2008 January Meeting Minutes

The next Holland Amateur Radio Club business meeting is on February 12 at 7:15 PM.

Minutes of the January 8, 2008 meeting:
* The meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM. 14 people filled in the sign-in sheet.
* The minutes of the December 11, 2007 meeting were approved.
* Dave, WA8RSA gave the treasurer’s report on behalf of Jim, KC8KE: the main account had a balance of $2646.88, and the swap account had a balance of $2847.00.
* Tim Leech discussed a service option that could lower the club’s gas bill. It was proposed that the club switch to this service. The matter was tabled for next month’s meeting.
* Ernie, W8EL brought up the fact that several businesses surrounding the clubhouse have closed as the proposed traffic circle project makes headway, and suggested that the club begin actively searching for a new clubhouse.
* Dave, WA8RSA is continuing to investigate phone and Internet service options for the repeater, but is having difficulty contacting the phone company.
* Ken, ZR5AAD reported that the IRLP node is continuing to have reliability issues. Dave Cameron, VE7LTD has run tests on the node and notes high latency, and IP address changes outside the usable range defined in the node’s configuration as contributing factors to the problem.
* Ed, KF8EV reported that 10 people had signed up for the upcoming Tech/General class.
* Ernie, W8EL reported that no progress had yet been made in the bylaw rewrite process, and asked for additional volunteers to work on it.
* It was announced that John, KC8QDE was the winner of the 2007 Ham of the Year award.
* Elections for the 2008 HARC Board of Directors, tabled last month due to low attendance, were held. Citing concerns over unacceptable delays, it was decided to waive the quorum requirement and elect officers from among those in attendance.
* Ernie, W8EL suggested ways of promoting the club, citing a recent online discussion that retirees, not children, were the most viable target audience for such promotion.
* Joe, N8FQ showed a video documenting the process of homebrewing vacuum tubes. Ernie, W8EL provided translations of the French subtitles.
* The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.

-Joe, N8FQ

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2007 December Meering Minutes

December 11, 2007 meeting minutes:
* The meeting was called to order at 7:16 PM. 14 people filled in the sign-in sheet.
* There was a call for minutes of the November meeting, but since there was no actual business, no report was given. It was approved anyway.
* Ernie, W8EL observed that no progress was being made by the Bylaw committee, and volunteered to chair a new committee. Todd, KD8FUD also volunteered.
* Joe, N8FQ noted that the IRLP node was down again. Dave, WA8RSA stated he would investigate.
* It was suggested that the club renegotiate its contract with the phone company for the line used by the repeaters at Holland Hospital. Dave, WA8RSA promised to do so.
* Sue, KC8RQS gave the treasurer’s report on behalf of Jim, KC8KE: the main account had a balance of $3097.31, after a transfer of $1298.10 from the swap account. $2500 was left in the swap account for next year’s use. There was discussion of the possibility of putting that money in an interest-bearing account, but the club decided against this, citing accessibility issues.
* Chuck, W8GCW mentioned that a friend of his can sell natural gas to the club at a discount. He will be at the January meeting to answer questions about this.
* Chuck, W8GCW proposed that the club establish a collection bin for used batteries to be recycled by Batteries Plus. He will ask them about such an arrangement.
* Elections for the HARC Board of Directors were scheduled for this meeting, but they were postponed until January due to lack of a quorum at this meeting. Several ex parte nominations were proposed.
* The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Agenda for January 8, 2008 meeting:
* Introductions
* General announcements
* Call for approval of, or corrections to, December 11 meeting minutes
* Treasurer’s report: KC8KE
* Discussion of gas service: W8GCW and guest
* Repeater site phone service: WA8RSA
* Education committee: KF8EV
* Bylaw committee: W8EL
* Battery collection: W8GCW
* Any other old business
* New business
* Elections for 2008 BOD
* Break, 50/50
* Video presentation by Chuck, W8GCW

-Joe, N8FQ
HARC secretary

Ham Winter Class – January 2008

Details are coming together for another Tech/General Ham Radio Class. Joe, N8FQ has accepted the lead instructor position. We are looking for someone to give him some assistance in presenting the material. If you are interested in getting involved, please let me or Joe Know.

Spread the word to friends, relatives and current HAMS that they can get on the air or upgrade easily by taking this class.

WHEN: January 15 for about 10 weeks (a Monday)
TIME: 7:15 pm. until about 9:15 pm.
WHERE: HARC tech/training center 280 E. 8th St.
COST:$20 fee plus $20 for a book if you want one.
CONTACT: Ed, KF8EV to reserve a seat
616-772-4811
eheyboer@sbcglobal.net