[FPARC] MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER MEETING

[KD4SPW at aol.com]

              FORT PIERCE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB - MINUTES -  9/14/2005

      The regular monthly meeting of the Fort Pierce Amateur Radio Club was 
chaired by  President, Art Lindell, W4ZEF.  Attendance was 18. Visitors were 
Jess Porter, W4DNS, and Steve Lowman, KF4BFR.

      MINUTES: The minutes of the August meeting were approved as 
distributed, after motion by Bill, N4XEO, seconded by Mel, W4DAQ.

      TREASURY: Treasurer Carl, KF4KCI’s report was approved as distributed 
after motion by Bill, N4XEO, seconded by Paul, KG4MCE.

             Total funds:                                                     
                         $3239.80.
             Total members:                                                   
                               52.

                                           OLD BUSINESS

      HAMFEST:   The group discussed Carl, KF4KCI's Hamfest accounting report.
                         TOTAL PROCEEDS:     $1031.78. 
Art, W4ZEF, asked Carl, if he had an account of the number each food item 
sold. We discussed numbers sold and in the future, trying to keep a running total 
of each item sold, to help with the following year's pre-Hamfest food 
purchases. 
      Art asked Pete, KD4SPW, if he had a count of the number of Hamfest 
admission tickets sold. Pete said he recalled 262 tickets sold, which included 
those tickets sold with table sales. Pete said we sold about 45 tables, leaving 
about 20 unsold.
      We picked August 12, 2006, for our next Hamfest.  
      Art asked for comments and suggestions to improve next year's Hamfest:  
Flyers out earlier and to clubs;  Get tickets earlier and pre-sell;  Offer 
free booths in the lounge area to commercial vendors;  Get commitments now for 
member assignments;  More expensive prizes; Hold door prizes until end to be 
claimed, then redraw if not;  Better forums could be an attendance draw;  
Publicize earlier, especially about vendors attending.

      REPEATER:  Art, W4ZEF, said that some members have experienced a 
crackling type noise on the 2 meter repeater. Art asked Paul, KG4MCE, to try to get 
the shield piece for the repeater re-cut right away. Art said we need to get 
the 2 meter repeater re-racked and off of the floor. Greg, KB4VVE, said maybe 
we can try another 2 meter P.A. to see if it is shielded better.

      IRLP:                   Art, W4ZEF, said IRLP should be soon.
      ECHOLINK:        Art, W4ZEF, said there seems to be no problems with 
ECHOLINK.

                                         NEW BUSINESS
      
      Art, W4ZEF, said it is not too early to start collecting dues for next 
year's memberships. Dues are $20 now.

      Greg, KB4VVE, said that S & S Towers has decided to be out of the tower 
climbing business. We discussed options for other climbing companies.         
   

      President Art, W4ZEF, asked Paul, KG4MCE, to be net control operator 
for our club net each 4th Tuesday. Paul agreed.

      Art, W4ZEF, told about the Yaesu rotor that Dock, N4YHK, donated to the 
club. He said that Dock wouldn't take any money for it. Art said it will need 
a new cable and a little work. Bill, N4XEO, made a motion to extend Dock's 
membership one year. Mel, W4DAQ, seconded the motion and it passed.

      Art, W4ZEF, read an e-mail letter from Erin, KG4YQK, about collecting 
baby wipes to send to troops in IRAQ. Art said we can bring them to Wednesday's 
EOC meeting.

      The group discussed having more dinner socials. We agreed to meet for 
dinner at Dominick's 5pm. Saturday, September 24, 2005. We will think about a 
December Holiday social.

      Joe, KD4BTD, told of the upcoming WALK-A-THON in Stuart October 8, 
2005, to benefit the blind.

      Pete, KD4SPW, is keeping new lists for those interested in ordering 
shirts and hats.

      ATTENDANCE:    KD4SPW, W4RPE, W4ZEF, N4XEO, W4DAQ, KC0KAC, KF4IHX,     
KG4MCE, WB4NOZ, W4DNS, KF4BFR, KI4IUO, KB4VVE, W4KKW, N1GYX, KD4BTG, KF4KCI, 
KD4BTD.

                                              Submitted by Secretary Peter 
Amar, KD4SPW.