[FPARC] March Minutes

Sat Apr 23 19:24:15 EDT 2005

FORT PIERCE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB - MINUTES - 3/9/2005

The regular monthly meeting of the Fort Pierce Amateur Radio Club was chaired by President, Art Lindell, W4ZEF. Attendance was 17. Visitors were Chris, 5BG0, and Bruce, K9SHT.

MINUTES: The minutes of the February meeting were approved, after corrections, after motion by Mel, W4DAQ, seconded by Bob, KC0KAC.

TREASURY: Treasurer Carl, KF4KCI's report was approved as distributed after motion by Mel, W4DAQ, seconded by Bob, KC0KAC. Carl was absent this meeting.

Total funds: -- $245.00 -- designated for WQCS $1120.97.

OLD BUSINESS

REPEATER: President Art, W4ZEF, said that the 2 meter repeater is back on the air. He said the new hardline has been replaced. He said it is working pretty well, but that there are a few concerns that will need to be addressed. Art said the 2 meter repeater is interfering with our 440 repeater. Art told of club members agreeing to loan the club the funds to have the hardline installed. Insurance will reimburse them for that amount. Art asked Pete, KD4SPW, if the insurance company had paid anything yet on the claims. Pete said no.

ECHOLINK: Art, W4ZEF, asked Kevin, W4KKW, about Echolink. Kevin said it has been off the air recently. Kevin said he needs to work on the link computer. Kevin said he wants to get the club call on Echolink. He said he will need a letter from the club with the club letterhead and also a copy of the club license. Art said people are using the link and we should keep it up and running.

IRLP: Kevin, W4KKW, said that getting IRLP on the air will take some time still. He said Kurt has not been able to finish up some linking cables for us yet. Art said since Echolink has been up, we should keep it on the air and the IRLP can wait if need be.

COMPUTERS: Art asked Dave, WA4NGR, about the status of the old surplus computers that IRCC is doing to donate to the club. Dave said they are about ready. He said they will be Pentium 550 MHz, 4 gig hard drive, 64 MB memory, CD-Rom drive, and sound cards. He said no operating system, keyboards, or monitors are available. He said we will have to find extra memory ourselves, as needed, depending on operating system.

HAMFEST: Art, W4ZEF, told that at the last meeting we decided to raise Hamfest prices. Art said Bill, N4XEO, needs to update the Web site with the correct date and the new prices. Joe, KD4BTD, said he has been trying unsuccessfully to gain access to be able to modify the club Webpage. Art said the web page is a high priority and asked Joe to check into it. Joe reminded Pete, KD4SPW, that IRCC needs proof of liability insurance.

FIELD DAY: Keith, W4RPE, asked about RV's available: EOC CSV, EDICS trailer, probably KF4KCI's, W4ZEF's. Art said it is unlikely that Roger, K4RS, will be around this year for Field Day. Art said he will be towing the club trailer to his home to give it a check over. Keith asked Erin, KG4YQK, if the PSLARA group will join us this year. Erin said the PSLARA club discussed it a few times and has decided to definitely join us for Field Day this year. Art reminded us that Carl, KF4KCI, will likely be out of the country the days before Field Day and will need help shopping and also during the whole weekend. We discussed other Field Day matters. The date is Friday June 24, 2005 - Sunday June 26, 2005.

DUES: President Art, W4ZEF, brought up the issue from last meeting of raising the price of membership dues. He said he would like a discussion and vote this meeting on raising dues to $20 for single, $25 for family. Kevin, W4KKW, made the motion to raise the prices as such. Mel, W4DAQ, seconded the motion and it passed. 

TESTING: Art, W4ZEF, told of the last test session. Mel, W4DAQ, said soon we would have a new VE, Ernie, KF4IHX. 

NEW BUSINESS

Art, W4ZEF, asked Mel, W4DAQ, about linking the VHF and the UHF repeaters together for nets, etc. Mel said that is doable. We discussed that issue some. 

Pete, KD4SPW, reminded the group of the upcoming Stuart Hamfest and said our club will have a table and social area set up, and to stop by.

Joe, K1VAO, and Gig, WB4NOZ, made donations to the club. 

After discussion, the club planned another dinner social for Norris' south restaurant. It will be April 9, 2005. We will announce it on nets and the email list.

President Art, W4ZEF, closed the meeting at 20:45 hours after motion by Joe, K1VAO, seconded by Mel, W4DAQ.

ATTENDANCE: KD4SPW, W4RPE, W4ZEF, K1VAO, W2KGV, W4DAQ, WA4NGR, 5BG0, 

KF4IHX, K9SHT, N9SRO, KD4BTD, WB4NOZ, KB4VVE, KC0KAC, 

W4KKW, KG4YQK.

Submitted by Secretary Peter Amar, KD4SPW.