Taos Amateur Radio Club Minutes of the Meeting on Jan 12, 2026

OPD, 107 Civic Plaza Drive, Taos, NM 87571 Potluck started at 5:30pm.

Thanks to everybody for bringing food.

Sign in. Meeting began at 6:05 with Donovan (K2AH) presiding.

  1. Donovan (K2AH) made a motion to amend the monthly Agenda for today to correct the date of the Rocky Mountain Ham Fest and add a discussion on the upcoming ARRL Winter Field Day. The motion was seconded by Mike (KI6KGC).

  2. Guest and member introductions, with 9 members present.

  3. Approval of November 2025, meeting minutes. Motion was made to approve by Gary (W5TAO) and seconded by Ed (KF5EIG).

  4. Treasurer's Report by Ed (KF5EIG) Expense summary, balance.

    a. We began the 2025 Fiscal year with $14,810.28 and ended the year with a balance of $17,972.81. The club maintains financial viability.

    b. The ledger will be posted to the Shack Bulletin board.

A motion to approve the report was made by Mike (KI6KGC) and seconded by Mike (NM5MK)

  1. Donovan (K2AH) made the President’s remarks:

    a. The Elected officers for 2026 was conducted in November and the Officers become effective as of the first of this year. Donovan (K2AH) was elected president. We have a current vacancy for the Vice President position. Ed (KF5EIG) will remain the Treasurer and Craig (KI5HKU) will continue as Secretary. Keith (K5FS) will continue as Board member in charge of grants, Tim (W5TNM) will hold the position of Past President with Brian (NB5R) as Trustee. David (KJ5DFQ) and Darian (NM5DF) will continue as STEM coordinators and Board members. The Board will have to figure out the position of Vice President during an executive session.

    b. Dec 13th Test Results, Andy, KJ5NPD, Olin, KJ5NPE, Katrina, KJ5NPF (Technician Class). Several of the new licenses have been active on the local repeaters.

    c. Jan 10th, Technician Class was presented by Donovan (K2AH), Keith (K5FS), and David (KJ5DFQ) with 4 people in attendance for a full day of instruction. The curriculum was developed by Tim (W5TNM) last year.

  2. New Business:

    a. Donovan (K2AH) requested Ideas/Projects for 2026. What we should be doing, what type of projects, etc. He suggested as one the idea of improving the communication situation in the Amalia area. Cell coverage is bad. Ideas can be forwarded to any officers or board members. Craig (KI5HKU) as about the possibility of getting involved with GMRS repeaters (which are not ham) as a possibility for the Amalia area. Donovan (K25AH) suggested contacting the Rio Costilla Cattle and Land Association (the major land holder in the Amalia area) as a possibility for locations. He also suggested maybe driving up there to look for possible locations.

    b. Mike (NM5MK) updated the club on the actual costs of purchasing antennas for the TARC radios capable of satellite communications. The cost would be approximately $1200.00, to be used with our existing radios. He indicated that we would also need microphones. A question was asked about uses, and he clarified the Space Station protocols, which are strict. Including the need to have 2 radios, with one as a backup. He also explained the availability of many other private Amateur Radio satellites that can be used, and the processes and software that can be used for this type of communication.

    c. Mike (KI6KGC) gave an in-depth report on 2026 Winter Field Day. The dates are to be January 24th and 25th. The event is lower key than Summer Field Day. He will be setting up at the OPD, as more points are awarded for being away from your home shack. He will send out an email to the Club. He explained the point system for the various operating modes, as well as the intent to help members be prepared to operate remotely in emergency situations. He further explained the logging processes and software. Donovan (K2AH) explained the operating procedure for Technician Class License holders who can participate with General Class Licensees operating as primary. Mike (KI6KGC) explained to Katrina (KJ5NPF) the frequencies available for Technicians. He also explained the North American QSO party happening on the weekend of the 17th.

  3. Old Business:

    a. No Grant(s) Update, as Keith (K5FS) was not present.

    b. No ARES update as Brian (NB5R) was not present.

  4. There was no repeater update, by Brian (NB5R) as he was not present.

  5. Ed (KF5EIG) suggested that the classes hosted by TARC could possibly be video recorded. Suggestions were made for possible sources to help with that. Katrina (KJ5NPF) recounted her great experiences taking the class and feeling that it was such a great experience for it being at no cost to the students.

  6. The Business Meeting was closed by a motion at 6:48 from John (WFJHW) and seconded by Mike (NM5MK).

** Reminders:

a. Statewide ARES Net – HF 3939, 1 st Sunday, 7pm.

b. TARC Net - VHF/UHF-DMR, 4th Wednesday, 7pm Picuris VHF/UHF NET CONTACTS 4 TH Wednesday 7PM Net:

Analog: December 2025 Net

  1. NM5MK Mike
  2. N6RFG Ed
  3. KJ5ANE Jane
  4. NB5R Brian
  5. K5CSJ Matt
  6. KC2SHO Jon
  7. W5GWR Wayne (Net Control)