[CTSARA] Board Meeting Minutes November 17, 2010

Mon Nov 22 07:36:35 EST 2010

http://www.ctsara.org/20101118_Board_Minutes[1].doc

Stamford Amateur Radio Association
Board Meeting Minutes
November 17, 2010

Call to Order

The monthly board meeting of the Stamford Amateur Radio Association was called to order at 8:05pm on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the residence of Ernest, KA1NGG.

Roll Call

The following members were present:

1. Ernest, KA1NGG
2. Jon S., W3EIC
3. Bill, KB1IFY
4. Terry, W1TSM
5. John S., WB1GRB
6. Fred, K1FC
7. Jon P, KB1QBZ

Repeaters / Sterling Farms Status and Discussion

The bulk of this meeting was discussion of the club’s repeaters.  Ernest checked with Bill to verify he had a key to the hospital repeater room.  Bill has a key, but it is Fred’s.  Ernest will look into getting the key from Frank.  Bill offered the key to anyone who might need access to the hospital at any time.  

Hospital 440: Jon P has the 440 machine and has replaced the Amp.  It has been tested and is working (with the existing fan attached).  He is looking for the controller and believes Chris, KB1QXR, may have it.

Sterling Farms 440: Jon P clarified this is the unit that needs fans added.  Also, there is something that needs to be addressed with this system that is causing intermittent RF power issues.  He suggested finishing up the hospital 440 projects, and then performing the maintenance on this system.

Sterling Farms 2m: Jon P continues to test the 2m amp, including transmitting for hours over the course of a day, with a few one hour continuous tests.  This week he concluded the RF power adjustment pot is bad.  He has disassembled it and will work on replacing that pot.  Fred suggested a combination of a resistor network and a pot to make the pot less sensitive.  Bill inquired if there were still plans to adjust the antenna, as he has had reports of problems to the SSW.  Ernest noted that there has to be a deadspot somewhere, and the system was designed to be towards the south.  However, if the city does a tower climb, we can move it.

Jon P stated that when we are ready to re-install the amplifier, we should alert the city that we would need at least two hours to complete the install and fully test the system.  Also, we should investigate what the maintenance cycle for the city’s systems are, and try to coordinate our visits with those scheduled events.

Ernest thanked Jon P for his hard work on the repeaters.  After prior discussions regarding the millennium repeater, and given that the club is close to have four working repeaters, Ernest could be convinced that we do not need an additional system, and that the funds would be better used to keep the treasury up.  As such, the club will be putting this purchase on hold for now; it may reconsider this offer or even a brand new system for the Government Center at a later time.  If a new system is desired, Ernest will pursue a grant from First County Bank.

Fred brought up moving the hospital system to the Government Center when we lose our space due to pending hospital reconstruction.  Ernest clarified that the radios currently at the Government Center are owned by the city and are old and no longer work.  If / when replace these radios, we can design the installation to allow for these to be repeaters, as well as operated from the EOC during an emergency.  Jon P reminded us that, in addition to replacing the radios, we need to perform (preventative) maintenance on the antennas and cables at Government Center.  Fred suggested that we may need an additional frequency besides the repeater in an emergency, so dual purpose radios may not be the best solution.

VE Testing and Exam Preparation

Ernest, Chester, Tony (KB1SUN) and Fred will be conducting a VE session on Saturday 11/20.  Ernest inquired if there was interest in doing the VE sessions more than 3 times a year.  Fred stated that nationally, there has been an increase in applicants.  Jon S. mentioned we could always add VE session ad hoc if members (or potential members) requested one.

Ernest requested Terry & Jon P move forward and order the course materials for the Technician course the club is planning to offer.  Jon P will order the materials from ARRL.  The club would like to offer the course sometime in February.  Jon P & Terry will work on the course and determine how many days will be required.  Ernest suggested considering a General course be offered after the Technicians pass.  He also stated we should open the course to other groups (CERT, hospital, etc), but not delay the course for those groups.  Fred stated students should pay for the materials and exam.  Ernest stated this would help assure the students investment in the course.

Meeting Room

Ernest is looking into a larger room for meetings, as we continue to see increased attendance.  He will also be looking into Internet availability for presentations.
Field Day.

Final results are in: 8018 points, #18 in the country (out of about 320), #2 in CT, #3 in New England.  Congratulations to the club!  GNARC scored about 1000 points more, and were rate in the top 10 nationally and #1 in CT.   It is not out of reach for SARA next year.  Jon P. suggested operating more Digital modes in the GOTA tent, or to operate outside of GOTA when CW is not operating.  
EMCOMM and Public Service.

Ernest will talk with Frank to meet with the city.  Jon P stated the area American Red Cross (ARC) has built up a ham radio group but is using club repeaters.  ARC currently has no formal agreement with the club to support them.  He would like to offer support to ARC.  Ernest inquired if there was any talk to use ham radio to link hospitals. Bill mentioned “C-MED” which uses ambulance radios to achieve this.  Jon P. stated we should offer the hospital digital modes for communications.  Ernest suggested talking to AT who consults with hospitals.

Dues & Treasures Report

Ernest presented the Treasures’ Report.  There is currently about $3000 in the account.  Dues have slowed down, 
but are still occasionally arriving.  He will create a new mailing list for 2011 dues in January or February.  Fred suggested calling people who haven’t responded to the 2010 mailing to find out the story why they haven’t responded.

Meeting Programs

December’s program will be “Reverse Beaconing and Whisper”.  Reverse Beaconing is where you transmit and then go online to see where you were heard!  Whisper is able to hear signals below the noise floor.  February is set for Software Defined Radio.

Amateur of the Year
Ernest suggested honoring Jonathan, K1RFD as Amateur of the Year for his development of Echolink.

Elections

Jon P. reminded the group that per the by laws, the clubs is to have an election in January.  Ernest suggested this be brought up at the next club meeting. 

Adjournment 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 pm.  The next regular SARA meeting will be on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 8pm at the Government Center.

Minutes respectfully submitted by: Jonathan Solomon, W3EIC

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Hi John---

A friend of mine who works at the Stamford Historical Society came across this article about Grandpa Sabini's fatal accident. Very sad...Please forward All the best!
Cousin Lou

http://www.ctsara.org/PellegrinaSabini.html

J/S WB1GRB

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