Attendance at the QCWA Chapter 41 meeting on Saturday, 06 September 2014 was larger than some people anticipated. Fourteen people found their way to Mimi’s Cafe in Allen, Texas. It has been more than a year since two of these people were present at a QCWA Chapter 41 meeting. One person made it to this meeting because Mimi’s Cafe in Allen, Texas is closer to their home than the normal meeting place at Midway Point Sports Bar and Grill in Dallas, Texas. This change of location shortened their round-trip drive by 75 minutes. Perhaps a new meeting place closer to more members should be considered.
Beverages and some muffins have been served. Conversations continued while waiting for meals to be prepared and served.
The wait for our orders was worth it. Some people had breakfast and others had lunch. I had smoked-ham, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, a blueberry muffin, and coffee.
There appeared to be no shortage of things to talk about. Of course, amateur radio operators enjoy talking.
Another view of QCWA Chapter 41 members conversing at Mimi’s Cafe in Allen, Texas.
Another chapter member made this photograph at Mimi’s Cafe. That is me in the yellow shirt.
After enjoying our meal and settling our bills, we moved to The Aspens at Twin Creeks about three blocks from Mimi’s Cafe.
A view of The Aspens at Twin Creeks looking to the northeast across Bray Central Drive in Allen, Texas. Lodge and cottage residences are provided along with a variety of luxury amenities.
This sign located at 480 Bray Central Drive in Allen, Texas 75013 next to the driveway identifies The Aspens at Twin Creeks. This is an active adult community.
A covered driveway provides a convenient entry to The Aspens main building during all weather conditions. Parking places are on one side of the circular driveway. Residents have parking places inside the gated area.
It is a bird, a plane, superman – NO it is the Aspens Amateur Radio Club antenna farm on the lodge roof. QCWA Chapter 41 members looking at the antenna farm.
The Aspens Amateur Radio Club antenna farm is on the lodge roof. Antennas include a Comet H-422 Rotatable Dipole for 40, 20, 15, 10 meters and a seven-band off-center-feed dipole, and a Diamond X30A 2 meter and 70 centimeter. The lodge is a three-story building.
The Aspens Amateur Radio Club, K5ASP, shack is in a maintenance room on the third floor of the lodge. One of two operating positions is visible. This position includes a modern solid-state transceiver, a software defined radio (SDR), and a computer with an extra large display. A printer next to the air-conditioning unit provides convenient printouts from the computer. QSL cards received from contacted amateur radio stations are displayed on the wall.
One of two operating positions in the K5ASP amateur radio shack. This includes two-way amateur radio equipment and computer. Wall clocks display Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and local time. Flags on the wall map of the world indicate locations of stations contacted by K5ASP.
The K5ASP radio shack includes a well equipped work bench for construction projects and repairs. A printer, scanner, fax, and copier unit sits on the bottom shelf of the workbench. A map on the wall above the workbench identifies Canada and United States of America grid squares defined by the Maidenhead Locator System.
K5ASP trustee, Eugene (Gene) Chenette, N5YJ, invited and hosted the Quarter Century Wireless Association – Chapter 41 on their visit to The Aspens Amateur Radio Club in Allen, Texas.
We enjoyed our visit of a modern well equipped amateur radio station. I do not know if any other senior living facility includes an amateur radio station. In my opinion, The Aspens Amateur Radio Club provides a benchmark for other senior living facilities to achieve. Thanks go to N5YJ, The Aspens Amateur Radio Club, and The Aspens at Twin Creeks for hosting this QCWA Chapter 41 visit.
QCWA Chapter 41 Dallas, Texas 