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NARS has three repeater sites, one in Klein, one Downtown, and one in the Galleria. While we have had some challenges brought about by recent weather events, our repeater team, led by Rich Jones, W5VEK, is working diligently to ensure that this system provides the reliable and convenient coverage in the Houston area that we have come to expect.
The current repeater system status is as follows:
- VHF 146.660 Galleria Area PL 141.3 on the air
- VHF 146.660 Downtown OFF THE AIR
- UHF 443.075 Galleria Area PL 103.5 on the air and ALLSTAR
- UHF 444.375 Klein Area PL 100 on the air and ALLSTAR
- UHF/DMR 440.300 Klein Area ,Talk Group 3146211, time slot 1, Active
- Allstar Node 59847
To that end, they have grouped their objectives as follows:
Short Term Objectives (15 to 40 days}:
- Monitor Galleria AllStar hub connection for a possible issue with the cellular internet disconnection
- Make an appointment to visit the site for additional modifications and adjust repeater audio output based on observations and to replace the cellular modem if dropouts continue to require frequent resets.
- Continue to monitor Galleria VHF Repeater for noise and collect information on coverage area.
- Obtain professional antenna installer to replace damaged antenna downtown. This is delayed due to difficulty scheduling of obtaining installer due to workload from Beryl.
- Continue efforts to connect the Klein DMR repeater to AllStar.
- Upgrade Klein controller and software to match the equipment installed at the Galleria location.
Long Term Objectives
Establish a VHF Repeater Usage Plan
General Comments:
When the team accomplishes its goals, NARS will have two analog UHF repeaters, separated by 20 miles, connected to the W5NC HUB, one DMR repeater in Klein on the W5NC HUB, and one VHF repeater, with RF access only, at 678 feet in the center of downtown. The separation of the two UHF RF capable repeaters with W5NC HUB links should allow members without HUB access to communicate by RF into Club nets.
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As many of you are no doubt aware, NARS has been a Texas non-profit club for some time. But our sights were set higher than that. A dedicated group of officers and members has been working on obtaining 501(c)(3) certification from the IRS for some time.
Today, August 29, 2023, we were notified that as of May 15, 2023, we have been classified as a public charity by the IRS.
So what does this mean for us? The benefits of being tax-exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3) include the following:
- We can accept contributions and donations that are tax-deductible to the donor.
- We can apply for grants and other public or private allocations available only to IRS-recognized, 501(c)(3) organizations.
- We can apply for a sales tax exemption on items purchased for use by the organization.
- We have the public legitimacy of IRS recognition.
- We can get discounts on US Postal bulk-mail rates and other services.
We’re looking forward to being able to serve the community at a much higher level now because of both the recognition aspects of this and the ability to raise funds to better equip ourselves to provide critical services in times of need. Great job by the 501(c)(3) team!
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The NARS trailer wrap has been completed and the trailer is back over at the Fire Station for all to ooo and aaa over! Very fine job to all who helped with this and hats off to Paul, KI5FJS, for shepherding this project through to completion!
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Check back often as we get the equipment installed. We're trying to have it operational in time for field day, which looks possible now that we have the most important part back - the trailer! Of course, a project like this is never really finished, check in on us as the project grows.
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Ever thought you might have an article, how-to, or just a few tips and techniques to share? You have come to the right place. NARS members are a diverse bunch, full of good ideas, and are looking for new ideas to improve this great hobby.
We need material to expand our Hardware and Homebrew section as well as new content for the monthly newsletters. Well-written articles on any aspect of Ham Radio are bound to find at least one or two interested readers. All we ask is that you be willing to put forth the effort to write the article and work with us to polish it to our publication standards. Not to worry, they are not difficult and we will work with you through a simple editorial process.
If you need some guidance, and most of us do, we suggest a couple of excellent resources to get started in the right direction. First, recall those high school English 101 writing exercises and the five things that most articles must address:
- Who - identify your target audience. It may be DXers, contesters, or experimenters.
- What - a concise introduction to the the topic you will discuss. One or two short paragraphs is all you should need. Don't put too much info up front, it will get lost
- When - when is this important. For example, when a new ham is just getting started,
- Where = when traveling, or when operating from your home station. Maybe both - you get the idea.
- Why - what are the benefits, is this a safety article, or have you found a better way to build the mousetrap.
Now you can concentrate on the meat of the article. Explain how to duplicate your efforts. Try to keep the steps or procedures in the order they are likely to be most successful. If possible, illustrate with photos, illustrations, or examples as appropriate.
Grab a copy of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White or read it online. This is an excellent and very short manual for writing clear and concise English prose. See the links at the end of this article for the web address.
Another good source of writing advice comes from our recently-departed Supreme Court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This is another very short read, but excellent advice, whether you agree with her politics or not. Not to worry, no political commentary in the linked reference.
Once you have completed your manuscript, set it aside for at least a day, then go back and reread it. Look at the flow of the document. Does the story flow, or does it seem to take the reader on what I like to refer to as 'rabbit trails'. Correct misused words, such as their instead of they are. Remove extraneous facts and observations that do not contribute to the main point of the article. As one famous editor put it, once you have written the story, go back and murder your darlings.
When you are satisfied with your writing, run a quick spell check if you work with automatic checking turned off. Then send it to
Writing resource list
Elements of Style http://www.jlakes.org/ch/web/The-elements-of-style.pdf
Chicago Manual of Style https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html
Ginsburg on writing https://www.inc.com/carmine-gallo/ruth-bader-ginsburg-taught-a-law-clerk-secret-to-strong-writing.html
