General Membership Meeting Minutes
August 14th, 2017

The meeting was called to order at 8:15pm by Nick, KD8JBG.

The business meeting was preceded by a presentation from Pete Hoffswell, N9SSA about the Holland BPW's new fiber internet offering.

Secretary’s report accepted as posted.

Treasurer’s report (Rich, WA8MTI):
	General Fund = $2,831.52
	Membership Fund = $101.75
	Cash on hand = $5
	Total = $2,938.27

	Expenses:
		Field Day: $280, including $100 for park usage.
		VictoryPoint Ministries: $350 for January-June facility usage.
		ARRL Insurance: $200

Upcoming Events:

	Spark in the Park:
		Will be held on Saturday, 8/19. More information below under "Old Business".

	“Ham in a Day” 
		Ham in a Day will be held at 1pm on October 14th at the Lowell Amateur Radio Club, and December 9th at the VictoryPoint Ministries Youth Building.  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

	E.A.T.
		This month’s E.A.T. meeting is going to be on August 28th, 2017.  We will be discussing digital technologies, led by Jeff, KD8THX. 

	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.

	Simplex Net - Plan to be on 2 Meter Simplex at 146.430 MHz at Now starting at 8:30P in the 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!

	Lighthouses on the Air:
		This annual event will be held on August 19th and 20th.  For more information, visit https://illw.net/

Old Business:

	“Ham in a Day” 
		Ham in a Day was held on August 12th.  
		
		10 of 12 Ham in a Day participants passed the Technician exam. New hams Amy and Jack attended tonight's meeting.
		
		There were 7 Technician walk-ins; most passed.
		
		2 of 3 General walk-ins passed their exams.

		The club acknowledges Bob Roon, KE8ABG for contributing new signs for the Ham in a Day event.


	Spark in the Park:
		This year’s event will be held on August 19th from 9am-1pm. Ten clubs are confirmed as sponsors.  This year’s event is on schedule and should be a really great event.

	Park2Park:
		This will be the third year of HARC involvement in the Park2Park race, which benefits Neighbors Plus.  The event will be held on Saturday, September 23rd.  Todd, W8YHF will put out a call for volunteers on the reflector.

	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.”

		HARC activated Holland State Park on Saturday 7/15/2017, weather permitting.  About 20 contacts were made.

	Repeater:
		IRLP Node is back up.  Jeff THX thanked the other hams that helped with their generous contributions of time and equipment.  Jeff estimates that $630 worth of equipment was donated.  The old PC (approximately 15 years old) will be recycled.
 
New Business:

	Ike, K8EMU attended Holland Twp. meeting along with Fitz, KC8KML.  Holland Charter Township is proposing a 70 foot height restriction on towers; anything higher would require a variance.  Other local townships allow 90-100 feet.  Hams in attendance discussed the merits of Amateur Radio and the way that local tree cover makes tall towers preferable.
	
The business meeting was adjourned at 8:49 pm.	
	
Submitted:
Todd Boss, W8YHF, filling in for Josh Barnes, KE8DXB
Holland ARC Secretary
secretary@hollandarc.org

Please contact the Secretary with comments or corrections.