traffic, 47 stations, 97 minutes, and 76 operator hours. Bill Call to check on a Storm Net operations report.

Ham Bits – Check this out www.hamuniverse.com/hamradiovideos.html  we had some trouble with the links in the presentation, but is full of information.

Old Business – Field Day 2010. Site selection has not yet been decided. Sites discussed were Murray State West Farm Pavilion, around the outside of the IT building at MSU, MSU Club Station with change of classification, and Roy Stewart Stadium.

We did vote on a 24 hour operation of Field Day and that passed so we are operating the full 24 hours this year. Set-up to start at 9:00 am, Saturday, June 26^th, with on-air operations starting at 1:00 pm. Due to our 24 hour operation we decided to have a Tennis Ball/Antenna Launcher contest and possibly a Fox Hunt.

Bill Call will place a T-Shirt order again this year and Valerie Barrett has offered to personalize them. Cost will probably be about the same as last year, approximately $15.00. Bill has asked Debbie Barton to collect the orders, so please email Debbie at w8ibt.debbie@gmail.com with your T-Shirt order, be sure to include your size and also if the personalization is something other than your name and call. Orders must be received by May 26^th.

New Business – Bill Call reminded everyone that this Saturday is the Georgefest at Forgotten Past, Hwy 68, Draffenville.

Mayfield ARC meeting is Thursday, May 20^th lobby area of hospital.

Bill Call showed pictures of the weekend storm damage in the Beane Road area of Murray. This is being viewed by the weather personnel from Paducah as possible tornado damage.

Chuck adjourned the meeting at about 20:35 for the VE session which immediately followed.

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Barton, W8IBT

Secretary