General Membership Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2014

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Tom, K8TB.

Secretary's Report:

Minutes of the September 2014 meeting were accepted as published on the website.

Treasurer's Report:

	General Fund:	 	$4,110.55
	Membership:   		$386.76

	Total:        		$4,497.31

	Treasurer's report was accepted as read.
	
Opening Remarks:

	Muskegon (http://mcecs.net/Hamfest.htm) and Kalamazoo (http://www.kalamazoohamfest.com/) swaps are this weekend.  Both at 8pm. [links]

	Michigan W1AW/8 operation starts tomorrow.  See “ARRL Centennial QSO Party” below for more info.

	Phil, K8PVH thanked the 11 volunteers that supported the Alzheimer’s Walk.

	Jon Brockmeier, W8QPP, SK – We took a few minutes to remember Jon, W8QPP.
		A motion was made for a memorial contribution of $100; motion passed.
		Jon's obituary is posted at: http://bit.ly/1wEdxft

Upcoming events:

	Programs:
		
		October:
			10/27 E.A.T.: Programming routers for Broadband-Hamnet (http://www.broadband-hamnet.org/)
			The CW Class continues each Monday at 7pm.

		November:
			11/10 Monthly Meeting: TBD
			11/24 E.A.T.: TBD

	The Lowell Amateur Radio Club will be hosting the N8M US Islands Special Event at Murray Lake Island on Saturday, 10/18 at noon.  More information is available at http://bit.ly/1zeSd4D.

	VE Testing:

		VE Testing is conducted at the Red Cross on the second Saturday of each even-numbered month at 6pm.
		“Ham in a Day” events are held prior to the April, August, and December VE testing sessions at 1pm.

	ARRL Centennial QSO Party:

		NOTE: Tom, K8TB has posted new info regarding the upcoming Michigan slot (10/15 to 10/22) at http://www.k8tb.org/w1aw.htm. Check there for slot availability.


		From the ARRL Website (http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party):

		"The ARRL Centennial QSO Party is a year-long operating event that celebrates hams making contacts. In the end you will have accumulated points, worked new stations and made new friends all over the world.

		The Centennial QSO Party is made-up of two main activities: (1) W1AW operating portable in each state and most territories; and (2) The Centennial Points Challenge which is the accumulation of points from qualifying contacts made throughout 2014.  To have a score listed online in the Points Challenge competition, logs must be submitted through the  Logbook of the World (LoTW) system.

		W1AW will be on the air from every state and most territories, and it will be easy to work WAS working only W1AW portable operations. This is the first ARRL-sponsored operating event where every member is worth at least one point, so work as many points as you can during 2014! Earn awards based upon points, working all states or working W1AW portable in every state and territory. This is an on-the-air event like no other."
				
		The W1AW/8 contact for Michigan is now Dennis, KT8X.  Michigan's slots begin on 2/19/2014 and 10/15/2014.  The full schedule is available at http://www.arrl.org/files/file/On%20the%20Air/W1AW_2014_sked.pdf

Old Business:

	"Spark in the Park": Tom, K8TB	
		
		Next year's event will be held August 1, 2015 at the Homeschool Building Gym (625 Burlingame Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509).
		The Kalamazoo club will be involved next year, along with the 4 clubs that supported the event this year.

	Club Repeater:

		The new antenna has been installed at Holland Hospital.

New Business:

	Mike Mitchell has been relieved of his duties at the Red Cross.  There is some question as to the future availability of the building.

	Dave, WA8RSA sent a letter and wooden shoe to Bob Heil, K9EID to thank him for last month’s presentation.  Bob was grateful and would like to present to us again someday.

The business meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm, followed by a video about Bob Heil, K9EID and his induction on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Note: During the program, a special VE Testing session was held; Bob Broene, KD8ZHZ passed his General exam!

Submitted:
Todd Boss, W8YHF
Holland ARC Secretary
secretary@hollandarc.org 

Please contact the Secretary with comments or corrections.