This month’s meeting will be an online Zoom meeting only. To join via Zoom:
You are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Spa ARA Zoom Meeting
Time: Oct 13, 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/9493820438?pwd=ZWJnTnVEdXA0b1RNdlFlbUIyWkJIQT09
Meeting ID: 949 382 0438
Passcode: iWJF5j
Amateur Radio is good for some things, but it is not necessarily the best tool to share knowledge and converse widely among a group. A free tool that is available that helps facilitate this type of conversation is groups.io. This is a tool we can use to share ideas, experiences, ask questions, and so forth among club members and those locally interested in amateur radio. We’ve set up a group called WB5SPA. Stop by and drop a note and let’s get the conversation started.
Tonight at 6pm will be the monthly meeting of the Spa Amateur Radio Association. This month’s meeting will be a hybrid of a net on the 146.88 repeater and a Zoom meeting. How will this work you ask? Nobody knows – we’re strictly flying by the seat of our pants! So, you’ll have to show up to see where it falls on the spectrum between astounding success and massive dumpster fire. To join via Zoom:
WB5SPA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: WB5SPA SARA September Meeting
Time: Sep 8, 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96615452561?pwd=cVB1S3lkYTVaNkN0UDdZV0lVbk4xZz09
Meeting ID: 966 1545 2561
Passcode: 8PGcn9
Much like <insert last 2020 month name here>, a face-to-face meeting is not advisable for
<insert current 2020 month name here> . Our meeting for <insert current 2020 month name here> will be an On-The-Air Net at 6:00PM on the 146.880 repeater. Attached below are the meeting minutes for <insert last 2020 month name here>. Framed copies can be made available on receipt of a large financial gift to the club.
All joking aside, the net will be held on August 11 at 6:00PM.
The first QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Saturday and Sunday, August 8 – 9, has confirmed what it’s calling “a packed lineup of over 70 great speakers” for the ARRL-sanctioned event. Attendance is free and registration is open.
Presentations will cover a range of topics, with two tracks focused on providing hands-on, practical advice for those just getting started in amateur radio. Steve Johnston, WD8DAS, will demonstrate basic soldering techniques for repairing equipment and building projects. Marcel Stieber, AI6MS, will offer an overview of common battery types, discussing the pros and cons of each — including battery chemistry, common uses and misuses, and everyday application tips.
For experienced operators, topics will cover new techniques, equipment upgrading, 3D printing, and more. Glenn Johnson, WØGJ, will attempt to answer the question, “Is 3 dB Worth a Divorce?” and cover a wide range of antenna topics. Jim Veatch, WA2EUJ, will explain how to build a QRP radio. In his presentation, “The Slot Antenna — Undiscovered Country for Most Hams,” John Portune, W6NBC, will demonstrate how a satellite TV dish can be “slotted” to make an effective outdoor 2-meter or UHF antenna for use in antenna-restricted neighborhoods.
Prominent youth educator Carole Perry, WB2MGP, will moderate a lineup featuring amateur radio’s future leaders. Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN, will speak on, “Getting Girls Involved in STEM, Specifically Amateur Radio!” while hot-air ballooning will be the focus of a talk by Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, “Highly Flying Kids with HAB.”
QSO Today’s Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, says that one challenge to any ham radio convention, whether in person or virtual, is keeping the content of presentations from becoming overly complicated and overwhelming. “For our inaugural virtual Expo, we’ve made sure that there are great speakers for both beginners and experienced hams,” Guth said. “We’ve asked all of our speakers to be laser focused on their topics while providing hands-on, practical advice.” Each presentation will wrap up with a live question-and-answer session.
For more information or to register, visit the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo website. Attendance is free, and there are early bird prize incentives for registering by July 24.
Much like June, May, and April before that, a face-to-face meeting is not advisable for July. Our meeting on July 14 will be an On-The-Air Net at 6:00PM on the 146.880 repeater. Attached below are the meeting minutes for June, presented in hopes of fulfilling any unmet need for adventure and intrigue.
Now that Field Day 2020 is in the books, a few reminders:
Field Day 2020 (The COVID-19 Edition) Field Day is scheduled for June 27-28, 2020. Unfortunately, it is just not advisable to gather as a club for Field Day this year, but there are still ways that you can individually participate. If you would like to discuss how you can still experience Field Day this year, join us Tuesday night (6/23) at 8pm on Google Meet and let’s talk about it.
If you were unable to join the discussion, here is a PDF of what was discussed: http://wb5spa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/FD2020.pdf
Much like May, and April before that, a face-to-face meeting is not advisable for June. Our meeting on June 9 will be an On-The-Air Net at 6:00PM on the 146.880 repeater. Attached below are the meeting minutes for May should you desire an all natural sleep aid.
Much like April, a face-to-face meeting is not advisable for May. Our meeting on May 12 will be an On-The-Air Net at 6:00PM on the 146.880 repeater. Attached below are the meeting minutes for April for your reading pleasure.
Visits: 
