2021 W0TBC Memorial Award
Ice Station WØJH 2014
Release to Listen Award 2013
2020 S.A.R.A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
SARA Work Party 3
2023 Simonet Memorial Award
Fitzgerald Crew 2011
Fitzgerald Crew 2012
Ice Station WØJH 2014
SARA Work Party 1

BOARD MEETING MINUTES – November 16, 2022

BOARD MEETING MINUTES – November 16, 2022

Stillwater Amateur Radio Association

This was a Zoom online meeting.

Roll Call of Officers – Present:  Joe KCØOIO, Bob WØGAF, Zack AAØU, Shel NØDRX, Dave N9JNQ, Rich ADØSN, Brad VE3MXJ.

President: Joe KCØOIO

The meeting was called to order at 6:41 pm.

Secretary’s Report – Dave N9JNQ

The November 2022 Membership and October Board Meeting minutes can be found posted to the club website.

​Treasurer’s Report – Rich ADØSN

Treasurer’s report reported at the November 2022 Membership Meeting:

Beginning Total Balance:   10/01/2022     $18,633.66

  • SARA

Balance:                                                   $6,536.32

Income:                                                   $506.50

Expenses:                                                $0.00

Ending Balance:      10/31/2022         7,042.82

  • RBF

Balance:                                                 $12,097.34

Income:                                                  $0.00

Expenses:                                               $0.00

Ending Balance:  10/31/2022          $12,097.34

Ending Total Balance: 10/31/2022       $19,140.16

Rich ADØSN reported that we have received additional dues that were paid at the November Membership Meeting.

Rich has not yet received an expense report from Brian KØPU for the new antenna approved by the Membership at the October 8, 2022 meeting for the Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp.  Brian stated that he would email the receipt ASAP.  Rich is also waiting for an expense report from Dave KØAIF for his gas for towing the SARA trailer to and from the Edmund Fitzgerald Special Event at Splitrock Lighthouse.  Bob WØGAF said he would be talking to Dave and will ask that he submit the total to Rich for payment.

Brian reported that the hospitality room for the special event cost $308.00, which the club plans to reimburse.  The Board at the September 21, 2022 meeting approved an expenditure of $250.00 for the hospitality room, short $58.00 for total reimbursement.

Dave N9JNQ made a motion for the club to cover the full cost of the hospitality room in the amount of $308.00.  Bob seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Trustee’s Report – Shel NØDRX

Nothing new to report at this time.

Reports of Committees/Work Groups:

Website:  Collin KEØIYN & Bob WØGAF

Nothing new to report.

Activities & Events:  Dave WØOXB & Bob WØGAF

Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald Special Event – Dave WØOXB notes that he and Shel NØDRX have worked through the options for the QSO certificates, which needed to address both the WØJH and WØJ call signs, as well as the POTA activations.  Shel will be organizing the logs after the VE Session scheduled for tomorrow, November 17.  Shel reported that the November 10 activity using WØF included digital and some SSB contacts, but not many members participated.  He has seen very few requests for verification of those events.

Ice Station WØJH 2023 – Dave WØOXB will get the information on the Special Event into the ARRL for publication on its website and in QST.  Joe KCØOIO will create forms for recording contacts to replace the scratch pads that have been used in the past, and at times can be confusing for later tabulation and issuing QSO certificates.  The Event will take place on Presidents Day weekend, February 18-20, the typical weekend for the event, on Lake Elmo at the QTH of Dave KØAIF.  It was agreed that there will be no one-by-one call activity for this special event.

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

M.A.P. – Dave WØOXB noted that there is not much activity at the moment due to the weather.  However, there are four possible projects in the works.

Dave noted that one former member Jerry  KBØJER is now in a local senior facility whose call had expired.  Dave reported that he spent many hours online in an attempt to renew Jerry’s call.  Dave has equipment for Jerry to get him on 2 meters.

NHRG – Brian KØPU suggested that the Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) script be modified so that the net is not closed down early with the announcement that folks can move over to the 160/75 meters HF net.  Brian believes, and others agreed, that the purpose of the net was to get folks on the air who may only have limited licensing privileges (Technicians) or limited equipment capabilities.  With that goal in mind, we should not be shutting down TMT so some members can make the start of the HF net.  It was agreed among the four net control operators attending the Board Meeting that we would no longer try to shut things down before the HF net if there are other folks interested in continuing TMT.  Dave N9JNQ mentioned that he had spoken to Jim WØELC the night before and they had agreed at that time to follow the same thinking.  Dave WØOXB will modify the script as appropriate.

Meetings & Programs – Joe KCØOIO

Thursday Eyeball QSO Party – There will be no Eyeball on November 24 as it is Thanksgiving.  The December 1 Tech Topic Thursday will be virtual via Zoom, and the topic facilitated by Bob WØGAF will be how to gussy up your QRZ.com website.

Return of the Thanksgiving Friday Virtual “Manhattan Project – Joe KCØOIO announced the return of the Thanksgiving Friday Virtual Manhattan Project for this year, to take place via Zoom, on November 25.

Program Planning Team – Joe KCØOIO thanked the volunteers on the program planning team, Dave N9JNQ, Mike KFØCCL, and Zack AAØU.  The December program will feature a video regarding choosing and amplifier, followed by discussion amongst the attendees regarding their opinion on use of amps and, if they own one, what they think of their choice.  January’s program will be the annual SWEEP event, and February’s program will be the presentation of the SARA POTA Challenge awards.  There are a number of possible presenters for the spring programs that are in the works.  A possible future program could address emergency preparedness.

Room Reservations – Dan KFØIYF

Dan KEØIYF has Thursday reservations at the Stillwater Public Library locked up through January, 2023.

Education and Training – Bob WØGAF

General License Sessions – Bob WØGAF reports that the General License class wrapped up this past week, with six students, five of which are going to be taking their test at the upcoming VE Session tomorrow evening.  One student did not feel ready for the test, and Bob will help her find a test session when she is prepared.

Thanks to all the instructors.  We always need instructors, so if any member has interest, please contact Bob.

Requests have already come in asking about the next class session, which typically takes place in the spring.  Bob has been encouraging them to self-study in the meantime if they want to get going before the class, and has connected them with resources, such as the appropriate text, etc.

CW Training Sessions – Bob WØGAF reports that there are eight members on the “interested” list, and he anticipates a late November start for the sessions.  This is a study group as opposed to a class.  There is a mix of folks without CW experience as well as folks who want to brush up their skills.  It is planned that the sessions will be virtual, with an introductory session followed by four additional sessions.  The sessions will last about 90 minutes.  They will take place on either Monday or Wednesday evenings.  The goal is to have those new to CW to know all the characters by the end of the study group sessions.  The sessions will be adjusted as need be.  If there is interest, the members will be encouraged to continue working together through other means, such as a CW net.

VE Team – Shel NØDRX

Shel NØDRX reports that a VE session will take place tomorrow, November 17, 2022 at Boutwells Landing.  At the moment, there are nine people interested in testing; one for Amateur Extra, five for General, one for Technician, and one unknown.

Newsletter – Pat WAØTDA, Dave WØOXB

The deadline for the December newsletter will be December 3.  The front page as been modified to include the current club information.  Dave WØOXB suggested that we consider reprinting some of the articles from past issue, such as the article discussing the first Edmund Fitzgerald Special Event back in 2006.  Dave has a number of the old issues on had, and Shel NØDRX noted he has most if the all of the issues digitized.  All agreed that the old issues would be a good resource to fill out the newsletter.

Repeater – Henry KØHAS, Shel NØDRX, Doug N9TOW

Nothing new to report at this time as the repeater is operating well.  Joe KCØOIO noted that our Washington County repeater contact, Nate KBØUXV, attended the last membership meeting and has checked into our evening HF net on occasion recently since his move to West Lakeland Township.

Remote Bases Technical Committee – Pat WAØTDA

Joe KCØOIO reported that the WØZSW remote site, located at WAØTDA Pat’s home QTH, is back on the air with a repaired antenna.  There is the possibility that it could be relocated; Brian KB9TBB has offered his cabin location up near Hayward, WI, and Collin KEØIYN has offered his QTH.  Pat will work with both to determine which, if either, place will be the new home for WØZSW.

Unfinished Business

SARA Club Equipment Inventory – The trailer inventory still needs to be completed.  Dave WØOXB noted that he has in his possession some of the club radios, tuners, etc., from the Special Event.  He will transfer them at one of the next eyeball sessions.  It was noted that the logging computers could use updates to their firmware.

Budget for POTA Challenge prize swag bag – Joe KCØOIO reported that he, Bob WØGAF, and Brian KB9TBB will meet after this Board meeting to discuss the prize swag.  Joe noted that the membership authorized by motion at the November Membership Meeting an expenditure of up to $500.00 for the prizes.

Two Meter Tuesday – As noted above, Dave WØOXB will modify the net script.  He also asked whether the club roster could be shared with the various net controls.  It was noted that as a matter of club policy only club officer have access to the roster as it contains emails, addresses, telephone numbers, etc.  Bob WØGAF suggested that those net controls who are not club officers could be asked if they would find helpful a list of calls and call signs for their use during the net.

New Business

Soliciting candidates for 2023 Officers – Joe KCØOIO stated that the nomination of club officers will take place at the December Membership Meeting.   AAØU Zack’s director position expires this year.  All officers up for election indicated they would be willing to run for their respective offices for the 2023 year.

Handiham Radio Camp September 9-13, 2023 – Pat WAØTDA recently notified the club that the Handiham Radio Camp will be taking place at a Bloomington MN hotel on September 9-12, 2023.   Pat suggested that the club offer to the organizers to set up the trailer and portable stations at the hotel in order to give the participants an opportunity to get on the air.  It was agreed among the Board that this would be an appropriate activity for the club.  The club would need to consider the fact that we would need a vehicle available that can tow the trailer.  How many days to participate, hours, participants, etc., can be discussed later if Handihams has an interest in the offer.

Trailer storage tubs – It was discovered that after much effort on our part, mice have once again figured out a way to get into the trailer and make a mess out of anything appropriate for making nests.  Joe KCØOIO suggested purchasing additional storage tubes to eliminate the cloth and other fabric that has been used in the past for storage.  It was suggested that the tents/screen tents be placed into large PVC pipes with caps.

Rich ADØSN made a motion for the club to purchase storage bins, PVC pipe, and/or other articles for storage of club gear in the trailer and associated equipment to repel mice, such as dryer sheets, etc.  The motion was seconded by  ob WØGAF.  The motion carried unanimously.

Complimentary Associate Memberships for 2023 – Joe KCØOIO asked the board to consider renewing the four annual associate memberships that have been granted to Mayor Rudy of White Rock, South Dakota (the club special event host), Nate Timm KBØUXV (the club Washington County contact for repeater issues), former long-time ARRL Minnesota Section Manager Skip Jackson KSØJ, and Bill Jones NØCIC (our local caretaker for the WØEQO remote base station).

Shel NØDRX moved that associate membership for the year 2023 be granted to the four aforementioned individuals in appreciation for their service to SARA and amateur radio.  Zack AAØU seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Christmas Poinsettias for Boutwells Landing– Shel NØDRX asked whether the Board wished to resume purchasing holiday poinsettias for Boutwells Landing in appreciation for working with the club over the years to provide fine facilities for our membership meetings and VE sessions.  The club had suspended providing the plants the last couple years due to Boutwells’ closure during Covid.  Shel noted that the club typically purchased four poinsettias and delivered them the day after Thanksgiving.  Shel includes a note in each plant expressing the appreciation of SARA.

Zack AAØU made a motion to purchase four poinsettia plants for delivery to Boutwells Landing in appreciation for providing excellent facilities for club activities.  Brad VE3MXJ seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Brad VE3MXJ made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Bob WØGAF; the motion passed unanimously.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 PM.