The HOTLINE
Official Newsletter for the
Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club
Waco, Texas
Volume XXXVII, Number 11
Personal Weather Stations
November 2012
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV
HOTARC Webmaster and HOTLINE Editor
I’ve always been interested in the weather, and since ARES hams seem to pay a lot of
attention to weather, wanted more than just a thermometer at the house. So this year,
when I received some “birthday money,” I chose to invest it on a personal weather
station. I selected a relatively inexpensive but capable entry-level model. I noticed
that Rodney K5YKC had recently purchased a similar model. In the ensuing weeks,
I’ve learned a lot about weather stations, and what to do with the resulting data.
I’ve also had a lot of fun learning about the APRS
network (and others) of personal weather stations
around the world. And a perhaps even more exciting development for me was
finding a perfect use for a little Raspberry Pi (a $25 unix computer on a card,
like Larry W5NCD demonstrated on Homebrew Night). I now have it
delivering my real-time data to the world 24/7.
After the elections and other business this month, I’ll briefly summarize and
demonstrate what I’ve learned and accomplished in the past few weeks with my Ambient WS-2080 weather
station and the little Raspberry Pi personal computer. Maybe you’ve got a weather station at home just waiting
to share its data, too! Do I ever have a fun solution to share with you!! Come see!
President’s Corner
by Scott Hamilton, K5ZOH
Thanksgiving is behind us for another year and Christmas is not far away. I hope
everybody had a good visit with the family and lots of turkey. I ran into town with
Ralph Ratta on Black Friday to pick up a couple of treasures and discovered that it is a
very bad idea to go where the ladies are shopping on Black Friday! However, we
found the lumber yard and Best Buy were okay. Ha! Ha!
This Thursday is HOTARC election day. If you would like to serve the club as a
Board Member or Officer, step up. I encourage anyone that wants to run for office to
raise their hand at the meeting. The Nominating Committee will present their
recommendations, but we will also take nominations from the floor before the voting.
Don’t forget the December meeting
will again be our Christmas
luncheon. See you Thursday, and
again for lunch in a couple of
weeks.
73, Scott K5ZOH
HOTARC President
HOTARC Christmas Luncheon
at Raymond’s in Lorena
Noon Saturday, December 8
(See hotarc.org/news for more info.)
The HOTLINE
November 2012
Page 2
Nominees for 2013 Elections
President
Clint Anderson, AE5CA
Vice-President
Rodney Baden, K5YKC
Secretary
Jim Jud, KA5QKL
Treasurer
Norris Martin, KB5SLI
Director (thru 2015)
Ralph Ratta, K9RWR
2013 Nominating Committee:
Norris Martin KB5SLI,Amy Oakley KF5PGB, Ralph Ratta K9RWR
For the Record...
HOTARC Meeting of Members
October 25, 2012
President Scott Hamilton, K5ZOH called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the W5NCD Workshop Meeting Room. Jim
Jud, KA5QKL opened the meeting with prayer. There were seventeen (17) full members, one (1) associate member and
one (1) visitor present. We were glad to have Herb Mayr, KF5FSZ as our returning guest. Scott welcomed everyone and
then continued on with the agenda.
Treasurer’s Report: A motion to approve the treasurer’s report as published was recognized from Ralph Ratta, K9RWR
with a second coming from Robert Tarbet Jr., K5RMT. The motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes as published was recognized from Larry Carlson, AA5LC with a second
coming from Ralph Ratta. The motion passed unanimously.
Committee Reports
ARES: Jim, KA5QKL reported that Net
Control Operators are still needed for the
ARES McLennan County & Baker’s Dozen
Weather Net. Ed is also looking for an
additional NC for weather activation events
from the EOC. Please consider getting
involved in ARES as a Net Control. Contact
Ed Hynan at KC5KNI@arrl.netor call him at
(254) 722-4578.
Trailer: Ralph Ratta reported the trailer is
looking good however some work is still
needed to get it into tip top condition. A
worm drive was added to the mast raising
system. This low gear ratio drive makes
raising the tower much easier and safer than
before. A safety latch and “in position”
support safety catch still needs to be added to
the mast (horizontal to vertical) raising
system. The trailer also needs to be repainted
and new graphics added. Many different
companies (for the graphics) were
mentioned. Also, plastic wrap was discussed
for the trailer instead of painting. The trailer
committee will work on what should be done
and bring back recommendations to the club
next year. Keith Schoenefeld, W5TTL
suggested writing a trailer towing policy.
The Treasurer Reports...
Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club
Treasurer’s Report, October 2012
Beginning Account Balance
Income
Tech Study Guide
Dues
Interest
TOTAL Income
Expenses
P.O. Box rent
TOTAL Expenses
Ending Account Balance
$ 3,966.43
$ 20.00
30.00
0.04
$ 50.04
$ 58.00
$ 58.00
$ 3,958.47
Uncleared activity (as of 11/11/2012)
Credits: (none)
Debits: Special meeting post cards, $49.10
Amount in account: $
$ 3,909.37
(incl. Flower Fund: $221.21)
Submitted by
Norris Martin, KB5SLI
HOTARC Treasurer
The HOTLINE
November 2012
Page 3
This policy would explain who is authorized to pull the trailer as well as operational procedures to do this. The club
agreed that at the present time, any director can give an individual permission. The best policy is to send an email to a
director requesting permission. The director’s reply (giving his approval) to the individual with cc to all other directors
will insure our insurance covers the trip. Also, any vehicle that pulls the trailer should be equipped with properly working
electronic trailer brake controls. Ralph Ratta stated that his truck was just equipped with this system.
Repeater: Norris Martin, KB5SLI, reported that the system is working fine, no reported problems. There is still no word
on when we will be able to get back into Hillcrest Towers to reinstall our backup repeater.
D-Star: Rodney Baden, K5YKC, was not present due to surgery. He is doing fine but sore. Jim Jud reported that we have
not heard from the DPS on our D-Star contract renewal. The system is running fine but still not much activity.
Web page: John Chamberlain, AC5CV, reported that he just learned about not receiving emails. John will investigate the
problem. John also reported that the system server was switched but this is an invisible change to us. Beside the reported
issues, all is running good.
ATV: David Bush, KC5UOZ, reported all is going good with nothing much to report. Linux programming will be one of
the homebrew projects later on tonight.
Education: Clint Anderson, AE5CA, reported that calls have been coming in for classes. SKYWARN will be offered on
February 2, 2013 at the MCC Emergency Training Center out at the airport. Pat Hynan, KK5KN and Keith Schoenefeld
will teach the Boy Scouts Merit badge class at Baylor on November 17th and December 1st. They have requested the
trailer also be used to demonstrate Ham activities during the course. Volunteers will also be needed to talk to the Boy
Scouts (from your home) during the course. If you are interested in helping, check with Keith to determine what
frequency they will be on. Then, on the weekends noted, just be around the radio and listen for calls. These calls are
usually short, interesting and lots of fun. You will probably see more emails about the event, frequencies, and contact
information as time gets closer.
Public Relations: Keith Schoenefeld, Amy Oakley, KF5PGB and Pat Hynan took the trailer out to the Dr. Pepper Hour at
Baylor. They spoke to interested students and had four (4) sign up to join the Baylor Amateur Radio Club. Club meetings
had been stopped due to lack of attendance. Six (6) students came in the trailer and looked over the equipment. The
brochures looked very good and after a final review, are now ready to be printed for distribution. A suggestion was made
about having a tote board made to be placed in front of the trailer during events. Many people do not know what we are
doing at the events. The board would have the club name along with contact information so if anyone wanted more
information, it would be available.
Special Events: Jim Jud commented about a new event, McGregor Founder’s Day. Bob Tarbet gave a short description of
the event. This event would not help with communication but instead would help HOTARC get more recognition in the
area. Since the event is not until September 2013, we will discuss this in more detail at a later meeting.
Old Business:

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
There are red HOTARC caps available for sale @ $7.00/hat. If you would like to buy one, come pick one up after the
meeting. There are three (3) left.
Remember that December 8th is our club Christmas party at Raymond’s in Lorena. If you have not RSVP to Rodney,
please let him know that you are coming and with how many people.
Our next meeting will be November 29th. This is the Thursday after Thanksgiving. This meeting is for the election of
the 2013 HOTARC Officers. Please remember to put November 29th on your calendar.
New Business:




The Pink Hamsters, a ladies amateur radio group, is trying to form. If you are interested, please contact
simply.susan.blog@gmail.com. The URLs:
 http://pinkhamsterscentraltexas.blogspot.com/
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/369144739835646/
Remember that early voting is under way. Please do not forget to vote!
Robert Barton, W7OES, Waco/McLennan County EOC Manager needs a MOU for HOTARC and Waco/McLennan
County. Do we have one? It needs to be redone and then signed. Jim will look in the secretary’s file cabinet and get
back with Robert. Rodney will also be contacted for any information he might be able to provide.
Future work on trailer, as discussed earlier, will need to be worked out. A committee of Amy Oakley, Ralph Ratta,
and John Chamberlain was appointed to bring back recommendations to the club about painting vs wrapping, signage,
and tote boards.
The HOTLINE
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November 2012
Page 4
The rent for our P.O. Box is now due. A motion was made by Clint Anderson to pay the bill. It was seconded by
Norris Martin, KB5SLI. The vote was unanimous, motion carried.
The breakfast every Saturday morning at Griff’s in China Spring will be moved up to nine (9) a.m. after this weekend.
The club needs more caps. Our design is old and needs a refresh. Ralph’s wife will work up a design in PDF format
and give the members time to change, add, rearrange or whatever they want to do. When the design is finalized, the
club will decide on where we go from here. Questions like who will make them, how many we would like, what is a
good price, and what design will be used are just a few.
Motion to Adjourn:

A motion to adjourn was made by Larry Carlson and all unanimously agreed at approximately 7:56 p.m.
Program Presentation:
The Program for October is always HOMEBREW Night!

Larry Bush, W5NCD, brought his Linux computer to the meeting. He discussed what it will do performance wise,
what applications he has on it, and what other possibilities he was thinking about doing. The group had many
questions along with comments from others that were using the Linux systems as well. The discussions were very
interesting and informative.

Clint Andersen gave a setup demonstration of the APRS technology he setup at the Waco Wild West 100 Bicycle
Tour. He had many hand held transceivers, Tiny Trak4 modules, antennas and cables to fit each one. He also used one
of his hand held radios as a digipeter downtown. The system worked flawlessly and gave excellent coverage.

Michael (Crash) Hancock, N5TCC, presented his tape measure Fox hunting directional antenna. He described the
parts needed to make the antenna and how cheaply it can be made. It is also very sturdy and can go through brush and
limbs. High winds do pose a little problem as the elements do “flutter” a bit. Overall, it was a very good antenna for
fox hunting.

Michael (Crash) Hancock also presented a 40 M End Fed ½ Wave Dipole Antenna with no ground. It uses a torroid
coil and cost about $15 to make. This would be very good to use for emergency setup activities. You can also go to
the website (look on HOTARC) and find 20 M, and 6 M designs.
Submitted by:
James M. Jud, KA5QKL
HOTARC Secretary
What Is A.R.E.S. ?
by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI
McLennan County Emergency Coordinator
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who
have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications
duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of
membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for
membership in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an
Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur
service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergencypowered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
ARES is what amateur radio is all about: using equipment and communications skills
to help others. Amateur radio and ARES has played a big part in disaster response since the events of 9/11.
Support for recovery efforts in New York, Washington, Texas, Colorado and Arizona fires have put amateur
radio in the public spotlight. Registration is necessary to best match available equipment and operator
availability to support disaster relief efforts. In addition, security requirements for responders have become a
requirement as a result of the 9/11 attacks. Access to Emergency Operations Centers, hospitals, and incident
command posts will be limited to those individuals who have been screened and identified. McLennan County
ARES is the backup communication resource for Waco-McLennan County Emergency Management, Hillcrest
Hospital, and other government agencies within the county.
The HOTLINE
November 2012
Page 5
If you are interested in becoming a member of McLennan County
ARES, go to the HOTARC web site’s FAQ (frequently asked
questions) question about “helping during emergencies” or the
ARES web page and download the application. E-mail or mail the
completed application according
to the instructions listed at the
bottom of the application. Your
application will be processed
and you will receive an ARES
ID Card. Then, check-in to the
weekly McLennan County
ARES Net which convenes for a
few minutes every Monday at
8:00 PM on the 145.15 repeater
(tone 123.0).
If you have a sincere desire to help, your ARES
registration is necessary before the next emergency—
not after it occurs.
Pink Hamsters are Here!
by Elizabeth Schoenefeld , KC9TOL
Hello Texas HAMS! The Pink HAMsters are here!!!
It’s a value being a HAM radio type of person. You know why? Do you REALLY, REALLY want to know?
Well, we have the freedom to talk, play, learn, and meet people we never thought
existed. And now we’re trying to get more girls involved with HAM radios!!! Not only
local HAM radio operators, but the whole state of Texas, too! And, not only the wives of
HAM radio operators, but daughters and relatives who are slightly interested in the
logistics, or just wanna have fun talkin’ to others. You gotta know some things though:
stuff like logic, wiring, and technology.
I’m sorry: I didn’t tell you who I am. I am Elizabeth, W5EAS, age 9, and I have a
Technician license!
If you have any questions at all, go to the new website:
http://pinkhamsterscentraltexas.blogspot.com or contact my dad:
keith@schoenefeld.org
And remember: this is for GIRLS ONLY! No matter how old: daughters,
wives, and the women (or girls) who already have their license and
won’t get on the radio, or haven’t been on the radio in years...maybe
because men and boys are raiding and hogging all the bands! Ha!
So look out boys: the gals are comin’ to town!
Elizabeth, W5EAS
The HOTLINE
November 2012
Page 6
The HOTLINE is the monthly newsletter of the Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club (HOTARC), Inc., a nonprofit corporation, chartered by the State of
Texas and principally located in Waco. It is permissible to use any of the original material contained herein, provided proper credit is given to the source.
Edited and Published by John Chamberlain AC5CV, AC5CV@arrl.net
HOTARC 2012 Board of Directors
President: Scott Hamilton K5ZOH,
717-0755, DrPSHamilton@gmail.com
Vice Pres: Clint Anderson AE5CA,
855-5080, AE5CA@grid-em11.com
Secretary: Jim Jud KA5QKL,
235-2315, jjud654@aol.com
Treasurer: Norris Martin KB5SLI,
829-2138, KB5SLI@flash.net
Past-Pres.: John Chamberlain AC5CV,
2012 Board of Directors
855-7731, AC5CV@arrl.net
Back: K5YKC, W5NCD, AA5LC, AC5CV
Front: K5ZOH, AE5CA, KA5QKL, KB5SLI
Director (2012): Rodney Baden K5YKC,
857-9760, RBaden@hot.rr.com
Director (2013): Larry Bush W5NCD, 848-5155, LBW5NCD@gmail.com
Director (2014): Larry Carlson AA5LC, 662-4106, LMCarlson1@att.net
Club Repeaters
145.15 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
146.98 MHz (input at –600 kHz, D-Star)
442.875 MHz (input at +5.0 MHz, tone 123 Hz)
ATV: 421.25MHz (Cable 57), input 439.25 MHz (Cable 60)
VE Testing
End the year with a big achievement: Come to our last session for 2012: Saturday December 1 at 10:00 am.
Location: Baylor’s Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Bldg, Room 207. Bring: 1) testing fee of $15
(cash only); 2) a photo ID (two for first-time licensees); and for already licensed amateurs: 3) current license
and photocopy of it; and 4) photocopy of any relevant CSCE. Contact: Linda Hynan, AC5QQ at 666-4873 or
Linda.Hynan@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Meeting Notice
The Meeting of HOTARC Members will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday November 29 at
the W5NCD Workshop, 12772 Chapel Rd in Lorena. Meetings generally last about
75 minutes consisting of fellowship, general Club business, and an interesting
program. Visiting hams, family members, and prospective hams are welcomed!
The last meeting of the year is our
Annual Meeting: elections for 2013!
...and then join us at our Dec 8 Luncheon!