MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – May 14, 2016
Stillwater Amateur Radio Association
1618 Pine Street West
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
President: Joe KCØOIO
The meeting was called to order at 9:04 AM.
Secretary’s Report: Steve KAØOBI
The general meeting minutes from the April 9, 2016 meeting are posted on the website. Please report any corrections to: Secretary@radioham.org
Treasurer’s Report: John N5JLZ
Beginning Balance: 4/1/2016 $3,279.85
Income: $22.00
Expenses: $225.00
Ending Balance: 4/30/2016 $3,076.85 (Not including HELP income/expenses)
$13, 281.02 (Including HELP income/expenses)
Education and Training: Bob WØGAF (Not present – up North)
Technician Class – 9 tested and 8 passed the exam.
Extra Class Study Group – 3 tested and 3 upgraded.
New Ham Night will be held on May 19th at Brekke Park in Oak Park Heights.
Activities & Events: Dave WØOXB (Not present)
Thursday Night Eye Ball Sessions – are held at Stillwater Public Library from 6 to 8 PM CDT.
Radios-in-the-Park – 6 – 8 PM
June 9th – at Valley View Park, 5575 Ozark Ave. N, Oak Park Heights.
July 7th – at Northland Park, 25 Northland Ave., Stillwater.
July 28th – at Autumn Hills Park, Oak Park Heights.
August 18th – at Pioneer Park, N 2nd Street & Laurel Street, Stillwater.
Boy Scout Radio Merit Badge Night – May 16th – 7 PM at Lion’s shelter at Central Park in Roseville.
Field Day 2016 is scheduled for June 25th & 26th at Autumn Hills Park.
MAP – Dave WØOXB (Not present)
Several MAP projects are being planned. Please see Dave WØOXB or Joe KCØOIO to volunteer for project teams.
Handiham Equipment Liaison Program (HELP)
Remote stations are up and running and available to SARA members.
These stations can be accessed via remotehams.com using RCForbClient (accessible via Windows and Android only).
We are looking for a home for WØZSW remote base – all equipment will be provided. If you would like to volunteer please contact Joe KCØOIO.
A table full of microphones was displayed and all items were for sale at the meeting.
The Brainerd Hamfest on April 16th was very successful thanks to Keith AGØH, Bob WØGAF, and Joe KCØOIO. The event netted over $2,800.
Washington County ARES: John KAØHYR (Not present)
The ARES net meets on the 1st and 15th of each month on 146.985 on the SEMARC repeater.
The Prairie Island Reception Center Drill will take place in July. Training will begin on July 11th and the drill will be held on July 20th at Park Senior High School in Cottage Grove.
The Mobile, Portable, Go-Kit Show & Tell hosted by SARA is scheduled for June 11th at Brekke Park.
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 will be on hiatus until the fall.
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!
The newsletter will be going on summer break until September.
DX News: Mike NØODK
Mike will be going to Vietnam again later this year.
E44QX in Palestine will be operating in May. Check DX website for details
Get the latest DX news by subscribing to the ARRL DX News. Also check out www.ng3k.com for DX & Contest Calendar.
Program Schedule
May: Jim KDØIPI – SOTA (Summits on the Air)
Old Business:
Please make sure your annual membership ($20) dues have been paid for 2016.
New Business:
None
Good of Association:
None
50/50 Drawing:
Mike NØODK was this meetings winner of $25.
Program: Summits on the Air (SOTA) by Jim KDØIPI
Jim gave a detailed presentation of the relatively new SOTA activity that was started by the British in 2002. Worldwide there are about 9,767 regular participants and 95,627 summits identified that you can climb and transmit from. It is a great way to combine hiking and ham radio. They have a series of awards that participants (activators and chasers) can earn. It sounds like an excellent way to refine your portable station down to the most compact and lightest form so you can enjoy ham radio out in the open air on a hilltop or mountaintop.
SOTA has a comprehensive website at sota.org.uk. The website provides all the information you need to get started as an activator or chaser. The equipment used can be the most basic possible and all you need to do is make at least 4 contacts to have a successful summit activation.
In the U.S., each state seems to have their own association. The Minnesota association is quite small so far. The great thing is that you can travel anywhere in the world to activate a summit.
Jim showed us the equipment he uses and described how his radio and antenna choices have evolved over time as he tries to minimize the weight carried to make each trek more enjoyable.
The program and meeting concluded at 10:34.
Meeting attendance: 22