[HCARC] January Meeting Minutes

[Gary J - N5BAA]

HILL COUNTRY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Meeting Minutes

2 JANUARY 2014

MEETING COMMENCEMENT

The meeting was called to order by President Terry Hipskind (W0HIP) who led us in the Pledge Of Allegiance.  There were 45 people in attendance including 4 visitors.  Visitors included Larry Altman (N5QD), Eugene Barnes W5CN, Tony Moore (unlicensed) and Larry Mitchell.

MEMBER AND GUEST RECOGNITION

President Hipskind explained the 50/50 and gave out tickets to the following people for having helped during the past months:  Jim Froemke (K0MHC) for helping Bill Tynan (W3XO), Dr Jim Lindley (K5EWS) for helping with Gap Titan Antenna, Gale Heise (KM4DR) with a rotator, Gary Johnson (N5BAA) and Marylin Vordenbaum (KE5DDR) for helping with Christmas Party and Don Muray (W4WJ) for his work as Vice President and putting on 2013 Presentations.

MINUTES AND TREASURERS REPORT

The minutes were read and approved

The Treasures report was read and approved

OLD BUSINESS

Harvey Vordenbaum (K5HV) reported the Repeater was up and running again

Fred Gilmore (W0LPD) announced the VE Test was scheduled for 25 Jan 2014

Hank Folk  (KF5QBF) upgraded to General Class – Congratulations Hank!!!

Terry Hipskind announced that Kristy Vandenberg had retired as head of the Kerrville Red Cross.

NEW BUSINESS

Gary Johnson who is taking over from Jeff Lavender (N4YPT) reminded everyone that Field Day is 5 Months out.  We need to start planning very soon to secure a location.

Bob Ritchie (K5YB) gave a tentative schedule of 2014 programs:

January – Tuners by Kerry Sandstrom (K5KS)
February – AMSAT by Bill Tynan
March – Towers
April – Bandera Electric on Solar Power
May – 80 meter Wide Band Dipole by Dale Gaudier (K4DG)
June – Gary Johnson on Field Day
July – Gary Johnson Field Day Report
August – Antenna Design
Sept – nothing scheduled yet
October – nothing scheduled yet
November - nothing scheduled yet
December – Christmas Party

BREAK FOR REFRESHMENTS FROM Mort McKenzie (WB2GEU) and Barb and Pete Schuyler (N9NM, N9OF respectively)

Kerry Sandstrom presentation on Tuners.  We all learned a lot and it has already made me reevaluate my selection of tuners.  They are not all created equal and Kerry helped explain what to look for in a good tuner that if purchased properly will service your needs from 100 Watts to the Legal Limit.  A sanitized copy of his slide presentation will be published in the STATIC soon.

50/50 was won by Marylin Vordenbaum.

Submitted:

Gary Johnson
N5BAA
HCARC Secretary 2013/14
STATIC Editor
2014 Field Day Coordinator