Fred KA1DGL made a presentation on his latest restoration project. The 37-stage, 5-band HF transceiver was made in 1965 in his hometown of Melrose, Massachusetts. He learned a few new restoration tips and shared them with the group.
Presentation PDF is available for download.
Jim K3ILC was our ad-hoc presenter, and briefed on proposed legislation concerning residential antenna installations. Jim provided this additional information after the meeting.
House Bill H.R.1094: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1094 Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act
02/06/2025 Introduced in House
02/06/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Title as Introduced: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the application of certain private land use restrictions to amateur station antennas, and for other purposes.
One sponsor and 4 cosponsors Rep. Jeff Crank is Representative for Colorado 5th District (Colorado Springs) Phone: (719) 520-0055, (202) 225-4422
Rep. Crank is not a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Antennas that do not require prior approval include: Verticals, not to exceed 43 feet above the ground.
Senate Bill S.459: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/459 Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act
02/06/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Official Title as introduced: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the application of certain private land use restrictions to amateur station antennas, and for other purposes.
One sponsor and one cosponsor. Senators from Colorado:
Michael F. Bennett: (202) 224-5852 (Not a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation)
John W. Hickenlooper: (202) 224-5941 (Is a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation)
It is probably better to contact your senators at these listed Washington, DC phone numbers, because the Colorado phone numbers always seem to be busy.
The club enjoyed a presentation by Kevin Polk, K0BBA, entitled “Winching, Tie downs, and other Pearls of Wisdom.” A former USAF loadmaster, Kevin shared his decades of experience and knowledge.
Among his relevant examples was how to use a winch to raise a tower for hoisting up an antenna on Field Day.
Thank you Kevin! Aim high!
Regrettably, Megafest 2025 has been cancelled. Megafest is the biggest annual ham radio event in Southern Colorado, run by the Pikes Peak Radio Amateur Association (PPRAA). It had been scheduled for 26 Jul 2025. See ppraa.org.