[K3PZN-List] Minutes fo the September 9th Meeting

[JOSEPH EBAUGH]

Here are the minutes of the September 9th meeting, corrections to me by 
e-mail please, 73

Joe

CARROLL COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Minutes


The Carroll County Amateur Radio Club met on the 9th of September 2002 
at the Fire Training Center.

President Beckman called the meeting to order at 1935.

There were 29 members and 4 guests present.

President Beckman N3SB, made several announcements, he announced that 
the next Board meeting will be held on Wednesday the 18th at the FTC 
starting at 7:30PM, he asked that members check the upcoming events and 
make arrangements to support them if they were available, the 50-50 
drawing to be held this evening will also include a 2002 Field Day 
T-shirt, Mike N3VOP mentioned the VHF contest on the 14th and 15th of 
September.

Members and guests introduced themselves to those present.

Minutes of the August meeting were approved, motioned by W3JJH to 
accept, seconded by KB3HHK, voted and passed. (Official copy in the club 
file)

Treasurer's report was given by Bill N3WM, motioned to accept by W3JJH, 
seconded by KB3HHK, voted and passed. (Official copy attached to club 
minutes)

Committee Reports;

Repeater - Larry WX3F, reported that the remote site should go on line 
on September 30th, the County has all the necessary people assembled to 
complete installation, Larry asked for help either at the site or at the 
repeater site for testing etc, those who posses testing equipment were 
asked to bring that equipment with them to the remote site.

RACES/ARES - Larry WX3F, stated that the group has met on the 31st of 
August, no details were discussed, and that on the 21st is the Wine Fest 
Bike Ride for which he will need help, he wants to make use of Packet at 
the event as well, the RACES computer needs some adjusting and he asked 
Steve N3SB, if he would make the adjustments, Steve will take it to his 
QTH and do the work.

Board of Directors - John AK3Z, gave the Board report, discussion at the 
board was around Tailgate Fest 4 and the fact that many of the attendees 
were disappointed that there was no food available, there were no 
vendors or tables, and these will be addressed in planning for TGF 4. 
There was discussion about the cleanliness of the radio room; several 
items related to the station are stored in the room until they can be 
installed in their proper place, and those members using the station 
need to clean up after themselves upon departing. The survey by members 
will be reviewed for station suggestions. There is a plan to have the 
station opened several nights a month so members can utilize the 
equipment. The board voted to place shelves in the barn at a cost not to 
exceed $140. There are tower sections that need to be gotten rid of, 
either by auction or selling at the Hamfest. A discussion about mounting 
the AB-577 on the generator trailer led to more discussion of different 
ways and antennas to mount. Non-profit status was addressed and that we 
must justify our position as non-profit with the State. President 
Beckman wants the station opened for the November Sweepstakes and also 
wants to make this a club function; the Board approved $125 for use in 
preparations for and during the event. The membership was asked to 
approve the Board minutes, voted and passed.


Publications - Joe N3YIM stated that the Jul-Sep edition should be ready 
for mailing and distribution in early October. Also that he had 
contacted the Carroll County Library to place copies of 'NEWSWAVES' in 
all branches, the library will not let us do that until the read and 
approve the publication, that was several weeks ago and calls to the 
library have not been returned.

Station - John AK3Z, reports that the tower was inspected at the 
committee meeting in August, the tower plate needs to be fabricated and 
put in place before antennas can be installed. Opening the station for 
members will require control operators; it is the plan to schedule 
control ops so that members will be assured the station will be open, 
2-3 hours per night should be sufficient at first. A question was raised 
about entertaining guests on these evenings; it was thought that it 
would be better to schedule guest groups on a night other than member 
nights so as to keep member nights just for the members. A survey of 
those present showed enough interest that the program may be implemented.

Training - Clint W3ARS, reported that Eric KB3HGK and Keith KB3HHK 
upgraded to General class at the August test session, they were 
presented certificates in recognition of their accomplishment. REACT is 
interested in a Skywarn class in the Westminster area and Clint was 
wondering if the club had members who would attend, it was stated that 
Skywarn certification is good for only two years so many probably need 
to recertify, Pat N8PK stated that the University of Maryland has a 
class scheduled for September 28th and that if we do not get at least 20 
people that the NWS will not come back for recertification at a later 
date, in addition if a class is scheduled other clubs in the area would 
be invited to send attendees as well. It was suggested that the training 
should include a Basic segment and a winter storm segment.

Membership - Frank K3MTT, the current club roster is available if you 
want one e-mail him for your copy, he also handed out member badges and 
will take photos after the meeting.

Hamfest - Flyers were passed out at the Fall Fest 2002 Hamfest on Sep 
7-8th, several tickets and a few tables were also sold as well proceeds 
were over $100, Steve N3SB also reports that he has an extensive 
database of attendees from several Hamfests and the Tailgate Fests from 
which to make a mailing. There will be a Hamfest committee meeting on 
Wed Sep 25th at the FTC starting at 7:30PM. Clint W3ARS emphasized that 
all members should be really and willing to help with the Hamfest as 
this is our biggest money maker of the year, our club depends on having 
a successful Hamfest for revenue and everyone can help.

Tailgate Fest - Joe N3YIM reported that the AG center has been reserved 
for August 10th 2003 for TGF 4, with a rain date of the 17th, if we want 
to provide indoor food for the attendees we will have to rent Burns Hall 
and the kitchen for an additional $200, Mr. Lippy gave me a contact in 
Frederick who does outdoor feeding from her trailer, we need to contact 
her shortly, and the vendor who provides food from his trailer at Home 
Depot should also be contacted, if none of that works we can contact our 
caterer at our Hamfest in October.

JOTA - Jamboree On The Air, John W3JJH asked that the station be opened 
for this event on October 19th, in the past several Scout Troops have 
enjoyed using the station for contacts, the members approved.

Tax Exempt Status - Bill N3WM received our certificate of exemption in 
the mail today. Those who are making purchases for the club should see 
Bill for information on how to utilize our tax exempt status. Even so we 
still need to submit our community activities to the State of Maryland.

Old Business;

Member Dues - The Board motioned that the dues for membership be 
increased from their present rate to, $16.00 for individual member, 
$24.00 for family membership and $8.00 for students. There was some 
discussion as to why an increase was warranted at this time due to the 
fact the club is financially sound, even though we are financially sound 
as stated, if there were to be unsuccessful Hamfest's back to back, or 
there was a severe equipment malfunction or replacement we would be hard 
pressed to survive that type financial drain on the club assets. It was 
further stated that the club has never had to buy much of its repeater 
equipment, most was donated by members and corporations associated with 
the amateur community, so we really do not have an idea of how much 
would be required to reestablish the entire club setup. The members 
voted to approve the increase which became effective immediately.

Multiple Year Payment - Bill N3WM motioned "that members be allowed to 
pay dues in multiple year increments' tabled for Board of Directors 
discussion and recommendation.

The raffle was won by none other than the Treasurer, N3WM, Bill, in 
addition the Field Day shirt he won $31.00 with $31.00 going to the treasury

John AK3Z announced that those helping with the Civil War Century Bike 
Ride, are to meet at 7:00AM on Moser Road in Thurmont, near the Kozy 
restaurant.

Walt K3DQB showed and demonstrated a paddle keyer he had made from a 
discarded computer mouse, some members tested and gave their approval.

Pat N8PK, had on display a working model of the Oscar satellite, this is 
an exact production model of those in space today, and this particular 
one is headed for the Smithsonian Institution for safe keeping.

There being no further business, meeting was adjourned at 2137.

Submitted;

Joe Ebaugh, N3YIM
Secretary