Monthly Meeting Minutes

January 17, 2012 MEETING

STRAITS AREA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

                                                JANUARY 17 2012 MEETING   

MEETING BROUGHT TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT RALPH.NO8W

RALPH TALKED ABOUT SWAP AT HAZEL PARK. TALKED ABOUT TRAVERSE CITY SWAP FEBRUARY 11. THERE WERE ONLY 8 PEOPLE AT THE JANUARY MEETING. THE WEATHER

WAS REALLY BAD,AND PEOPLE WHO WERE OUT WERE CRAZY. NEXT MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 21 AT 7:00 AT PETOSKEY HIGH SCHOOL ROOM 106. WOULD LIKE TO SEE

MORE PEOPLE COME TO MEETING. WE TALKED ABOUT COOKIES IF ANYONE WANTS

COOKIES AT THE MEETING THEY SHOULD SIGN UP FOR THEM. IT IS ONLY 1 TIME A YEAR. SOME OF US HAVE TO BRING THEM 4 TIMES AND THEY AREN'T GOING TO SO IF YOU WANT THEM SIGN UP OR GO WITHOUT. ALSO WE NEED SUGGESTIONS FOR HAM OF THE YEAR FOR 2011. WE NEED IDEAS FOR WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AT OUR MEETINGS,AND IDEAS FOR HOW THE CLUB CAN MAKE MONEY. THANKS TO CHUCK BREW FOR PUTTING AD ON REPEATER ABOUT THE MEETING.CHUCK SCOTT WILL GIVE US A TALK ON ANALIZER RADIO SOMETIME IN APRIL OR MAY . RALPH WON 50/50

OF 6.00 DOLLARS AND GAVE IT BACK TO THE CLUB. IF YOU HAVEN'T PAID YOUR DUES

IT IS A GOOD TIME TO DO IT NOW. SOME OF YOU HAVEN'T PAID IN A COUPLE YEARS.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO KEEP THINGS GOING WITH THE CLUB. AND IF YOU HAVE PAID , THANK YOU......

TREASURER REPORT

SAVINGS 79.83

CHECKING 832.28

TOTAL 912.11

THANK YOU ! Maxine kc8wxn

February 21, 2012 MEETING

   STRAITS AREA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

                                                   FEBRUARY 21,2012

MEETING BROUGHT TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT RALPH N8OW.

9 MEMBERS PRESENT WITH A NEW MEMBER MIKE SEARS KD8RHL

DIRK KC8JK IS SETTING UP FIELD DAY AT THE REGULAR SITE.

THE SHIP IN MACKINAW WILL ALSO HAVE THERE FIELD DAY . TALK TO CHUCK SCOTT OR CHUCK BREW ABOUT DETAILS.

ALSO WE DISCUSSED WHEN SHOULD WE HAVE SWAP,AND WHERE SHOULD WE HAVE IT

SWAP,PLEASE COME TO MEETINGS AND SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT.

WE HAD DISCUSSION ON MAKING ANTENNAS,RALPH WILL MAKE MAY MEETING A FUN ONE.SO PLEASE COME.

ALSO MAY MEETING IS CHANGED TO MAY 22 INSTEAD OF MAY 15TH, SO PLEASE MARK THAT ON YOUR CALENDAR.

CHUCK SCOTT WILL CONDUCT A VHF/UHF RADIO CLINIC IN APRIL 17TH MEETING.

WHAT PRESENTATIONS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AT THE CLUB MEETINGS?

ANY ONE WOULD LIKE TO TALK AT CLUB MEETINGS ABOUT HISTORY OF THE HAM RADIO,HOW IT WAS FIRST STARTED AND HOW IT IS DIFFERENT THEN TODAY..

D-STAR IN GAYLORD IS WORKING GOOD146.64 DRUMAND ISLAND 74-64-733 WISCONSIN 147.21 COLLEGE IN SAULT ST MARIE LINKING TO GET REPEATER MORE USE AND GET MORE PEOPLE TALKING.

ICOM 1D-31A 70CM HANDHELD  @ $379.00 DOLLARS AND IS D-STAR READY.

DIRK WANT S TO TALK ABOUT A FOX HUNT AND WE HOPE HE WILL HAVE TIME TO COME AND TALK ABOUT IT .

YOU CAN GO TO ARRL AND GET A LIST OF ALL THE MANY HAMS.

IT SURE WOULD BE NICE IF MORE MEMBERS WOULD COME AND HAVE IDEAS FOR OUR MEETINGS, FOR ALL YOU KNOW YOU MAY HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT WE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN. I LEARN MORE EVERY MEETING . SOME THINGS I DON'T UNDERSTAND BUT IT IS INTERESTING. SO COME TO NEXT MEETING WHICH IS

MARCH 20TH AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE PETOSKEY HIGH SCHOOL ROOM 106'

WE WOULD SURE LIKE TO SEE YOU THERE. WE ALSO WANT A DISCUSSION ON WHO

SHOULD BE HAM OF THE YEAR FOR 2011. SO PLEASE COME TO THE MEETING WITH YOUR SUGGESTIONS

I PROBABLY MADE MISTAKES BUT COME TO MEETING AND LET ME KNOW.

MINUTES UNDER CONSTRUCTION SO BARE WITH ME . I HOPE TO GET BETTER

MEETING CLOSED AT 8:30P.M. TREASURE REPORT GRAND TOTAL 1111.83

SEE YOU AT NEXT MEETING MAXINE KC8WXN

March 20, 2012 MEETING

SAARC March 20, 2012 MEETING

PRESIDENT RALPH N8OW BROUGHT MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:15.

16 MEMBERS WERE PRESENT.
 
WE LOOKED AT THE W8GQN.ORG WEBSITE. IT IS GETTING UPDATED AND WE WOULD LIKE ANY SUGGESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ON THE WEBSITE.

MAKE SURE YOU UPDATE US WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.


MR TALBOYS SUGGESTED  WE HAVE A MEETING ON DIGITAL RADIO. WOULD LIKE A LAPTOP USB FOR FIELD DAY.


OLD BUSINESS AND NEW BUSINESS

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO ABOUT THE SWAP,WHEN ,WHERE,WHAT?

WHAT WOULD YOU THINK IF WE HAD A CRAFT SHOW AT THE SAME TIME AS THE SWAP?

I THINK WE WOULD GET MORE LADIES TO BRING THERE HUSBANDS TO THE SWAP AND IT WOULD BE FUN. IF INTERESTED CONTRACT MAXINE KC8WXN 231-242-0050

DO WE WANT THE SWAP AT THE COLLEGE AGAIN THIS YEAR AND HAVE A TAILGATE AGAIN?

PLEASE DON'T JUST SIT THERE GIVE US YOUR IDEAS ABOUT THE SWAP, DON'T EVERYONE TALK AT ONCE.
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHUCK SCOTT AND CHUCK BREW, OUR HAMS OF THE YEAR FOR 2011.

APRIL 21-NEWBERRY ROAD RALLY THEY NEED HAM RADIO OPERATORS FROM 7:00 TO MIDNIGHT.   CONTRACT CHUCK BREW FOR MORE INFO

RAVEN HILL DISCOVERY CENTER WANTS TO SET UP A PERMANET HAM RADIO STATION.    CONTACT RICK PAGEL FOR MORE INFO

NORM GARDENER FURNISHED COOKIES FOR THIS MEETING. BOB STILL K8RJS IS COOKIE PERSON FOR APRIL MEETING.


THE MICHIGAN BICYCLE TOUR WANTS PERMISSION TO USE THE W8GQN REPEATER JULY 18-20. A MOTION WAS MADE BY CHUCK SCOTT TO OK IT AND IT SECONDED BY DEWAYNE AND OK’D BY ALL MEMBERS PRESENT.

RALPH MADE A PRESENTATION ABOUT COAX CABLE LOSS ,FEED LINE MATCHING AND LOSS ON FEED LINE  TO ANTENNA.   IT WAS VERY INTERESTING EVEN IF I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING.

DAVE BURNS WHO USED TO BE CLUB SECRETARY WHEN I FIRST BECAME A MEMBER HAS OFFERED TO TAKE OVER THE SECRETARY DUTIES.
SO THIS WILL BE MY LAST MINUTES. HE WILL DO A BETTER JOB FOR YOU AND GET MINUTES OUT FASTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
I WILL STILL BE THE TREASURER . SO GIVE DAVE A BIG WELCOME BACK AA8XO  THANK YOU


MAXINE WON THE 50/50 OF 14.00 AND GAVE IT BACK TO CLUB TO HELP WITH POP,COFFEE AND WHAT EVER ELSE CLUB NEEDS FOR PETTY CASH

THANK YOU MEETING CLOSED

SEE YOU AT THE NEXT MEETING APRIL17 AT PETOSKEY HIGH SCHOOL ROOM 106 AT 7:00P.M.

CHUCK SCOTT WILL CONDUCT A RADIO CLINIC, SO BRING YOUR RIGS AND SEE HOW THEY PERFORM.



THANK YOU MAXINE
                              

April 17, 2012 Meeting

May 22, 2012 Meeting

The S.A.A.R.C. meeting of May 22nd. was called to order at 7:07pm by President Ralph, NO8W.  He started the meeting with an inquiry if everyone had received the minutes of the last meeting in their emails.  Ralph also mentioned the web page for member’s names was in the construction stage.  The minutes to the last meeting were accepted as is.  There were 13 members present at the meeting.

NEW BUSINESS
The June 23rd Field Day directions map handout was distributed to members.  Dirk, KG8JK, is the contact person for Field Day.  Dirk will  have the trailer at the site Friday night.  Information about the day is on the web site and the ARRL web site has all the specific information   Field Day starts at 1800 hrs UTC Saturday  and ends at 20:59 UTC Sunday.  Dirk wanted the point mentioned to be sure to bring something to eat if attending Field Day this year. 
 The S.A.A.R.C. swap was introduced for discussion to the floor.  Motion  by Chuck, N8NXP and seconded by Berne, K8ZI, to NOT have the swap in July.  The motion was carried.  Cliff, KC8NVI, mentioned the Newberry Hamfest is on June 9th.  Ralph mentioned we should focus on the fall one. 
The annual Club picnic will be on the Club’s meeting day of August 21st in the park. 
Treasury Report:  the saving account has $79.83, in the checking account $998.00 for total of $1,077.83.  The June liability insurance of $197.83 must be paid before the next meeting.   The final total after the insurance  is paid will be $880.00.  Motion to accept the Treasury report and the minutes of the meeting by Bernie, K8ZI, and 2nd by  Rick, KC8TU, and the motion was carried. 
Cookies will be procured by Ralph, NO8W, for June and Herb, KD8OHP, for October to bring cookies.

The tower clean up is the 3rd. Weekend in September which is  September 15th.  Please support this effort as the Club is very fortunate to have access to the tower.   Ralph is looking for a gas powered weed whacker to use at the site for clean up.  Under other New Business, Chuck, N8NXP, mentioned the need for radio operators for the Mackinaw City Parade 1:00pm for this coming Saturday, May 26th.

There was a break before the presentation & for the 50/50 raffle which was won by Chuck, N8NXP.  A special thank you to Maxine, KC8WXN, for bringing cookies to the meeting.  The presentation was started by Ralph,NO8W, as to how easy and inexpensive the cost is to get on and use PSK-31.  Larry, K8GER, followed with discussing the available software to use on PSK.  It was also mentioned for a good source of information is to Google ‘PSK-31’ on the internet.  Ralph also mentioned now is a good time to monitor the beacons on 10 meter for activity.  Thank you Ralph and Larry for an excellent presentation and all the information mentioned on using PSK-31.

Motion to adjourn the meeting by Maxine, KC8WXN and 2nd by Rick, KC8TU,  and the motion was carried to end the meeting at 8:23pm. 

Submitted by
Dave AA8XO














   
 

June 19, 2012 Meeting

The S.A.A.R.C. meeting of June 19th, 2012 ,was called to order at 7:12 p.m. by President Ralph, NO8W. 
He started the meeting with the announcement that Dr. Neal Touran, KD8NVU, was a silent key.  A card was passed around for members to sign.  Ralph continued with discussing  the sending out of the minutes of the last meeting by email to the club members. 

OLD BUSINESS
The June 23rd Field Day this year is being conducted by Dirk, KG8JK.  Start up time is 2:00PM Friday.  The club is using 2 H.F. radios for a 2A status for the event.  There’s plenty of room to camp.

 Congratulations to Harold Smith for passing his test  at the testing session conducted before the meeting. 

President Ralph announced to forgo the swap in July.  There was discussion to hold the swap in the fall and there was also discussion as to the location. 

The tower clean up is planned for September 15th.    Please support this effort as the Club is very fortunate to have access to the tower.    Please make the extra effort to attend. 

NEW BUSINESS
Discussion and comments commenced for planning the annual Club picnic on August 21st.  Several locations were mentioned as well as the cost involved to make reservations at those locations.  Dirk also mentioned the possibly of having rain that day which might be a factor.  President Ralph would check on and report back about the Boyne Falls Pavilion.  Dirk, KG8JK, suggested operating a couple of QRP rigs.  Please let Maxine, KC8WXN, know which dish you plan to bring to the picnic. 

For the July meeting the school is not normally opened during the summer time for a meeting place. 

There was some discussion of a club camp out at Pickerel Lake some time after Labor Day or maybe at a later time in the fall.  A weekend was not mentioned in the discussion

Treasury  Report:  Maxine reported the saving account is $79.83 and the checking account is $818.17 for a total of $898.00.  She mentioned the club’s insurance was paid.    Motion to accept the Treasury Report by Rick, KC8TU, and seconded by Jack, K8RJ.  The motion was carried. 

There was a break before the program presentation.  The 50/50 raffle was won by Jack KB8RJ.  A  special thank you to Ralph, NO8W, for providing cookies for the meeting this month.  A special thanks to Maxine for setting up other refreshments for the meeting.  The program for the evening was started by President Ralph with a video presentation about building a QRP station.  He went on to show  more video about operating a QRP station on the air.  Thank you Ralph for an informative presentation about QRP.

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:27pm was made by Herb, KD8OHP, and seconded by Rick, KC8TU.  The motion was carried to end the meeting. 

Submitted by,
Dave
AA8X0











 

October 16, 2012 Meeting

The S.A.A.R.C. meeting of October 16, 2012, was called to order at 7:10 pm by President Ralph, NO8W.  He started the meeting with mentioning not having a meeting for awhile.  He then discussed the Club's swap and asked for a short report from Rick, KC8TU and Cliff, KC8NVI.  Maxine, KC8WXN, was also thanked for her help and support conducting the swap.

A treasurer's report was made which included the swap report.  The taken in at the swap was $160.00 for admission, $35.00 for tables and $50.00 for the 50/50 raffle for a total of $225.00.  Dirk, KG8JK, donated $40.00 to the church which left $185.00.  The concession took in $32.00 for a grand total the club made on the swap was $227.00.  The saving account has $79.83 and the checking account has 945.17 for a total of $1,025.00.  A motion was made to accept the Treasurer's report by Rick, KC8TU and seconded by Herb, WD8OHP and the motion was carried.

Old Business
DeWayne, KC8LJX, gave a report about the tower site clean up.  A special thank you to Chuck, N8DNX, for arranging the clean up and a thank you for all those people that helped and worked at the site.

New Business
The Christmas get-together will be arranged by Dirk in the high school room.  Maxine will send out post card reminders to the group.  Maxine mentioned to bring some finger food when coming to the dinner and the club will provide a meat tray.  Maxine also mentioned to be there with the food at 6:00pm.  Ralph will also send out an email reminder.  The date for the event is December 11th. at 6:30pm in lieu of the regular club meeting.

Ralph said for the regular November meeting he was going to be bringing in a video to play, "R.F. Interference and grounding in the shack", for the evening's program".

Ralph mentioned everyone should be aware of next month is the selection of club officers.

There was some discussion about how to inspire people to attend meetings.  A suggestion was made to create a phone tree for calling members to remind them of the meeting time.  The president mentioned he would up pick up people during bad weather if a ride was needed.  Ralph said there was a need for a dedicated presentation for a program.

There was discussion about activities the club could do.  Chuck inquired if anyone would like to build something.  He said 'Far Circuits' have many kits available.  That might create some interest and get people here.  He mentioned we could build these for ourselves or to sell.

Maxine reminded each member to donate $5.00 for the meat tray if you plan to attend the Christmas club dinner.

Motion to adjourn the meeting by Tom, WA8AA, and seconded by Herb, KD8OHP, and the motion was carried.  The meeting ended at 8:54pm.

Submitted by,
Dave  AA8XO