Nixa ARC HF Station on the air

This week, members of the Nixa ARC installed the club's new HF radio station. The radio station, consisting of a Yaesu FT-950 for HF-6m SSB activity, and a Yaesu FT-8900 for 6m, 2m and 70cm FM, is housed at the Nixa Fire Department General HQ inside their concrete walled backup 911 center, which is also the backup EOC for Christian County. The Iota DLS-55 12 vdc power supply was also installed and the Tigertronics SignaLink USB was also unpacked and set at the station awaiting the PC for logging and digital operation.

A 24' Penninger mast was installed on a 30' telephone pole on the Northwest corner of the Fire Department placing the tip at 50' AGL. Atop the mast is the Comet GP-15 for 6m, 2m and 70cm FM. Initial tests allowed us to key every 2m repeater in Southwest Missouri including the 146.955 in Laurie. We also talked to a station on the Mansfield machine while he was en route to work in Lebanon. While testing 6-meters, we were able to work the Louisburg, KS 6m machine. Just below the Comet GP-15 is the HF wire antenna, an Alpha Delta DX-LB+ for 10m through 160m HF. One end is tied off to the Fire Department's Rohn HDBX-48 tower at the 34' mark and the other end to another telephone pole at 34'. And, below the HF antenna on the center support is a pair of KU4AB SQ-50 Squalo antennas for 6m SSB. Each of the antennas has 200' of Andrew FSJ4-50B 1/2" superflex and 40' of Belden 9913 low-loss, more flexible cable at each end to connect to the radios and antennas. All tolled, we used a total of 600' of 1/2" superflex and 240' of Belden 9913 coax. The feedlines have Polyphasers installed and grounding kits, all attached to the fire department's Harger ground bar installed for their tower. Wiremold was also installed along the walls to hide the coax cable. The Wiremold installed is large enough to support about 6 more runs of coax for any future expansion.

We would like to thank the following people who took time off work and out of their day to help with the install, which took 3 days to complete. Chris Cochran, KB0WZC; Jeremy Tannehill, KC0UJZ; Jeff Kerr, Kc0VGC; James Adkins, KB0NHX; Jim Adkins, KC0IYI; Richard Doucey, KD0HGY; Kent Doucey, N0IRM, and Gary Doucey, N0IRN.

We received several positive comments from the firemen and the Fire Chief commenting on how professional our install looks. The station should be something for all the members to not only enjoy using and but also be proud of for years to come. Once the station PC for logging and digital operations is installed and the Internet obtained for the PC, we will even be able to operate the station remotely! Future upgrades planned are installation of Heil microphone equipment for SSB operations and a Begali CW keyer for the club's CW enthusiasts.

We would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for supporting the project both financially and by supplying equipment for the station:

Nixa Community Foundation
Nixa Fire Department
ARRL Foundation
Handyman Rentals
Comet / NCG
WB0W
Begali
Heil Sound
Iota
Tigertronics
Belden
Yaesu

A full update on the HF station will be given, along with a tour of the station, at the July 2009 Nixa ARC club meeting.

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HF Station

On July 6th through the July 8th 2009, members of the Nixa Amateur Radio Club installed the club's HF station. The station is located in the Nixa Fire District General Headquarters at 301 S. Nicholas Road.

Inside:

  • Begali Keyer (TBA)
  • Heil Sound (TBA)
  • IOTA DLS-55 Power Supply
  • PC (TBD)
  • Tigertronics SignaLink USB
  • Samsung 2333SW 23" High Definition Monitor
  • Yaesu FT-950 HF - 6 meters (160 - 6 meters) Transceiver
  • Yaesu FT-8900R Quad Band FM Transceiver

Outside:
  • Alpha Delta DX-LB+
  • Comet GP-15
  • KU4AB SQ-50 Squalo Stack

We would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for supporting this project both financially and by supplying equipment for the station:


This station's purpose is multi-folded:

    First, we are actively working with the Nixa School District to create a school sponsored Ham Radio Club. This station is in close proximity to the Nixa High School and several of the elementary schools so we hope it will serve as the club station for Nixa students. The youth involved in the program will be instilled with responsibility and leadership skills through their handling of emergency and routine radio traffic into and out of the Nixa area during emergency communications drills as well as in real-life events.

    Second, it is to be utilized for communication training. This function is directly linked to the first point, but would include any persons interested in proper amateur radio and emergency communications techniques.

    Third, it is our plan that the local Emergency Management offices, such as Greene and Christian Counties, and the National Weather Service be able to control this station locally or remotely. These entities could do this if any of their local stations were damaged or if they had the need for more simultaneous stations.

KOLR 10 Club Field Day Story

KOLR10 did a story on the Nixa Amateur Radio Club's Field Day 2009 event. It was a good piece, and a few stars were born!

Click Here to view.

Meeting Minutes 5-30-2009

Nixa Amateur Radio Club
Meeting Minutes
May 30, 2009
  1. Call to order

Chris Cochran, KBØWZC called to order the regular meeting of the Nixa Amateur Radio Club at 18:16 on May 30, 2009 in Nixa Fire Station.

  1. Roll call

Jeff Kerr, KCØVGC conducted a roll call. The following persons were present:

Chris Cochran KB0WZC, Dave Beckler N0SAP, Gerald Johnson, KE0KI,
James Adkins KB0NHX, John Perkins W6OQS, Gary Doucey N0IRN,
Dean Gaines KC0SQD, Matthew Elliff KC0QJJ, Richard Doucey KD0HGY,
Ken Doucey N0IRM, Robert Kentch KC0WSE, Brian Umbenhour K0OLD,
David Vogt KA0DNA, Paul Coroleuski W1PGC, Jim Adkins KC0IYI,
Bill McNamee KB0WHN, John Copelin KC0QNM, Randy Jordan KC0UKB,
Shawn Baker KA0RZE, John Bonnot WB0LTE

Visitors Present:

Patty Doucey, Arlen Evins N6DDD, Marci Evins, Gary Akers KC0WHR, Cole Akers

26 persons present

  1. Approval of minutes from last meeting

Jeff Kerr, KCØVGC filed the minutes from the last meeting. The minutes were approved as posted on the club website.

  1. News and Announcement
  1. Chris Cochran KB0WZC made the following announcements:
  2. VE Testing: There were six test takers. All passed. Two upgrades to General, Two upgrades to Extra, and one new Technician.
  3. The Club received a $1000 grant toward the club HF station
  4. The Club purchased a 1.5KW continuous-duty commercial broadcast amplifier to be converted for use on the Club's 53.270 6m repeater. This amp sells for $5000 new and was a real gem to find for $750.00. Thanks to Shawn Baker KA0RZE for finding this amp and helping us transport it to Nixa.
  5. The Club received approval from the Missouri State Highway Patrol to place receive sites at the Milo and Ganby towers for the six meter repeater.
  6. James Adkins KB0NHX made the following report related to Sucker Days: The club station was well attended. The station operated on 6m SSB, and the 6m, 2m and 440 FM repeaters. 38 contacts were made during the event.
  7. The Treasurer's Report was read as follows:
    Beginning Balance: $1892.33
    Credits:
    04/29/2009 $125.00 Michael Torluccio (N3XXH).
    Payment towards the 220 repeater
    05/12/2009 $100.00 Michael Torluccio (N3XXH).
    Final payment towards the 220 repeater
    05/21/2009 $1012.00
    $1,000 ARRL Foundation Grant for HF Station
    $12.00 2009 Dues David Deck (W2WFD) Collected on 4/25/2009
    05/30/2009 $142.00
    $60 ARRL Testing Fees Collected on 4/25/2009
    $12.00 2009 Dues James French (KCØTQD) Collected on 4/25/2009
    $8.00 Donation James French (KCØTQD) Collected on 4/25/2009
    $12.00 2008 Dues Shawn Baker (KAØRZE) Collected on 4/25/2009
    $12.00 2009 Dues Shawn Baker (KAØRZE) Collected on 4/25/2009
    $12.00 2009 Dues Chris Raymond (KCØTLE) Collected on 4/25/2009
    $12.00 2009 Dues C.W. Stiver (KCØVNT) Collected on 4/25/2009
    $2.00 Donation C.W. Stiver (KCØVNT) Collected on 4/25/2009
    $12.00 2009 Dues Jim Young (WA6NFY) Collected on 4/25/2009
    $1379.00 Total Credits
    Debits:
    03-09-2009 1574 Seabury & Smith $320.00
    Insurance
    04-03-2009 1546 Nixa Sucker Days $60.00
    Sucker Day Booth Fees
    04-25-2009 1547 ARRL $60.00
    ARRL Exam Fees
    05-13-2009 PayPal $9.96
    Motorola RICK HLN333B
    Total was $48.44 but PayPal had Credit of $38.48
    from refund of a LinkSys Router BEFSX41 that was never received.
    05-15-2009 PayPal $36.99
    LinkSys Router BEFSX41
    05-28-2009 1578 Orr & Earls Broadcasting, Inc. $750.00
    BEXT T 1500 FM tube amplifier to be used on the 53.270 repeater
    05-29-2009 1579 Chris Cochran $13.19
    Postage and Packing Tape Reimbursement
    $1250.14 Total Debits
    Ending Balance: $2021.19 (using last month end balance $1892.33 + $1379.00 Credits - 1250.14 Debits)

V. Field Day

  1. The MSHP Command Bus has been reserved for Field Day use
  2. There will be at least one CW station, two phone stations, and possibly one digital station along with a QRP station, and GOTA station.
  3. Convoy of Hope will have their mobile command center on-site and the CW station or stations will operate from there.
  4. Thanks to Dean Gains for securing the use of Fountain Plaza for the Club's Field Day operation
  5. The MSHP command bus will be driven by Ken Doucey, James French, and John Copelin to and from Field Day.
  6. Gary Doucey N0IRN may have secured the use of the Greene County mobile command center for Field Day.
  7. The SSB stations will use an A3S, A4S, and dipoles for 80m and 40m.
  8. The CW stations will use an R7, R7000, DXCC, and a “secret” antenna to be constructed.
  9. David Becker N0SAP, and John Copelin agreed to contact an elected official to attend Field Day.
  10. An operating schedule will be made up for the June Field Day meeting in June.
  11. Jeff Morrissey will be asked if he would be willing to cook for the event to BBQ dogs and burgers.
  1. Adjournment

Chris Cochran, KBØWZC adjourned the meeting at 19:25.

The meeting was concluded by viewing the 2007 and 2008 Field Day videos.

Minutes submitted by: Jeff Kerr, KCØVGC, Secretary
Minutes approved by: Chris Cochran, KBØWZC, President

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