ARCARS

September 2008

Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order on September 7, 2008 with 16 members and guests present.

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

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

DISASTER REPORT: There were a couple of mutual aid responses down river recently. The Intertape Polymer plant had a small explosion resulting in damage to the building. The bomb team was dispatched to the area in response to the discovery of an inert hand grenade. There were reported chemical releases in Chemical Valley recently. There were no events that required the call out of amateur radio assistance.

NET REPORT: Edgar (KC8VLV) reported that net participation has been steady with 9 to 10 amateurs checking in. He attributes better attendance due to independent topics Please make note to join in Tuesday evenings at 8pm, on 146.800MHz.

SPECIAL EVENTS: The USECA Swap is scheduled for Sunday October 26, 2008. More info available at www.usecaarc.com/

CLUB STATION: Planned renovations to the club station will be completed soon.

NEWSLETTER: Mark reported that he has made some additions to the sites and weather page. Our newsletter and web pages are available at www.qsl.net/arcars, www.bandopening.org/arcars.  Andrew has established a couple of new sites that contain additional information. Please visit www.arcars.org (still under construction) and www.sccradioclass.org. 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.

CLUB PROJECT: The 146.800MHz ARCARS repeater failed last month. There were temporary measures made to make it operational. Gene (NA8I) returned and began repairs to restore the machine. The repairs were completed on September 7^th. The repeater has also been fitted with battery back up in case of power failure at the site. Note: the repeater has a 100Hz sub audible tone and has a 2 minuet 45 second purple crystal time out.

OLD BUSINESS: Paul (KG8OU) noted that we have not made progress with respect to Operation Care. Andrew (KC8SPD) mentioned that applications have been submitted for the permit to hold the events. He went on to mention that the events are all four days long over holiday weekends and require constant attendance by members. Shannon (W8CNN) offered to make some calls in attempt to get the project back on track.

NEW BUSINESS: The Red Cross is offering trainer classes in first aid, defibulator, and CPR in October. The classes will be held on Oct 7, 14, 21, and 28^th. There is a fee for this training.

On September 11^th a memorial is planned near the Blue Water Bridges.

On September 18^th there will be a regional exercise at the St Clair Power Plant.

On September 27^th a S.E.T. (simulated emergency test) is planned that will include amateur radio participation.

There was a round table discussion about our participation in upcoming events. Some of those mentioned included: Field Day, Operation Care, Boat Week, County Fair, a float in the parade, fox hunt / picnic, camping event, and Christmas Dinner.

ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS: We will be holding our election of officers at the October meeting. We have four elected offices including; Program Manager, Vice Program Manager, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you would like to be considered for position please contact Dennis Jackson at kb8ocg@gmail dot com and you will be included in a ballot.

DX SPOTS/ SPECIAL EVENTS: Conditions on HF have been poor as we haven’t seed any real improvement since the bottom of the last solar cycle. Tom (W8TRC) reported that the solar flux has hovered around 65 & 66. Paul (KG8OU) reported working Italy on 40 meters voice recently.

Mike (N8MIC) mentioned that he has a RMS (radio messaging service) packet station set up on 145.010MHz that allows you to sent email using amateur radio. Connect to n8mic-10 and use “h” to bring up the help menu. Mike mentioned that your email will come from your call @winlink.org

MOTION TO ADJOURN: by Jerri (KC8YRQ)

ANNOUNCEMENTS and other info:

The annual Blue Water Ramble is scheduled for Sunday, October 1^st. Funds generated from that event help support P.H.A.R.T. and the 147.300MHz repeater. Individual amateur participation is encouraged. More information is available by contacting Bob Herbert (KB8WMW) at k8wmw@sbcglobal 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.

Swap List provided by Frank, VE3FBH