MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – March 9, 2019
MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – March 9, 2019
Stillwater Amateur Radio Association
President: Joe KCØOIO
The meeting was called to order at 9:03 AM.
Secretary’s Report: Collin KEØIYN
The general meeting minutes from the February 9, 2019 meeting are posted on the website. Please report any corrections to: Secretary@radioham.org
Treasurer’s Report: Rich ADØSN
Beginning Balance: 2/1/2019 $1,540.67
Income:
Expenses:
Ending Balance: 2/28/2019 $2,610.64 (Not including RBP income/expenses)
$17,243.24 (Including RBP income/expenses)
Education and Training: Bob WØGAF
The Spring Tech Class will be held from February 28th to April 18th. There have been 25 people so far in the class. Some rooms are still being searched for locations due to size and availability.
Activities & Events: Dave WØOXB (Not Present)
Thursday Night Eyeball Sessions are held at the Stillwater Public Library at 6 PM.
March 21 – SARA Board Meeting.
Tech Topics (a new feature) will be the 1st Thursday of each month. A Topic Coordinator is needed. Anyone can volunteer to be a Topic Leader. Just pick a topic you want to learn about; study up; then lead the discussion. There will be no topic for November as it will be the Thursday before Split Rock and many will be preparing their final packing for the trip.
Skill Sessions will be on the 4th Thursday of each month. Anyone can suggest and lead a Skills Night. There is no skill session planned for December.
2019 “Ice Station “W0JH” Frozen Lake Elmo Special Event: There were 15 operators, with multiple visitors. This was the 6th consecutive year for the event. The trailer was used as a successful shoreside station, with 171 calls and 223 QSO’s. A total of 677 contacts were logged.
2019 WHITE Rock, SD Three State Special Event: This will be held either August 16-18 or August 23-25, depending on availability. A decision will be made by the end of March. This is held where Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota meet.
M.A.P. – Dave WØOXB
A future projects list is maintained by Dave WØOXB and Joe KCØOIO.
Are there other things you need assistance with? Ask. Please let any officers know if help is needed or are willing to assist.
Antenna projects are being planned for warmer weather.
Planners are needed to help with projects.
Remote Base Project (RBP)
Both of the remote stations are currently up and running and are 160 meter capable. The IC-7200 in use at W0ZSW is in need of repair and has been replaced with a TS-590 while the repairs take place.
New Ham Initiative
An initiative to help both technicians currently in the club and newcomers to the club/hobby has been put together. This initiative is headed by Brian, N0BJE, Holly, KE0RZZ, and Mark, KE0QQN to engage and assist new hams. This group is open to all members as a resource, and can be contacted via email at newhamhelp@radioham.org. They have begun by engaging the current Technician class, and are building a survey to find interest in areas of those willing to help support. They also mention the new ARRL effort in the same area, with the new “So Now What?” podcast being put out.
Washington County ARES: John KAØHYR
The ARES net takes place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. November 12st will be the next net on 146.985 SEMARC repeater at 6:30 PM.
The upcoming meeting will be held March 18, at 6:30pm at Woodwinds Hospital, in the Admin Conference Room.
Check the web site www.mnwashcoares.net regularly for current events, net schedule, and other items of significance.
The Rep Drill is coming up on June 19th, 2019. The hands On session will be May 22nd, 2019 – details to be coming.
The Mobile/Go Kit Picknic will be held July 20th, at Edgewater Park in Woodbury. There might also be a special event station run at the event.
The latest flood prep and info involving Washington County ARES is being disseminated; including a River Watch MOU with Lake St. Croix Beach. A hospital coverage event is also planned for May 2nd.
Please note that changes are coming in 2019, so stay tuned for what they will be.
SARA Nets & Ragchews: Joe KCØOIO
2 meter ragchew is held every Wednesday night at 9 PM CDT. You can find us at 147.060 MHz DCS code 026N.
160 meters SARA Top Band Ragchew is at 1.966 MHz or close by depending on band conditions and interference. They operate every night except Tuesday & Thursday at 8 PM CDT.
SARA Tuesday evening Round Robin RagChew – Will now be operating on 75 Meters 3.803 MHz LSB starting at 7PM CDT. This is ON HOLD as the band is long for now.
SARA Monday morning Round Robin RagChew – It will be operating at 3.856 MHz at 9:00 AM CDT.
The Digital Net is Sundays at 7 PM CDT. The frequency will be 3.582.15 USB or as directed by the NCS. The Net Coordinator will email details (mode, frequency, & NCS) on the day of the net.
A 160 meter emergency net was run one night with operators on batteries or backup power. This Emergency Net Night (ENN) was quite popular and inquiries have led to an anticipation of doing it at 8pm, Wednesday, once a month. An effort will be done to reach out for the 2m net to do the same.
Newsletter & Website: Pat WAØTDA & Dave WØOXB
Thanks to Pat and Dave for putting together the newsletter! Additional contributors are always needed. Deadline for the next issue is March 30th. Contributors wanted!
DX News: Mike NØODK
Bouvet Island 3Y0X is close to departure. Maybe. Stay tuned for details.
Check out www.ng3k.com for DX & Contest Calendar information.
Wearables:
SARA wearables are available from www.hamthreads.com. You can order individually just be sure to give the club name since they have all our logos prepared and on hand.
Program Schedule:
Mar: Operating Roundtable
Apr: Logging Programs for MAC and Linux OS – Collin KE0IYN and Bob W0GAF
May: Welcome to Amateur Radio – New Technician License, now I have questions?
Sept: Contesting 101 – Bill Mitchel AE0EE
Oct: SDR Dongles, Receivers, and Software – Doug N9TOW and Collin KE0IYN
Nov: Baluns, Ununs, and Chokes – Dave WØOXB
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 the reflective one for $2 from Rich ADØSN.
New Business:
No new business to announce or discuss.
Good of Association
SEMARC Meeting – their next meeting will be held March 26th at 7 PM at the Zion Lutheran Church located at 8500 Hillside Trail in Cottage Grove.
The SEMARC monthly breakfast is scheduled for March 23rd at the North Pole Restaurant in Newport at 7:30 AM.
SEMARC’s VE session is held on the third Saturday of month (except December) at 9 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church, 8500 Hillside Trail in Cottage Grove.
It should be noted the 147.180 repeater is back online.
Upcoming Hamfests:
Midwinter Madness – March 23rd, Buffalo Civic Center.
Brainerd HamFest – April 6th, Brainerd Armory.
50/50 Drawing:
$113 was collected. Dan KE0IYF, won the drawing and donated the winnings back to the club.
Program – Operating Roundtable
An operating roundtable was held covering topics from station setup, grounding, antennas, manners on the air, and more. This well attended meeting had many questions and a plethora of topics covered; and members appreciated the event and felt more like it would be good.
The program and meeting concluded at 11:00 AM.
Meeting attendance: 40