FCARC Meeting Minutes for March 14th, 2006
Members Present: 20 Guests Present: 2 Total Present: 22
Don Bollman, KB8LNV
Kelly Boswell, KA5MGL
Ken Chafin, N5RKC, and grandson, Andrew
David Doty, N5XF
Jim Durham, N5UXX
Jim Grinder, N5TSG
Gary Hawkins, KD5ZQF
Rick Gill, KC5YWD
Daniel Gladstone, KE5ERL
Wayne Johnston, KD4TA
Glenn King, N5GK - Custodian
Craig Mangrum, N5CTM - Secretary/Treasurer
Jim Norwin, W5CS
Frankie Parks, K5FRP - Vice President, and wife, Hannah
Chester Robinson, N5MEF - President
John Webb, WE4BB
Roger Williamson, N5QNA
Kathy Williamson, KB5RMY
Mark Williamson, N5SYR
Joetta Williamson
Guests:
Call to Order
President, Chester Robinson, called the meeting to order at 18:27.
Treasury report is $1202.22
Old Business
Russellville Hamfest
Several members of the club attended the Russellville hamfest this year. I think we all enjoyed it. 3 members won prizes this year.
Hospital Update
Glenn King said he had sent some books over for some of the staff to study but has not heard any word on when they would like to test.
Sunday Log Cabin's New "Blueprint" Page
It's been decided to leave things as is with the Blueprint page.
DB-224 Antenna
Glenn King said the DB-224 antenna is tuned and ready for the 2-meter side. He still needs to put the loops on it for the 70cm side.
MEMS / Hospital Exercise
Perry Carleton said there is a HIPPA concern right now. The questioned problem is what can we know and broadcast over the air waves. MEMS is checking into this and will let us know what they find. (This information hasn't changed from January's meeting)
FCARC is still an Active ARRL Affiliated Club
The ARRL said a club needs to have 51% of its members to be ARRL members to be affiliated. Glenn King spoke with the ARRL and found out that once a club is affiliated, it is always affiliated, but it may be considered inactive. At present, the club has 66% of its membership that are ARRL members. Craig will update the information on the ARRL website.
Skywarn Weather Spotter Class in Little Rock
A few members attended a skywarn weather spotter class in Little Rock in March.
Toad Suck Daze Special Event Station
The club is looking at having a special event station, May 6th, at Toad Suck Daze. It's been decided that some members will work at home to make HF contacts. Perry Carleton said that we are welcome to work out of the MEMS trailer. The club is thinking about setting up with MEMS and doing a 2-meter station and having a table setup with hand outs about amateur radio.
There is a sign up sheet and we do need volunteers to man stations to make contacts. And we will also need members to work the station at Toad Suck Daze as well. We will operate May 6th, from 9am until 4pm. If you would like to work, please email Craig at cmangrum@conwaycorp.net.
Field Day 2006
Field Day 2006 is coming up and will be June 24th and 25th. Field Day is officially from 1pm Saturday until 1pm Sunday, although we will be working to setup and break down before and after these times. Wayne Johnston has been working very, very hard getting things planned and ready. We have reserved Laural Park, behind Stoby's, on Robinson Avenue.
Wayne has shared many details about what members have expressed they would like to do and what is planned. There are so many details that I am not even going to attempt to share them all with you at this point. But we are looking at have a really big setup this year and are going to try to get as many important local and county officials to come and see what amateur radio can do. So please be making plans to be there. We need to have as big of a group as possible to make the biggest impression that we can on these officials.
New Business
Antenna Presentation
Wayne Johnston had a very neat looking antenna that he showed the club tonight. He also had one of his many notebooks of antennas that he has made and passed it around for everyone to look at.
Silent Key
John Webb informed us that Jim Reed had recently become a silent key. John has offered to help Jim's wife liquidate his equipment. John is going to be sending Craig an e-mail with a list of items and prices of what comparable equipment is going for at this time on e-bay. He said the wife needs the money. So when Craig forwards the list, please consider this before you make any offers for the equipment and please make reasonable offers.
Members Only Section
Daniel Gladstone has suggested that the club's website have a member's only section for various things such as, selling of equipment, get-togethers, antenna or tower raisings. Frankie Parks said he would work on getting this done.
Equipment Cleanup This Saturday
Glenn King is going to have a work day at his shop this weekend. Several members went down to Little Rock this past Saturday and picked up a lot of equipment that was donated to the club by Ron Young. After the equipment is cleaned up and prices researched, the club will have the option of keeping some of the equipment, members will have an option of buying some of the equipment, and the rest will be sold on E-bay. But Glenn needs anyone who can to be at his house around 9-9:30am Saturday, March 18th to help with the clean up and inventory. Glenn will be monitoring the 145.210- (pl 114.8) repeater to help members find his house, or you can contact him for directions before then.
Salvation Army Training Session
Wayne Johnston informed the club that the Salvation Army will be having a training session May 2nd-4th. Please contact Wayne if you would like more information.
ARRL Class DVD
John Webb mentioned to the club that we might think about buying the ARRL's class DVD to use when holding classes for those wanting to become ham operators. Nothing was decided on it at the meeting.
Public Service Announcement
Glenn King is trying to find a way to get a 15-30 second Public Service Announcement for the Conway Corporation TV channels. The ARRL doesn't have such announcements for use.
There was no motion to adjourn, so Chester dismissed the meeting at 19:34
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, N5CTM, Secretary/Treasurer