MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – October 12, 2019
MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – October 12, 2019
Stillwater Amateur Radio Association
President: Joe KCØOIO
The meeting was called to order at 9:03 AM.
Secretary’s Report: Collin KEØIYN
The general meeting minutes from the September 14, 2019 meeting are posted on the website. Please report any corrections to: Secretary@radioham.org
Treasurer’s Report: Rich ADØSN
Beginning Balance: 9/1/2019 $2,522.84
Income:
Expenses:
Ending Balance: 9/30/2019 $2,760.73 (Not including RBP income/expenses)
$16,793.88 (Including RBP income/expenses)
Education and Training: Bob WØGAF
The fall General class is in progress until October 31. Thanks to Greg K0GW and Tom N0UHR for filling in for Bill KD0OTB. There are 4 in the class currently.
A VE Session is scheduled for November 7 at Boutwell’s Landing, 6pm.
Activities & Events: Dave WØOXB
Thursday Night Eyeball Sessions are held at the Stillwater Public Library at 6 PM.
Tech Topics (a new feature) will be the 1st Thursday of each month. A Topic Coordinator is needed. Anyone can volunteer to be a Topic Leader. Just pick a topic you want to learn about; study up; then lead the discussion. There will be no topic for November as it will be the Thursday before Split Rock and many will be preparing their final packing for the trip.
Skill Sessions will be on the 4th Thursday of each month. Anyone can suggest and lead a Skills Night. There is no skill session planned for December.
2019 Split Rock Lighthouse Special Event: This special event will be held November 1-3. This is held to commemorate the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Please let Dave W0OXB know if you will attend, and be sure to get your reservations in at the motel. Day visitors are welcome.
Jamboree on the Air: This special event will be held at Fred C. Anderson Scout Camp on October 19th in conjunction with the Boy Scout Jamboree. Brian N0BJE is the host; speak to him if you wish to be involved. The club will be on-air hopefully by 10:00AM, with HF, VHF, and possibly Foxhunting. KC0OIO, KE0QQN, KE0QQM, WB0GUP, and N0BJE will be at the camp.
M.A.P. – Dave WØOXB
A future projects list is maintained by Dave WØOXB and Joe KCØOIO.
Are there other things you need assistance with? Ask. Please let any officers know if help is needed or are willing to assist.
Planners are needed to help with projects.
Remote Base Project (RBP)
Both of the remote stations are currently up and running and are 160 meter capable.
New Ham Help
An initiative to help both technicians currently in the club and newcomers to the club/hobby has been put together. This initiative is headed by Brian, N0BJE, Holly, KE0RZZ, and Mark, KE0QQN to engage and assist new hams. This group is open to all members as a resource, and can be contacted via email at newhamhelp@radioham.org. They have begun by engaging the current Technician class, and are building a survey to find interest in areas of those willing to help support. They also mention the new ARRL effort in the same area, with the new “So Now What?” podcast being put out.
Additionally, the club has purchased two FT-70DR handheld transceivers to run as part of a rental program for new hams. If you are a new ham and/or interested in testing one of these radios, please speak to Brian, N0BJE. Preference will be given to new hams.
A new resource card has been made to be available to new hams.
Washington County ARES: John KAØHYR
The ARES net takes place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Oct 16th will be the next net on 146.985- repeater at 6:30 PM. A new repeater is being worked on in Forest Lake, 147.18 with tone to get coverage.
Check the web site www.mnwashcoares.net regularly for current events, net schedule, and other items of significance.
DOD/MARS COMEX Scheduled to begin November 3rd. Tentatively on 60m, 40m, and 75m. Details on times and frequencies to be released later.
SARA Nets & Ragchews: Joe KCØOIO
2 meter ragchew is held every Wednesday night at 9 PM CDT. You can find us at 147.060 MHz DCS code 026N.
160 meters SARA Top Band Ragchew is at 1.966 MHz or close by depending on band conditions and interference. They operate every night except Tuesday & Thursday at 8 PM CDT.
SARA Tuesday evening Round Robin RagChew – Will now be operating on 75 Meters 3.803 MHz LSB starting at 7PM CDT. This is ON HOLD as the band is long for now.
SARA Monday morning Round Robin RagChew – It will be operating at 3.856 MHz at 9:00 AM CDT.
The Digital Net is Sundays at 7 PM CDT. The frequency will be 3.582.15 USB or as directed by the NCS. The Net Coordinator will email details (mode, frequency, & NCS) on the day of the net. The net will be starting up November 10th.
Newsletter & Website: Pat WAØTDA & Dave WØOXB
Thanks to Pat and Dave for putting together the newsletter! Additional contributors are always needed. Deadline for the next issue is October 23rd to give time for Split Rock. Contributors wanted!
DX News: Mike NØODK
Pitcairn Island is coming up; October 18-Nov 1st. Additionally, CQ WorldWide DX is October 26-27.
Check out www.ng3k.com for DX & Contest Calendar information.
Wearables:
SARA wearables are available from www.hamthreads.com. You can order individually just be sure to give the club name since they have all our logos prepared and on hand.
Program Schedule:
Oct: SDR Dongles, Receivers, and Software – Doug N9TOW and Collin KE0IYN
Nov: Baluns, Ununs, and Chokes – Dave WØOXB
Dec: Stage Races and Ham Radio – Joe W3QLC
Jan: SARA White Elephant Exchange Party
Feb: Hotspots (DMR, Fusion, D-Star) – Bob W0GAF
Mar: The Art of QSL Cards – Randy KD0VKB
Old Business:
SARA coffee mugs are on sale for $3 each – See Keith AGØH.
The SARA Oval Sticker/Decals are on sale for $1 each or you can get the reflective one for $2 from Rich ADØSN.
New Business:
The next board meeting will cover youth activities and a SARA report card.
Good of Association
SEMARC Meeting – their next meeting will be held October 30th at 7 PM at the Zion Lutheran Church located at 8500 Hillside Trail in Cottage Grove.
The SEMARC monthly breakfast is scheduled for the 3rd Saturday of the month at the North Pole Restaurant in Newport at 7:30 AM.
SEMARC’s VE session is held on the third Saturday of month (except December) at 9 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church, 8500 Hillside Trail in Cottage Grove.
50/50 Drawing:
$70 was taken in; and Joe W3QLC won $35.
Program – SDR Dongles, Radio and Software – Doug N9TOW and Collin KE0IYN
Ham radio is expanding thanks to software work and a presentation was given by Collin and Doug on the various SDR dongles, transcievers, radios, and software along with example usages of the equipment.
The program and meeting concluded after 11 AM.
Meeting attendance: 32