FCARC Meeting Minutes for January 11, 2005
Members Present: 16 Total Present: 20
Don Bollman, KB8LNV
Ken Chafin, WB0NGN with wife, Ruth and grandson, Andrew
David Doty, N5XF
Jim Durham, N5UXX
Jim Grinder, N5TSG
Randy Harrington, N5RYG
Greg Hutchinson, KD5WSI
Glenn King, N5GK - Custodian
Craig Mangrum, KD5UXK - Secretary/Treasurer
Jon McFadden, N6VC
Irene McFadden, KA6BUP
Will McFadden, KB5DDX
Dan Merry, KC5WMN
Chuck Olson, KE5CPJ
Frankie Parks, K5FRP - Vice President and wife, Hannah
Chester Robinson, N5MEF - President
Guests Present:
Robert Crites, N0UVE
President Chester Robinson called the meeting to order at 17:52.
Treasury Report
Craig Mangrum gave a treasury report $966.32
Old Business
Thursday Night Nets
Frankie Parks, K5FRP, gave a report on the return of the net. The first net was held January 6, 2005. There was 10 check-ins. Frankie mentioned that he would like to lead the net in a number of different ways. Some of his ideas are to pass along helpful information and to also do some training. Net Control volunteers are still needed. If you would be willing to help, contact Frankie. The nets are held every Thursday night at 19:30 (7:30 pm) and are on 145.210 -600 offset with a PL Tone of 114.8.
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
There was a good attendance to the National Incident Management System (NIMS). So many people attended that more certificates are needed than anticipated. For those who attended and have not gotten a certificate, they will be sent as soon as they get more. Training for NIMS is being cut back due to a lack of funding by the government. Classes are available on-line. For the link, go to www.w5auu.org under "Other Links" and look for "FEMA ICS Training Courses".
Jackets
Chester Robinson, N5MEF, gave an update on the jackets, caps, and t-shirts. We got the last two orders needed for the jackets at the meeting. He was going to go by Just T's N to get the final prices on Wednesday.
New Business
AirMail
Glenn King, N5GK, asked for all the members to look up an e-mail system, AirMail, on the internet and read up on it. "AirMail" is a radio mail program for sending and receiving messages via Pactor over HF radio, either via the ham radio system or participating marine and commercial services, from the AirMail website. This program will also be able to keep hams in touch with emergency services like ADEM. One link for AirMail is http://www.airmail2000.com/.
Club Planning
Frankie Parks also mentioned that it might be a good time to start planning some activities or drills exercises. If you have any ideas, please contact him. He also mentioned a couple of Hamfests coming up.
Jonesboro Tailgate/Swapmeet
February 5, 2005
Russellville Hamfest
5 Mar 2005
Arkansas River Valley AR Foundation
http://www.cswnet.com/~arvarf/hamfest.htm
A motion to adjourn was made by Craig Mangrum. Frankie Parks 2^nd . Meeting was adjourned at 18:23.
No testing was held.
Skywarn
A Skywarn Weather Spotter Class was held at 7:00 pm at the Don Owen's Sports Complex. Twelve of us attended along with several other emergency personnel and citizens. John Robinson from the National Weather Service conducts the classes. As in the past, the class was very informative and John does a great job making it interesting.
As most of you know, during severe weather, a 2-meter weather net on 146.940- is activated at the National Weather Service, and usually net control is one of the CAREN club members. Since most of us are close enough to participate, I just wanted to pass along some of the information from the class.
Reportable criteria: This is what to report.
Tornado, Funnel Cloud, Hail (penny size or bigger), Strong Winds (in
excess of 58MPH), Flooding, Any Damage, and of course, any injuries.
Be sure to give your location. A couple of examples: SW Conway. 3
miles north of Greenbrier. Be specific when possible.
Give the time your observation.
Identify yourself.
For more information on Skywarn, visit the Little Rock webpage at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/skywarn.htm and the National Skywarn webpage at http://www.skywarn.org. Also, you can find the Little Rock National Weather Service at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/
Don't forget about lunches at Smitty?s BBQ on Fridays at around 11:00 am till we leave.
For more information about the Faulkner County Amateur Radio Club, including news and upcoming events, go to http://www.w5auu.org/
Minutes typed by Craig Mangrum, KD5UXK, Secretary/Treasurer