[FPARC] MINUTES OF FEBRUARY MEETING

[Kd4spw]

      FORT PIERCE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB - MINUTES -  2/8/2012
 
      The regular monthly meeting of the Fort Pierce Amateur Radio Club was chaired by President, Kevin Walker, W4KKW.  Attendance was 19. Visiting was Mike, KJ4TJC.
 
      MINUTES: The minutes of the January meeting were approved as distributed, after motion by Harry, KJ4SRY, and seconded by Trent, N2WKL.
 
      TREASURY: Treasurer Carl, W7RCW’s report was approved as distributed after motion by Steve, N4SGL, and seconded by Ed, W4EVH.
 
      Carl, W7RCW, said that he sent a check in the amount of $3000 to ICOM for the D-STAR repeater, which we expect will be refunded when we meet ICOM's requirements of having new local user's register on the Internet gateway system.
 
      President Kevin, W4KKW, asked Bob, KC0KAC, and Steve, N4SGL, to tell about the radio equipment that belonged to silent key Ed Farthing, KF4NUR. They said that Ed had lots of stuff, including 3 towers. Steve has the gear at his house and will catalog it. They said that they would offer it to the club first, and then try to sell it at the Stuart MCARA Hamfest. Thanks Steve. Steve and others have spent many hours working with Ed's gear.
 
       FIELD DAY:   Steve, N4SGL, gave an overview of the Field Day of the management positions. Don, W4KTD, will handle logistics and facilities, Kurt, W4KFH, will manage operating stations, and Carl, W7RCW, will be chief chef.
 
      ORLANDO HAMFEST: As in past, Carl, W7RCW, and his wife Betty, will host our Orlando Hamfest club BBQ Saturday noon. We will meet at 6 am Saturday at WQCS for those who want to carpool or caravan.
 
      IRSC DONATION: Carl, W7RCW, discussed our donation, which will include a day of WQCS radio spots to honor the memory of Art Lindell, W4ZEF. Joe, KD4BTD, will let us know later in the year when that will be.
 
      D-STAR: Kevin, W4KKW, reminded us that previously the club had decided to allocate $2500 to start a D-STAR fund. The plan was to ask if other clubs in the area would help support a D-STAR repeater. Kevin said that since then he saw an ICOM e-mail about ICOM offering $3000 rebates to groups in certain geographical areas that install D-STAR repeaters. Even though we aren't in ICOM's preferred area, Steve, N4SGL, sent an e-mail to ICOM requesting they consider us for this rebate program. ICOM agreed. Great job Steve and Kevin. So Carl, W7RCW, sent a $3000 club check to ICOM for the cost of the repeater and controller. Steve said that we will also have to pay about $230 for tax and shipping. Steve made a motion to spend the $3229.75 for the D-STAR repeater, of which a $3000 rebate is expected. Harry, KJ4SRY, seconded the motion and it passed. To meet the requirements for the rebate, we have to have the repeater on the air and connected to the D-STAR internet network and have 10 new D-STAR users registered on the D-STAR Internet network within 90 days. The system must stay up and on the network for at least one year. Carl, W7RCW, told about the plans for locating the repeater at WQCS. It will be outside in a small repeater building and be fed with power backed up by generator and will internet access. Steve, N4SGL, made a motion to purchase, for $50, from Ed Farthing, KF4NUR's estate, a 50 amp power supply if needed for the D-star repeater. Bob, KC0KAC, seconded the motion and it passed. Kevin will ask HRO for a club discount on the purchase of D-STAR radios. 
 
      FPARC HAMFEST: Our Hamfest will be the 2nd Saturday of August this year, August 11, 2012. Admission and table prices will remain the same as last year. We will have Hamfest flyers for the Orlando Hamfest and Stuart Hamfest. 
 
         Kurt, W4KFH, suggested that the club buy from Ed, KF4NUR's, estate, a Kenwood TS-2000.
 
      Kurt, W4KFH, reminded us that we will have a work day at the old EOC February 18 with breakfast at the Flying-J Denny's at 8am.
 
      Trent, N2WKL, gave an update about his tower ordinance and his talk with the mayor of Port St. Lucie.
 
      ATTENDANCE:    KD4SPW, W4KFH, KI4UAV, KD4BTD, W4KTD, KJ4SRY, MARTHA BLANCO, KJ4LWZ, KJ4TJC, W7RCW, WB4NOZ, N2WKL, KK4DXJ, AA4PN, W4KKW, W4EVH, KD4BTG, KC0KAC, N4SGL.    
 
                              Submitted by Secretary Peter Amar, KD4SPW.