Minutes of the SEMARC Board Meeting

May 12, 2008

 

Attendees: Dick Roberts N0UC (President), Steve Howard AB0XE (Vice-President), Dennis Ackerman KB0OQQ (Treasurer), Pete Sigtermans N0FKC, Skip Jackson KS0J, Jim Boyd KC0QCO, Pat Story W0MCQ, John Thomas W3FAF (Secretary)

 

The meeting was called to order by the President, Dick Roberts N0UC at 7:34 PM. 

 

Secretary’s Report (John Thomas W3FAF):  Board Minutes from April 2008 were presented for approval.  They were approved with a correction made to Jim Boyd’s call KC0QCO. (MSA)

 

Treasurer’s Report (Dennis Ackerman KB0OQQ):

The starting balance was $2125.99 and the ending balance was $2564.82.  Scholarship fund had $670.00 and the VE fund was at about $45.00.  Expenses were $189.17 (MSA).

 

Field Day 2008 (Dick Roberts N0UC)

Dick Roberts N0UC tells us that everything is in order.  With the resignation of the field day chairman, Pete Sigtermans N0FKC will take over and get the newspaper article out.  In our next meeting, we will decide what category we will operate in along with power limitations, etc.  A field day meeting will be scheduled at the General Meeting (TBD).  We need to determine antenna supports, who will attend Field Day, etc.  It is planned to meet at Schaar’s Bluff before Field Day.  We discussed what dupe sheets will be used and we will use paper logs for the event.  We have to make a point of the problem with the Hasting’s Bridge and access to the Field Day site.

Washington County ARES (Steve Howard AB0XE):

We may have a 24 foot commercial pole available for ARES activities.  A letter from Fire Chief Kirk was received thanking ARES for its help.  He will send a copy to everyone who participated in the House Burning Drill.  Dick will add photographs to Steve’s photographic web site.

 

ADA Tour d’Cure, May 31 8:00 – 14:00 CDT

Steve presented an update on the event.  There are presently enough operators signed up to help.  SEMARC will set up a table on Harriet Island.  NCS operators are signed up also.  There will be EMTs on site to cover emergencies.  Stillwater ARA is having troubles getting support for this activity.  As with SARA, we should quit trying to support these activities if there is no club interest.

 

Hospital Kits (Skip Jackson KS0J)

A letter from K. Grimm was received to tell us that the kits were distributed.  Radio operators are still needed at the hospitals.  If they want more help, they should contact us.  It appears they do not know how to complete the project.

 

Scholarship Committee (Jim Boyd KC0QCO)

Jim will start prospective list of foundations and companies who may contribute.  The last day of May is the Deadline.  A student has not been chosen yet.  So far, no one has scored over 58.  Students must meet mandatory requirements, then the GRID breaks ties.  This will be done this week (May 11 – 18th).

 

Program Committee (Skip KS0J)

The following programs are ready for May and June.

 

Membership (Skip KS0J):

Skip is going to make a membership brochure.  It will contain officers, club history and member photographs with a member roster attached.  Skip is also designing a Tri-fold membership application form.  Jim Boyd and Skip will coordinate their efforts and information sources. 

 

Jim KC0QCO reminded us that there are wearing Apparel options:  Monogrammed Jackets, Windbreakers, Caps and Sweaters, and Briefcases (no minimum lot size) available.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05PM (MSA).

 

Respectfully submitted,

John H. Thomas, III W3FAF

Secretary

 

 

 

Minutes of the General Meeting May 27, 2008

 

In attendance:  Dick Roberts N0UC (President), Skip Jackson KS0J, Pete Sigtermans N0FKC, Don Nelson KF0UU, John Dean K0JDD, Jim Boyd KC0QCO, Noel Westlind KC0ZXT, Jerry DeHaven WA0ACF, Steve Howard AB0XE (vice-President), Dan Franz WD0GUP, Noel Westlind KC0ZXT, John Pope WA0VPJ, Dennis Ackerman KB0OQQ (Treasurer), John Thomas W3FAF (Secretary)

 

The meeting was called to order by Dick Roberts N0UC at 1910 CDT followed by a round of introductions.    WA0VPJ, John Pope, is the speaker for tonight.

 

Secretary: John Thomas W3FAF passed out copies of the Minutes for April 2008 which were read and approved by those in attendance (MSA).  The Treasurer’s report was incorrectly presented in the last set of minutes and has been removed.

 

Treasurer:  Dennis Ackerman KB0OQQ presented the treasurer’s report.

Opening Balance April 2008

General Fund                            $2046.02

                                                VE Fund                                              $    79.97

                                                                                                            $2125.99 

Closing Balance April 2008

                                                General Fund                            $ 2496.02

                                                VE                                                       $     68.80

                                                                                                            $2564.82

 

We have $560.00 in the Scholarship Fund and paid our $150.00 deposit for the use of Dakota County Parks for Field Day.  The report was approved (MSA).

 

Old Business Dick Roberts N0UC

 

Steve Howard AB0XE reviewed ADA Tour d’Cure which will be held starting at 8:30 AM May 31 (Saturday).  Three volunteers are needed for the Minneapolis side.  A last minute meeting will be held at the Courage Center St. Croix on May 29 at 7 PM (Thursday). 

 

Steve AB0XE (ARES) reviewed the upcoming Relocation Drill meeting to be held June 10th (Tuesday).  Twenty Five volunteers are needed and a reminder will be sent out by e-mail.   This is a federal sponsored event and will be graded by FEMA.  The exercise will be held July 23. 

 

Committee Reports:

1.  Scholarship

Dick N0UC reviewed the status.  Two applications were made for the award but neither had the necessary qualifications.  We should review the qualifications for the scholarship for the future.  An award will not be made this year.

2.  Programs Skip Jackson KS0J

The July program is undefined at present.

 

3.  Field Day Dick N0UC:  Do we want to have a planning session?  We have a list of Park Rules listed on our web site.  We need to cover Antenna location, Power, Extra Points (County Commissioner, Satellite QSO, Public Info Table, Public location, Emergency Power), the Dupe Sheets, Visitor Lists and Messages via NTS.  Meet at the park on June 18th at 7PM.  We will have a Radio Merit Badge educational session for Scouts.  The insurance policy is in hand for the event.

 

John Pope WA0VPL presented a very interesting program on the International Health Service (IHS) in Honduras.  John is/was communications director for this operation.  He discussed the mission of the doctors and other volunteers and summarized the 8 locations manned in Honduras.  Doctor to doctor communications was provided via HF communications between locations. This was accomplished mostly by low frequency (80-40M) NVIS using IC706s or 7000s and G5RVjr (antennas) powered with 2KW generators.  They operated 3 nets per day on SSB.  A 2M FM repeater was also installed at the main location (100ft @ 70W).  IHS uses 16-18 ham operators per trip.  For more information see www.ihsofmn.org.   The presentation ended at 9:05 PM with many thanks to John.

 

ARES Note:  Washington County is looking for volunteers for clean-up.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted

 

 

John H. Thomas, III W3FAF

Secretary