New Radio Gear For Some SARA Members!
WØJH 2004
Ice Station WØJH 2014
Release to Listen Award 2013
2023 Simonet Memorial Award
Fitzgerald Crew 2012
Split Rock 2013
Split Rock Lighthouse 2012
Kilo Parks Award
SARA Work Party 2

MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – February 14, 2015

Stillwater Amateur Radio Association

1618 Pine Street West

Stillwater, Minnesota 55082

 

President: Joe KCØOIO

The meeting was called to order at 9:01 AM.

Secretary’s Report: Steve KAØOBI

The minutes from the January 19th, 2015 meeting were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report: John N5JLZ

Beginning Balance:     1/1/2015         $3,865.81

Income:                                                $60.00

Expenses:                                            $1016.52

Ending Balance:          1/31/2015       $2,909.29

Education and Training: Bob WØGAF (at Goose Lake Special Event)

Skywarn Class – February 28, 2015 – 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Stillwater Public Library (includes a 1 hour lunch on your own). Online registration is requested at metroskywarn.org/class-schedule

Spring Technician Classes – March 5, 2015 – starts 8 weeks of classes held at Stillwater Public Library.

Spring Technician VE Session – April 30, 2015 at Boutwells

There is some interest in having a “I Got My Ticket, Now What Day” a week after the VE Session to help newly licensed operators get advice on what to buy and how to get involved with the club.

Activities, Programs & Events: Dave WØOXB (at Goose Lake Special Event)

Ice Station WØJH event is scheduled for Feb 14th-16th at Goose Lake, Scandia from 10AM to 4 PM each day.

Thursday Night Eyeball Sessions – Held every Thursday at 6:00 PM CST at the Stillwater Public Library.

1.903 MHz Round Robin Rag Chew – 8:00 PM CST every night except Tuesday and Thursday.

Washington County ARES: John KAØHYR

AERO (Association of Emergency Radio Operators) will offer AERO I – Basic Communications (8:30 to 4) and AERO II – Net Controllers (9 to 4) classes on March 14th. Registration with Dan Peitso NØPIY@arrl.net must be completed by March 12th. For additional details go to their website at mnwashcoares.org.

Digital Net: Joe KCØOIO

SARA DigiNet will be on air at 1900 CST on Sunday night. The net will be on upper side band 80 meters at 3.581.150, sweet spot around 1000. Mode on Jan 15th will be BPSK31. Mode for the rest of the month will be BPSK63.

Newsletter & Website: Pat WAØTDA, Dave WØOXB, Peter NØGRM

Deadline for articles for the newsletter is the last Saturday of the month.

Peter has been familiarizing himself with Word Press for the purpose of helping to make it easier for members to access information on the club website.

Handihams: Pat WAØTDA

There continues to be a need for additional volunteers to help with HEARTS (Handiham Equipment Assistance Repair Tracking System).   Please keep in mind that access to use the remote station setup is currently available to SARA members.

DX News: Mike NØODK (not present but sent an e-mail)

Last chance to work K1N, the DXpedition team on Navassa Island. The station will be shutting down at daybreak on February 15th. Mike sent an e-mail to Joe KCØOIO with an alert as to the best times and frequencies to use to get this ATNO (All Time New One). The last opportunity to work this DX station was over 20 years ago.

Good of Association: Joe KCØOIO

Hamfests coming soon –      March 21st – AES Superfest in Milwaukee – 0900 to 1500

March 28th – Midwintermadness in Buffalo – 0800 to 1300

April 18th – Brainerd Hamfest in Brainerd Armory – 0900 to 1300

May 2th – ARAC Hamfest in Superior, WI

SEMARC Meeting – February 24th – at Zion Lutheran Church, 8500 Hillside Trail S, Cottage Grove. Digital Voice – presented by AGØH, WØGAF, and KCØOIO.

Is there an interest in a SARA Slow Speed CW Net – monthly or biweekly? Currently there is a SEMARC (South East Metro Amateur Radio Club) CW Net at 7 PM on Wednesday nights at 28.110.

Show Us Your Shack Photos – Please send in a photo of your ham shack. These will be shown at the membership meetings and maybe posted on the website.

The business part of the meeting adjourned at 9:35 AM.

 Program: Remote Base Operation – Pat WAØTDA

Pat gave a very complete PowerPoint presentation of how to become familiar with and utilize the W4MQ rig control software in order to take advantage of the two remote base stations that the Handiham program has in operation. This could become extremely useful for traveling away from your homebase shack to other U.S. or foreign locations where you don’t want to transport a portable rig, antenna, and batteries to set up and run some QSOs. Their website at handiham.org/remotebase has a wealth of information including frequently asked questions that can help you get started in exploring this excellent mode for remote operation.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:53 AM.

Meeting attendance: 14