[FPARC] MINUTES OF NOVEMBER MEETING

[KD4SPW at aol.com]

FORT PIERCE  AMATEUR RADIO CLUB - MINUTES - 11/9/2005
 
     The regular monthly meeting of the Fort Pierce  Amateur Radio Club was 
held November 9, 2005. Attendance was 17. Visitors were  David Case, and Ellis 
and Marilyn Simon.
 
     MINUTES: The minutes of the October meeting were  approved as 
distributed, after motion by Kent, KG4IUT, seconded by Greg, KB4VVE.
 
     TREASURY: Treasurer Carl, KF4KCI's report was approved as distributed 
after  motion by Paul, KG4MCE, seconded by Kent, KG4IUT.
 
                           Total funds: (designated for WQCS: $10)  $3064.00.
                           Total members: 
 
                                        OLD BUSINESS
 
     HAMFEST: Vice  President Keith Wood, W4RPE, said we had a few  Hamfest 
issues to deal with tonight. Greg, KB4VVE, asked if we should do prizes first. 
Joe,  KD4BTD, had an envelope from President Art, W4ZEF,  for Pete, KD4SPW, 
describing some choices for  Hamfest  Prizes. Pete asked Greg if he wanted to 
take Art's envelope, as Greg also had a  list of Hamfest prize options. Greg 
said the Hamfest prize committee was  looking at 3 pricing options.


1) YAESU  HF mobile, FT-857  & ATAS 120 tuning antenna $800.
     2) Beginning HF rig  $600.
     3) YAESU  FT-880 dual band mobile, YAESU VX-2R  dual band mini HT and 
                 MFJ-259 antenna analyzer, $743.
 
     Greg, KB4VVE,  read the price totals of four options that Art, W4ZEF, 
had on his list: $743,  $696, $667, $764. 
     Greg said the prize price totals were all similar  because the committee 
was given a rough figure of $750. Pete, KD4SPW, questioned if we should be 
spending upwards  of $800 for Hamfest prizes. He reminded the  group that at the 
last meeting, the club was very unsure about spending anywhere  near $750. He 
said he thought the main objective for the Hamfest prize committee was to 
provide us with  choices of different priced prize options. Cheryl, N9SRO, said 
she remembered it this way as well.  Cheryl said this would have given us an 
idea of what we could buy at different  amounts. Pete said he believes that the 
amount spent on prizes, is probably not  a factor in amateurs decision whether 
to attend smaller local Hamfests, such as ours. Quite a discussion  ensued.
     Kevin, W4KKW,  made a motion, seconded by Carl, KF4KCI,  to table the 
vote on Hamfest prizes until next  meeting. And have the Hamfest committee send  
choices to members over our e-mail list. Quite a discussion followed. One  
concern was that we might not have a meeting in December. Another concern was if 
 we should spend as much as $750 or $800 in the first place. Another concern 
was  whether to raise admission and table prices. After many different 
concerns and  ideas expressed, Kevin rescinded his motion. He made a new motion: to 
have an  online vote, with the Hamfest prize committee  sending a list of 
choices, with prices, to the club members using the e-mail  list. Members will then 
vote by sending their choice directly to Art, W4ZEF, at  w4zef at bellsouth.net. 
Then from the responses received, the Hamfest prize committee will decide how 
much to spend and  what to buy. Kent, KG4IUT, seconded the  motion, and after 
a short discussion it passed. Some of the discussion was about  whether 
winners must be present to win prizes and how other Hamfests do their prize 
drawings.
 
     HOLIDAY SOCIAL: Keith, W4RPE, asked Herb, W1QPD,  if he had any info 
about using St. Peter's Lutheran Church Saturday, December  17, 2005, for a 
Christmas party. Herb said he has tentatively reserved the  Church's social hall 
for all day. Carl, KF4KCI, said he will be out of town that day and  could not 
BBQ. We discussed our other options  for other days so Carl could BBQ. Herb 
said he would  check to see if either the 3rd or the 10th is open. Kevin, W4KKW, 
said we could also have it after the New Year.  Pete, KD4SPW, said this is the 
kind of  thing we could be discussing over our e-mail list. The consensus was 
that the 3rd of  December would be the best day if available. Herb said he 
would check to see if  the 3rd is available at 5pm. We discussed members posting 
on the e-mail list  what they will be bringing so others will know. Pete, 
KD4SPW, said he will make a list and resend it to the members. Carl, said he has 
plates  and cups that belong to the club. He said he will need to know how 
many to cook  for. The club will pay for the meat that Carl BBQs.  Pete asked 
herb to send an e-mail to the club list when he finds out if St.  Peter's is 
available. the club e-mail is:
 
                                fparc  @ mailman.qth.net
 
     REPEATER: No update as MEL, W4DAQ,  was absent this meeting.
 
                                                      NEW BUSINESS
     
     Carl, KF4KCI,  asked for approval to reimburse Kevin $40 for  an 
ECHOLINK node. Paul, KG4MCE, made a motion for same, seconded by Kent,  KG4IUT, and 
it passed. 
 
     ATTENDANCE: KD4SPW,  W4RPE, KF4KCI,  KB4VVE, KG4IUT,  WA4NGR, N9SRO,  
KD4BTD,  KC0KAC, W1QPD, BOBBIE ELLMERS, KG4MCE,  DAVID CASE, AB2PK, 
                          MARILYN SIMON, WB4NOZ, W4KKW.
 
                                          Submitted by Secretary Peter Amar, 
KD4SPW.