[FPARC] MINUTES OF MARCH MEETING

[Kd4spw]

      FORT PIERCE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB - MINUTES -  3/14/2012
 
      The regular monthly meeting of the Fort Pierce Amateur Radio Club was chaired by President, Kevin Walker, W4KKW.  Attendance was 25. Visitors were Sean, KK4FNZ, Ernie, AJ4BP, and Joann Bolte.
 
      MINUTES: The minutes of the February meeting were approved as distributed, after motion by Steve, N4SGL, and seconded by Harry, KJ4SRY.
 
      TREASURY: Treasurer Carl, W7RCW’s report was approved as distributed after motion by Keith, W4RPE, and seconded by Jack, K4JAK.
 
      Treasurer Carl, W7RCW, reminded everyone of the importance of renewing Club dues, which are now past due.
 
      President Kevin, W4KKW, asked Bob, KC0KAC, and Steve, N4SGL, to give an update about the Ham gear of silent key Ed Farthing, KF4NUR. The Club plans to sell the gear for Ed's estate. Steve handed out lists of the gear and told about plans to sell the gear at the Stuart Hamfest. He said that FPARC members will get first chance to buy the gear, then PSLARA members, before the Hamfest. Don, W4KTD, said that Ed has 4 towers and some antennas in the air, 3 Rohn and 1 aluminum crank-up. He said that we are welcome to the towers by removing them, which may require a bucket truck.
 
      D-STAR REPEATER: We discussed our upcoming D-STAR repeater. We may need to take off the air and remove the UHF 444.800 repeater to install the UHF D-STAR repeater temporarily in its place, until we are able to build a single antenna combiner. Many members plan to buy D-STAR radios. Mark at HRO has agreed to give FPARC members a small discount on the purchase of a new radio. Harry, KJ4SRY, has an RT Systems programming cable and software that he can share. We discussed the need for a decent computer to connect the D-STAR repeater to the D-STAR internet Gateway. Sean, KK4FNZ, offered to donate a good computer to the cause. 
 
      Kevin, W4KKW, told of our Club BBQ at the Orlando Hamfest.
 
      At the April meeting, NWS will give a Skywarn Training Session. The meeting will start at 7 PM with a short business meeting to be followed by the Skywarn Session at 7:30 PM.
 
      FIELD DAY: Steve, N4SGL, said that the Field Day location of Tradition Landing Shopping Center has been chosen by committee again this year. He said that the other considered location of the Lawnwood Stadium area would have cost $639.
 
      We will again set up a Club table at the Stuart MCARA Hamfest. We will meet there at 7AM. 
 
      Kurt, W4KFH, started a discussion about the controversy of FPL's use of Smart Meters. 
 
      Pete, AA4PN, showed off his radio jump kit.      
 
      ATTENDANCE: KD4SPW, W4KKW, N4SGL, W4RPE, KI4UAV, K4JAK, W4ZE, KJ4LWZ, WY5I, KA8ZUE, KK4FNZ, KJ4SRY, KD4BTD, W4KTD, KC0KAC, W4KFH, W7RCW, WA4MLD, AA4PN, KD4BTG, AJ4BP, W1QPD, DONNA ELLMERS, JOANN BOLTE, MARTHA BLANCO.
 
                              Submitted by Secretary Peter Amar, KD4SPW.