Calvert Amateur Radio Association
09 Oct 2025 Meeting Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting
The Board Meeting was called to order at 6:40pm by President Brian Kress. Officers present were: Brian Kress KB3WFV, Lisa Kress, Erik Johnson KC3QQD, Dave Weaver W3PQS, and Shawn Donley N3AE.
Members present were: Andy KC3WRX, Bob N3PPH, Richard W3RBR, Nigel G0JKN and Daire AC3KX
Misc:
- Minutes from the September Board meeting were approved
- The GMRS repeater has been removed from the Sunderland site after a very successful beta test. It’s now ready for installation in Prince Frederick after the tower antenna work is completed.
President:
- Postponing the excess CARA equipment sale until January or February. Just too busy to deal with it at this time.
- The Board agreed to proceed with Teltronic for work of the Prince Frederick tower associated with installation of the new GMRS repeater and relocation of some 6m repeater equipment. A fund raiser has been started for the work.
- The holiday party will be on Dec 13th at Bulrushes in Prince Frederick. Cost will be $25.00 per person.
Treasurer:
CARA Account balances as of Sep 30, 2025
$4,308.85 PNC Checking.
$3,211.48 PNC Certified Deposit.
$11,191.31 Truist Money Market.
Over the month of September, the financial activity is shown below. The $845.oo expense was for renewal of our liability insurance ($200) and our spot at the Calvert County Fair ($645)
$0.00 (zero) Income.
$845.00 Expense.
$34.14 Interest Income.
(-810.86) Loss for the month.
Nomination Committee:
- Andy, KC3WRX, chaired this year’s nomination committee. Andy reported that only the current officers were nominated by the members who responded to the call for nominations. The slate of candidates is therefore:
- Brian Kress, KB3WFV for President
- Erik Johnson, KC3QQD for Vice-President
- Lisa Kress for Treasurer
- Dave Weaver, W3PQS for Director
- Shawn Donley, N3AE for Secretary
Vice President:
Director:
Secretary:
With no further business, the Board meeting adjourned at 7:28pm
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General Membership Meeting
Meeting was called to order at 7:44 pm
Present were:
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Brian KB3WFV
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Erik KC3QQD
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Dave W3PQS
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Peter, N3PH
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Andy KC3WRX
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Nigel G0JKN
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Tom KC3YZZ
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Richard W3RBR
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Lisa Kress
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Shawn N3AE
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Daire AC3KX
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Kim K3OCM
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Bob N3PPH
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Please see Board minutes for information that was repeated during the General Meeting
- The September Board meeting minutes were approved.
President:
- Thanks to all the helped and participated at the Calvert County Fair, particularly Nigel, G0JKN and Kim, W3OCM who spent quite a few hours manning our table.
- Forty entries were received for the GMRS radio raffle. Thanks to Erik, KC3QQD, for donating the two radios for the free raffle. Winners had not been picked yet at the time of this meeting.
- The CARA holiday party is Dec 13 (Saturday) at Bulrushes Café in Prince Frederick. Cost will be $25.00 per person.
- Surplus CARA equipment sale postponed into the new year.
Treasurer:
- See the Board minutes for the Treasurer’s report
Secretary:
AUXCOMM meeting next Thursday, Oct 16. Will be presenting some updated information on required training and plans for 2026. For the 2025 Simulated Emergency Test (SET) the plan is to focus on mutual assistance. Saint Mary’s ARES members will be coming over to our EOC on Nov 1st to see our setup and learn how to operate our radios. At a date TBD we will reciprocate by going over to Saint Mary’s.
Misc:
- The Board decided to select Teltronic (the lowest bidder) for the antenna work at the Prince Frederick tower to support the new GMRS repeater and some relocated 6M repeater equipment. The cost is approximately $3600 of which about half has already been received through member donations. The membership voted to keep donations open until Dec 13 (after the holiday party) and then use part of the MCA grant funds to make up any difference between the total donations and the Teltronic proposal. The President noted that FCC regulations for GMRS, FRS and Amateur equipment and operations are quite different. Member should make themselves aware of the differences, particularly with respect to type-accepted equipment, power levels and identification during operation.
- G0JKN brought in his current HF transceiver project, all homebrew, using Raspberry Pi with an SDR board, filters and a power amplifier. Still a work-in-process but it looks very nice.
- The 50/50 was won by Bob, N3PPH. The pot was $42.00 of which $21.00 went to the club treasury.
- With no further business or discussion, motion was made and seconded to adjourn at approximately 8:18pm