BOARD MEETING MINUTES – October 20, 2016
Stillwater Amateur Radio Association
1618 Pine Street West
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
Roll Call of Officers – Five of the seven officers were in attendance. John N5JLZ and Peter NØGRM were absent.
President: Joe KCØOIO
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 PM.
Secretary’s Report – Steve KAØOBI
Minutes from the Board Meeting on September 29th, 2016 have been posted on the website. No additional comments from the group.
Treasurers Report – John N5JLZ (not present)
Beginning Balance 9/1/2016 $2,982.42
Income $272.50
Expenses $192.80
Ending Balance 9/30/2016 $3,062.12 (Not including HELP income/expenses)
$15,514.15 (Including HELP income/expenses)
Reports of Committees:
Activities & Events: Dave WØOXB (not present)
Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald – Nov 4th-6th – Last minute details – Dave WØOXB will be bringing the food. The club computers are all set up and ready for the event. We will be bringing an extra cooler with leftover pop. Notice of the event has already been submitted to ARRL for their website and November issue.
Ice Station WØJH – the event will be held Feb 18th– 20th, 2017. Dave KØAIF has agreed to host again just across from his house on Lake Elmo. An antenna will be put up well before the event.
MAP: Dave WØOXB (not present)
So far there are several new antenna projects where assistance has been requested for the remainder of this season. A spreadsheet has been created to track these projects, assign volunteers, and schedule installation dates. The actual schedule to complete these projects will be discussed at another Thursday evening meeting – possibly in December due to scheduling conflicts.
We would like to re-emphasize to the recipients of this assistance that this is a “two-way street”. That means that if we assist with an antenna installation that it is expected that this will result in the station using it to get on the air and participate in some club nets. It is also understood that if the people receiving this assistance are able bodied that they will join in to help with some of the other scheduled projects.
Meetings & Programs – Joe KCØOIO
October – VKØEK Heard Island – Bill AEØEE. Bill put on a terrific program that generated a lot of questions from the audience.
November – Using RCForb – Pat WAØTDA
December – Ask the Elmer/Stump the Elmer Roundtable or SDR Show-N-Tell IC-7300 & FLEX 1500.
Not finalized yet.
January – SWEEP
February or March – DMR (Digital Mobile Radio with MNDMR (not firmed up yet).
Additional ideas for February to May programs: Antenna analyzers, DMMs and other Diagnostic Gizmos; Baluns, Ununs, and Chokes; Mobile Installation – Tips, Tricks, and Pratfalls; Maidenhead Grid Squares; Operating Portable Roundtable; Propagation – Can I get there from here?; Station grounding; Tuners – Manual versus Auto & Their Care & Feeding; Special Interest Clubs – SKCC, County Hunters, QCWA, 070, OMISS, YLRL; Antique Radios – Peter NØMR; Setting up your Shack; New Technicians: Here’s what you can do now. Possible ARRL update with Greg KØGW.
Education & Training Report – Bob WØGAF
The training class for General that started September 15th has an official roster of 7. There have still been some people stopping by the class to join in. The upcoming VE session is scheduled for November 10th and is already staffed.
The SkyWarn 2017 Training – It’s still too early to set a specific date.
Technician Class 2017 – Just keep in mind in case you know of someone that wants to get started and is looking for training.
Extra Class Study Group – We will continue to poll the group at the General Meeting to see how many are interested in attending this group next year. Anyone passing the General exam in November will be a prime candidate to attend.
Newsletter & Websites – Pat Tice WAØTDA, Dave WØOXB, Peter NØGRM (none present)
The November issue deadline is October 29th with a publishing date of November 5th. The publishing date may be delayed until after the Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald event. The December issue deadline will be November 26th with a publishing date of December 3rd.
Repeater – Henry KØHAS & Shel NØDRX
The Digipeater plan is to use a Kenwood D700 as the digipeater. An appropriate cabinet for the secure mounting at the site is being researched. The fall repeater meeting in Maple Grove may be coming up soon.
Unfinished Business
HELP Project – Gary Grivna Electronic Repair has inspected and evaluated the radios we sent to him:
Ten-Tec Pegasus – working fine after a software adjustment.
TS-570 – needs a DSI chip which is no longer available – gave to him for parts.
Other TS-570 – is good to go after he replaced the battery.
Drake TRC – not worth repairing – gave to him for parts.
Icom 706 MKII – gave to him for parts.
Yaesu FT 847 – works 100% – no microphone for it – price it at $500-600.
IC-PW1 Linear Amp – price it at $2,200.
Net cost to club for Gary Grivna’s inspection/evaluation/repair – no money changed hands.
Eyeball Session – there will be no meeting on Nov 24th due to Thanksgiving.
Equipment Trailer – Joe KCØOIO found brand new 2017 trailers for sale with minor hail damage to the roof. They are selling for $2,495 for a 6’x12’ and $2,295 for a 6’x10’. This is a significant discount for a 3-door trailer with a ‘V’ nose. A motion was made, seconded and passed to purchase the 6’x12’ trailer for up to $3,200 of HELP funds. This will include purchase cost (including spare tire/wheel), licensing, and tax. SARA will own the trailer. SARA funds will be used to build out the interior and outfit it. Bob WØGAF will research the insurance requirements & cost for the trailer coverage and check ARRL insurance policy cost to cover the radio gear when being transported in the trailer.
A one day seminar was held by the MN Council of Nonprofits. There have been some recent rules changes regarding 501 C3’s that take in less than $50,000 annually. These changes will be researched to help us decide if the club should apply for 501 C3 status.
New Business
SARA’s 25th Anniversary – when did the club actually start – 1992 or 1993? Shel NØDRX is not sure but thinks it was probably 1992. There was a discussion regarding how the anniversary should be celebrated in 2017. Suggestions included: family picnic (after Field Day), 3rd Special Event Station, banquet or dinner gathering.
Slate of club officers for 2017 – Joe, Keith, and Steve said they would be willing to run again. We want to have the nomination list in place by the December general meeting since the election takes place in January. There will also be a Director spot to fill.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 PM.