General Membership Meeting Minutes January 9th, 2017 The meeting was called to order at 7:03pm by Nick, KD8JBG. Secretary's Report (Todd, W8YHF): - Approved Minutes of the December 2016 meeting were accepted as published on the website. Treasurer's Report (Rich, WA8MTI): - Approved General Fund: $3,056.32 Membership: $191.72 Cash: $22 Total: $3,270.04 Treasurer's report was accepted as read. Upcoming events: HARC Programs: January: 1/16 HARC Holiday Dinner: 6pm at Golden Corral. 1/23 E.A.T.: Instructional electronics videos, and a presentation on more advanced topics by Jeff, KD8THX. VE Testing: VE Testing is conducted at the VictoryPoint Ministries youth building on the second Saturdays of March, July, November, and December at 6pm. “Ham in a Day” events will be held at 1pm on April 8th (Second Saturday) VE Testing follows each event at 6pm. For more information, or to register for the Ham in a Day class, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/holohiad National Parks on the Air (NPOTA): From the ARRL Website (http://www.arrl.org/NPOTA): “Throughout 2016, Amateur Radio will be helping the National Park Service celebrate their 100th anniversary. Hams from across the country will activate NPS units, promote the National Park Service and showcase Amateur Radio to the public.” You can follow NPOTA activity on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/NPOTA or on Twitter: @ARRL_NPOTA - Wrapped Up Michigan State Parks on the Air (MSPOTA): From the MSPOTA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MSPOTA2017/): “The NORTHERN MICHIGAN AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE TEAM (NM8RT) is working directly with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation Division to operate a three year HAM Radio event "Michigan State Parks on the Air". MSPOTA is slated to kick-off in June of 2017.” Winter Field Day - There really is a Winter Field Day, and this year, it takes place over the January 30-31 weekend, sponsored by the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA). The annual event’s stated purpose is to encourage emergency operating preparedness in the winter, but it’s also a great opportunity to operate in the great outdoors. https://www.winterfieldday.com/ OCARA – First meeting of the year is on Jan. 12th @ 7:00PM at EOC Training Room in the Fillmore Complex. March 16th – Skywarn Training @ 6:30P. Doors open at 5:30P. The program will take place at Grandville High School, 700 Canal Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418. Preregister at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kent-ottawa-severe-weather-spotter-training-2017-registration-28894842251?aff=es2 2 Meter Net –   The 2m net of the Holland Amateur Radio Club will begin at 7:30 at 147.06.  All amateur radio enthusiasts are welcome to join the net.  Please check in and join the fun!  Feel free to reach out to Ed to take Net control, extra help is needed for March and April. Simplex Net - Plan to be on 2 Meter Simplex at 146.430 Mhz at 7:30 this evening.  This net is headed up by Aaron Folkert, KD8VUN.  If you would like to act as net control or have any ideas for improving the net, please contact Aaron.  Hope to hear you on the air! Old Business: New Member “Welcome Wagon”: Jack, KE8CIO would like to help in welcoming new hams to the club. Tom will get him the list of Ham in a Day graduates. Jack suggested compiling a list of club members’ technical strengths to aid in elmering the new hams. He will post an invitation to share this information on the reflector. – Would like to give out information to folks who where listening, but a little “mic shy”. Library Youth STEM Presentation: Nick, KD8JBG: This presentation will take place in the Summer or Fall of 2017. The target audience will be teens and adults. This presentation should be about one hour in length. – Jeff to assist, discussed an intro to Amateur Radio, fox hunt and balloon launch. Club Directory: Nick, KD8JBG: We will maintain an electronic document from this point forward. Members that would like a printed copy can request one. Tom, K8TB to put up on the website. Spark in the Park: This year’s event will be held on August 19th from 9am-1pm. Yaesu System Fusion Demo: Jack, KE8CIO: Mike, N8XPQ has volunteered to do a Yaesu System Fusion demo for the club. Nick, KD8JBG will get in touch with Mike. New Business: By Law Changes: By Law Revisions Committee – Tom, K8TB (Chair), Bob K8RJB, Dave Lamer – 6 month time frame. Michigan VHF/UHF Society – Email list membership. Great place to gather information from around Michigan. Website: www.mivus.org Oct. 7-8, 2017   The inaugural Great Lakes HamCon will take place this weekend at the Michigan International Speedway near Brooklyn, MI.  This world class event will feature commercial vendors, outdoor flea markets, indoor booth space, meetings, get-togethers, and forums.  More information will be available at  www.glhamcon.org as details are finalized.  In the meantime, you can contact the organizers at info(at)glhamcon.org with any questions, comments or ideas you may have. Submitted: Josh Barnes, KE8DXB Holland ARC Secretary secretary@hollandarc.org Please contact the Secretary with comments or corrections.