Minutes of the SEMARC Board Meeting

October 13, 2008

 

In attendance:  Jim Boyd KC0QCO, Skip Jackson KS0J, Steve Howard AB0XE, Don Nelson KF0UU, Pete Sigtermans N0FKC,  John Thomas W3FAF, Denny Ackerman KB0OQQ

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Vice-President Steve Howard AB0XE.

 

Secretary:  After discussing Pat Story’s comments included in the minutes, the minutes of the August 11th Board Meeting were approved unanimously as published. 

Treasurer’s Report:      General Fund         VE              Totals

Beginning Balance: $3645.62               $53.90         $3699.52

Expenses:                       phone & $40.00 to ARRL (VE sessions)

Ending Balance:               $3645.65               $60.90         $3706.52

 

JOTA Event (Jim Boyd KC0QCO)—Dan Franz Coordinator

JOTA will be held October 18 at Peter Thompson Park, 56 Highland Cottage Grove.  It starts at 7:30AM.  Operators guide for JOTA includes some basics.  They will have club stickers on the tri-folds.  Jim KC0QCO, Dick N0UC, Dan WD0GUP, Steve AB0XE, and Tom KC0UYB will be there. John W3FAF will be available for 2M contacts.

 

Nominations (Skip Jackson KS0J)

The president and secretary need nominations (volunteers).  We will discuss this at the next meeting.  We no longer publish a Newsletter.  They are a good means of getting information out to the membership and a newsletter is highly recommended.

 

Program:

John W0LHG will present a detailed report on the new ELECRAFT K3 transceiver. A notice will be attached to the next meeting notice.

 

Other:

We spent some time discussing the problems encountered with keeping clubs running.

 

 

Scholarship (Jim Boyd KC0QCO)

The following included in our coverage:  Woodbury, Hastings, St. Paul Park, and Inver Grove Heights have been contacted.  The Teacher’s Institute (ARRL) has been discussed with each of the above.  Revised requirements include a GPA of 2.8 and a Ham License.  A new set of guidelines have been formulated (and an application form was produced).  We have folders put out by ARRL that will be used.  November 13 is Career Day at Hastings High School from 5:30 to 8:00PM.  Help is needed.  See Jim if interested.

 

Programs (Skip Jackson KS0J)

October  W9LHG John Elecraft Rig Presentation

November  We need a program.  It was suggested that we invite Jay Bellows K0QB (Director of the Dakota Division) to present an update.  It was also suggested that we have a presentation of D-Star.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM (MSA).  

 

Respectfully Submitted

 

 

John H. Thomas, III

Secretary

 

 

Minutes of the SEMARC Membership Meeting

October 28, 2008 Cottage Grove Fire Station 2

 

In attendance:  Pete Sigtermans N0FKC, Roger Kamps KB0HVZ, Fred Sauer KD0CO, Jim Boyd KC0QCO, Dan Franz WD0GUP, Noel Westlind KC0ZXT, John Regan KA0HYR, Don Nelson KF0UU, Mike Jensen KF6WQH, Steve Howard AB0XE (vice-President),  Dennis Ackerman KB0OQQ (Treasurer), John Thomas W3FAF (Secretary), Skip Jackson KS0J, Dick Roberts N0UC (President).

 

The meeting was called to order by Dick Roberts N0UC, President, at 7:08 PM.

 

Secretary (John W3FAF) passed copies of the previous meeting minutes.  The date for Jay Bellow’s talk was changed to November 2008.  They were read by those present and approved with the changes(MSA).

 

Treasurer (Dennis KB0OQQ):

                                                                                Starting Balance: $3699.52

                                                                                No expenses

VE balance changed from $53.90 to $60.90

                                                                                Ending Balance                   $3706.52

Approved

 

Old Business:

JOTA Summary (Dan WD0GUP):  Dan WD0GUP, Tom KC0UYB, Jim KC0QCO and Dick N0UC were on site.  

A complete summary will be posted as supplied by Dan.  Many contacts were made on 2M FM and from the Comm Van but no DX this year.  There were a lot of Scouts present.  Dick N0UC observed that the kids showed more interest this year.  Perhaps a Fox Hunt at JOTA next year is in order.  We had a very active and good group this year.

 

Committee Reports:

Scholarship (Jim KC0QCO):

Five schools have been approached leaving one district.  ARRL folders were supplied to support the Scholarship with an application form and SEMARC tri-fold handouts.  Science teachers (physics) were supplied with applications to the ARRL Teacher’s Institute.  Six packets of information were supplied to each school. 

Career Day (John KA0HYR)

This will be held at Hastings High School beginning at 5:30PM and finishing at 8:00PM Thursday  November 13.  This will be used to advertise the Scholarship.  Volunteers to attend are needed.

Program Committee (Skip KS0J, Dick N0UC, John W3FAF): 

                Jay Bellows ARRL Update    November Meeting

                We still need suggestions.

Nominations Committee (Skip KS0J, Dan WD0GUP, John W3FAF): All the present officers have accepted to stay on.  Gordy is leaving as a member-at-large to be replaced by Roger KB0HVZ.  Fred KD0CO moved and Skip KS0J seconded the Slate of Officers for the ballot to be mailed out.  It was unanimously approved. 

 

ARES (Steve AB0XE):  The Recon Rally has been postponed due to problems with the EOC.  The 147.06 MHz repeater problems are being resolved.  The 147.18 MHz KS0J repeater was transferred to Cottage Grove on the Water Tower 70th and Meadow Grass LN.  The repeater required 74.4 Hz tone for access.  We would like to get a feel for it’s foot print!

 

Monthly Meeting Swap will start February 2009.  This will be a trial of Don’s KF0UU suggestion for some fun.

 

New Business

Jim KC0QCO will check on the availability of the Old Country Buffet for our Jan 13th  (back up Jan 20th) meeting.

Scout Merit Badge Blast will be held Jan 17th at Inver Hills College.  Dan WD0GUP will need help getting the boys on the air and teaching.  See Dan if you can help here.

 

The business portion of the meeting was closed at 7:53PM (MSA).

Respectfully Submitted

John H. Thomas, III

Secretary