OPD, 107 Civic Plaza Drive, Taos, NM 87571 Potluck started at 5:30pm. Thanks to everybody for bringing food. Meeting began at 6:10 with Donovan (K2AH) presiding.
Sign-in with 15 members present.
Guest and Member Introductions, call sign and first name.
Approval of March 11, 2026, meeting minutes. Motion was made to approve by Randy (AG5QC) and seconded by Keith (K5ES).
Approval of Treasurer's Report by Ed (KF5EIG) Expense summary, balance.
a. Ed (KF5EIG) noted the club is still solvent. The current balance is $17431.00. No extraordinary expenses were incurred last month. A motion to approve was made by Mike (KI6KGC) and seconded by Randy (AG5QC). The vote approving was unanimous. Motion passed.
Donovan (K2AH) made the President’s remarks:
a. The New Mexico QSO Party will held on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Mike(KI6CGC) will be participating. He explained the process and point award system. He anticipated operating from home on Saturday. He indicated that he and Tim (W5TNM) would be coming to the OPD for the America 250 Contest for one day over the weekend or before the end, on Tuesday. Donovan (K2AH) offered to open the OPD on Saturday and provide refreshments for anyone interested in participating in the NM QSO Party. He will send out an email to the membership reminding of the event and offering club support. Members recounted experiences with past QSO parties at the OPD. Mike (KI6CGC) also offered help with transcribing, logging and submitting reports.
b. Donovan (K2AH) gave an update of the San Antonio Peak (SAM) clean-up repair process. He indicated coordinating with Brian (NB5R) over the details, including the possible need for repainting and roof repair. He asked Brian (NB5R) to prepare a list of needs. Brain (NB5R) listed some of the basic needs, including rodent and insect mitigation. A discussion was held regarding the timing and gate situation. Tim (W5TNM) recounted the gate situation on the last trip up there.
c. The upcoming AARL Field Day will be happening on June 27 th . Donovan (K2AH) requested members indicate a location that they would prefer, perhaps Kit Carson Park (newly renamed Red Willow Park) or Fred Baca Park, or something different. The membership present indicated a preference for Kit Carson Park/Red Willow. Donovan (K2AH) indicated he would follow up with the Town to secure the pavilion at the park.
New Business:
a. Tim (W5TNM) gave the update for the Pico Balloon Launch with the Taos Middle School. He indicated that they were securing funding for the event. The event may happen in September with APRS used on the balloons. The goal is to raise $2,500.00 for the event through grants or private funding. He explained the APRS radio protocol to the club, including the digipeater locations in the County, and some of his past experiences using it.
b. Donovan (K2AH) gave a brief update on the Taos Middle School upcoming “fox hunt”. David (KJ5DFQ) is looking for help with his middle schoolers in April doing soldering, and the Radio Rodeo will be happening in early May and will need help with Tape Measure Antenna construction. Donovan (K2AH) will be getting more information on needs and dates and will update the club.
Old Business:
a. No Grant(s) Update from Keith (K5FS).
b. ARES and repeater update from Brian (NB5R). They are looking for a location for the Red River repeater, possibly at the Red River Ski area. Tower climbing will be needed. The State of New Mexico State Police
c. has purchased repeaters that will be installed at some point, around the area, for a linked microwave system. He will attempt to get more information on this process/system.
d. (New Business revisit) on the sale of the donated radios to the club, being sold to generate income. The club as new old stock donated radios, as well as used equipment that we need to sell. Tim (W5TNM) suggested for discussion a pricing scheme of tiered pricing for members of the club and for being a AARL member. Craig (KI5HKU) offered to buy one of the Icom new old stock radios and provide programming for any purchasers. Donovan (K2AH) will contact members interested in coming in to do an inventory and establish pricing.
a. Technical presentation by Ed (K5EIG) asked the club members present for help with a radio problem he is currently having at his shack. While doing CW on 40 meters, he is tripping a fuse at his shack on his GFCI circuit. Brian (NB5R) offered the solution could be an issue with the gfci circuit outlet being the issue, with power finding faulty ground. The radio RF output could be causing the trip. He suggested the use of a non-gfci plug for the radio, as simpler solution to adding additional filters, line solators, etc. Mike (KI6KGC) explained other possibilities like using chokes, baluns or UNUN’s on the antenna to remove RF from the antenna line. Other members present offered to let Ed (K5EIG) borrow different chokes and toroids to help with his problem. Ed (K5EIG) further recounted experiences in his youth using home-built antennas on CW.
b. Mike (KI6KGC) will be staying late this evening demonstrating to those interested as to what is needed at the radio for the upcoming America 250 contest W1AW/5. It is a contest for all States, with each state getting two weeks with this ARRL callsign. He explained the process.
Net Report (Attendance listed below)
The Business Meeting was closed at 6:52 by a motion from Tim (W5TNM) and seconded by Randy (AG5QC).
** 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: March 2026 Net
- N6RFG Ed "Scotty"
- W5TNM Tim
- KI5AXU Karen
- K2AH Donovan
- KF5EIG Ed
- KI6KGC Mike
- W5JHW John
- NM5MK Mike
- KJ5NPF Katrina
- N4IMB Aaron
- W5TAO Gary
- KJ5NSQ Sam
- KE5CEJ Catherine
- KJ5DFQ David
- W5GWR Wayne (Net Control)
DMR March 2026 Net
- W5TAO Gary
- W5GWR Wayne
- K2AH Donovan (Net Control)
HF Net Friday, 8PM, follows the 4 th Wed Net: