BCARES BOARD MEETING----20 JULY 2006

CALL TO ORDER

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. in a Ball Aerospace meeting room by Jim (KGØHU).

Persons Present

Board status Name (position) Present?
BARC Primary Mike Derr W3DIF (Secretary) Y
BARC Alternate Dave Sharpe KIØHG Y
LARC Primary Dan Hysom KB3CXD N
LARC Alternate Don Bessee KCØQZR N
RMVHFS Primary Len Koppl KDØRC N
RMVHFS Alternate Mike Borenstein NØBP N
2-Year At Large, Even Year, Primary George Weber KAØBSA Y
2-Year At Large, Even Year, Alternate Ken Kinyon W7TS N
2-Year At Large, Odd Year, Primary Jim Kubitschek KGØHU (Chairman/EC) Y
2-Year At Large, Odd Year, Alternate Mark Huff KBØLRS Y
1-Year At Large, Primary Dale Scott KAØQPV (Vice Chairman/Admin-AEC) N
1-Year At Large, Alternate Ed Schlichting KBØTVH Y
Office of Emergency Management Justin Dombrowski (Treasurer) N
Boulder County Sheriff's Office Chuck Pringle KCØDGP N

REVIEW OF PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING MINUTES FOR APPROVAL

The minutes of the June 15, 2006 Board meeting were unanimously accepted and approved with the addition of one sentence to item 3(k): "There was a brief discussion regarding the possibility of asking the three local amateur radio clubs (BARC, LARC and RMVHS) for donations."

OLD BUSINESS

  1. C.U. ATV Equipment Proposal
    Jim (KGØHU) reported that a site survey was completed at Folsom Field in late June and an equipment proposal submitted to Joe Roy, C.U. Police Chief. Joe indicated that he expected by the end of July to be able to provide BCARES with direction regarding funds availability and plans for the upcoming football season.
    Action Item:Jim (KGØHU) will follow-up with Joe Roy.
  2. MOU Status
    Jim (KGØHU) reported that there had been little MOU activity since our last Board meeting. The current focus of attention is on resolving an undesirable insurance liability waiver clause with the City and County of Broomfield. It is believed that Colorado State law may require entities signing MOU's with volunteer organizations to include them in their insurance coverage, but a legal opinion is needed.
    Action Item:Mike (W3DIF) was asked to contact a local attorney and determine whether he would be willing to assist.
  3. BCARES Web Page (JD Version)
    A new BCARES domain name and prototype web page http://www.bouldercountyares.com/ developed by J.D. Burke (KCØMWB) were discussed. The new web site will run concurrently with the existing BCARES site until fully developed. Mark (KBØLRS) volunteered to take the lead in coordinating development. There was a brief discussion regarding material to be added to the new web site. One suggestion was that the files on the BCARES Training CD, currently under development by Dale (KAØQPV), be accessible from the web page.
    Action Item:Mark (KBØLRS) will contact and work with JD (KCØMWB) and Rick Clark (KFØBK, current BCARES webmaster) to develop a mutually agreeable development approach.
    Mark also volunteered to assist in reviving the BCARES Digital Communications Committee, which initially started in 2005 with several Longmont members.
    Action Item:Mark (KBØLRS) will work with Dale (KAØQPV) to coordinate revival of the Digital Communications Committee and recover two laptop computers loaned to the original Committee members.
  4. WØIA Packet Cluster Status and Progress
    Several Board members reported that cluster logon difficulties experienced a few weeks ago have cleared up and all seems well with the system at present. Status of the DRSI card repair was not known.
    Action Item:George (KAØBSA) will contact Len (KDØRC) to determine the status of the DRSI card repair and the health of the system in general. Dave (KIØHG) volunteered to assist George.
  5. Equipment Proposal to Cmdr. Chuck Pringle, Boulder County
    Jim (KGØHU) reviewed the proposed equipment list and suggested that two LCD video monitors be added and positioned as the second item on the list. As it currently stands, the prioritized list reads as follows:
    1) 2 ea. Replacement Sony Video Cameras DCR TRV 280
    (alternately Sony DCR TRV 480 @ $400 ea.)         		$ 290 ea.
    with 2 ea. VCL ST30 37mm (3x) Telephoto Lenses
    * For continued implementation of BCARES ATV video         		$ 400 ea.
    2) 2 ea. LCD video monitors (17", 12 volt with tuners)
    * For improved video monitor quality and mobility         		$250 ea.
    3) 2 ea. Kenwood TM D700A Dual Band/Data Radios
    * For increased and improved packet capability
    * For cross-band repeat capability useful in mountainous terrain and improved local communications
    * For increased access to additional 70 cm frequencies     		$520 ea.
    4) 2 ea. Pentax PocketJet3 USB Thermal Printer Sets (with Brackets
    and Accessory Cables)
    * For improved and modernized thermal printing
    * Windows & Microsoft compatible
    * .jpg, .mpg, .doc, .pdf, .gif file format compatible     		$450 ea.
    $175 ea.
    5) 1 ea. ICOM-706 w/ FL103 SSB Filter, FL232 RTTY Filter, and
    CR282 Stability Crystal)
    * For implementation of Winlink
    * For added 2 meter SSB capability useful in mountainous terrain and longer distance communications without need of repeaters.
    * For added 70 cm & 6 meter SSB & FM capability useful in mountainous terrain without need of repeaters
    * For use with digital "last mile" comm. w/ SCS controller     		$950 ea.
    $110 ea.
    $90 ea.
    $150 ea.
    6) 2 ea. SCS PTC-IIpro PACTOR Radio Modem
    with Optional Packet Module and accessory cables
    * For use with PACTOR Radio Modems
    * For use as "last mile" comm. in place of internet     		$1150 ea.
    $110 ea.
    $120 ea.
    7) 2 ea. Diamond X50NA Dual Band Vertical Gain Antennas $100 ea.
    Total $8430
    George (KAØBSA) moved that the Board approve the above list with any necessary minor modifications, such possible addition of power supplies. The motion was seconded by Ed (KBØTVH) and unanimously approved by a vote of the Board members present.
    Action Item:Jim (KGØHU) will work with Dale (KAØQPV) to revise and finalize the list, and submit it to Chuck Pringle in early August.
  6. C.U. E-Mail Reflector
    Mark (KBØLRS) reported that he is still not receiving BCARES e-mail. This is assumed to also be the case for other new Board members elected in January.
    Action Item:Jim (KGØHU) will attempt to get the reflector updated.

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Upcoming Events and Activities
  2. BCARES Training Plan for 2006
    Dale (KAØQPV) is developing a BCARES ICS/NIMS training CD and sent evaluation copies to BCARES Board members for evaluation. Board members were encouraged to send feedback. The Board thanks Dale for his efforts.
    PACTOR training was discussed, but requires acquisition of the new equipment shown on the wish list before firm plans can be made.
    George (KAØBSA) has received no new BCARES membership applications recently, but stands ready to run new member training sessions, when needed.
  3. Equipment Replacement (Battery, Tripod, ATV Repeater Receiver)
    Jim (KGØHU) reported that a battery in the Longmont BCARES equipment cache, which failed due to long storage, has been replaced. He also reported that an ATV tripod was broken, and moved that the Board approve expenditure of $75 to $100 to replace it. The motion was seconded and unanimously passed by a vote of the Board members present.
    Jim (KGØHU) reported that Jim Andrews (WAØNHD) had purchased the ATV repeater receiver approved at the June Board meeting. The replacement 33/23/13 cm. ATV receiver for the Chautauqua ATV repeater was estimated to cost about $200.
    Action Item:Jim (KGØHU) will follow-up with Jim Andrews (WAØNHD) to arrange reimbursement.
  4. 146.760 Repeater Receiver Move
    Jim (KGØHU) reported that a remote receiver for the 146.760 repeater had been moved to a high mountain ridge, overlooking Lyons. The receiver is now about 1000 ft. higher than before, and improves line of sight repeater coverage for eastern Boulder County and many mountain locations.
  5. ATV Policy (Red Book Supplement)
    A draft of proposed BCARES ATV operating rules prepared by Dale (KAØQPV) and titled: "BCARES ATV Policy Supplement to 'RED Book'," was shared with Board members for review.
  6. F.C.C. Part 97.113(a)(5)
    Mike (W3DIF) shared a draft of a proposed inquiry to Riley Hollingsworth at the FCC that he was assigned to prepare at the June Board meeting. The inquiry addressed BCARES concerns regarding C.U. ATV compliance with FCC rule 97.113(a)(5).
    Action Item:Jim (KGØHU) will review the draft, share it with other Board members for comment, and decide its eventual utilization.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

ITEMS TEMPORARILY TABLED FOR FOLLOW-UP AT COMING MEETINGS

  1. ARESCO web page (BCARES reflector)
  2. Digital communications: Winlink and packet cluster support
  3. Continued discussion: BCARES - RACES compliance discussion (policies, planning, equipment, documentation, training, etc.)
  4. BCARES site survey
  5. BCARES job descriptions

Respectfully submitted,
Michael Derr (W3DIF)
BCARES Secretary