SCARC Meeting Minutes August 9, 2007

Notes provided by our "super Secretary" Bill Davidson, Kw4J. Maybe we should double his current salary, what do you think?
Rod, N1YZ

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SCARC MEETING NOTES
August 9, 2007

President Rod Scott N1YZ called the meeting to order at 19:00 CDT by having the attendees introduce themselves and sign the meeting attendance sheet which is attached to this document. There were no visitors.

Vice President Mike Burns KE4DZU said that a program on the new Kenwood VHF repeater may be the program this month. He reminded everyone that the election of new officers will be held on the first meeting of next month (September 13, 2007), and that will be the monthly program. Subsequent discussion centered on the election venue and it was decided to hold it at the Red Cross offices where the Club most often meets.

Treasurer Jack Evans KC4PZA reports that the Club savings and checking accounts have respective current balances of $169.74 and $1380.50. The Club’s present bank has changed its policy concerning free checking and he asked the membership to check with their banks about their policies. He also reported that the new repeater and antenna system total costs were $1974.96 and 1624.50 respectively.

Rod Scott reported on the following issues:
There is no change concerning the radio infrastructure at Shelby County Baptist Hospital, as the funding is still in limbo. Lee Aured KI4NMD will consult with the hospital management about this matter.
The Red Cross move has not begun and the local director is checking into the reason for the delay.
Everyone was reminded again about the September elections.
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meets at Vincent on August 14, 2007 and Rod has been invited to attend as the amateur radio representative.
Rod will give an informative lecture on amateur radio to the Chelsea section of Citizens on Patrol (COPS) on August 28, 2007 and everyone is invited to attend.
David WB6BDR will talk to the Boy Scout Troop at Concord Baptist Church August 11, 2007 about amateur radio and will assist them in obtaining the Radio Merit Badge.
Barbara Brewer KB9TIV presented her suggested format changes to the Constitution. (Thanks again, Barbara!)
A copy of the D-Chat activity during the Calhoun County Disaster Exercise was passed around.

Secretary Bill Davidson KW4J presented the following:
The membership was reminded that all minutes are posted on the SCARC President’s BLOG.
John Outland K3FP forwarded an email from Joshua Knierim of the Red Cross that announced a Disaster Assessment course to be held at the Shelby County office on August 10, 2007 13:00-16:00 and everyone is invited.
An email forwarded vie ICOM’s D-Star reflector concerning the differences between RS-232 and USB ports was discussed. It points out the differences between the two and the reasons that some interfaces work erratically. This message can be found at http://www.icomarmerica.com/support/forums/fb.asp?m=6678

VE Committee Chairman Joe Ford reminded the membership that the next SCARC VE Testing will be September 7, 2007 at the Red Cross facility. He also stated that any change to the current BARC/SCARC test schedules will not take place until the first of 2008, if at all.

EMA Construction Chairman Lee Aured KI4NMD reports that the shelving above the desk at the new Shelby County EMA radio facility has been installed and all that remains is the painting. He will call for a work detail after Huntsville Hamfest (Aug 18-19) to install the radio equipment.

Repeater Chairman Bob Thomas KC4AF reports that work is still going on concerning the installation of the new antenna. Mostly it concerns VSWR and gain problems when it is fully assembled. More testing is underway. Also the temporary power supply for the new repeater is an automobile battery and a charger needs to be procured for it. Subsequent discussion presented several possibilities that will be pursued.

Nominating Committee Jack Evans stated that there was nothing to report at this time.

Marcus Thomas KF4YHP presented a bill of $125.00 for tower climbing services associated with the installation of the new repeater system and antenna and the club voted to pay the bill.

Rod Scott informed the club that the ARRL Booth at the Huntsville Hamfest on August 18-19, 2007 will issue a badge showing all emergency courses taken, so everyone is encouraged to take their certificates with them.

A motion was raised, seconded, and passed to close the meeting.

Attachments:
SCARC Attendance Roster
Secretary’s raw notes
N1YZ email of 7/15/07 - Lee Aured made the EMA Support Chairman
Joshua Knierim’s forwarded email (via K3FP) of August 3, 2007
ICOM Forum Reflector Note, 7/23/07 – RE: 91AD PC Cable