ARCARS

September 13, 2009

Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order with 19 members and guests present.

MOTION: to accept the August minutes by Edgar (KC8VLV), seconded by Russ (KD8FRE), approved.

TREASURES REPORT: Suzanne was not present at the meeting. Our last reported balance stood at $484.01.

DISASTER REPORT: ARCARS were not called out for assistance in August. There were several structure fires reported in Sanilac and Lapeer counties last month.

NET REPORT: Edgar (KC8VLV) reported that net participation has been good. With summer activities winding up, check-in's have been picking up.

SPECIAL EVENTS: The Blue Water Ramble bicycle race is scheduled for Sunday October 4th. ARCARS once again is planning to support the event. Andrew (KC8SPD) passed a sign up sheet. ARCARS members are encouraged to be available after 5:30am as they will be leaving in Red Cross Vehicles to set up near the Algonac ferry dock. Andrew went on to announce that lunch and dinner would be provided for ARCARS participants. Watch for future emails and net announcements regarding times and other information as this event nears. This event is open to all amateur radio operators. Your support is needed and will be appreciated.

Below is an excerpt from an email from Bob (k8wmw) k8wmw@arrl.net referencing the event: "Eastern St Clair County roads will
become filled with over 1,000 cyclists out to have a fun and a safe ride
through our villages, towns, highways and back roads. As is the tradition, Port
Huron Area Repeater Team will coordinate the communications for SaG (Service
and Gear) Wagons, Rest Stops and if necessary Emergency situations.

This will require the help of a minimum of 15-18 hams. Last year we had 21
volunteers in all and things went quite well. The net operated on 146.58
simplex last year. A base station in the north end of the course (AA8K)
helped to relay info to the NCS in St Clair. This worked very well. If
you can't get out for the day, please consider signing up as a relay
station. The ride is monitored from roughly 0700-1700 and this would avoid
tying up any one person's entire day.

Volunteers for Rest Stops, Lunch Stop and SaG rider will need a VHF portable
station which includes a 2-meter transceiver, a cigarette lighter power plug
or portable power supply and a mag mount antenna. Portable antennas on a
mast work well at the rest stops. "

CLUB STATION: It has been decided to move our local packet frequency to 144.95MHz to coincide with the emergency packet stations down river. Mark (N8EGJ) had contacted members of the repeater team to assure that this move is in the best interest of emergency ready packet communications.

NEWSLETTER: A request was made to include our meeting schedule on the web page. N8EGJ is looking into setting it up in a way that does not require intensive monthly web page maintenance. Our newsletter and web page is normally available at www.qsl.net/arcars and www.bandopening.com/arcars , and www.arcars.org. There is a wealth of information available on the website including the RSS feed.

CLUB PROJECT: The truck and radio room projects are still in progress. Gene (NA8I) mentioned the field beam hf antenna storage tubes that were constructed last month. The tubes hold and protect antenna components as well as the items needed to assemble them. The tubes were used at the Fall Harvest Days event and worked flawlessly. Andrew indicated intention to purchase the tools that are necessary to accompany the antenna and keep them in the tubes.

OLD BUSINESS: The Farm Museum "Fall Harvest Days" event went very well. There is intention to move the station in line with the rest of the vendors and exhibitors next year. That will assure that we have better public visibility. The station made 175 contacts and we have received 22 qsl cards to date. Andrew and Russ are still working on the certificate that is to be mailed to stations that requested them. There were interference problems found after setting the station up. The problem was discovered to be caused by the trucks battery charger system. The problem was cured once it was properly grounded.

The search and rescue event that was held at the Marysville park went very well. Amateur radio operators were assigned with each rescue team. The St. Clair County Sheriff Department supported our efforts with vehicle support and the 12 to 15 hams that participated were coordinating communication efforts between k9 search team efforts both on land and water.

NEW BUSINESS: Edgar brought up the annual election of officers. Nominations were made to retain the current administration. The official election is scheduled for meeting on October 4th.. If you are interested to run for any office in ARCARS, please contact kb8ocg, or kc8spd.

DX SPOTS/ SPECIAL EVENTS: Paul (KG8OU) mentioned that 40M has been open to European stations. He made 32 contacts during the "Worked All Europe" contest, and said that 15M has been open recently to South America.

Tom (W8TRC) noted that the solar flux was last reported at 69 and we have only logged 12 sunspots in the last 62 days. He recently worked Poland on 17M. Tom also noted that there have been several band openings that have affected 2M, making repeater operations difficult.

MOTION TO ADJOURN: by Jerry (KC8YRQ) seconded by Mark (N8EGJ)

ANNOUNCEMENTS and other info:

The ARCARS & International Traders Net is held every Tuesday evening at 8pm on the 147.300 K8DD 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.

New Frequencies digipeaters at Belle River K8MCS

Packet frequencies are: 144.95, 223.4 and 430.55.

The 144.95 frequency was set up by the

District 2 Emergency Coordinators.

FM voice is 147.32 + offset. May have a

PL of 131.8, but is carrier access right now.