ARCARS

October 2007

Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order on October 7, 2007 with 10 members and guests present.

MOTION TO ACCEPT MINUTES: of the September meeting approved by Edgar (KC8VLV), seconded by Mike (AA8K), approved.

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

DISASTER REPORT: There were no disasters reported that required the call out of amateur radio assistance.

NET REPORT: Edgar (KC8VLV) reported that net participation has been light. He reported that we have some regular participants that support the net. Please make note to join in Tuesday evenings at 8pm, on 146.800MHz.

SPECIAL EVENTS: JOTA is planned for the weekend of October 20^th. The event will be headed up by Stan (AC8W) and Mike (AA8K). They are planning to help boy scouts earn a merit badge by learning about amateur radio. Mike reported that an HF, VHF, and possibly a packet station will be in used. If you plan to help out set up will be at 8am Saturday.

CLUB STATION: There have not been any developments with the club station. Work was planned to replace the coax to the command center but has not been completed. Everything else is working well except the 2 meter radio that still needs to be replaced. Mark recommended that one of the mobile ready ICOM dual band units should be installed on the operator bench until another unit is purchased.

NEWSLETTER: The mobile link that Mark (N8EGJ) added on the website allows viewing the minutes on most cellular phones is working well. Give a try at http://www.bandopening.com/arcars/mobile.wml . Our newsletter and web page is available at www.qsl.net/arcars and www.bandopening.com/arcars . We have a wealth of information available on the website including the RSS feed.

CLUB PROJECT: Nothing discussed.

OLD BUSINESS: The annual election was held the offices are manned as follows: Program Manager = Andrew (KC8SPD), Vice Program Manager = Mark (N8EGJ), Secretary = Dennis (KB8OCG), and Treasurer = Suzanne (KB8GFY). There will be appointments to various positions to follow.

The Blue Water Ramble bicycle race was held October 7^th and communications were provided by the local amateur radio community. KB8TXC reported that there were about 1100 participants in this years 100 mile international race. There were minor injuries reported this year with one cyclist hospitalized after an accident with a passing vehicle.

NEW BUSINESS: The Christmas party will be held at the December meeting. Shannon (W8CNN) will have a list for everyone to note a list to pass at the party. She recommended that we open the doors early in December so we can eat at 7:30pm.

DX SPOTS/ SPECIAL EVENTS: Conditions on HF have been poor as we are at the bottom of the current solar cycle. No one present reported working any DX contacts during the last month.

MOTION TO ADJOURN: by Edgar (KC8VLV) seconded by Gene (NA8I)

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