BCARES BOARD MEETING----13 JULY 2005

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 PM in a Ball Corporation meeting room by Dale Scott (KAØQPV).

Persons Present

Others: None

REVIEW OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING FOR APPROVAL

The minutes of the April Board Meeting were unanimously approved and accepted, with the correction that Jim Payton should replace Larry Stern as Treasurer.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Update to BCARES Hours to-Date Tally
   Board members will report via e-mail this month.
2. Membership Application Status—Badge Status
   A list has been submitted for the approval process and should have approval by next week. Those on the list are: Vickie Jimenez (KCØTEJ), Edward Gansen (NAØED), Johnny Redman (KCØOYF) and Josh Eaton (KCØTRM). A new set of updated badges will be distributed soon.
3. MOU Status
   Jim (KGØHU) is working on rescheduling.
4. Status of Authorized Reimbursements and Donations
   Pete (WB2DVS) submitted receipts for reimbursement. George ((KAØBSA) has been reimbursed. The pre-amp has been purchased.
5. June 11th NDMS Discussion
   Doshia (KBØNAS) reported that Avista in particular is happy with BCARES. Some of the delays on the 11th were due to having 2 flights instead of 1, and only 11 ambulances available. Jim (KGØHU) will be able to put together tapes for the annual meeting. He mentioned that we need to address the issue of permanent antennas at the hospitals—2 good antennas, one of which should be dual band (UHF/VHF). Perhaps the hospitals will contribute funds. This is an urgency priority. Also, the Longmont ICV monitors need upgrading.
   Len (KDØRC) reported on the MACS (Multi-Agency Command System) meeting. He mentioned the two reasons for the delays in massage transmission: a forwarding problem, and the fact that the messages going in to DIA were not handled in a timely manner. Len also commented that the clusters are coming along; people need practice linking in to the cluster system; a connection to Broomfield PSAP is required; and in the future the clusters will include ARES from Colorado Springs to Greeley.
   Discussion continued concerning the basic problems being those of coordination, not communication. This was after 8 weeks of preparation—in a real situation there will have to be better infrastructure.
   Jim (KGØHU) suggested that there be a major presentation at the next meeting by the Packet Committee. In the meantime there should be a meeting with George (KAØBSA), Mark (KB0LRS), and others concerning the future of digital communications—new vs. older networks, coordination between districts, etc.
6. WMD Exercise Feedback
   The event organizers are still working on a status report.
7. BCARES E-Mail Performance
   Jack (KØHEH) is not getting e-mails. There can be problems if the subject line contains too many letters. Dale will ask Nima (NØYX) for a report about e-mail system reminders.
8. Grant Request
   Nothing new. Jim (KGØHU) will discuss the request at the rescheduled meeting.
9. Map Status
   Boulder County grid sq./topos could be added to the meeting mentioned at 3.h.
10. Equipment
    Pete (WB2DVS) reported that the systems have been updated with new laptops. They are all working on Windows except that Mobil-Packet I is still on on DOS. The Longmont equipment should go back to Longmont; however, there is not enough storage available there, so it must be left at PSAP.
    Jim (KGØHU) suggested an Equipment Committee to keep track of all equipment. Mark (KB0LRS) could itemize and take care of the Longmont equipment—which needs a home. At the Longmont United Hospital meeting Doshia was asked to schedule a meeting in September including Jim and Dale to discuss this question and antennas and 70 cm. radios.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Packet Cluster
   Len (KDØRC) reported that the WØIA packet cluster is working without interference. Present needs incude testing, 70 cm. radio and antenna, and the Broomfield PSAP.
2. Ecom Training Progress
   Dale ((KAØQPV) suggested a discussion about broadening and/or mandatory training for the BCARES general membership. There is a need to expand the net control command structure. Len (KDØRC) will assist George (KAØBSA) with training—this session should be open to other districts. Jim (KGØHU) mentioned that the State EC is requesting a list of people from District 11 who have passed the training course. George will assist, making use of E-Com material on-line as a training resource.
3. Red Book
   At the next BCARES Board Meeting the Red Book update should be finalized and prepared for distribution. Packet set changes and cluster information should be added. Pete ((WB2DVS) and Len (KDØRC) will coordinate and present the update to the Board for review. Jim ((KGØHU) will review the ATV section. The Red Book will then become useful to George in the training process.
4. Other
   
   • Jim (WAØNHD) has donated an LCD TV to BCARES. Dale will prepare an acceptance/thank you letter.
   • Jim (KGØHU) reported that Michelle Irving from CU has requested a meeting to talk about CU football, including equipment, scheduling, and technical expertise.
   • Len shared a NASA Johnson Space Center QSL card, dated 1994, which was just now received!

ITEMS TEMPORARILY TABLED FOR FOLLOW-UP AT COMING MEETINGS

1. BCARES Web page update (urgent issues excepted)
2. BCARES Red Book Update
3. ARESCO Web Page (info for BCARES reflector information)
4. equipment status/maintenance update
5. continued discussion: BCARES – RACES compliance discussion: (policies, planning, equipment, documentation, training, etc.)
6. new member training and general training
7. maps
8. hospital update
9. Ecom testing
10. BCARES site survey results

NEXT MEETING DATE:
THE NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULES FOR THURDAY 18 AUGUST.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Przedpelski (KCØFGE), Secretary