BOARD MEETING MINUTES – May 17, 2023

Stillwater Amateur Radio Association

This was a Zoom online meeting.

Roll Call of Officers – Present:  Joe KCØOIO, Bob WØGAF, Shel NØDRX, Dave N9JNQ, Rich ADØSN, Brad VE3MXJ;  Absent: Brian KØPU.

President: Joe KCØOIO

The meeting was called to order at 6:38 PM.

Secretary’s Report – Dave N9JNQ

The previous Board Meeting and Membership Meeting minutes can be found posted to the club website.  Dave N9JNQ thanked Collin KEØIYN for covering for him while Dave has been recovering from his leg break.

​​Treasurer’s Report – Rich ADØSN

Beginning Total Balance:   05/01/2023     $18,884.78

• SARA

Balance:                                                   $6,856.44

Income:                                                   $116.10

Expenses:                                                $75.00

Ending Balance:      05/17/2023         $6,897.54

• RBF

Balance:                                                 $12,028.34

Income:                                                  $0.00

Expenses:                                               $0.00

Ending Balance:  05/17/2023        $12,028.34

Ending Total Balance: 05/17/2023       $18,894.78

Rich ADØSN reports the SARA income includes: the collection of $60.00 in dues; $18.00 from the 50/50 raffle; a $13.10 donation; and a $25.00 room rent reimbursement.

SARA expense was to reimburse Bob KFØHYR for the $75.00 he paid for the August 12 reservation of the Wild River State Park picnic shelter for the upcoming POTA weekend.  This expenditure was approved by Board action via email on April 30, 2023.

Trustee’s Report – Shel NØDRX

Shel NØDRX reports that he will be processing a payment of $225.00 payable to Boutwells Landing to pay for membership meeting room rental for the upcoming September 2023 – May 2024 period.

Reports of Standing Committees:

Activities & Events:  Dave WØOXB & Bob WØGAF

Tri-State Activation/White Rock, SD 2023 – This event may be postponed until 2024 due to workload issues in the month of September for the primary organizer, Dave WØOXB.  Further discussion will be had later in the summer.

Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald Special Event – Finalization of the budget for the event (firewood, water, fuel, hospitality room co-0p) will be discussed at the August or September Board Meeting.  The event will take place November 3-5, 2023.

Field Day 2023 – A site survey of our field day location in Valley View Park will take place at the June 8 Thursday night Summers in the Park Eyeball.  Field Day will take place June 24-25, 2023.  A budge for expenses (food, beverages) not to exceed $350.00 was approved by the Board at its April 19, 2023 meeting.

2023 SARA POTA Challenge – Nothing new to report.  Bob WØGAF noted that there was an inquiry as to why there are not levels for the activators as there are for the hunters.  Bob explained that levels were added last year in the Spring to the hunter category to encourage participation, which is not an issue for activators.  The POTA committee will consider the idea, but at this juncture it does not appear necessary to encourage activations.  In addition, additional levels of competition will put additional pressure on the awards budget.

SARA POTA Activity Day – There will be a POTA activity day for the club on Saturday, June 10, beginning with breakfast at the Stillwater Perkins, followed by a planning get-together in the parking lot to coordinate activations.  There will be some discussion on this event at the upcoming New Hams Night Thursday eyeball tomorrow evening.

SARA POTA Meet Up – There will be a POTA meet up on Saturday August 12 at Wild River State Park near Almelund, MN.  A park picnic shelter has been reserved for the club by Bob KFØHZG.  Bob WØGAF noted that this is the same weekend as the Almelund threshing show, so there could be traffic issues.  Further information will be provided on the SARA website and Discord Server.

Joe KCØOIO would like to have a budget for the picnic supplies, i.e. buns, brats, dogs, etc.  Joe suggests $250.00 to begin with, and expects much of it to be reimbursed through goodwill offerings/donations on the day of the picnic.

Joe made a motion to authorize $250.00 to be appropriated from the SARA account to make purchases of picnic supplies; Bob WØGAF seconded the motion; motion carried unanimously.

On Air Activities – All is going well with the round robin ragchews.

Summers in the Park – SARA’s summers in the park begin with the New Ham Night tomorrow evening, Thursday May 18 at Valley View Park in Oak Park Heights, MN.  Further Thursday night eyeball locations will be noted in the weekly SARA Broadcast.  At this time, Valley View Park has been reserved for these events for June 8 & 29, July 20, and August 10 & 21.  Summers in the Park will run through September 7 of 14.

Education and Training – Bob WØGAF

Technician Class – Bob WØGAF reports that the final count of the students in the spring tech class who got licensed at the VE session is seven.  One student reinstated his expired general license by passing the tech exam, which is authorized by the rules.  Bob still needs to prepare and submit the ARRL class report.  Bob noted that there is always a steady stream of inquiries about available classes and how to get licensed; Bob directs those folks to self study programs and offers assistance to answer questions, provides tip sheets, etc.  We did not have participation from High School students, but we have had contact with the high school physics teachers and they are now on the mailing list.  Thanks to Dan KEØIYF for securing the class rooms, and to the instructors for their time and effort.

New Ham Night will take place tomorrow night, Thursday May 18.  Ray KFØEKD and Greg KØGW will be doing a program on choosing a radio.

VE Team – Shel NØDRX

Shel NØDRX reported on the April 27 VE session.  Most of the information on the session can be found in the May SARA Signals Newsletter.  we had 19 examinees, with everyone passing some level of licensing.  There was a question about whether there is an FCC $35.00 charge for upgrades.  Shel investigated and the answer is no fee is required for upgrades.  Joe KCØOIO reported that ten of the new licensees are now SARA members.

Reports of Work Groups:

Website:  Collin KEØIYN & Bob WØGAF

Collin KEØIYN reports that the website is operating fine.  Contrary to the warning seen by those who log in to the administrator page, the certificate is working properly and there is no problem.

Newsletter – Pat WAØTDA, Dave WØOXB

While there is no newsletter published during the summer months, Pat WAØTDA reminded everyone that articles can be submitted at any time.  If you have an idea, type it up and get it in while it is fresh in your mind.

Remote Bases Technical Committee – Pat WAØTDA

Pat WAØTDA noted that with the move of the WØZSW remote station to Hayward, Wisconsin to the property of Brian KB9TBB, we should consider getting a new computer for the system as the current model is on its last legs. Collin KEØIYN noted that his employer is getting rid of ten Dell workstations, all running Windows 10, and that he could secure one of them for the remote station.  Pat agreed that one of the Dell workstations should work fine.  Pat noted he should be able to get the user data base updated and onto the computer.  He suggested that the club look at a robust grounding system for the remote station as it will be unmanned most of its operation.  He suggested that a gas discharge lightening arrester should be used.

Pat suggested that, upon relocation, that the remote station use the club call WØJH and allow the current call WØZSW to go back to the Handiham group.  Shel NØDRX, as club call trustee, said that it should not be a problem and no Board authorization is needed to do so.  Shel noted that when the club is using the call for activities it is using it remotely, so that will not be an impediment to assigning it to the remote station.

M.A.P and NHRG:  Dave WØOXB & Brian NØBJE

M.A.P. – Joe KCØOIO reported that there is significant interest in antenna raisings at the moment.

NHRG – Nothing to report.

Meetings & Programs – Joe KCØOIO

Program Planning Team – Joe KCØOIO reported that the May meeting presentation by Mike Walker VE3MW of Flex Radio Systems on SDR radios and Flex was a great program.  He also noted that Mike is a big proponent of the remote control software Node-RED, and expressed a willingness to come back to provide us with a virtual program on remote operations.  Joe also suggested that the committee consider a program on the nanoVNA analyzer by Chuck Hanson NAØL.  Joe reported that Chuck recently made the presentation to the SEMARC group and it was well received.  Dave N9JNQ agreed to contact Chuck about a possible program.  Dave mentioned that he had been in contact recently with the other committee members and that a virtual meeting will take place in June to discuss fall and winter programs.

Room Reservations – Dan KFØIYF

Joe KCØOIO will be talking with Dan KFØIYF about upcoming room needs, and the possibility of securing the Bayport Public Library for some Thursday Eyeball sessions.

Unfinished Business

Inventory of New Ham resources Equipment – Joe KCØOIO met with Brian KØPU and Brian said he would get the inventory of the loaner equipment and its location as soon as possible, considering is busy work travel schedule.  Joe noted that we do not need to know where various cables, etc., are, just the radios, power supplies, HTs, etc.

MN ARC Leaders Group/ARRL MN Section Conference – Bob WØGAF reported that he attended a virtual meeting of the Leaders Group this past Monday, May 15.  The group is still working on locking down a venue, although they are leaning toward the Best Buy Headquarters.  As the conference is planned to take place October 14, 2023, and the Headquarters venue can only be secured 90 days out, the group will be making a move on it in July.  Bob reports that a dozen clubs have donated $200.00 seed money for the conference planning efforts.  Three-quarters of the positions have been filled, and Bob is the leader of the credentials committee.  There is a rough draft of the agenda.  Plans are for four classrooms with 20 classes planed, along with club tables available.  We can discuss having a SARA table in a future Board meeting.  They are negotiating the admission fee, which will probably fall in the $20-$25 range.  There may be a box lunch that can be signed up for.  working on a letter to vendors, although it is short notice.  John Kruk N9UPC of Yaesu has committed.  They do not have people nailed down as of yet for topics.  There is another meeting tomorrow to further discuss programs.  They plan to be aimed at the beginner.  Once Bob has a list of topics, he will canvas the club to see if there is any interest in possible presenters.

The current calendar is June 1 for programs, July 1 for website completion, and July 17 for the formal request to secure the Best Buy venue.

The organization is operating under the name MN Affiliated Radio Club.  There are committee meetings weekly and a general meeting every four weeks.  The St. Paul Radio Club has committed to have a VE session.

Trailer inventory – We will attempt to do the trailer inventory on June 3.  It will also give us a chance to repack gear into new tubs, etc.  Joe KCØOIO will sent a note out with more details.

Handiham Radio Camp – Handiham Radio Camp will take place September 9-13, 2023.  Pat WAØTDA is waiting to hear back from Handihams for more information.  Pat suggests that the club set up a demonstration station for the camp, such as the trailer and portable stations at the hotel in Bloomington where the camp is to be held.  All are in agreement that the club should commit to such a presence.

New Business

Boutwells Landing Room Reservation Fee – Shel NØDRX noted that the reservation fee for the Membership meeting room at Boutwells is $25.00 a monthly meeting, for a total of $225.00 for the nine month season.

Dave N9JNQ made a motion to authorize the expenditure of $225.00 from the SARA account to be paid to Boutwells for membership meeting room rental for the upcoming 2023-24 season; Brad VE3MXJ seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

Bob WØGAF made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Shel NØDRX; the motion passed unanimously.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.