January 8, 2004              Attendance 17           Parkside Baptist Church

The meeting was led by club president, Joe LaFauci; KA9OPL.

Roundtable introductions were given.

Jonathan Gunter, KD5KJB, was our guest speaker.  He presented an informative presentation for ALERT (Air Land Emergency Resource Team).  For more information visit http://www.alertacademy.com/

ALERT is a unique training and service organization for young men who desire to achieving maturity and fruitfulness in service as Christian men.  Training prepares them for volunteer response for disaster relief, search and rescue operations, and community service projects.  A part of their advanced training is a requirement that all graduates pass the amateur radio technician class license exam.

Mike Riley, N9LTT, showed a short PowerPoint presentation he has created as an introduction to amateur radio. It includes photos from many of our recent events and several local area hams.

The minutes of last months meeting and the treasurer’s report were read. A recent expense was the replacement of a line from the charger to the battery on our repeater. One Mick E. Mous is a suspect in the apparent sabotage attempt. Steps have been taken to foil any further attacks, Marion, WD9HTN, reports.

Marion has already been hard at work on this year’s hamfest. New brochures, updated by David Dye, KB9RBC, will be going to the printer January 9.  It is planned that we will hold a “fold and stamp” party at Willow Crossing Health & Rehabilitation Center at date to be announced.  Vendors letters will be going out soon.  The Kenwood dual band transceiver has not yet been ordered.

A two meter repeater which is being considered as possible replacement for the club’s machine is in route from California to Burt Baltus, N9LQP, Decatur County shop.  He apparently has ordered more than one of the units. When they arrive one will be installed on the Decatur County Radio club’s, KB9KNG, repeater at 146.955 (-)

The local 440 repeater is currently on the air but is not id’ing properly. The trustee requests that you please id the repeater as the KC9BPW at least once during your conversation.

Mike Riley had prepared the agreement with C4 concerning the purchase of a new controller for the 440 repeater.  It has been determined that the controller would not be covered under their insurance plan which has a $5k deductible.  Lois Winterberg, KA9IOS, made a motion that the club’s insurance coverage be increased to cover the controller. She will be responsible for updating our equipment list with our insurance company.  Voted, passed.  Lois also requested a proper invoice number or documentation prior to releasing funds for the purchase of the controller.

Scotty, KB9WCQ, passed on word to the club that the Jackson County, Brownstown repeater at 145.430 (-) is back on the air.  Its antenna height is reported as sixty feet.

Hal Rohm, KB9WMQ, asked of the group for suggestions for CW code learning programs.  Several were mentioned including CodeQuick, SuperMorse, CodeCat, and the Gordon West series.

Mike Riley is considering another set of classes for ham radio exam study for afternoons in February.

February Net Control will be Joe LaFauci, KA9OPL.

Lois related the story of a gentleman who wished to grandfather to General class with an old certificate for a Novice call which would meet the 5wpm CW requirement, but had not been continuously licensed.  Jim Smith, WV9W, had a contact with someone who collects old call books.  One had the gentleman’s novice call listing and will allow him to obtain his General license. See http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/grandfather.html.

Meeting adjourned.