MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – March 12, 2016
Stillwater Amateur Radio Association
1618 Pine Street West
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
President: Joe KCØOIO
The meeting was called to order at 9:05 AM.
Secretary’s Report: Steve KAØOBI
The general meeting minutes from the February 13, 2016 meeting are posted on the website. Please report any corrections to: Secretary@radioham.org
Treasurer’s Report: John N5JLZ
Beginning Balance: 2/1/2016 $2,989.85
Income: $88.00
Expenses: Zero
Ending Balance: 2/29/2016 $3,077.85 (Not including HELP income/expenses)
$4,697.35 (Including HELP income/expenses)
Education and Training: Bob WØGAF (Not present)
Technician Class and Extra Class Study Group began March 3rd. The Tech Class was so well attended that there was standing room only. The Extra Class Study Group had four participants.
New Ham Night will be held on May 19th at Brekke Park in Oak Park Heights.
Activities & Events: Dave WØOXB
Thursday Night Eye Ball Sessions – are held at Stillwater Public Library from 6 to 8 PM CDT.
There was a recap of Ice Station WØJH held Feb 13,14, 15 at Lake Elmo near the QTH of Dave KEØAIF.
A video of the event was shown that had been produced by Bob WØGAF using his drone and mixing in music and stills. After operating for 15 hours, about 800 contacts were made and we received requests for 350 QSLs.
Radios-in-the-Park – will be held in Brekke Park, Oak Park Heights on June 16th, July 7th and
Aug 18th.
Field Day 2016 is scheduled for June 25th & 26th at Autumn Hills Park.
MAP – Dave WØOXB
Spring is here and several MAP projects are developing. Dave will be out of town from April 8th to April 28th, so try to keep that in mind if you contact him for assistance with a project.
Handiham Equipment Liaison Program (HELP)
Both remote stations are up and running and available to SARA members. The stations can be accessed via remotehams.com using RCForbClient (accessible via Windows and Android only).
A partial equipment list will soon be available and SARA members will have first choice to purchase items.
Washington County ARES: John KAØHYR
The quarterly meeting was held on Monday, March 7th at the Woodwinds.
The ARES net meets on the 1st and 15th of each month on 146.985 on the SEMARC repeater.
The Mobile, Portable, Go-Kit Show & Tell is scheduled for June 11th at Brekke Park.
A MARS drill will be held on Saturday May 14th, however, no frequencies or times have been announced.
Check the web site www.mnwashcoares.org regularly for current events, net schedule, and other items of significance.
Digital Net: Joe KCØOIO
SARA DIGI Net at 3.581.5 MHz is held every Sunday night at 7 PM CDT. Use 3.581.15 – center up between 800 to 1000.
Two meter ragchew is held every Wednesday night at 9 PM CDT. You can find us at 147.060 MHz 114.8 Hz Tone.
160 meters SARA Top Band Ragchew is at 1.966 or 1.964 MHz They operate every night except Tuesday & Thursday at 8 PM CDT.
Newsletter & Website: Pat WAØTDA & Dave WØOXB
Thanks to Pat and Dave for putting together the newsletter! Additional contributors are needed. The deadline for submissions for the April issue is the last Saturday of March on the 26th.
DX News: Mike NØODK
VKØEK on Heard Island will be operating from March 21st thru April 20th on all bands and all modes. The expedition is currently in transit and due to arrive on site March 21st.
Juan de Nova Island FT4JA – is scheduled to be operating March 29th thru April 11th.
A lot more activity has been heard on 15 meters lately.
Get the latest DX news by subscribing to the ARRL DX News. Also check out www.ng3k.com for DX & Contest Calendar.
Program Schedule:
Mar: Dave WØOXB – Operating Do’s & Don’ts PLUS Mini Hamfest in the parking lot.
Apr: Dan WDØGUP – Fox Hunting
May: Jim KDØIPI – SOTA (Summits On The Air)
Old Business:
SARA coffee mugs are on sale for $3 each – See Keith AGØH.
The SARA Oval Sticker/Decals are on sale for $1 each or you can get a free one when you renew your annual membership ($20) for 2016.
New Business:
None
Good of Association:
SEMARC meeting – March 29th (last Tuesday of each month) at 7 PM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove.
Upcoming Hamfests:
Brainerd Area Hamfest, Brainerd, MN – April 16, 2016
Duluth – Superior ARAC Hamfest, Superior, WI – May 7, 2016
Hamboree 2016 & ARRL Convention, Boone, IA – May 14, 2016
Vintage radio auction and swap meet May 20 – 21, 2016
MAGIC Tailgater, Roseville, MN – July 9, 2016
Show Us Your Shack:
Randy KDØVKB had his shack on display with a myriad of vintage radios.
50/50 Drawing:
The total amount collected was $60. Three GMT clocks were also drawn for.
Program: Dave WØOXB led a discussion on Operating Do’s & Don’ts.
Mike NØODK gave some DX Do’s & Don’ts and referred everyone to the website DX-code.org where there is a detailed explanation of the DX Code of Conduct.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM so members could attend a Mini Hamfest in the parking lot.
Meeting attendance: 34