[FPARC] minutes of January meeting

[KD4SPW at aol.com]

             FORT PIERCE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB - MINUTES -  01/10/2007
 
      The regular monthly meeting of the Fort Pierce Amateur Radio Club was 
chaired by President Art Lindell, W4ZEF. Attendance was 16. Visitors were 
George, N4GTS, John, KI4RXQ, Bill, N4SNO, Christoph, KI4NED, and TJ.
 
      MINUTES: The minutes of the January meeting were approved as 
distributed, after motion by Greg, KB4VVE, seconded by Ernie, KF4IHX.
 
      TREASURY: Treasurer Carl, KF4KCI’s report was approved as distributed 
after motion by Greg, KB4VVE, seconded by Paul, KG4MCE.
 
                                                          OLD BUSINESS
               
      REPEATER:    Art, W4ZEF, said that Kevin, W4KKW, and Greg, KB4VVE, have 
been working on the repeaters. Greg said the UHF repeater as a blown exciter, 
but the amplifier is fine. Ernie, KF4IHX, will take it to the shop tomorrow. 
Greg said he hopes it to be back in operation this weekend. Kevin said another 
link radio is back in operation and both IRLP and ECHOLINK are available now 
on the 2 meter repeater. 
 
      CLUB SOCIAL: Art, W4ZEF, asked for a round of applause for Carl, KF4KCI 
and Betty for hosting a great event at their home again. Carl said the next 
club social event will be at the upcoming Orlando Hamfest. 
 
      VE TESTING: Art, W4ZEF, said new license rules should go into effect in 
February. If people take written tests before the rule change, they will have 
to pay again after the rule change to upgrade. Art says he needs more VEs to 
help with VE TEST SESSIONS. 
 
      NWS SPECIAL EVENT: Ernie, KF4IHX, told about the SKYWARN APPRECIATION 
DAY SPECIAL EVENT held at the Melbourne NWS. Ernie said it was a very nice 
event. 
 
      FREE MEMBERSHIPS: We discussed the free membership plan approved last 
meeting for any people testing at our VE TEST SESSIONS. Pete, KD4SPW, said the 
plan is to give a certificate to anyone testing or upgrading at our VE TEST 
SESSIONS. The certificate can be redeemed at our club meetings, good for one 
year membership to our club. The certificate is not available to current club 
members, or those attending the VE TEST SESSIONS for just an address change or 
other simple paperwork.
 
      MEMBERSHIP DUES DUE: Art, W4ZEF, reminded us that Dues are now overdue. 
He said members must to renew by March to remain active.
 
      SKYWARN TRAINING: Art, W4ZEF, said that SKYWARN TRAINING will take 
place here in the WQCS meeting room Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 8:30 am. 
 
                                                          NEW BUSINESS
      
       FIELD DAY:   Art, W4ZEF, asked for someone to be FIELD DAY CHAIRMAN 
and CO-CHAIR. Paul, KG4MCE, agreed to be CHAIRMAN and Ernie agreed to be 
CO-CHAIR. Greg, KB4VVE, said he hopes to test and showcase the EDICS TRAILER WIFI 
setup at FIELD DAY. Kurt, W4KFH, said he will be attending FIELD DAY and will 
help as able. Art asked for the chairs to have a starting plan at next month’s 
meeting. 
 
      PACKET:  Art, W4ZEF, said that the PACKET RADIO setup from Bill 
Sinbine, N4XEO, will be at the EOC and will belong to the FORT PIERCE AMATEUR RADIO 
CLUB. He said that Wayne, KA1VRF, needs a new TNC for the setup, a PACCOM 
SPIRIT. Kurt, W4KFH, made a motion to spend up to $250 for the new TNC. Ernie, 
KF4IHX, seconded the motion and it passed. Pete, KD4SPW, said we will need to make 
a list of all PACKET RADIO equipment and update our property insurance.
 
       HAMFEST:    Art, W4ZEF, asked Joe, KD4BTD, if the date for our August 
11, 2007 Hamfest is secure with IRCC. Joe said yes, that they will not be 
renovating that building then. Carl, KF4KCI, reminded Pete, KD4SPW, that Joe needs 
a proof of insurance certificate for IRCC. Art said we also need one for 
FIELD DAY. Art said that he has been HAMFEST CHAIRMAN and will be again, unless 
someone else would like to be CHAIRMAN. Nobody offered.
 
     COMPUTERS:  Art, W4ZEF, asked Joe, KD4BTD, if he knew when the surplus 
computers will be ready. Joe said that he did not. 
 
      Art, W4ZEF, reminded our NET CONTROL OPERATORS, to insure that all net 
participants sign out using their CALL SIGNS properly. He also asked for 
someone to pick up the NCS duties for the 4th Tuesday each month.
       
      RECENT NEW MEMBERS: Bill Mitchell, N9SRO, and Christoph, KI4NRD.
 
      ATTENDANCE:    KD4SPW, KF4KCI, W4KKW, AI4NM, N4GTS, KI4RXQ, TJ, W4KFH, 
KF4IHX,  
                                     KB4VVE, KG4MCE, KC0KAC, W4RPE, W4ZEF, 
N4SNO, KI4NED. 
 
                                           Submitted by Secretary Peter Amar, 
KD4SPW.