ARCARS

April 6 2008

Meeting Minutes

MOTION TO ACCEPT MINUTES: of the March meeting approved by Edgar (KC8VLV), seconded by Russ (KD8FRE), approved.

DISASTER REPORT: There were responders sent from the Clay and Ira Townships for rescuing small boats endangered by ice in the St Clair River. There were no events that required the call out of amateur radio assistance.

There are planned Severe Weather Warning System tests for April 9^th at 10am. This event will test the procedures both public and private. The local amateur radio repeater on 147.320MHz will be utilized for the test.

NET REPORT: Edgar (KC8VLV) reported that net participation had been light lately. If you have any topics you would like to be brought up on the net please inform Edgar during the net, or send him an email at eds2@advnet.net . Please make note to join in Tuesday evenings at 8pm, on 146.800MHz

SPECIAL EVENTS: Field Day was brought up at the meeting. We will likely run a 2A event this year. In past years Victor and Suzanne did a wonderful job cooking for the event. A couple years ago we had a caterer join our event and did the cooking. This year we have decided to have a pot luck dinner for Friday. As for shelters we will likely utilize the new Red Cross truck as well as the military truck (big blue). We have the site at the St Clair County Park beginning Thursday until Sunday afternoon. Camping will likely start Thursday and setup will begin Friday for the event.

The Michigan QRP event is scheduled for April 9^th.

CLUB STATION: Everything was reported as operational. NEWSLETTER: Our newsletter and web page is available at www.qsl.net/arcars .The www.bandopening.com/arcars is temporally down due to moving the web server location. We have a wealth of information available on the website including the RSS feed.

CLUB PROJECT: The sump pump failed and there was some flooding in the radio room. The problem was contained to the floor and did not affect the radio equipment. The coax is to be run to the command station.

OLD BUSINESS: None discussed.

NEW BUSINESS: The Feast of St Clair event will be held May 24^th and 25^th. The Marysville Days event is scheduled for June 11^th – 15^th. Fireworks displays are being planned for July 1^st (Canada Day) and on July 4^th in St Clair. The St Clair County 4H Fair is scheduled for July 21 – 26.

A thank you letter is to be sent to the Detroit Newspapers for their generous donation of a truck to ARCARS.

Andrew announced that a General Class instruction had begun in April. The course will be held every Tuesday from 6pm to 9pm, and should run eight weeks. The course is set to begin April 1^st and run until May 20^th with a VE examination at its conclusion. The classes are planned to be held at the Chapter House lower level.

DX SPOTS/ SPECIAL EVENTS: Conditions on HF have likely hit rock bottom. It is believed that conditions should recover soon.

MOTION TO ADJOURN: by Edgar (KC8VLV) seconded by Russ (KD8FRE)

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 144.970 MHz is available. Check it for HF activity.

Swap List provided by Frank, VE3FBH

The opinions expressed below, as well as the accuracy of the content of the information belongs to Dan KB6NU, and are not those of ARCARS or any of its affiliates.

KB6NU’s Ham Radio Column:

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CW Geek and MI Affiliated Club Coordinator
Read my ham radio blog at http://www.kb6nu.com

There is a good article on antennas on his site.

Antenna Newcomers and the Language of Antennas

L. B. Cebik, W4RNL

Follow the link: http://www.cebik.com/tales/nc.html