Feb 2026 Club Meeting Minutes
- date
- 2026-02-21
- convened
- 09:34
- adjourned
- 10:56
Officers
- President: David Bailey (K5DKB) present
- Vice President: Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG) present
- Secretary: Matthew Barry (KG5LYE) present
- Treasurer: Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ) present
Attendees (24)
Quorum attained!
- Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)
- David Bailey (K5DKB)
- Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)
- Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)
- John Walker (W1JCW)
- Bill Preston (KZ3G)
- Jeff McDowell (KI5CES)
- Ken Wilson (KE5DFR)
- Gabriel Rodriguez (AI5TN)
- Brad Snyder (W5BLS)
- Michael Bobinski (N5NYL)
- Phil Gates (N5ZKF)
- Bob O'Connell (KC5DWB)
- Mike Wisby (KA5HIA)
- Garrett Martin (W5HVS)
- Ron Estes (KJ5EFO)
- Jim Hanks Jr. (W5CYN)
- Steven Payne (AA5BX)
- Jeff French (KM5TW)
- Philip Gutierrez
- Mark Zimmerman (N5NBD)
- Michael Wright
- John Graesser (KC5DWD)
- Russ McDonald (KL2PB)
Officer Reports
President
David Bailey (K5DKB)
- Weather delays in getting stuff to Lorna from Winter Field Day
- Pet vaccination clinic going on down the hall
- Two requests for financial support:
- American Legion Girls’ State
- Navasota High School Robotics Club
- Antenna rotor needs repair
- Radio in the Park is coming up
- Another POTA activation?
- Plans for May’s club meeting
Vice-President
Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)
- It was really cold (and icy) at Winter Field Day
- but nice and warm inside
- Crowd was limited due to weather
- Canceled license exam (first time we’ve ever done so)
- 3 great presentations
- Lost and found: if you left something at Winter Field Day, I have it
- Some technical difficulties (due to ice and malfuctions)
- Antenna rotor needs attention (as mentioned)
Secretary
Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)
- Reports that minutes aren’t being received by some people
- Puzzling that others are
Treasurer
Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)
Last Month’s Statement
- Starting balance: $13,174.96
- Income: $535.03
- Club dues
- Interest income
- $224 - Silent key sales through eBay
- Disbursements: $548.89
- $117.15 - Kolache (5th) Thursday / Veteran’s Coffee
- Special thanks to the 5 club members who attended!
- $409.79 - Winter Field Day expenses (printing, food, American Legion Post)
- $117.15 - Kolache (5th) Thursday / Veteran’s Coffee
- Ending balance: $13,161.10
American Legion Auxiliary Thank-you
- We donated $475 to sponsor a young lady for Girls’ State
Club Merchandise
- Winter Field Day stickers: $2
- Club logo pins (limited): $3
- Club logo stickers: $2
- Club logo window clings: $2
- Club logo patches: $5
- Club logo keychains: $2
Membership Renewals
Membership can be renewed in any of the following ways:
- online at Ham Club Online
- request PayPal invoice via email
- mail in cash or check (PO Box 4442, Bryan, TX 77805–4442)
- bring cash or check in-person at a meeting
Other Business
Requests for Donation
- We have two requests for funding totaling $1,250.
- Both great opportunities that align with our club
- Great ways to let young people know that Ham Radio is still around
American Legion Auxiliary Girls’ State
Lorna Flansburg (KI5FIZ)
- Leadership, democratic processes,
- Held at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin
- We supported one girl last year for $475
- Cost this year is $550
- Our meeting space is the Auxiliary’s room free of charge
- This is a worthwhile program to sponsor
- It’s also a way of saying “thank you” for letting us meet here
Motion by Brad Snyder (W5BLS):
to donate $550 to sponsor a girl for Girls’ State
Seconded by Ken Wilson (KE5DFR).
Outcome:
passes unanimously
Navasota High School Robotics Club
Tom Talley (W5XTT), proxy David Bailey (K5DKB)
- W5XTT is a sponsor of the robotics club
- Went to state last year
- In serious need of “a limelight 400 camera with integrated AI image detection module”
- current equipment operates at 20 fps and is not adequate for this year’s competition
- in addition to other hardware
- Asking $700 (costs $631 on website, probably extra equipment)
Motion by Brad Snyder (W5BLS):
to donate $700 to support Navasota High School Robotics Club
Seconded by Gabriel Rodriguez (AI5TN).
Discussion
- KZ3G: We should invite them to come demonstrate their work.
- KE5DFR: from wife’s experience, supplies are hard to come by, and funds usually come out of teachers’ pockets.
- This would have a large impact on the people involved.
- It would also be great publicity for the club.
Outcome:
passes unanimously
Antenna Rotor
David Bailey (K5DKB)
- The old rotor is broken, but we have a new one already
- Yaesu G1000 SDX
- Yaesu GSO-50 Thrust bearing
- Need a group to get together to swap out the parts
- Maybe 4 people and a few hours
- I’m unfamiliar with how this works
- (show of hands) - about 6 people expressing interest
- Bob O’Connell (KC5DWB) will need to be involved since it’s on his property.
- KI5FIZ: is there any equipment that we’ll need?
- K5DKB: forming an Antenna Repair Committee
- Headed by: Bob O’Connell (KC5DWB)
- Members:
- John Walker (W1JCW)
- Jeff McDowell (KI5CES)
- Ken Wilson (KE5DFR)
- Gabriel Rodriguez (AI5TN)
- Tom Johnson (KI5ZPG)
- Mike Wisby (KA5HIA)
- Russ McDonald (KL2PB)
- Bill Preston (KZ3G)
- Matthew Barry (KG5LYE)
- Put together a budget to present at next club meeting
- Potential equipment:
- 150 ft rotor cable ($255)
- Or build our own; just need cable connectors
- Just needs to be ready by Field Day
Estate Donations to GI Museum
Ron Estes (KJ5EFO)
- Two military-related items from Ernie’s estate that have not sold at both Field Days
- Tube tester and battery charger
- Donated to GI museum
- Other estate-related items:
- Free lithium iron phosphate batteries on table if you want them
- They appear unused
- Can’t sell on eBay
- Oscilloscope
- going up on eBay unless someone wants it (for $200)
- KZ3G is interested
- Free lithium iron phosphate batteries on table if you want them
Planning for May Meeting
David Bailey (K5DKB)
- Does anyone have an alternate location for our May meeting?
- American Legion is not available 2026-05-16
- Ideas:
- American Red Cross
- CEOC - this seems like fun!
April Radio in the Park
David Bailey (K5DKB)
- Last October, we did POTA at Washington on the Brazos
- Had about 20 folks there
- W5BCS has officially activated its first park
- Amenities at Washington on the Brazos are no longer free ($10/person‽)
- Do we want to do another POTA activation for Spring event?
- Park ideas
- Fanthorpe Inn
- Sam Houston National Forest
- No facilities
- El Camino Real picnic area in Cook’s Point
- No facilities
- Convenience store close by
- (this seems to be the favorite)
- This would be another divergence from tradition
- (good interest from club members present)
Health and Welfare / Good of the Order
- If anyone needs help with anything please reach out to the club. You can contact any of the officers at:
- Visit us online at w5bcs.radio
Closing
Motion by Ron Estes (KJ5EFO):
to adjourn the meeting
Seconded by Brad Snyder (W5BLS).
Outcome:
passes unanimously
Next Meeting
2026-03-21 09:30 at American Legion Post 159
After-Meeting Presentation
TinyGS by David Bailey (K5DKB) Postponed to next meeting (running late and need to clear out for Exam session)