Board Meeting Minutes – August 20, 2015
Stillwater Amateur Radio Association
1618 Pine Street West
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
Roll Call of Officers – Six officers were present, John N5JLZ was absent.
President: Joe KCØOIO
The meeting was called to order at 6:10 PM.
Secretary’s Report – Steve KAØOBI
Minutes from the Board Meeting on May 14, 2015 have been posted on the website.
Treasurers Report – John N5JLZ (not present but sent report in advance)
Beginning Balance 7/1/2015 $2,797.10
Income $50.95
Expenses $81.29
Ending Balance 7/31/2015 $2,766.76
Handiham Program & MAP Report – Dave WØOXB
Handiham Program – Pat WAØTDA is retiring at the end of 2015. This may have a possible effect on the club since we have been using loaned Handiham transceivers for many of our events. It is not clear yet as to the future of the Handiham program since there is no news of a replacement for Pat.
Member Assistance Program(MAP) – This program is giving priority to active members and those physically unable to put antennas up to get on the air. With the approach of several special events, there may be less time available to devote to this activity.
Radio Camp – Handiham Radio Camp is underway at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, through Monday morning, August 24, 2015.
Meetings & Programs – Joe KCØOIO
The schedule for meeting programs is as follows:
September – Smart Phones & Tablets in the Shack – Joe KCØOIO & Bob WØGAF
October – Fun with DX – Mike NØODK
November – APRS – John Dean KØJDD
December – Amateur Radio Trivia Challenge (including history of SARA)
January – S.W.E.E.P. (SARA White Elephant Exchange Party)
February – SSTV & DSSTV – Keith AGØH & Mike WAØKKE
Additional ideas for possible programs – Mobile installations – tips, tricks, and pratfalls; Maidenhead Grid Squares; Foxhunting; and Ham Radio Roundtable.
Education & Training Report – Bob WØGAF
General Class – The first session for this training will be Sept 17th. The new edition textbooks have arrived and are available for instructors to preview to prepare for class. SEMARC is being sent a notice of the class schedule to possibly generate additional interest.
VE Team – Shel NØDRX and his team will be administering the General Class exam on Nov 12th.
Amateur Extra study group – We are still assessing if there is sufficient interest to hold a study group for those studying to pass the Extra exam.
Newsletter & Websites – Pat Tice WAØTDA(not present) & Dave WØOXB
The deadline for submitting content for the September issue of the newsletter is August 29th. The September issue will be published by September 5th to alert everyone of the first meeting after the summer break on Saturday, September 12th.
Repeater – Henry KØHAS(not present) & Shel NØDRX
No new information regarding the repeater.
Activities & Events – Dave WØOXB
Mobile & Portable Operations Show-N-Tell – June13th – Surprisingly well attended even though the rainy weather prevented any real operations. It was a success since a new club member signed up and paid his dues.
Field Day – June 27th & 28th – wrap up by Keith AGØH & Joe KCØOIO – The weather was very nice on both days. However, band conditions were not consistent due to some recent solar storms. Most contacts were on 15 and 20 meters. The club score was submitted on time. Several new people showed up and seemed to enjoy their first experience with this annual event. A suggestion was made to possibly consider operating 24 hrs/day next year to boost the number of contacts made.
White Rock – Sept 18th-20th – It is estimated that 6 or 7 participants will be attending this event. Most people have already made their reservations for staying at the casino or another nearby hotel. Depending on the participants they may have 3 stations available utilizing the Kenwood 570’s. The event has been submitted for publication in QST, on our website, and posted at Radio City. We will be adding a QRZ site page and a mailbox.
Split Rock – Oct 30th– Nov 1st – The facility has been reserved and paid for. We may consider doing something different this year – maybe have John N5JLZ take his van mobile rig up on the hill to see how the ham sticks perform at that clear elevated location. Participants may want to make reservations soon at the motel in town.
Unfinished Business
Coffee Mug with club logo – Keith AGØH – There will be an article put in the September newsletter announcing the availability of mugs. They will be sold to members for $3 apiece beginning at the September 12th meeting.
SARA Oval Stickers/Decal – John N5JLZ(not present) – The club will sell these for $1 apiece and each member will receive one for free with a paid membership renewal.
General Class new edition manual – A copy of the new version General Class manual was donated to the Stillwater Library to replace the old edition currently on the shelf.
New Business
Radios in the Park – August 27th – In place of our usual Thursday eyeball session at the library, we will meet at Pioneer Park (5:30-8PM) to do some more portable transmitting and antenna testing.
Boutwells Landing Meeting Room Fees – Shel NØDRX – A new policy has taken effect that eliminates our free use of the meeting rooms. Shel negotiated a price of $25 per meeting for 4 hour use of either room A or C. A reservation was made for September 12th to secure a place for our first Fall meeting. A motion was made, seconded and carried to reserve and pay for 11 meetings (9 general meetings Sept thru May and 2 VE sessions) at $25 for each meeting at the Boutwells location.
Dues increase – we will hold off on any dues increase to pay for the expense of meeting room rental at Boutwells. If necessary we may try 50/50 fund raising at the general meetings.
Potential purchase of equipment form Handihams – this idea will be put on hold until we know more about who will be Pat’s replacement at Handiham and what their policy will be.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Total attendance: 7