FCARC Meeting Minutes for September 11, 2007
Members & Family Present: 22 Guests Present: 3 Total Present: 25
Kelly Boswell, KA5MGL
Perry Carleton, AE5EE
George Carroll, W5GHC
Robert Carroll, KA5WVE
Ken Chafin, N5RKC
Robert Crites, N0UVE
David Doty, N5XF
Nate Duncan, KD5PPH
Bill Fill, KD5IC
Dora Anna Fill, NI5D
Jim Grinder, N5TSG and wife, Angela Grinder
Randy Harrington, N5RYG
Gary Hawkins, KD5ZQF
Wayne Johnston, KD4TA
Marlene Kessler, KE5HQU
Glenn King, N5GK - Custodian
Warren Lindgren, KE5TT
Craig Mangrum, N5CTM - Secretary/Treasurer
Stewart Nelson, KD5LBE
Jim Norwine, W5CS
Frankie Parks, K5FRP - President
Fletcher Smith, N5JPN
New Members
Guests:
Bill McEntire, KC5ECB
Pat Thomas
Call to Order
President, Frankie Parks, K5FRP, called the meeting to order at 18:30.
Treasury report is $2,107.08
Old Business
Mena Hamfest and Repeaters Status
Glenn gave us a report on the Mena Hamfest. Several of the club's members attended the hamfest as well. He said everyone had a great time and that it was one of the best Mena Hamfests that he has attended in years.
Glenn mentioned that he had talked to Jim Cullom, N5YU, from Clinton. Jim has a number of repeaters that he maintains that are linked together. He said Jim is moving and doesn't want to maintain them. The repeaters are up for sale and the link will eventually go down. One of the repeaters is the 147.030 repeater here in Conway. Jim has asked $1,000 for the repeater. Glenn suggested that the club buy this repeater. After some discussion, Bill Fill made a motion that the club purchases it. Jim Grinder seconded the motion and all were in favor.
Glenn also mentioned that Jim had a 6 meter duplexer for sale and that the club needed one for a 6 meter repeater that is in the plans for our club's use. Jim asked for $500 for it. This was also included in the previous motion and passed.
Next Glenn talked about our current repeaters status. The 145.210- (114.8) repeater and the 443.800+ (114.8) now has a new antenna. There is also battery back now at the repeater site. He also said that the existing repeaters need new tone boards put in them. They will cost around $60 each. Also, the 145.210- repeater needs a new crystal and tuning done to it. When Glenn takes this repeater down, he will put the 146.970- (114.8) repeater, which has been repaired, up at the site while the 145.210- is down.
Frankie thanked Lynn McCaig for climbing the tower and putting the antennas up. Craig Mangrum will be sending Lynn a thank you card on behalf of the club.
Faulkner County Fair Parade
The Faulkner County Fair Parade will be September 18th, 2007 at 5 P.M. The club will be helping again this year with communications. The club will also be assisting in making sure the public is safe and help with any potential problems.
Glenn King passed out maps of the line up and route for this year's parade. He said all members that are helping need to try to meet at the Central Fire Station at 2pm for a meeting and to receive their assignments.
Craig Mangrum will be net control again. Craig and Perry Carleton will be set up this year at the corner of Front and Oak streets where the MEMS and other emergency personnel will be stationed.
The website for the Faulkner County Fair Parade is http://www.faulknerfairparade.net/w9/default.asp.
Big Dam Bridge 100 Bike Race
The Big Dam Bridge 100 bike race will be on Saturday, September 29, 2007. This is a CAREN Club event that they have asked our club to help with.
Frankie had maps to hand out for those willing to help. He also passed around a sign up sheet. Club members are asked to help out at aid stations. The CAREN Club has also asked that some of the volunteers help by driving parts of the route.
Boy Scout Camporee
The Camporee will be Saturday and Sunday, September 29th - 30th, 2007. The theme for this year's Camporee will be "Getting the Message Thru". This will include using things like Morse code, sign language, ham radio, and etc.
Please note that this event takes place the same weekend as the Big Damn Bridge 100 bike race. Members need to be careful not to sign-up for both events. Wayne said that due to our commitment to the race, he has explained to the Boy Scout's leaders that we may have few members that can help out this year. He said that the leaders are getting most of their support from other clubs and groups. Members that will be home during Saturday during this event could help out by being on the radio so that the scouts could make contacts. The times to be on the air will be from 9am until some time that afternoon. He also stated that anyone interested in going up to the Camporee site can get more details from him. Also, if you can help with any of this, please talk to Wayne for more details including frequencies and to let him know you can be around for making contacts.
Simulated Emergency Test
October 6th, 2007 will be the annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET). Glenn stated that no details were available at this time. Everyone please be mindful of this event and be looking for possible details to come through email.
New Business
Presentation -- Solar Power
Bill McEntire and Wayne Johnston
Due to the lack of time at last month's meeting, the solar power portion of the Portable Power presentation had to be postponed. It was a great presentation on both men's part.
Before the presentation, Wayne talked about how September is National Preparedness Month. The theme for this year is "Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed, and Get Involved." He had handouts for on the go kits and emergency preparedness. All of the handouts from both Bill and Wayne will be on the website shortly. www.w5auu.org/tips.cgi Be sure to download these handouts.
Wayne started using solar power for Field Day in 1981. He demonstrated a 30 watt Solarex panel, which has three LED lights and a AA battery Charger. Many of the members may have seen this setup at the recent Field Day. He mentioned that this kit can be found at places like Lowes.
"Letting the Light Shine on Solar Power" was presented by Bill McEntire's, KC5ECB. Bill used handouts for the meeting so everyone could take the information home with them, but this is a Power Point Presentation that he uses on solar power. Bill is a real expert on using solar power and alternative energy. He has wired several houses for being "off the grid" with solar power. He has helped construct and deliver a mobile solar power trailer package that powered the New Orleans police communications for several months after Hurricane Katrina. Bill also powers his son's toy car with a solar power system that was featured in a national solar power magazine. He also uses a wind turbine for feed power into his home on Round Mountain. And he has also used solar power for his ham station during wilderness camping trips.
Bill had several solar panels and solar power units that he showed the group. They ranged in all sizes from about 2 feet long to about 4 feet long. Some were flexible units that he has used while floating on rivers. It was a truly amazing presentation.
Bill also shared several publication suggestions to the club. Home Power Magazine is put out by mostly ham operators. The magazine also has a website at www.homepower.com. A book that he suggested was the "Solar Living Sourcebook: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living" by John Schaeffer, Doug Pratt, Real Goods Trading Corporation. (If you want to lookup this book, the correct ISBN is 0-916571-04-1. While looking for this book on the internet, the ISBN may or may not have the hyphens. Craig). Another website Bill suggested to the club was www.stellarsun.com.
Several of the panels are available on E-bay. Bill also said that Tractor Supply also has some panels available. He stated that most panels and systems are dependable and well made.
Thank you Bill and Wayne for a great presentation and for all the information.
Open Floor
Frankie opened the floor up for anything else that needed to be mentioned before the end of the meeting. Craig Mangrum stated that many of the emails that are sent out to the club are coming back undeliverable. Most of the addresses are from aol.com and alltel.net. Glenn suggested that Craig call Conway Corp. and discuss the issue with a customer service rep.
Ken Chafin made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Glenn King. The meeting adjourned at 19:43.
2-Meter Net Reminder
The FCARC net meets each Thursday night at 7:30pm on 145.210- MHz PL 114.8Hz. Net Control for September is Debbie McEntire, KC5BVO. A volunteer is needed for the month of September. If you are willing to volunteer, please email Frankie at k5frp@arrl.net
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 taken and typed by Craig Mangrum, N5CTM, Secretary/Treasurer