Executive Summary:
The major anouncement is that the club is now a 501 (c) 3 organization. The main motion of the meeting was to reserve the senior center for the next Christmas party in December 2026. There are three ham radio operation events coming up this winter. One of the events is Kansas Day on January 24, 2026. Trig will help organize the event. If you would like to help out in operation, feel free to reach out to Trig. The second event is W1AW/Ø station.The ARRL has asked that we set up this station. Jeff will organize this event. If you would like to help out in operation for this, feel free to reach out to Jeff. The other event is the POTA. Jim is working on setting up this event at Tall grass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills. Jim will reach out to the park rangers regarding this event. The next business meeting will be at 7:30 am on February 14, 2026.
MEETING TO ORDER:
President George, WBØCNK, called the meeting to order at 7:32 AM CST on January 10, 2026. A total of 26 members attended the meeting. There were 22 members in person and 4 attended via zoom.
SECRETARY-TREASURER REPORT:
Marty gave a short treasurer report. He provided an update on club expenses and the current bank balance. The club has purchased a number of books for the ham class. Marty anticipates that the club will get most of that money back when students pay for the books and pay for the class. Jason provided a short summary of the number of members. Currently there are 87 members in good standing. Around 61% of the members have paid their 2026 membership dues.
AGENDA ITEMS:
Clothing and Badge Orders [Jason – KFØISL, George -WB0CNK]
George has the remaining clothing and badge items. Most of the items have been distributed.
Kansas Day Jan 24th SFTARC On-the-Air Planning [George - WBØCNK]
The club is planning for Kansas Day on January 24, 2026. Trig has offered to help organize the event. This event is to celebrate Kansas becoming a State in the Union. It is a special event station.
SFTARC Operate W1AW/Ø - Offer From Ron Cowan ARRL SM [George - WBØCNK]
The club has decided to have a W1AW/Ø station. This is a request from ARRL. This station will operate for 7 days between February 4, 2026 and February 11, 2026. Jeff will help organize this station. It is our understanding that this station may be asked by ARRL SM Ron Cowan to operate again in November. The goal of this station is to operate a Kansas W1AW/Ø station, in which other stations can contact in their goal of obtaining an ARRL Endorsement of working W1AW / portable stations in all 50 States. An additional ARRL Endorsement is also available for contacting as many affiliated ARRL Club stations (KSØKS) in the 50 states.
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Planning POTA [Jim – KØNK]
Interest was communicated for again having the Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve POTA event this spring. Jim agreed to coordinate it. Jim will work with the federal park to set up a time for us to come out and set up the station.
Ensorfest 26 Planning [Jeff- KSØJD, Howard- NØAZ, Tom- WA2IVD]
MEMO is planning ENSORFEST 26. The event is planned for May 9, 2026. The same groups will be back this year. The event may be extend by an hour.
Tech Night [George – WBØCNK]
The next Tech Night is on Jan 29th. The topic is Chasing Weather Radiosondes by Mike, Laney KEØGHU.
2026 SFTARC Ham Radio Classes [Jim – KØNK] - Extra Class:Date / Location / Status
The Ham class started the day of this business meeting. The class will run between Jan 10th and Mar 7th. The business meeting in February will be held at 7:30 am so students and instructors can attend the meeting. George thanked all the instructors/organizers of the ham radio class. He thanked Jim who is in charge of coordinating the class and Larry for his help in making the class possible.
Upcoming Hamfests – See Website Calendar [George - WBØCNK]
- Mine Creek Hamfest: Feb 7th, 2026, Linn County Fair 4H Building, 8510 KS-7 Hwy Mound City, KS
- Green County OK Hamfest: April 10th-11th. Claremore, OK.
- Ham Bash KC: 2026: April 25th 8AM-2PM, Raytown High School 6019 Blue Ridge Blvd. Raytown, MO
- Hamvention: Dayton, OH, May 15th-17th
- Reno County Hamfest: Hutchinson, KS. Aug 8th
- Huntsville, Al Hamfest: Aug 22nd-23rd
- Nixa, MO Hamfest: TBD 2026 (was Nov. 18th 2025)
Notes: George would like to coordinate trips to hamfests. This is in an effort to make it easier for people to attend these events. Ensor is supporting Mine Creek hamfest. You are encouraged to attend. There is also a hamfest in St. Louis on the weekend of January 24, 2026.
Christmas Party [Jim – KØNK]
Around 38 people signed up for the Christmas party this past year. There was a motion to book the book the Gardner Senior Center for the next Christmas party. Marty made the motion to book the center and Del seconded the motion. The motion passed. The plan is to have the next Christmas party the Friday before Christmas, December 18, 2026.
Tower Offer: 70 ft with Yagi antenna, free for removal. Chris Nichols,chris@clnichols.com
Chris has reached out to the club about a tower that is around 70 foot tall. If anyone is interested in the tower, please reach out to one of the officers. Help is needed to take down the tower. If you are interested in helping to take down the tower, please reach out to an officer.
Members Who Would Enjoy A Card Or a Visit:
- Mike Lane -KEØCIS At: Good Samaritan Olathe Medical Campus
ADJOURN:
The meeting was adjourned around 8:00 am. Tom made the motion to adjourn the meeting and Jeff seconded the motion.
