MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – January 14, 2023
MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – January 14, 2023
Stillwater Amateur Radio Association
The Membership Meeting took place at Boutwells Landing, Stillwater, MN, and was streamed via Zoom for virtual attendees.
President: Joe KCØOIO
The meeting was called to order at 9:25 AM by Joe KCØOIO.
Business Session:
Secretary’s Report: Dave N9JNQ
The general minutes from the Membership and Board meetings are posted on the SARA website. Please report any corrections or additions to: Secretary@radioham.org.
Treasurer’s Report: Rich ADØSN
Beginning Total Balance: 12/01/2022 $18,946.79
- SARA
Balance: $6900.96
Income:
Expenses:
Ending Balance: 12/31/2022 $7,011.03
- RBF
Balance: $12,097.34
Income: $0.00
Expenses: $69.00
Ending Balance: 12/31/2022 $12,028.34
Ending Total Balance: 12/31/2022 $19,039.37
Income for the month for the SARA account includes:
- Dues: $460.00
- Cups and decals: $17.00
- 50/50 Raffle: $31.00
- Donations: $36.00
- PayPal income: $4.29
Expenses for the SARA account include:
- Zoom membership: $161.71
- Liability insurance: $200.00
- VE session room rental: $25.00
Expenses for the RBP account include:
- Remote repair (WØEQO) $69.00
Rich ADØSN reports receiving dues payments at today’s membership meeting.
Activities & Events
Tech Topic Thursdays/Eyeballs
All eyeball sessions through February will take place at the Stillwater Public Library.
Board Meetings
The Board meeting will take place Wednesday January 25, 2023, at 6:30 PM via Zoom.
Special Events
Ice Station WØJH 2023 – Ice Station WØJH will once again take place this upcoming Presidents Day weekend on the frozen surface of Lake Elmo thanks to the hospitality of Dave KØAIF and Anne KØVOB. The special event will run from Saturday February 18 through Monday February 20. The hours are roughly 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. We will be operating from the lake as well as from the club trailer just off of the lake. The trailer will be operating in digital mode; the Eskimo tent set up on the lake will be operating phone. Both operating locations will have Icom IC-7300 radios, and each location will be heated. The tent will need to come down at the end of each day’s operation. Unfortunately, the Eskimo tent location on the lake is not handicapped accessible.
Our esteemed SARA officer and SARA member from the north, Brad VE3MXJ, will be in attendance. There will most likely be a dinner get-together on Saturday night to show Brad Lake Elmo hospitality.
If you are unfamiliar with the location, drop Dave WØOXB an email and he will send you a map.
SARA POTA Challenge – The year-long SARA POTA (Parks On The Air) Challenge for calendar year 2022 has come to an illustrious end, and a brief update was provided by Bob WØGAF of the standings via the SARA POTA Challenge leader board. The program for the February Membership meeting will focus on recognizing our top Legends and Leaders through certificates and awards, so more details will be provided then.
Club total for the year include: 10,499 parks hunted; 17,364 hunter QSOs; 329 activations by club members; 199 parks activated; and 12,044 activator QSOs.
Bob and Brian KB9TBB reported on changes to the Challenge for the 2023 calendar year, which is already underway. First, the Legends category, which was added mid-year this year, will be upped from 500 to 1000 QSOs as we saw a lot of folks cross the 500 line after it was announced. In addition, Brian has been able to massage the POTA website to break down contacts by modes (CW, SSB, digital), so the club can consider awards under a variety of modes. Also, totals will be based upon the date of activities versus the date of upload.
Speaking of this year’s Challenge, it is off to a roaring start – approximately 500 hunter QSOs, 900 activator QSOs, 13 activations, and 11 parks activated!
Education and Training
Technician License Class – A spring Technician License Class has been put on the schedule and will begin Thursday March 2, 2023. Bob WØGAF will be sending out the schedule to instructors, and noted that we can always use new instructors if you are interested.
CW Study Group – The CW study group has wrapped up and gone on hiatus at the end of December. It will reconvene at the end of January to discuss next steps, if any. In the meantime, a couple of the participants are currently taking the CWops Course and will report back at the upcoming meeting on it.
Member Support/Assistance Initiatives: M.A.P. & New Ham Resource Group (NHRG) & More
•M.A.P is readily available for antenna projects and member-to-member assistance. Due to the weather, we are in the antenna planning and designing mode, with raising put off until the spring. Keep in mind that M.A.P. is available for more than just antenna raisings, contact Dave WØOXB with any issues you may have. Dave also reported that he is in the process of working with family to liquidate a SK member’s estate.
•New Ham Resource Group, found at newhamhelp@radioham.org, is SARA’s outreach & mentoring program providing technical support and loaner equipment. Remember gear is available for loan for those without a means to get on the air. Remember that the NHRG is available to all members, not just new hams.
Groups.io – Remember that the SARA email reflector group is now online at https://groups.io/g/StillwaterMNAmateurRadioAssoc. This reflector is available to SARA members only, so you should apply at the groups.io site and you will be given access by the site moderator. Joe KCØOIO noted that the site is a great place for radio-related information, and is growing to be a valuable asset to the club. Joe did note, however, that only about one-third of club members have signed up for the reflector. Greg KØGW noted that it is a great resource for answering questions as the posts are saved for a long time, and the site has a search function, enabling you to search on the question you may have to see if it has been previously addressed.
DX News: Mike NØODK
The 3YØJ DXpedition to Bouvet Island is currently underway. It was reported that the participants are now in the Falkland Island awaiting to shove off via ship to the island. Bouvet Island is #2 on the most wanted DXCC entity.
Remember that the Minnesota QSO Party takes place on the first Saturday of February. It is a great way to hone your contesting chops. It runs from 1400 UTC (8:00 AM CST) to 2400 UTC (6:00 PM CST). More information can be found at: https://www.w0aa.org/mn-qso-party/
Newsletter: Pat WAØTDA & Dave WØOXB
The January issue of the SARA Signals Newsletter is now available. Thanks to Pat WAØTDA and Dave WØOXB for getting it out. The deadline for submittals for the February edition is February 6, 2023.
Remote Stations: Pat WAØTDA
Pat WAØTDA reported that remote station WØEQO is once again on the air. The problem that kept it off the air during the Holidays was a remote tuner problem. Thanks to Bill NØCIC, the problem was addressed. Pat also noted that all three remote stations (WØEQO, WAØTDA, WØZSW) are equipped to run CW.
ARES and Public Service:
Joe KCØOIO was pleased to announce that Joe W3QLC has been appointed the new Emergency Coordinator (EC) for Washington County ARES. Thanks to John KAØHYR, the former Washington County ARES EC and, recently, spokesman, for his 12 1/2 years of service to Washington County ARES.
Club Business:
Dues Reminder: Dues run from January 1 through December 31. Payment is $20 for full membership, $10 for associate membership, $30 for family of 2 membership ($10 for each additional). Payment can be made in person (cash or check), by mail (to NØDRX), or online by PayPal at the club website.
Election of club officers: Nominations for club officers were made at the December Membership Meeting. They were as follows:
- President:Joe KCØOIO
- Vice-President: Bob WØGAF
- Secretary: Dave N9JNQ
- Treasurer: Rich ADØSN
- Director for the 2023-2024 period:
- Brian KØPU;
- Zack AAØU;
After the meeting, Zack AAØU withdrew his name from the ballot. Joe thanked Zack for his service.
A motion was made by Greg KØGW to accept the white ballot of unopposed candidates as above-listed as elected. John KDØWGH seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Field Day 2023: Joe KCØOIO reported that the Autumn Hills Park pavilion, where the club has held field day in recent years past, is only available to us for Saturday June 24, 2023, and is reserved for us on that day. Valley View Park is available both days and is reserved for us for both days. Joe noted that the options are: 1) to operate only on Saturday at Autumn Hills; 2) operate Saturday at Autumn Hills and Sunday at Valley View; or 3) operate both days at Valley View. Joe noted that we have used the Valley View pavilion a number of times for our club portable operation eyeballs and there are good antenna options at the park.
A motion was made by Brian KB9TBB to do both days at Valley View. Dave WØOXB seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Local Activities:
- The South East Metro Amateur Radio Club (SEMARC), our fellow amateur radio club in Washington County, MN, is holding its annual meeting and banquet on Saturday January 22, 2023 at the Zion Lutheran Church, 8500 Hillside Trail South, Cottage Grove, 55016. See the SEMARC website to sign up for the banquet.
- The MN ARC Club Leaders are organizing to attain the ultimate goal of hosting the ARRL Dakota Division Convention in the Twin Cities area for the first time since the early 2000s. They met this past Wednesday and are looking at holding it on November 11, 2023. Joe KCØOIO is looking for someone to volunteer to handle SARA’s representation in the organizing activities.
- Dave WØOXB noted that the Two Meter Tuesday script been modified and distributed to the net control operators. The new script will emphasis an “ask the elmer” discussion during the round robin ragchews.
Wearables: Do not forget that SARA-labeled hats, shirts, jackets, and other wearables are available from www.hamthreads.com. SARA members will receive a discount on all orders.
New Business:
None to report.
50/50 Raffle:
The sale of raffle tickets brought in $38.00. Joe KCØOIO was the winner of $19.00, which he generously donated to the club’s New Ham Resource Group account. Thank you Joe!
The Business Meeting concluded at 10:09 AM. The Program then began at 10:17 AM.
Program:
SARA White Elephant Exchange Party (SWEEP)
Back by popular demand, the annual SARA White Elephant Exchange Party SWEEP was underway. With 26 gifts and only 21 attendees, five lucky persons were picked from a random drawing for the extra gifts.
To cut to the chase, the infamous Flying Pig did not show its snout at this year’s SWEEP! Maybe next year?
The meeting was therein adjourned at 11:17 AM.
Meeting attendance: 21; Virtual: 8