Allegan County Amateur Radio Club    

From Linda, KD8FLQ:

ALLEGAN COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MEETING MINUTES

July 13, 2010

MEETING: Called to order by President Jim Gillis @ 8:30 PM
(after the SUPER presentations on Fox Hunting by K8AJ, Sheila, K8TB, Tom & Mike W8DER Thanks “Guys” !! )

Member/visitors: 12 Members & 3 Guests

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Vote passed to accept Junes minutes (Special Thanks to W8TEZ for filling in during last Meeting )

TREASURER’S Report

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Trustee report: The programming chip for 147.240 to change the Monterey repeater call to AC8RC was delivered to AC8AG
Club Radio Station: No report
10 Meter Net: Please check in with Jack ( W8PPM ) on Wednesday evenings @ 8PM local – Freq: 28380 MHZ (alternate 28.390 MHZ if busy) Topic’s of interest are always welcome
VE Testing: Next sessions will be held on July 24 @ the Allegan Hospital Cafeteria. Price is $15 and You need two forms of identification including a copy of Your current license (if You have one)
Please spread the word to possible attendees to AA8L
Help needed with Test VE’s – Those available and interested please contact AA8L
Allegan County ARPSC: Next meeting is scheduled for July 21,2010 at the proposed new location for the Jail & EOC Complex – Starting at 6Pm – Formal Meeting after the tour of the old Hayworth Plant
Allegan County SAR still needs Hams for their communications
Joint SAR- Races – Club Picnic: Announced for Sunday July 25th @ 3PM – Bring Your own Meat and a dish to share – Contact KD8CHT for additional information
Program Committee CO-Chairman’s – See W8PPM or WB3LHU for any program ideas You would like presented at upcoming club meetings.
Field Day: report – WB3LHU indicated that all felt this years was a great success with the help of many – The Races trailer added another opportunity to get equipment on the air – Several newer Hams had opportunity’s to make HF contacts for the first time – Everybody had a good time
Thanks from Your Co Chairs W8PPM & WB3LHU

Allegan Fair Radio Special events Station: W8TEZ is Program Coordinator – All Amateur Radio operators are offered a 4 (or more) hr time slot operating HF or VHF during the Fair – You will get free parking and a one day pass to the fair – Please contact W8TEZ to sign up (W8DER indicated an interest )

OLD BUSINESS:
440 Repeater: Club discussed and agreed to have AC8AG exploring the costs of installing our new 440 repeater – Costs up to $1000 have been authorized but not expected to be that hi – Still needed are the crystals and coax connectors Plus the Antenna
OPEN MIKE NIGHT: The next scheduled Open Mike night is scheduled for Tuesday July 27th starting at 7PM – - NOTE: This affords members to operate the station on HF or VHF if you don’t have a rig or would like further instructions
Walking stick Antennas – It is very probable that we will also finish building these antennas at this session – Bring $20 cash to reimburse for materials and tools to help
We are also expecting a Name Tag engraver to visit with us that night so You can get Your call and other information engraved – at that time – Approximate cost $10 AC8AG to contact
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Portable HF Antenna: Now that the Comet has become a permanent fixture at the Red Cross the club has asked KD8LZT to find a suitable replacement for portable work- Reported that a Company called Camillion is High On the list with a price of $350 – Band coverage is 160 M thru 440 MHZ AC8AG will do some follow up and report back at the next meeting .

FOX HUNT: Dates to be announced after completion of Walking stick antennas
Red Cross Clean Up night
NEXT Clean Up will be scheduled for a night in September or October
RED CROSS MOWING: AC8AG is looking for some relief in these duties – Please consider volunteering as it is only a 20 Min job every 7-10 days
CLUB ACTIVITES – FUTURE
KD8LZT will take the August Slot and report on PSK communication
W8PPM will take the September Slot to tell us about Solar uses in His Amateur Radio Endeavors
WB3LHU will re-confirm with SKI WB8YXI about rescheduling his talk on COAX and SWR for a time more convenient to his schedule – The Club would like to Lock down October 9th @ 9Am

Club Activities & presentation Topics going forward :
(Most are reprinted presentations or suggested by members – OR To be scheduled as follows:)

AC8AG will contact KC8NWD for an upcoming talk on radio repair and installation
Activate Eagle Island as a club event – For Islands on the Air (IOTA) (Need program coordinator)
KC8CQJ will be contacted (AC8AG ) to talk about DX expeditions in conjunction with activation of Eagle Island
Possible measuring tape antenna building session for future meeting – To help new (and old) members
KB8FQJ will give a future talk on Slow Scan TV
Club to ask Joe from Holland Club to redo his demo on Packet
AA8L will also offer a updated Satellite communications talk @ a future meeting
General Class License & Ham in a day Classes – Any Interest that members know about – Please contact AC8AC
The Holland Club will be starting a Extra Class Class – Please contact K8TB

ALSO UPCOMING: (Not discussed but carried forward for club consideration)

KB8PFJ – Program Coordinator on AZO Ham Fest food
QSL Cards : Program to be held on what is needed and how to do
W8PPM has offered to host a presentation on EMP at a future date
Blind Seminar on Ham radio: N8UYB to coordinate dated with his group – 2nd Monday of a future Month

NEW BUSINESS:

440 Repeater : Allegan Hospital has given their go ahead to install the 440 repeater – We will have emergency Power, a Phone Line and installation space – They are excited

Antenna Raising Committee Has three volunteer members- KD8CHT, KD8KBA & AC8AG

Antenna Removal Committee: The club has been given a 50 ft tower complete with rotor, antennas by K8NTE – We have accepted and will schedule a fall date to disassemble

Next CLUB MEETING Tuesday evening August 8 th @ 7PM @ the American Red Cross Building in Allegan – The primary activity/discussion will be a presentation on PSK By KD8LZT

Meeting closed @ 9:25 PM by Voice Vote

Respectfully submitted Linda S. Burd – KD8FLQ – Club Secretary

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Filed under: 2010 Minutes, Meeting Minutes

From Linda, KD8FLQ

MEETING: Called to order by President Jim Gillis @ 8:30 PM
(after two SUPER presentations by KD8LZT on Torides & KD8HSD on Antennas – Thanks Guys !! )

Member/visitors: 10 Members & 1 Guest –Rick Munson Kd8hsd– Welcome Rick

SECRETARIES REPORT: Vote passed to accept April’s minutes

TREASURERS Report:

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Trustee report : No report from WD8MBT – Club has been presented with 3 manuals for Old Blue by Paul KD8DLP – Thanks for all the Hard work Paul
ACTION: KB8FQJ now has the programming chip for 147.240 to change to the official call AC8RC
Club Radio Station: No report
10 Meter Net: Please check in with Jack ( W8PPM ) on Wednesday evenings @ 8PM local – Freq: 28380 MHZ (alternate 28.390 MHZ if busy) Topic’s of interest are always welcome
VE Testing: Next sessions will be held on May 22nd @ the Allegan Hospital Cafeteria. Price is $15 and You need two forms of identification including a copy of Your current license (if You have one)
Please spread the word to possible attendees to AA8L
Help needed with Test VE’s – Those available and interested please contact AA8L
Allegan County ARPSC: Next meeting is scheduled for May 14th at the EOC – Starting at 9AM
Allegan County SAR still needs Hams for their communications
Program Committee CO-Chairman’s – See W8PPM or WB3LHU for any program ideas You would like presented at upcoming club meetings.
Field Day Preparations: Program Committee CO-Chairman’s – W8PPM and WB3LHU Are Committee CO-Chairman’s- Please let either of us know about what You would be bringing – and/or suggestions about what you would like to help with. Allegan Fly In (same day as Field Day) decision as to whether to continue in lieu of the logistics during
W8PPM: Reports contact with Otsego officials for permission (June 26th) which is assured
WB3LHU has volunteered to be “utility” again which covers erecting equipment, cooking and etc.

Next CLUB MEETING Tuesday evening June 8 th @ 7PM @ the American Red Cross Building in Allegan – The primary activity/discussion will be Field day preparation

Allegan Fair Radio Station: W8TEZ is Program Coordinator – All Amateur Radio noperators are offered a 4 (or more) hr time slot operating HF or VHF during the Fair – You will get free parking and a one day pass to the fair – Please contact W8TEZ to sign up
A special Call sign has been applied for
Red Cross Clean Up night
NEXT Clean Up will be scheduled for a night in September or October

OLD BUSINESS:
OPEN MIKE NIGHT: The next scheduled Open Mike night is scheduled for Tuesday May 24th starting at 7PM – - NOTE: This affords members to operate the station on HF or VHF if you don’t have a rig or would like further instructions
Walking stick Antennas – It is probable that we will also finish building these antennas at this session – Bring $20 cash to reimburse for materials

FOX HUNT: presented by N8UYB – Dates to be announced

PAGE 2
Club Picnic: Arrangements being made by WD8MBT for later this summer

NEW BUSINESS:

Special event station: SS Kewadin: K8CQJ needs operators and loggers for the special event to run on June 5th & 6th – Please contact K8CQJ for more information . Help is also needed with setting up antennas and equipment on June 4th

440 Repeater: Recent donation still needs a home, Antenna and tuning cavities
Suggestion is for consideration of the Allegan County General Hospital tower as the Hospital Management have been very open about the emergency communications issue
The club is also aware of a county tower located at about 118th and 20th which we also have permission to use
Another possible site (M89 & M40) might be available thru AC8GN – Additional details to follow

Lawn Mowing: WB3LHU has volunteered to cover grass cutting duties @ the Red Cross thru June
NOTE: Additional volunteers would be appreciated !!!

Antenna Raising Committee Has three volunteer members- KD8CHT, KD8KBA & AC8AG
Club Activities & presentation Topics going forward :
(Most are reprinted presentations or suggested by members – OR To be scheduled as follows:)
JUNE: Main discussion topic will be Field Day Preparations – (see Committee reports above)

Future: WB3LHU will re-confirm with SKI WB8YXI about rescheduling his talk on COAX and SWR for a time more convenient to his schedule which may be in the early fall

AC8AG will contact KC8NWD for an upcoming talk on radio repair and installation

Fox Hunt – Details from HHC from contact by AC8AG
Activate Eagle Island as a club event – For Islands on the Air (IOTA) (Need program coordinator)
KC8CQJ will be contacted (AC8AG ) to talk about DX expeditions in conjunction with activation of Eagle Island
New antenna building session for future meeting – To help new (and old) members
KB8FQJ will give a future talk on Slow Scan TV
Club to ask Joe from Holland Club to redo his demo on Packet
W8PPM has offered to talk about Solar power in a future meeting
AA8L will also offer a updated Satellite communications talk @ a future meeting
General Class License & Ham in a day Classes – Any Interest that members know about – Please contact AC8AC

ALSO UPCOMING: (Not discussed but carried forward for club consideration)

Lions Pride Ride: N8JMU – No information at this time
KB8PFJ – Program Coordinator on AZO Ham Fest food
QSL Cards : Program to be held on what is needed and how to do
W8PPM has offered to host a presentation on EMP at a future date
Radio repair Information- Contact information forth coming and will be published for the members
Blind Seminar on Ham radio: N8UYB to coordinate dated with his group – 2nd Monday of a future Month

Meeting closed @ 9:16 PM by Voice Vote

Respectfully submitted Linda S. Burd – KD8FLQ – Club Secretary

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Filed under: 2010 Minutes, Meeting Minutes