FCARC Meeting Minutes for July 12, 2005
Members Present: 15 Guests Present: 2 Total Present: 17
Kelly Boswell, KA5MGL
Perry Carleton, AE5EE
Ken Chafin, WB0NGN, and his grandson, Andrew
David Doty, N5XF
Jim Durham, N5UXX
James Elliot, KE5ERJ
Daniel Gladstone, KE5ERL
Jim Grinder, N5TSG
Greg Hutchinson, KD5WSI
Glenn King, N5GK - Custodian
Craig Mangrum, N5CTM - Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Merry, KC5WMN
Chuck Olsen, KE5CPJ
Frankie Parks, K5FRP - Vice President, and his wife, Hannah
Chester Robinson, N5MEF - President
Guests:
President, Chester Robinson, called the meeting to order at 18:23.
Treasury report was $1044.85
Old Business
Field Day 2005 Review
Field Day 2005
We had another very successful field day this year. We also had a lot of fun. We had around 16 people show up and had 311 contacts made this year. Thanks to Perry Carleton for once again doing a great job of taking care of the food and drinks.
Jim Grinder suggested that a field day committee be formed. The committee would take care of organizing locations, antennas, and other miscellaneous details. A motion was made that Jim be the chair of this committee and 2nd. All were in favor.
City Communication Center
City Communications Center
Glenn King gave an update of the comm. center. The plan to setup the radio station is this Friday following our club lunch.
MEMS Update
MEMS Update
Perry Carleton informed the club that the antenna is on its way. They are looking for it to be in next week. There are a few problems with the tower, but hopefully they will be fixed by then.
Repeater Antennas
Repeater Antenna
The club is still in need of an antenna for the 146.970 repeater. Donations and fund raising ideas are welcome.
Emergency Organizations
Emergency Organizations.
The Local Emergency Planning Commission will hold its next meet Tuesday, July 19 at 2pm.
The State Emergency Test is scheduled for October 2, 2005.
Toad Suck Special Event Station Certificates
Toad Suck Certificates
We are still working on getting the certificates out to those that requested them. Glenn King has a blank copy that he will make copies of. Perry Carleton will take care of sending these out.
ID Badges
ID Badges
Jim Grinder said that he is still working on the ID badges for the club. He and Daniel Gladstone will be working on the graphics. Jim said the reason for the delay was he was trying to make sure they looked very professional.
FCARC Club Banner
Banners
Chester Robinson and Craig Mangrum have done some check on banners for the club. The price range is between $85 - $100.
Standard Operating Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures
Glenn King had a draft of a SOP that he handed out. He wanted some of the members to look it over and to help find errors. Chester Robinson volunteered to look it over. Glenn made a motion to adopt the draft. Jim Durham seconded it. And the motion carried.
Glenn suggested that all members of the club start working on learning the ARRL Messaging System. He suggested that this be part of one of the future meetings. He suggested that we start passing traffic on the club's net.
Glenn also suggested that at the next meeting the club go over some very important procedures such as net control operator and the messaging system. This will be a very important meeting, so please plan to attend. We will also be looking for members to participate as net control operators for the club's net.
*** Next month's meeting will start at 6pm! ***
New Business
Club Project
Club Project
James Elliot has acquired a tower. He needs the club's help to take down the tower and to transport it to his house.
Close Encounter (Member Story)
A Close Encounter (Member Story)
Perry Carleton had a very interesting story to share with the club. Perry recently attended an EMT conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was camping at the Ouachita State Park. As he entered the park, he came upon a roadblock the police had set up. Three fugitives were in the park. The police said they were armed and dangerous.
Perry knew from past stays in the park that cell phones could not get a signal in that area. He had thought about leaving his HT at home, but decided to take it anyway. He managed to make contact through the Hot Springs Village repeater to three other ham operators. These hams offered to stay on the air with him and keep him updated and to help if needed until the fugitives were caught.
Two of the fugitives were caught. The other one fled the area. Luckily Perry was safe. And even luckier that he had his HT with him.
Club Net Reminder
The club's net meets weekly on Thursday nights at 7:30pm on 145.210- with a pl tone of 114.8.
Program/Demonstration
Program/Demonstration
Glenn King had a short program for the club. He demonstrated to the club the use and versatility of the Anderson Power Pole connectors. These connectors are very easy to find. Glenn said he would like for all members to convert to these connectors so that all the club's and member's equipment would easily connect to each other.
Glenn said that he could buy a large quantity of them for a reasonable price through a store on E-Bay. David Doty made a motion that Glenn make a purchase for the club for the club's use and for club members to buy. Daniel Gladstone seconded. And the motion carried.
Jim Durham made a motion to adjourn. It was seconded by Frankie Parks.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm
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 www.w5auu.org
Minutes typed by Craig Mangrum, N5CTM, Secretary/Treasurer