[FPARC] MINUTES OF MAY MEETING

[Kd4spw]

Page 1 of 2         FORT PIERCE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MINUTES      5/9/2012
 
May 9, 2012 meeting of the Fort Pierce Amateur Club was called to order by Pres Kevin, W4KKW at 7:35 pm.
(Carl has sign in sheet.)
One visitor, Alan Hall, a friend of Carl’s, W7RCW was present. He is currently studying for his tech license.
Harold, N3UY is in town from Alaska, and attended the meeting.
Phil, N2HUC is the guest speaker for this month’s meeting. He is going to give a presentation on D-Star.
Minutes read by Pres Kevin, W4KKW and approved, 1st Steve N4SGL, 2nd Glenn KJ4LWZ.
Ray, WA4MLD noted that he was left off of the April meeting attendance list in the April minutes.
Treasurer’s report was read by Carl, W7RCW and approved, 1st Pete AA4PN, 2nd Harold N3UY.
Old Business
Pres Kevin W4KKW reported that the D-Star system is up and working, and that we do have more than the min of 10 registered users. 
Pres Kevin, W4KKW additionally reported that On April 20, 2012, at approximately 6:00 p.m. there was a server thunder, lightning and rain storm in Fort Pierce. After that time, it was reported by several users of both the 23 cm repeaters, that the signal strength was extremely weak from both repeaters. Prior to 6:00 p.m., at approximately 3:00 p.m. both repeaters where checked for signal strength by Don, W4KTD. At that time both repeaters were found to be transmitting at normal signal strength. It appears that the storm caused damaged to the antenna system, which both repeaters utilize. This has allowed water to enter the center core of the antenna hard line. The water was drained from the center core of the hard line, as well as possible, on April 21, 2012 by Greg, KB4VVE and Don, W4KTD. As of this meeting additional water has entered the core of the hard line, causing degrading of the signal strength on both of our 23 cm repeaters. Don, W4KTD was asked by Pres Kevin, W4KKW to make a visit to the repeater site on May 11, 2012, to again drain the water from the core of the hard line. Pres Kevin, W4KKW contacted L & S Tower Company to get a price for a crew to climb the tower to access the damage and repair the accessed damage. The minimum charge from L & S Tower Company is $1,800.00 per day, if the work is done during daylight hours. If the work is done during non daylight hours, the minimum charge is $3,600.00 per day. This information was presented to the members present at this meeting, and by a show of hands, it was decided to do the work during the daytime hours, because of the cost. Radio station WQCS, who owns the tower, previously stated that work could only be done during the daytime, and after June 1, 2012. This restriction on the required work is necessary, because the station will not reduce their transmitter power output, to a safe level for tower climbing, until after the June 1, 2012 date. 
Page 2 of 2
 
Discussion was held regarding the installation of an FPL meter to allow separate billing of electrical usage at the WQCS radio station. It was decided to discourage the installation of a meter. In place of the meter installation, it was decided to move some of the money donated to the college to the radio station donation, therefore, increasing the donation to the radio station. 
New Business
Treasurer Carl, W7RCW, noted that the trailer tag fee of $44.15 is due soon.
Steve, N4SGL noted that the Field Day meals tickets are now on sale. Lunch - $4.00 and dinner - $8.00
Tickets need to be purchased by June 1, 2012.
Meeting ended at 9:15 p.m.
                    Submitted by Vice President Don Starr, W4KTD.