FCARC Meeting Minutes for March 9th, 2005
Member Present 15
Perry Carleton - AE5EE
Ken Chaffin - WB0NGN
David Doty - N5XF
Jim Durham - N5UXX
Bill Fill - KD5IC
Dora Anna Fill - NI5D
Jim Grinder - N5TSG
Ken Halstead - KD5WLH
Dan Merry - KC5WMN
Stewart Nelson - KD5LBE
Frankie Parks - K5FRP (Vice President)
Chester Robinson - N5MEF (President)
Glenn King - N5GK (Custodian)
Roger Williamson - N5QNA
Kathy Williamson - KB5RMY
Chester Robinson called the meeting to order at 18:30
Old Business
New Membership Roster
New FCARC Roster passed around. Some corrections were made. Will pass changes back to Craig Mangrum to be corrected on the master list.
Chester still has a few jackets/tee's to hand out to those that ordered them.
Hospital Ham Station operational
Glenn King
Hospital Station is now up and running. Craig, Chuck, Chester, and Glenn put it in. It is now able to communicate locally, and Glenn made mention that we need to put an operations manual/cheat sheet there with it to ensure that anyone that needs to can operate the radio properly.
Glenn King
Russelville Hamfest report. The Hamfest was a great success, we had a very good showing from Conway/FCARC club.
MEMS equipment report
Perry Carleton
Perry reported that the equipment list for MEMS wasn't given to him yet. He will try to get more information and bring it to the next meeting.
New Emergency Communications Center tour
Chester Robinson
FCARC members toured the new Emergency Communications center. Some ideas were passed about what type of radios/antennas we need to put there. Nothing was finalized.
Toad Suck Daze Special Event Station
Frankie Parks
Toad Suck Daze Special Event Station will be at MEMS again this year. Saturday April 30th from 9:00am - 4:00pm. Setup and take down will be that day. Operators are needed, we're going to try to run in 1hr shifts.
Field Day 2005 planning started
Frankie Parks
Field Day 2005, Jim Durham suggested that we have it at the EOC again this year. Glenn made note that we may not be able to do it there because of the EOC being in the process of moving. Perry has confirmed that MEMS is willing to let us have it there. Glenn will check to make sure on the EOC before we change the location. We will attempt to run another 24hr station for Field Day.
New Business
UHF Linked repeater system into Conway
Glenn King
UHF Repeater Link on one of the Conway repeaters. A new group from LR is wanting to get a Conway repeater linked on the 70cm band. We are going to get some more information before make a decision as to whether or not we want to do this.
New repeater antenna for 146.970 repeater
Glenn King
Glenn brought a print out of the antenna that he recommends the club buy as a replacement for the one that is currently on the 146.970 repeater. A DB224. The cost is roughly $500.00, but this antenna should last 15-20 years maintenance free.
Technician Level Class in April
Glenn King
Glenn has made the suggestion that we have a Technician class for the Hospital/MEMS/Volunteer Fire Departments/Public Officials/ and General public starting in April. The class will be 3 hrs a night on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3 weeks, then a 4 hour review that following Saturday and a test session following the review. The dates for the class will be. April 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, with review on 23rd and test session to immediately follow. Chester will try to get an ad in the paper, and Glenn will contact most of the places that may have people that would be interested. The cost for the class will be $35.00. This will include the "Now You're Talking" book, test fee, and a 1yr membership into the FCARC. Jim Durham made the motion to do the class, Frankie Parks seconded. Vote passed unanimously. Class location will be announced once registration has gone for about 2 weeks and we see how big the class will be.
Meeting adjourned at 20:15
Minutes typed by Frankie Parks (Craig was sick)