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Election Results 2024
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The NARS Board of Directors election results are in! As expected, all the nominees were elected/re-elected because all positions were unopposed. The officers for the coming term are as follows:
| President - | Paul Owen | N5NXS |
| Vice President - | ||
| Secretary - | Brandon Rogers | K5BLR |
| Treasurer - | Tom Hoherd | KK5YU |
| Director 1 - | Rich Jones | W5VEK |
| Director 2 - | Jorge Gutiérrez | WK5J |
Per the bylaws, these officers will take office at the annual banquet in January.
Repeater Status Update
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NARS has three repeater sites, one in Klein, one Downtown, and one in the Galleria. While we have had some challenges brought about by recent weather events, our repeater team, led by Rich Jones, W5VEK, is working diligently to ensure that this system provides the reliable and convenient coverage in the Houston area that we have come to expect.
The current repeater system status is as follows:
- VHF 146.660 Galleria Area PL 141.3 OFF THE AIR
- VHF 146.660 Downtown PL100 on the air
- UHF 443.075 Galleria Area PL 103.5 on the air and ALLSTAR
- UHF 444.375 Klein Area PL 100 on the air and ALLSTAR
- UHF/DMR 440.300 Klein Area ,Talk Group 3146211, time slot 1, Active
- Allstar Node 59847
The repeater team has grouped their objectives as follows:
Short Term Objectives (15 to 40 days}:
- Monitor Galleria AllStar hub connection for a possible issue with the cellular internet disconnection
- Make an appointment to visit the site for additional modifications and adjust repeater audio output based on observations and to replace the cellular modem if dropouts continue to require frequent resets.
- Continue to monitor Galleria VHF Repeater for noise and collect information on coverage area.
- Determine coverage area with the new antenna installed at the downtown site.
- Continue efforts to connect the Klein DMR repeater to AllStar.
- Upgrade Klein controller and software to match the equipment installed at the Galleria location.
Long Term Objectives
Establish a VHF Repeater Usage Plan
General Comments:
The repeater team, with the assistance of a professional antenna installer, has replaced the antenna that was damaged by storms during 2024. This antenna has been somewhat disappointing because coverage was less than expected. The team is evaluating performance and looking for a workable solution that fits within our budget. The Galleria VHF repeater has been put in standby because of the interference to the downtown repeater that would occur.
When the team accomplishes its goals, NARS will have two analog UHF repeaters, separated by 20 miles, connected to the W5NC HUB, one DMR repeater in Klein on the W5NC HUB, and one VHF repeater, with RF access only, at 678 feet in the center of downtown. The separation of the two UHF RF capable repeaters with W5NC HUB links should allow members without HUB access to communicate by RF into Club nets.
Meeting Topics for 2024
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NARS attempts to provide an enjoyable, interesting, and informative experience at each of our meetings. This being your club, we welcome suggestions from the membership for topics that you find useful and interesting. Either send an
| Month | Topic | Presenter | Location |
| January | Banquet | Paul Kent, KI5FJS | Valley Ranch |
| February | Texas Emergency Communications Center | Mike Pate, K5MAP | HCESD 16, Zoom |
| March | Field Day Planning | - | HCESD 16, Zoom |
| April | Presentation (TBD) | Gordon West, WB5NOA | HCESD 16, Zoom |
| May | Fox Hunt | David Holden, WJ9O | HCESD 16, Zoom |
| June | No Meeting - Field Day | - | - |
| July | - | - | HCESD 16, Zoom |
| August | Home Power Alternatives | Ron Matusek, WA6TQH | HCESD 16, Zoom |
| September | - | - | HCESD 16, Zoom |
| October | ARES | Kirc Breden, N5XJB | HCESD 16, Zoom |
| November | Officer Election | - | HCESD 16, Zoom |
| December | Show and Tell | Various | HCESD 16, Zoom |
Meeting Location
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The NARS monthly meetings are held on the third Friday of each month at 7:30 P.M. at the Harris County Emergency Services Building located at HCESD 16 Admin Building, 18606 Stuebner Airline 77379. This move from our previous location at Klein VFD Station 16 is effective for the meeting on May 19 and all subsequent meetings.
Please utilize parking in front of the building. Do not go through the locked gate. There is ample parking available. Enter the building ONLY through the main front entrance. As always, please do not take reserved parking spaces or block driveways.
For members who wish to join us for dinner before the meeting, we meet at a local restaurant for dinner at 4:30, enjoy dinner and maybe a drink, then make the short 10 minute drive to the meeting on Stuebner Airline. The restaurant is posted to the W5NC group.
Amateur Radio Mentoring Group
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In addition to the Ham Radio Tech Notes group on groups.io, Bill, K5LK is the group admin for a sub-group whose purpose is to facilitate discussion and communication on group activities related to mentoring of hams on newer technologies and operating modes. While all hams are encouraged to participate, our programs primarily target newly licensed and returning hams. We are looking for hams to be part of our advisory team. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Bill-K5LK, Walter-K5WH, Joe-W5BSA or John-K5JBT.
Our calendar of events is located at https://teamup.com/ksdwehavraxdkreiqx
