Stillwater Amateur Radio Association

1618 Pine Street West

Stillwater, Minnesota 55082

Roll Call of Officers – Joe KCØOIO, Steve KAØOBI, Shel NØDRX, Keith AGØH, and Bob WØGAF attended. Other members in attendance were Pat WAØTDA, Lew ADØCK, and Carl KEØGON.

A quorum of five officers was present.

President: Joe KCØOIO

The meeting was called to order at 6:07 PM.

Secretary’s Report – Steve KAØOBI

Minutes from the Board Meeting on October 15th, 2015 have been posted on the website.

Treasurers Report – John N5JLZ (not present)

Beginning Balance                  10/1/2015                   $2, 679.05

Income                                                                           $322.00

Expenses                                                                          $30.00

Ending Balance                       10/31/2015                 $2,971.05

Reports of Committees:

Activities & Events: Dave WØOXB (not present)

Split Rock 2015 – This event was a big success. Reservations for the 2016 event at the State Park have already been made.

A request was received from the editor of Feedline, an email publication that was asking for a summary of our on-air activities at Split Rock for their next issue. A discussion ensued regarding the Arrowhead Radio Amateur Club’s station WØI’s use of the frequencies we published in QST for the 2015 event. Although we have no right to exclusivity for using those frequencies, it is common courtesy to respect that we advertised our special event in QST to be operating on those frequencies. Joe KCØOIO will be sending a letter to the Arrowhead Club clarifying SARA’s role over the past 11 years for this event and how we have worked in partnership with other entities during that time period.

Ice Station WØJH – is currently scheduled for Feb 13, 14, 15, 2016. A decision has not yet been made as to whether we will return to Goose Lake for this event or go to Lake Elmo and use Dave KEØAIF’s QTH as a base of operations.

MAP: Dave WØOXB (not present)

The last MAP activity took place 15 days ago at the QTH of Shel NØDRX & Mary NØDXH which involved the installation of a new center-fed multi-band dipole.

Future Programs – Joe KCØOIO

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

March – Understanding Solar Indices – Joe KCØOIO

April – Foxhunting – Dan Franz WDØGUP

May – SOTA – Jim KDØIPI

Since Dan is already lined up for April, we may plan for a Saturday Foxhunt with SEMARC for a couple weeks following the presentation.

Education & Training Report – Bob WØGAF

The General Class training has wrapped up. Some of the attendees were unlicensed and dropped the class early. They will probably be joining the new Tech classes in 2016.

There was interest shown by 6 or 7 people at the General Meeting in forming an Extra Class Study Group for 2016.

We need to reserve a time with the library for the February 2016 SkyWarn training session.

Newsletter & Websites – Pat Tice WAØTDA & Dave WØOXB (not present)

The deadline for submitting content for the December issue of the newsletter is November 28th. The December issue will be published by December 5th.

Repeater – Henry KØHAS & Shel NØDRX

There was a discussion regarding the feasibility of adding a digipeater to the repeater site to enhance local access for APRS. A cost estimate will be calculated for a mobile VHF rig, separate power supply, and an additional box to house the components.

 Unfinished Business

ARRL 2016 National Parks Anniversary Special Event – the St Croix Scenic Riverway would likely qualify for this event. An appropriate site should be researched prior to setting a date for this event.

New Business         

Handiham/SARA Equipment Program Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – the current draft of the MOU was reviewed section by section and the revision will be submitted to ARRL legal for review.

A motion was put forth, seconded, and carried to authorize Pat WAØTDA and Joe KCØOIO to move forward with finalizing the MOU after making the appropriate additions and corrections.

Club Officers for 2016 – All of the current club officers have agreed to run again for 2016. The Board will entertain any additional nominations next month.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM.