[HCARC] May 2015 Minutes

[Gary J - N5BAA]

HILL COUNTRY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Meeting Minutes

7 May 2015

MEETING COMMENCEMENT

The meeting was called to order by President Terry Hipskind (W0HIP) who led us in the Pledge Of Allegiance.  There were 31 members in attendance and one visitor our speaker Jim Kinter (K5KTF).

MEMBER AND GUEST RECOGNITION

President Hipskind explained the 50/50 and gave out tickets to the following people for having helped during the past month:  Barb and Pete Schuyler (N9NM, N9OF respectively) for providing goodies for the break and to Mort McKenzie (WB2GEU) for sugar free goodies.   Jim Froemke for helping Bill Tynan (W3XO) with his tower and antenna.  Chuck Brainard (KA1PM) and Gale Heise (KM4DR) for helping Paula Mulford (KG5HRD) with antenna towers and radios.  Paula Mulford thanked a whole list of people for help with antennas, etc related to setting up a new station.  John Hughes (KF5VNB) thanked Gary Johnson (N5BAA) for drilling holes to help set up his mast.

The April 2015 minutes were posted and approved.

The Treasurers report was read and approved

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Repeater (Harvey K5HV) –New Yaesu Fusion Repeater is backordered.  An inspection indicated all of the tower turnbuckles were replaced.  Several of the old turnbuckles were offered for sale.

VE Testing (Fred W0LPD) – 5 people are scheduled for the next VE test.  

Red Cross Liason (Terry W0HIP) – Terry Hipskind thanked all those who attended the ARES meeting.

SKYWARN – Larry Altman (N5QED) spoke on Skywarn and our mission to support NWS.  We are to report Severe Storm Conditions (.25 cents and larger hail and winds over 58 mph).

Field Day (Gary Johnson N5BAA) - ARRL Field Day will be held at OLH School.  Cost is $200.00 of the $300.00 approved for Field Day.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Two motions were made by Gary Johnson which were seconded by Bob Richie (K5YB) which were approved that resulting keeping our current Website in operation until the current contract for hosting it runs out and to develop and implement a new one to replace it.

A motion was made by Gary Johnson, seconded and approved to donate $25.00 to QSL.net this year and in perpetuity. 

Bill Tynan reported that AMSAT and Virginia Tech are developing a geostationary satellite to be deployed in 2017.


EVENTS:

June 6/7 – Museum Ships On the Air held at the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg.  Jim Lindley (K5EWS) reported special event call N5P has again been activated for the operation.

BREAK FOR REFRESHMENTS FROM Barb, Pete, and Mort.

Monthly Program:  The presentation was made by Jim Kinter (K5KTF) on Broadband Radio.  Everyone learned the new possibilities available for short range communication.  

Note:  Harvey Vordenbaum (K5HV) and Jerry Midgely (WA9KXZ) are working on a broadband connection to our repeater.  Thank You to Eddie at NWS for the free microwave links being used.

50/50 was won by  Alan Cone (K5AFC) won $26/$26 split with addl $10 donated to the repeater fund.

Submitted:

Gary Johnson
N5BAA
HCARC Secretary 2013/14/15