K0IRO Club Meeting - September 2 2025

By Jason Loehr (@KD0MUB) |

Leadership

  • Calvin Jutting (KN0CTJ) - President
  • Jason Knapton (KE0EJS) - Vice President
  • Jason Loehr (KDØMUB) - Treasurer & Secratary
  • Ben Jutting (K0BJJ) - Marketing & Communications

Business

Membership

  • Discussed starting formal membership.
  • A signup form will be posted on the website and discord soon.
  • No dues will be charged initially; long-term dues projected at $10-20 annually.
  • Focus on transparency and ensuring dues benefit members statewide.
  • Short-term expenses may include hamfest tables, flyers, and signage.

Repeater Contest

  • Announced August contest winner: Jim (W6GRE). Close competition with Clint (KOGR) and others.
  • Emphasized importance of logging contacts to increase participation.
  • Discussion on linking repeaters via All-Star and EchoLink; current rule remains RF into a repeater required.
  • Consideration for expanding contest rules to allow more access for rural operators.
  • Flyers to be distributed at upcoming hamfests for promotion.

Encouraging New Hams

  • Agreed outreach to new Technician licensees is critical to build activity on VHF/UHF.
  • Discord and repeater challenge seen as positive entry points.
  • Club intends to fill gaps where local clubs may not be as welcoming.
  • Luncheon meetups and informal gatherings encouraged for mentoring and networking.

Hamfests and Events

  • General support for attending and supporting lowa hamfests.
  • Discussed possibility of assisting struggling events such as Boone (3900 Club).
  • Consideration of hosting a statewide KOIRO get-together, possibly POTA style with camping and operating.
  • Encouragement to use Discord’s For Sale/Trade channel in addition to physical flea markets.

Repeaters

  • Members discussed inactive or underused repeaters in lowa.
  • Proposal to track “inactive repeaters” alongside the active list to share with the lowa Repeater Council.
  • Guidance provided for members interested in setting up repeaters, including cost, coordination process, and options to adopt existing repeaters.

Closing Thoughts

  • Members expressed appreciation for the community, with recognition of the value of Discord in connecting hams across the state.
  • Acknowledged rapid growth: over 350 members, representing ~5% of lowa hams.
  • Reinforced vision of KOIRO as a welcoming, statewide resource for all radio operators (Amateur, GMRS, CB, etc.).

Action Items

  • Publish membership signup form on KOIRO website.
  • Leadership to revisit dues structure and transparency guidelines.
  • Continue to promote Repeater Contest and explore rule adjustments for inclusivity.
  • Distribute flyers at Sioux City hamfest and others.
  • Create Discord channel to track inactive repeaters.
  • Explore opportunities to assist struggling hamfests and plan for a statewide KOIRO get-together.

Attendance

alex_wrjg958
James - WB0FFE
JerryP
Jim - W6GRE / WSFL398
Joe KF0UNW
John KC0RAM
johnny2k - Waterloo
KDØMUB - Jason
KE0VPA - John
Matt N3AR
N0GIK-Matt-Ade1, IA

Minutes Prepared by: KD0MUB, Jason Loehr