[FPARC] MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER MEETING

[Cheryl Lenartiene]

Hello Everyone,

I don't post to this list much, but when I saw in the minutes from last 
month's meeting that there was a question as to whether it was permissible 
to speak a foreign language on a repeater, I had to speak up. As a speaker 
of three foreign languages, I paid special attention to these rules when 
studying for license exams. I also reviewed several sections of the FCC 
Rules. Section 97.117 clearly indicates that transmissions must be made in 
"plain language", and section 97.119 indicates that an operator must ID in 
English or by using the phonetic alphabet. The term "plain language" in 
section 97.117 does not specifically mean the "English language". If the FCC 
wanted to restrict transmissions to the English language, they would have 
indicated this in section 97.117, just as in section 97.119 they require 
that a person identifies themselves in English, specifically. Rather, the 
term "plain language" means that no hidden codes or messages are being 
transmitted; there are no double entendres, etc. There are exceptions to the 
hidden codes rule, but I am not referring to those in this context. All I am 
saying is that the FCC does not restrict the use of any language to transmit 
a message, even though that language might be foreign to a listener. The 
only restriction the FCC imposes is that one must legally identify 
themselves in English.

Hope this clears things up.

Cheryl

Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for 
this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18/
NIV

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <KD4SPW at aol.com>
To: <fparc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 7:45 AM
Subject: [FPARC] MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER MEETING


        FORT PIERCE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB - MINUTES -  9/13/2006

      The regular monthly meeting of the Fort Pierce Amateur Radio Club was
chaired by President Art Lindell, W4ZEF. Attendance was 16. Visitors were 
Tom
Shedd, K4IWD, Ray Stilwell, WA4MLD, and Sherwin Fields, KA9COD.

      MINUTES: The minutes of the August meeting were approved as
distributed, after motion by Herb, W1QPD, seconded by Bob, KC0KAC.

      TREASURY: Treasurer Carl, KF4KCI’s report was approved as distributed
after motion by Herb, W1QPD, seconded by Bob, KC0KAC.

     Total funds:       (designated for WQCS: $50)
    $2812.64.

                                                       OLD BUSINESS

      Treasurer Carl, KF4KCI, as part of his TREASURY REPORT, gave an
overview of our August HAMFEST tally.    Hamfest net proceeds: $943.25.

      President Art, W4ZEF, discussed how we spent more this year for 
HAMFEST
prizes. He said our club is doing very well in regard to our bank account 
and
club assets. He said we have 2 newly refurbished repeaters that are working
very well. He also said our club recently purchased another trailer, another 
HF
radio, and another HF antenna.

      REPEATER:    President Art, W4ZEF, asked Kevin, W4KKW, about changes
involving our repeaters. Kevin said that both our repeaters, 2-meter and 
UHF,
are set to automatically link each week for our Tuesday night net. Kevin 
said he
will be giving out some control codes to members in the future. Art asked
about the linking system picking up voices as control tones. Kevin said he 
thinks
it is a result of having both IRLP and ECHOLINK running simultaneously, but
is not sure of a fix. Kevin said we have a few future linking options with
other repeaters.

      The group discussed Bill, N4XEO’s estate table at the HAMFEST. It was 
a
good result. There are still some items to be sold on EBAY. Pete, KD4SPW,
read a thank you letter from Bill’s wife Barbara.

      Art, W4ZEF, asked if Joe, KD4BTD, had any news about the possible
upcoming VETERAN’S DAY SPECIAL EVENT at the UDT/SEAL MUSEUM in Fort Pierce. 
Joe
said no news. Joe said he would call or e-mail for additional info.

                                                          NEW BUSINESS

      NET CONTROL: The group discussed that NET CONTROL OPERATORS should be
club members. We also discussed that more members should be able and willing 
to
run our NET.

      The group discussed the appropriateness of allowing only English to be
spoken on our repeaters. Art, W4ZEF, said he would do some research on the
subject.

      CLUB SOCIAL: President Art, W4ZEF, asked if we had interest in a club
social before our end of year HOLIDAY social. We discussed going to a
restaurant, and Carl, KF4KCI, offered to host a BBQ at his home, if we pick 
a date that
he is available. We discussed a possible date in October or early November.
Art also said that Carl has agreed to host our end of year social at his 
home.

      President Art, W4ZEF, told the group about a problem that a Hamfest
attendee is having with one of our vendors about an item purchased. Art 
asked
Pete, KD4SPW, to send an e-mail to the vendor saying that we hope the issue 
can
be resolved.

      ATTENDANCE: KD4SPW, KF4KCI, W4KKW, KC0KAC, WA4MLD, K4IWD, WB4NOZ,
W1QPD, BOBBIE ELLMERS, AI4NM, KF4BFR, KA9COD, W4RPE, W4ZEF, KG4MCE, KD4BTD.

                                      Submitted by Secretary Peter Amar,
KD4SPW.
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