MINUTES OF THE
DICKSON COUNTY AMATEUR
RADIO CLUB
14 APRIL 2003
I. The meeting was called to order at 1930 hours local time by Club President Barry Turner N4KKT.
II. The minutes of the March meeting were read by Barry Turner N4KKT.
III. A motion was made to accept the Minutes as read. A second to the motion was made and a unanimous vote was received. Minutes accepted as read.
IV. Treasurer’s Report: $608.67 in the club funds.
OLD BUSINESS DISCUSSIONS:
I. Web Link To Ham University:
Landon KF4CAU reports that he has been unable to get with Michael Crick, the owner of Ham University. Therefore, we still do not have the parameters of the working relationship worked out with Ham University. Landon will continue to work this issue with Michael Crick and will report back next month.
II. Reminder that the Spring Picnic is scheduled for May meeting.
III. Motion From April to Purchase 6 Technician Manuals and 1 CD ROM Training Program:
In April, a Motion was made by Vollie W4TDB, to use club expenditures for the purpose of purchasing 6 Technician Manuals and 1 CD ROM training program. The manuals would be provided for newcomers to the hobby in an effort to help them obtain their Technician No Code ticket. The use of the CD ROM would be determined at a later date.
Vote by the Club this meeting resulted in passing the resolution by a unanimous vote with no nay votes.
NEW BUSINESS:
I. Red Cross Volunteer Courses:
Club President Barry Turner N4KKT reports that he has a copy of all of the upcoming American Red Cross Volunteer courses being offered in Nashville in the months of May and June. If anyone is interested, they can see Barry or Landon, or they can contact the ARC on their own to register.
Barry N4KKT, Jerry KG4HDZ & Landon KF4CAU have signed up for the upcoming “Amateur Radio Operations Workshop” with the ARC and others are encouraged to attend as well.
It was pointed out that Missy Bolt of the ARC has indicated that if we were interested in taking the courses, (with the exception of the Amateur Radio Workshop), that we needed to complete the Volunteer Orientation class which lasts about an hour.
NEW BUSINESS:
I. Red Cross Volunteer Courses: (Continued)
Landon KF4CAU pointed out to Ms. Bolt that we are only interested in taking the courses for the purposes of getting to know what role the ARC plays, and getting to know how they operate so that we can work side by side with them in times of disaster. She indicated that she felt that we probably would still need to complete the Volunteer Orientation regardless.
Landon brought up the idea of trying to see if the ARC will provide an instructor to come down and present the Volunteer Orientation class as a program. It was discussed among the members present and the decision was made to pursue this as a program.
II. May 3rd VE Testing for All Class Linceses & CE E-Comm I&II:
All club members are reminded that we will have testing on May 3rd.
III. No Testing For Field Day!:
Jeff, NY4N pointed out that the suggestion had been made to offer testing on Field Day at the Field Day site. As Field Day Coordinator, Jeff pointed out that we will be very busy that day, and that the Field Day site does not provide a good atmosphere in which to test. It was decided that no testing should be conducted on Field Day.
IV. Amateur Radio Corner 1st Installment In Print:
Landon KF4CAU provided an update on the proposed Amateur Radio Corner column for the Dickson Herald. The first article appeared on Friday, April 11, 2003 on page B9. Additionally, Chris Pennington, Editor of The Dickson Herald has asked Landon to submit articles on a weekly basis, as opposed to a bi-weekly basis. He (Chris) is very interested in helping to promote amateur radio and is excited about the prospect. Landon passed a copy of the article around for club members to see.
V: Jerry Lewis KG4HDZ is New EC for Dickson County:
Jerry Lewis KG4HZD was introduced as the new EC for Dickson County. He resumed the duties following the resignation of our long time EC, Jeff Clark NY4N. Jeff has done an excellent job and is to be commended for his service in this capacity.
Jerry spoke for a few minutes on his new role and announced that he had asked Vollie W4TDB, Melanie AG4VG, Barry N4KKT, and Landon KF4CAU to serve in the capacity of assistant EC’s.
VI. Post Event Vaccination Orientation (PEVO):
Vollie, W4TDB provided an update on his recent participation in a conference on Post Event Vaccination Orientation (PEVO). This involves the plan that is being put into place by Emergency Management for the purposes of setting up vaccination sites in the event that a biological weapon is released in Tennessee. Amateur Radio operators may be called upon to assist in providing communication should such an event occur.
V. Discussion of Weekly Net:
Members were reminded that we have moved the net to a weekly schedule to make it easier for everyone to remember when we have the net.
It was discussed that net participation had fallen off during the past week.
It was also discussed as to whether we might want to use a repeater one week and then have a simplex net the next week. Because of the possibility of confusion, it was decided for the moment to leave the net as a simplex net on 146.550 MHz.
V. Discussion of Weekly Net: (cont):
It was also pointed out that we should log whether members are mobile or fixed, their location, and power output. This will assist us in identifying dead or weak zones.
VI. ARRL Liability Insurance For the Club:
It was discussed that in a previous meeting, mention was made that the club might want to look into purchasing the liability insurance that is offered by the ARRL. Melanie AG4VG has the information and the application. Barry N4KKT and Jerry KG4HDZ will coordinate and follow up with Melanie and will bring more information for the club in a future meeting.
VII. PRB-1 Tennessee Legislation Update:
It was mentioned that the Tennessee version of PRB-1 Legislation was to be voted upon in the State Senate today. Jerry KG4HDZ did announce that he had heard on one of the repeaters this afternoon that the legislation did pass the Senate. It will now go to the Governor for his signature.
VIII. New 6-Meter Repeater:
A new 6-Meter Repeater is operating in the Dresden area. The receive frequency is 53.130 MHz. The transmit Frequency is 52.130 MHz. It is said to provide good coverage in Weakley county, but will soon be moved to a site near Dresden.
IX. Waverly Testing:
It was reported that the recent testing in Waverly was a success. There are now 3 New Technicians, 1 upgrade to General and 1 upgrade to Extra.
X. Donations:
The club received $16 in donations tonight. Barry N4KKT will pass the funds along to Melanie AG4VG.
PROGRAM:
Jeff, NY4N, our Field Day Coordinator presented a discussion of the Rules for Field Day 2003. There are some changes this year, and all members are encouraged to look at the rules on the ARRL site. If members need a copy of the rules, Vollie, Landon, Jerry and others can forward a copy by e-mail.
This year, the Dickson Police Department Explorers Club will be involved in assisting us with security, and will hopefully get involved in operating. We hope to use them on the G.O.T.A. station as well.
Jeff discussed that we need to have a volunteer to be in charge of G.O.T.A.
Also, after a discussion, it was decided that we will continue as 5-A battery this year.
Jeff discussed in detail, the “bonus” points. We should be able to get a lot of bonus points for areas such as (1) Publicity (2) Operating in a Public Place (3) Visits by Elected Officials & Department Heads (4) Operating in Non Traditional Modes (5) Copy of the ARRL Message Traffic (6) G.O.T.A. (7) Visitor’s Roster and possibly others.
***We need to make a concentrated effort to lobby our elected officials to stop by and sign the roster! This is worth 100 points. Also, this year, if the head of a served agency visits, an additional 100 points may be gained!***
PROGRAM (cont,):
An informal discussion was held as to who had an interest in operating on which bands and what modes they are interested in.
We all need to make a concentrated effort to invite everybody we know to come by and see our Field Day operations and to sign our guest register. We need as many operators as possible to participate to make this year another success!
Conclusion:
The meeting went until almost 9:00 with a lot of business being discussed. It was a very fruitful and productive meeting.
Members Present:
1. Jerry KG4HDZ
2. Barry N4KKT
3. Landon KF4CAU
4. Jeff NY4N
5. Becky AF4QB
6. Alice N4DBX
7. Steve W4MGY
8. Tom NN5A
9. Wilma NN5YL
10. Linda (call pending someday)
11. Paul K4TAF
12. Vollie W4TDB
13. Bryan AB4KX (Good To See Him Back!!!)
14. Bruce AG4VF
15. Floyd KG4MXF
16. Bill K4RXY
17. Dennis Defreese (call pending soon!)
*Minutes recorded by Landon, KF4CAU in the absence of our Secretary/Treasurer Melanie AG4VG. (I sure hope I got everything in!)