Minutes of April Membership Meeting April 13th, 2010 SOCIAL PROGRAM Introductions, welcome and opening remarks: Handouts on the back table included : HARC calendar Updated Board of Directors and Chairpersons list March, 2010 Treasurer's report CB Shop brochure HARC brochures Go Bags handout Skywarn Net condition color code chart Ground Search and Rescue Course, EOC training schedule, and other valuable information. Programs: Ottawa County Emergency Communications (OCEC) - who they are, what they do, how you can help! Speakers Jim Miller W8JRM, Emergency Coordinator and Jason McKay, KC8OVS, Deputy Emergency Coordinator both have a background in emergency service. Jim was a firefighter for 10 years, and has worked for the Sheriff's Dept for almost 11. He became a ham because of the public service aspect and progressed from there. Jason ran fire for 3 years, and has been heavily involved with Skywarn and Emergency services for over 10 years. Go Bags - John Bok, W8WVN - Refreshments: Cookies are compliments of Sue KC8RQS. Who would like to step up for bringing cookies for the May meeting? BUSINESS MEETING Call to Order: 8:00pm. 50/50 Raffle: HARC $21.00, placed in Repeater Fund Ross KD8MGM $21.00, donated to Repeater Fund Jim KB8IDQ - $5 Perkins Gift Certificate Hank KA8COB – CQ DX maps Meg WO0MEG – declined to accept gift Jeff KD8IYQ – CQ DX maps Meg WO0MEG – declined to accept gift Robert KC8USP - CQ DX and Grid Square maps Ken N8AAE - CQ DX maps Robert KC8USP – Icom band chart Phil K8PVH - CQ DX maps Charlie N8QEM - declined to accept gift Ken N8AAE – Icom band chart Vice-President: Jim KC8KE, nothing to report. Treasury: Phil K8PVH presented the March Treasurer's Report handed out at the meeting. Phil added that Mike W8DER, Ed KF8EV, Hank KA8COB and Sarah KD8JOB generously donated to the Projector Fund. Motion to approve the report as presented made by Jim KC8KE with support from Ken N8AAE. Motion carried. The clubhouse utilities historically to run about $200 a month. We need to find a way to raise enough funds to pay for the clubhouse, or close its doors on December 31, 2010. We are exploring various fundraiser opportunities, including sales of discount coupons and “Goodies” food items. The Board discussed and approved a campaign to sell coupon books, with discounts at local businesses are good thru June 30, 2011. We make a 40% profit on sales, and we make a 50% profit if we sell 100 books or more. Any unsold books can be returned at no cost to the club. We discussed teaming up with OCEC in hopes to reach 100 + in sales. Most coupons are “Buy one get one free” with over $1000 worth of discounts in each book. Poker Zone. Once we get our tax info we can apply to participate in the Poker Zone. Hank KA8COB will have details later. Food Fundraiser - Goodies Factory has offered to be our product provider this year. They offer cookie dough, subs, pizzas, all freezable and we make 40% off each sale. We will consider this sale for the month of June. Everything is frozen or freezable. Secretary: Jim N8QMD announced March Minutes were published in the April RST. Motion to approve the minutes as published made by Dave WA8RSA, with support from Hank KC8COB. Motion carried. Education: Mike WD8HNA offered to lead CW classes, and these classes can start any time. Jim N8QMD and Tom K8TB will lead Technician and Extra classes this fall. Those interested should contact the Education Committee, Ed KF8EV or any club officer. A special thanks to all who bought peanut brittle, donated their 50/50 cash prizes, and made special donations. We are now the proud owners of a new projector and a new screen! Any funds that were left over have been placed into the Repeater Fund. Repeater: Laryn K8TVZ announced that we are developing repeater 'drills' that may be conducted. Jim Miller W8JRM, EC for OCEC, has asked blanket permission to used the 147.060 repeater for emergencies such as SKYWARN and he will send a letter to formalize this request. Charlie N8QEM moved that HARC allow OCEC to use the repeater for all emergency nets as they require, and for Training Nets from time-to-time. Motion supported by Larry KA8TEY, and approved by membership. SWAP: The HARC 2010 Swap co-chairs are Ike K8EMU and Jeff N8QAP, with a lot of help from John KC8QDE. They are developing details and will have more to present next month. SWAP Committee: Phil K8PVH and Ken N8AAE. Plans are progressing nicely. Radio Room: Charlie N8QEM presented a summary of antenna repair and radio work activities at the clubhouse by volunteers Charlie N8QEM, Kim N8KAL, Tom KD8DEG, Derrick W8DDN, Ross KD8MGM and Jim N8QMD.. A MFJ power supply and Motorola speaker donated by W8FIZ have been placed in service. The 10M, 15m and 20m beam antenna and the 40m and 75m wire antenna are now functioning. The 17m wire antenna is marginal and needs to have its center insulator replaced. The antennas are connected by three color-coded coaxial cables. The Icom IC-736 transceiver is programmed and able to tune all of the antennas. Only one radio may be connected at a time until antenna spacing can be increased. To get the most out of our radio room, we have discussed opening the clubhouse on selected Saturdays or other times to allow members,and particularly our newly-upgraded hams, to work the HF airwaves in contests and to participate in other HF activities. This would also give them a chance to operate different HF equipment. Tulip Time: Dave WA8RSA (Parades) and Jim W8JRM (Red Cross Support) again called for volunteers to help on Wed May 5, Thurs May 6, and Saturday May 8. Please sign up tonight for the prime positions. HARC will also have volunteers to collect a $5 fee for parking at the clubhouse and handing out our club brochure. HollandARC Website: Audio recordings of the Last Call nets for Ken ZR8AAD and Hollis W8FIZ have been posted. We would also like to thank Charlie N8QEM for his leadership on the Last Call Nets. When we get updated documentation of our 501c3 status we can activate a Paypal link on the website. Miscellaneous Remarks: The Holland Amateur Radio Club Special Service Club certificate received from the ARRL was proudly displayed to those attending. Tape Measure Antenna - Mike W8DER and Charles AJ8W presented information on these antennas and the first Fox hunt. May 1, OCEC will host “Ham in a Day” at the Fillmore Complex. Cost is $25.00 and includes lunch. Contact W8JRM@ARRL.NET Chris KC8RQT asked for volunteers for the Girls on the Run Event. Handouts were available and the event is listed in the RST. The family of our late member Hollis Roels, W8FIZ generously donated all of his amateur radio equipment to the club. Art K0TWB, Jim N9QMD and Meg, WO0MEG picked it all up, inventoried and cataloged every item, took photos of the items. Mike K8NWD provided approximate values for the items and we have sent them a donation letter for their records. The family wishes are that we use the equipment in any way the club deems fit, and if we sell any of his equipment that we should retain the proceeds and use them as needed. We will be discussing this equipment and its best use at future Board and Membership meetings. This equipment is in the storage room at the clubhouse, and some of it is already in service. Guelda Saylor announced that HARC will receive a commission from sales of House Emergency Numbers. Details is posted at the clubhouse. New Business: - There was no new business. Adjourned: 9:30 pm Respectfully submitted Jim Heyl, N8QMD, Secretary secretary@hollandarc.org Please contact the Secretary with comments or corrections.