ARCARS

MAY 2007

Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order on May 6, 2007 with 10 members and guests present.

MOTION TO ACCEPT MINUTES: of the April meeting by Shannon (W8CNN) seconded by Jeri (KC8YRQ), approved.

TREASURES REPORT: Our treasure was not available for this meeting.

DISASTER REPORT: There was a mock disaster event held on May 3, 2007. The director contacted Mark (N8EGJ) asking if we could participate. Mark made a few telephone calls that ultimately resulted in 35 check-ins from around the county and Sarnia. Paul (KG8OU) ran the mock disaster net that lasted several hours. It was mentioned that future events should possibly involve other area repeaters.

Paul is looking into official Red Cross HF allocation in case we ever have to bring up or follow a national net. The idea of a mock disaster HF net was discussed.

NET REPORT: Edgar (KC8VLV) reported that participation has been steady with the weekly net. Please make note to participate Tuesday evenings at 8pm, on 146.800MHz.

SPECIAL EVENTS: "Museum Ship Weekend" is coming up later in May. There was a special event commemorating the 400 ^th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. Contact Mike Johns N8MIC for more information.

CLUB STATION: Everything is working well except the 2 meter radio that still needs to be replaced. Paul intends to offer the use of one of his 2 meter radios until we have the opportunity to replace the defective one.

NEWSLETTER:  Our newsletter and web page is available at www.qsl.net. We have a wealth of information available on the website including the RSS feed.

CLUB PROJECT: Plans will be begin for Field Day at the May 6^th meeting. Participants should be prepared to offer ideas at the meeting. Field Day will be held June 23 ^rd and 24^th. We have been cleared to set up for camping on the 21^st.

OLD BUSINESS: Ten year pins were presented to Shannon (W8CNN), Kip (Kb8WWH) and Paul (KG8OU).

NEW BUSINESS: Edgar (KC8VLV) reported that there is a mock disaster planned for Genesee County to be held May 16^th from 8am to 6pm. More  information is available at www.gcares.org.

FIELD DAY: Kip has offered the use of his Yeasu for CW. Mark is to contact Gene (NA8I) about the logistics of transporting all the necessary equipment to the Field Day site. Paul will be bringing out the old RC trailer to shelter a station.   The Red Cross has offered to allow us the use of generators and fuel if we need them. Final plans for field day will be discussed at the June 3^rd meeting. Please attend and bring ideas and suggestions. Edgar is offering two prizes for the top contact producers. He has a FEMA patch for the top CW operator and a LIFE STAT EMS patch of the top voice contact producer. The prizes will be awarded at the August meeting.

DX SPOTS/ SPECIAL EVENTS: Paul (KG8OU) reported that a rare dx station is currently operating on a remote island in the Indian Ocean .

MOTION TO ADJOURN: by Edgar, seconded by Shannon  

ANNOUNCEMENTS and other info:

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.

HF: The Great Lakes Emergency and Traffic Net is held nightly at 8pm on 3.932 kHz

The AC8W DX Cluster on 144.790 MHz is available. Check it for HF activity.

Swap list provided by Frank (VE3FBH)