MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – March 10, 2018
Stillwater Amateur Radio Association
1618 Pine Street West
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
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 10, 2018 meeting are posted on the website. Please report any corrections to: Secretary@radioham.org One correction was made as to the recipient of the RTL award.
Treasurer’s Report: Rich ADØSN
Beginning Balance: 2/1/2018 $2,867.32
Income: $230.00
Expenses: $175.45
Ending Balance: 3/1/2018 $2,921.87 (Not including RBP income/expenses)
$17,589.80 (Including RBP income/expenses)
Education and Training: Bob WØGAF
SkyWarn class was held Saturday February 24th, and was well attended despite a winter storm warning with 35-40 people present.
Technician classes are being held from Mar 1st to April 19th. The location for each class is determined and available. Approximately 25 people per session this year.
VE Session will be held on April 26th at Boutwell’s Landing.
New Ham Night will be held Valley View Park in Oak Park Heights for May 24th, 6-8pm. This is in alignment with our later Radios in the Park events.
Activities & Events: Dave WØOXB
March Board Meeting – will be held March 15th at the Stillwater Library at 6 PM.
Ice Station WØJH – was held on President’s Day weekend Feb 17, 18, 19 at Lake Elmo at KØAIF’s QTH. There were 22 attendees, with QSL certificates going out next week. Made approximately 400 contacts, with primary bands being 80, 40, and 20 meters, with approximately 75% of the contacts being on 20 meters.
Radios in the Park – Radios in the Park will be held at Valley View Park in Oak Park Heights from 5:30pm – 8pm on: May 24, June 14, July 5, July 26, August 16, and September 6th. An antenna shootout is planned for July 26th, testing the various efficacy of antennas with WSPR.
M.A.P. (Membership Assistance Program): Dave WØOXB
The 2018 project list will be managed by Dave WØOXB and Joe KCØOIO. This assistance program should be looked at as ‘Our Elmer Program’. How can you as a member help your fellow members? Each person has an expertise that can be taught to others. The next project is helping Dan, KE0IYG, get an attic antenna up.
Remote Base Project: Pat WAØTDA
Everything is up and running. Some updates were recently applied. N0CIC is currently on extended vacation but W0EQO seems to be reliable right now. There are plans at Pat’s QTH to do tree trimming which will result in bringing down antennas for a time, including W0ZSW. It may mean the antenna is a butternut vertical for a short time as well. Equipment will also be taken offline for a short while for a thorough cleaning.
Washington County ARES: John KAØHYR
ARES Net – going forward this will be held every 3rd Wednesday. Feb 20th at 146.985 at 6:30 local time.
REP Drill – The REP drill schedule is changing, and the time is currently unknown.
ARES Changes – ARES is undergoing changes including national registration for ARES groups, which has been done, and a rumor of required training. Other requirements are unknown at this time.
Members Meeting – The member’s meeting is March 12, 6:30pm at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater.
Training – There will likely be a push to complete the online FEMA courses ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800.
IDs – New IDs will be issued this year.
SARA Nets & Ragchews:
Two Meter Ragchew has had great participation with 6-12 people each time.
SARA Tuesday Round Robin Ragchew – on 12 meters at 24.955 MHz at 7PM. At some point in the evening they may switch to 160 meters.
SARA Monday morning Round Robin Ragchew – will be meeting on 75 meters at 3.856 +/- MHz at 9 AM.
SARA Digi Net – will be on 7 PM (0000 UTC) Sunday at 3.583.15 MHz USB. The net coordinator will email the details (mode, frequency). Look for the net up 500-1000 on your waterfall.
SARA 160 meter Top Band Ragchew – is on 1.966 MHz every night at 8PM except Tuesday & Thursday.
Newsletter: Pat WAØTDA & Dave WØOXB
Thank you to Pat and Dave for getting it up.
DX News: Mike NØODK (not present)
Spratly Island is on the air now, so contact is recommended to be made.
Wearables:
Be sure to contact www.hamthreads.com for all your club clothing needs. They do a great job of personalizing hats, shirts, and jackets.
Programs:
March – EMP & CME – What could happen? – John KAØHYR
April – Contest Station WØAIH – Paul Bittner
May – BitX40 Builders Challenge
A recommendation was made to members that NBC News did a news segment on ‘Left Field’ that included covering ham radio in emergency communication. Direct link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO09aMGMizM&feature=youtu.be
Old Business:
The new reflective SARA Oval Sticker/Decals are on sale for $2 each from Rich ADØSN.
The facebook page is undergoing transitions from one type of group to another. You will want to eventually become a member of the new group.
New Business:
Joe, KC0OIO, is issuing a grid chase challenge to all members. Right now #1 is KE0N, with about 445 grids logged as part of this year’s grid challenge. FT8 is included, and there will be some sort of award possible. Onward with the SARA IGC Challenge!
Good of Association:
SEMARC will hold a Saturday breakfast at 7 AM every 3rd Saturday at the North Pole restaurant in Newport.
Their regular VE Session is scheduled on the 3rd Saturday of each month at the Zion Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove at 9 AM.
50/50: We took in $68 and the payout pot was $34.
Show Us Your Shack:
There was no photo for this month.
Program: John Regan and Skip Jackson – Effects on Ham Radio from Nuclear Detonation and Coronal Mass Ejection (NUDET and CME)
John presented the study and information known about the effects of nuclear detonation and coronal ejections upon radio equipment and electronics, the likelihood of being affected, and the ways to defend and prepare against different types of interference. Skip supplied information as necessary. The presentation was well received with plenty of questions.
The program and meeting concluded at 10:41 AM.
Meeting attendance: 30