ARCARS
March 2009
Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order on March 1, 2009 with 21 members and guests present.
MOTION TO ACCEPT MINUTES: of the February meeting approved by Edgar (KC8VLV), seconded by Bonnie (KC8SPA), approved.
TREASURES REPORT: Suzanne reported that our balance stands at $184.00
DISASTER REPORT: The county experienced communication tower problems last month. The problem was contained to the southern of the county. The down river area suffered numerous structure fires. There was also a reported barn fire in Sanilac County with 11 fire departments responding.
NET REPORT: Edgar (KC8VLV) reported that net participation has increased since moving the net to a repeater. Members have reported that the net is more pleasurable to listen to the net due to the repeaters ability to re-transmit distant stations that could not be heard by all participants while using simplex. Please make note to join in Tuesday evenings at 8pm, temporarily on the 147.300MHz repeater.
SPECIAL EVENTS: The sign up sheet for supporting the 4H fair event was circulated. That event is scheduled for Wednesday July 27th through Saturday August 1st.
Fall Harvest Days information will be provided soon. We intend to set up in a “field day” fashion to support that event.
The Feast of St. Clair (May 23rd and 24th) will be supported by ARCARS by providing communications during the night hours from May 21 to the 23rd. Ideally four members will be present each night to help the event staff preserve the security of the staging area. We are looking for volunteers to man the 7 hour shifts for the the 3 nights from 11pm to 6am.
CLUB STATION: The packet station “K8ARC” needs an adapter for the 12 volt power supply to be changed. Paul (KG8OU) intends to make the repair. There is also a feed line issue reported that has made the station difficult to connect to by stations located outside the city. Intention to inspect the feed lines to assure that any mix ups are discovered was made.
NEWSLETTER: Our newsletter and web pages are available at www.qsl.net/arcars, www.bandopening.org/arcars. If you have any information you would like posted on the website, contact Mark (N8EGJ). We have a wealth of archived information available on the website as well as on the RSS feed. Additional ARCARS information is available at www.arcars.org (a work in progress) and www.sccradioclass.org.
CLUB PROJECT: The 146.800MHz ARCARS repeater is currently off the air. There are updates and repairs being made to restore the machine to provide the valuable coverage needed to support our disaster relief efforts and amateur community.
OLD BUSINESS: The ID cards are being created and distributed to the active ARCARS members. The laminated photo id cards are designed to contain concealed medical information that is accessible if the the card is cut and removed from the lamination. If you have not received your ID card, please come to the April meeting to have your photo taken for the card.
NEW BUSINESS: Members of ARCARS that are SKYWARN active are encouraged to re-certify at the upcoming training session. The session is scheduled for March 9th at 7pm. The training will be held at 200 Grand River, Port Huron. For additional information you may contact KD8GRU at (810)989-6965 or email at emergencymanagement@stclaircounty.org
DX SPOTS/ SPECIAL EVENTS: Mike (N8MIC) reported working K8DD in Nicaragua on his recent dx expedition to that country.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: by Russ (KD8FRE) seconded by Mark (N8EGJ)
ANNOUNCEMENTS and other info:
Amateur assistance requested to help Bob (W8MNQ) install a simple wire antenna and feed line for Jim (N8LUV). Bob would like to do this on a warm weekend (very soon). If you would like to help please contact Bob w8mnq@comcast dot net.
The ARCARS & International Traders Net is held every Tuesday evening at 8pm on the 146.800 NA8I repeater.
The International Friendship Net is held every Thursday at 9pm on the 145.370-VA3SAR repeater
The Thumb / Mid Michigan Nets are held Monday through Saturday at 9:30pm on the 147.300 repeater.
The ARPS Nets are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 8:30pm on 147.300MHz
HF: The Great Lakes Emergency and Traffic Net is held nightly at 8pm on 3.932 kHz
The AC8W DX Cluster on 144.970 MHz is available. Check it for HF activity.