[FARC] FARC "Approved" Minutes for March 19, 2012

[Herb Palm]

Frederick Amateur Radio Club (FARC) “Approved” Minutes For March 19, 2012.

Meeting: The club meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm by President 
Jim Ridgley.

Introductions: See Attendees

Last Months Minutes: (Corrections - Jim Devilbliss) Approved: YES

New Licenses: None

Upgrades: None

Treasurer Report: The CD has been rolled over into the checking account. 
$125.00 from dues, a donation, and equipment purchase was deposited into 
the checking account.

The checking account option to not receive printed copies of checks as 
part of the statement can decrease the monthly charge of $3.00. That 
will be done when the new officers signatures are on file at the bank.

The President and the Treasurer are on the checking account. Joe will 
contact Jim Ridgley and Mark Whitmore so the changes for the checking 
account can be made. Minutes from the meeting when the new officers were 
elected will have to be provided as proof the new elected officers. The 
minutes were distributed through the reflector from the January 16, 2012 
meeting, distributed by the reflector on 1-23-2012 and are available to 
anybody.

A $60.00 dues payment for back dues for the years 2009 through 2012 was 
received from Mark A Jenness - W3MAJ. A motion from the floor and passed 
directed Mark Whitmore to please return $45.00 with an accompanying 
letter to Mr. Jenness and only accept from him $15.00 dues payment for 
the year 2012.

New Member Application(s): None

Old or Ongoing Business:

-Timonium Ham Fest on March 31, 2012. Talk-in frequency - 146.670 with a 
PL tone of 107.2 .

New Business:

-The May meeting will be on D-Star communications and presented by Joe 
Durnal.

- Meeting Programs - Jeff Fishman will contact the ARRL Speakers Bureau 
to find out what programs may be available for meetings.

- A proposed “New Committee” called CHECK-ON” includes EVERYONE in the 
club where any member can and hopefully will call another member and 
encourage them to come to the monthly meetings.

- Curtis Campbell said he thinks the club is lacking “digital presence” 
on the web site. He can do digital modes from his jeep and thinks 
interest would increase in club activities.

- Jim Ridgley asked if anybody was familiar with “Fox Hunting”. Jim sees 
this as a good potential service we might provide in helping to find 
lost persons. This could be an advertised event for interested people in 
this area.

Committee Reports:

-SKYWARN - There was no activity warranting activation of Skywarn. From 
an e-mail received by Jim Ridgley from the new HAM Coordinator at the 
Sterling, VA. He wants e-mail notification when any Skywarn Nets are 
activated. Jim will post details on the reflector.

-RACES - A COMEX was held on March 13, 2012. Jim Devilbliss - WA3FUJ 
reconfigured a radio in the EOC because of the inoperative 147.060 MHz 
repeater. Various counties that cannot reach the 147.060 MHz repeater 
used the repeater linked Target System. These changes facilitated still 
having a Western Maryland RACES Net.

- MISC. - Discussion was held regarding the use of an alternate repeater 
in case of the primary repeater 147.060 MHz being out of service. The 
use of an alternate repeater of 146.730 MHz can be arranged with Phil 
Stalnaker - W3ICF.

Discussion was about the Health Department Quarterly Net on 4-3-2012 
using 444.100 MHz with a PL tone of 167.9 to link all the hospitals in 
the area.

-ARES - March of Dimes event is scheduled for 4-29-2012 in and around 
Baker Park, Frederick. Meet at the band shell at 9-930am. A HT radios is 
the only requirement.

- FIELD DAY - Scheduled for June 23-24, 2012 from the proposed site at 
the Frederick Memorial Hospital, same as last year.

End of Meeting: The meeting ended at 8:39 pm.

Attendees:

Curtis Campbell - KB3WHX
Dennis Campbell - KB3WLJ
Emmitt Bonner - WA4UWD
Lou Powpowsky - KB3RNT
Mark Whitmore - AB3KS
Joe Durnal - NE3R
Jim Ridgley - N3HTA
Jeff Fishman - KB3FIO
Herb Palm - K3HCP

Respectfully submitted, Herb Palm - K3HCP