October 1, 2000, 2000 ARCARS Meeting
The meeting was called to order with 16 members and guests present.
Motion
to accept the report by Victor (WD8DWR), seconded by Steven (KC8PGE), and accepted.NET
: Roger reported that the nets have been visited regularly by about seven amateurs in the community. The Traders Net will now have a 30-day expiration on item listed.SPECIAL EVENTS
: JOTA, Jamboree on the Air, will be held October 21st and 22nd with most of the members planning to attend the event on Saturday October 21st. We plan to use the Icom 706 with wire antennas as well as a packet station. The Blue Water Ramble was held 10/1/00.DISASTER REPORT
: Mark Peltier addressed the group about the ARCARS participation in the explosion disaster on September 7th in St. Clair Michigan. Mark went on to assure that the radio group is on the list to be called for disaster support. The $5000 in radio equipment was provided to better assist the Disaster Services Division of the local chapter. He asked that the radio equipment be kept as portable as possible so it can be utilized in virtually any vehicle that is dispatched to a site. He went on to state that all ARCARS members are to be transported to a disaster site utilizing official American Red Cross vehicles and not to use their own vehicles. Members of ARCARS will be assigned to Red Cross team directors for communications. The chapter was very satisfied with the assistance of the radio group at the September incident. "ARCARS turnout was the best in the Disaster Services and is a vital part of the team" He mentioned that we should provide a list of any requirements to see that we have all the equipment needed to help the Red Cross.CLUB STATION
:OLD BUSINESS:
Mark pointed out that we achieved a great deal of progress this past year. The tower at the chapter had been erected and equipped with new antennas. We have new radio equipment that allows us to better assist the Disaster Team.A written proposal to amend the Constitution was submitted at the meeting to move the meeting time to the First Sunday of each month at 7:30pm. That issue will be voted upon at the November meeting by all the members present and voting at the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
The annual election was held with the following results: Program Manager, Mark Edwards (N8EGJ), Vice Program Manager, Dennis Jackson (KB8OCG), Secretary, Gene Patrick (NA8I), and Treasurer, Suzanne Pallett (KB8GFY). It was requested that a list of American Red Cross training classes be published on the ARCARS web site. The Traders Net Link on the web site is to reflect the thirty-day limit on listings. Gene (NA8I) suggested that we need a radio that has In Vehicle Repeater (IVR) capabilities so hand held units can be utilized at disaster locations and the signal be retransmitted on the higher power unit in the equipped vehicle located near the scene. That will allow for more efficient communications back to the Command Center between the on site volunteers and the Chapter Director or his staff.Motion
to purchase a dual band mobile with IVR capabilities using club funds by Gene (NA8I), seconded by Dennis (KB8OCG), accepted. Glen (WD8DUV) suggested that the club investigate the Alinco DR-610T to utilize the IVR function.Motion to Adjourn
: by Gene (NA8I), seconded by Suzanne (KB8GFY).
Check the web sites for any updates
www.bignet.net/~arcars or www.qsl.net/arcars.
The Friends of Marconi group meets every Friday at 11:30 am at My Place Restaurant in downtown Port Huron. Everyone is welcome to attend. See the web page
VE Exams are available at USECA. They use computers to complete the tests. Contact on the USECA Repeater 147.180. You can also find testing information at
www.hamtest.com.