Held at: 107 Civic Plaza Drive, Taos NM 87571
We have a simultaneous in person meeting and Google Meets for your choice. Note the new link and phone number at the bottom of the agenda.
Optional potluck, 5:30. Thanks to everyone for bringing Food.
6:10 Meeting Begins
Sign-in. Meeting began at 6:15 with Donovan (K2AH) Presiding
Guest & member introductions, 10 members attended in person
Approval of the minutes for the meeting of April 9, 2025. Motion was made to approve by Mickey (N5TSV) and seconded by Randy (AG5QC).
Approval of the Agenda by motion from Randy (AG5QC), seconded by Tim (W5TNM).
Treasurer's Report by Ed (KF5EIG) as reported by Donovan (K2AH)
a) April Deposits - $124.99, Membership Dues, Donation
b) April Expenses - $308.22, SOS, KCEC, OPD Supplies, Snacks
c) April Ending Balance - $16,800.17
President’s remarks by Donovan (K2AH):
a) Donovan (K2AH) updated the router and internet. The router for the shack had to be relocated and reprogrammed with service being returned to normal for the Shack.
b) ARRL Field Day, Jun 28, 2025
8am - 2pm Kit Carson Park. The pavilion has been secured for our use. The club will be setting up the club Shack in a Box. Letters will be going out to the Town of Taos and County officials informing them of the event and inviting all interested parties to drop by and visit. Glen (KF5OSB) and Daniel (KI5OSA) will be contacted to inquire about them running the grill for the event.
c) Town of Taos Concert Events - Back-to-Back concerts will be held on June 21st & 22nd, at Kit Carson Park. This will be a challenge for the club, and as more information is gathered from the Town of Taos, this information will be shared with club members, and to provide a TARC head count for the Town. There has been no official word on the July 4th weekend, but there will likely be some type of event.
New Business:
a) Update - FCC License Class May 10th by (W5TNM). 24 people signed up with 20 showing for the class. 12 people in the morning class and 8 in the afternoon. Instructions were provided by Donovan (K2AH) and Keith (K5FS) in the morning, with Tim (W5TNM) and David (KJ5DFQ) for both sessions. Tentatively a joint session is scheduled for 05/31/25 at the County EOC facility. FCC License Testing to hopefully be scheduled at the TARC location, to aid in familiarity with the club location. The classes contain a large cross section of folks. The June 14th exam date will require many Club VE’s. TARC exam books were made available for folks requesting. Donovan (K2AH) relayed his experience with the Wednesday School radio contacts with the students.
Old Business:
a) Grant(s) Update by Tim (W5TNM). He identified a need for placing a radio “station” at the middle school, with the possibility of installing an outside antenna.
b) No update on TARC social media FB and Instagram presence.
c) ARES Update by Brian (NB5R). Brian updated the club on the recent legislation that was passed and signed at the state level requiring Search and Rescue missions to be handled by State Police and SAR teams rather than the County Sherrif’s office. Anticipation that club HAM repeaters would be in more use and demand.
Repeater Report/Update by Brian (NB5R). The Picuris site is looking at a potential rent increase by the site owners at a commercial rate, for TARC equipment on that site. Brian informed them that TARC would likely relocate equipment off their property to a new location. The club would need to upgrade the shelter and tower. The Forest Service location could require years to get the permitting to use their property. Consequently, a request will be made to the owners of another facility to relocate to their location. Currently the TARC resources at the Picuris site consist of the 220 repeater, the APRS repeater, the DMR repeater and two microwave links to San Antonio Mountain and Pajarito site. The DMR repeater and microwave links are the priority equipment. Tim (W5TNM) updated the status of the Rocky Mountain Ham microwave link on Sandia Peak towards Picuris peak. It is not yet functional, but discussion was had about the requirements for completing the link. A request was made to have Brian inspect the TSV Mega link repeater for functionality. Regarding the SAM site, the Trash Repeater is now completely down. Much work is needed up on SAM this summer. The Red River repeater is still not installed, with the desire to move this to Sawmill Mountain. Donovan offered to help with this relocation. The Angel Fire repeater works fine when the resort is closed, but their unshielded equipment presents significant RFI problems during working hours. A new tower location is in the works, with ownership by the Village, hopefully.
The Business Meeting came to a Close by a motion from Mickey (N5TSV), seconded by Randy (AG5QC).