Minutes 2003

December 2003

Lots of food and lots of fun were found Saturday night at the Mt. Sinai Community Center. Everyone present had a great time, especially enjoying the live entertainment. Lets hope everyone has a great holiday season and a happy new year!

November 2003

Old Business:

Reading of the minutes was waived-due to absence of Secretary/Treasurer

Treasurer’s Report waived (as above)

Some discussion of the Fall Picnic and the White Elephant Sale.  It is believed that we raised a total of $180.

Special Interest Updates:

• Jerry, KG4HDZ (ARES EC) provided a short debriefing on the SET held this past Saturday, including a little about the debriefing that he attended in Murfreesboro from the statewide SET. “Unofficial” points grading is as follows: Net Manager point value appears to be 140 points.  The EC points appears to be 334 from the SET exercise.  We passed 19 NTS messages during this exercise.

• Vollie, W4TDB (Net Manager)  The net is averaging 7-10 check-ins per week.  We need to keep up the participation and good work.  The net meets every Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. on 146.580 MHz in simplex mode.

• Jeff NY4N Contest Manager ARRL Sweepstakes coming up this coming weekend. (Phone Version) See www.arrl.org.

• Steve W4MGY (ARRL Updates) provided BPL update with the ARRL. As of yet, the FCC has not set a date for the Petitions and comments period.  The other hot topic right now with the ARRL is the proposition to drop code.  Deadline for comments to FCC was on Friday, November 7^th.  The latest ARRL letter was passed around. Also, the Radio Amateurs of Canada have advised the licensing authority in Canada to eliminate the code in Canada.  It has not been enacted, but will probably be enacted soon.  See www.arrl.org for further details and ARRL information.

• Landon KF4CAU, (LEPC Representative) provided update on LEPC and the e-scan program.  Maps distributed as to where the LEPC is looking at putting the e-scan tower.  The LEPC has not made a firm commitment to the location of the e-scan towers, or a vendor.  However, it does appear that e-scan will be a “go” in the next few months.  The LEPC is the Local Emergency Planning Committee, consisting of representatives of various industries in Dickson County, representatives of the Dickson County Emergency Management Agency, Area Fire Departments, Area Police Departments, the Dickson County Rescue Squad, and the Dickson County Amateur Radio Club.  (Landon serves on the committee as our representative.)  The LEPC addresses issues involving emergency management and local industry hazards and is also affiliated with Citizen Corps, Neighborhood Watch, and the local Citizen’s Police Academies.  www.dicksonlepc.com

New Business:

• The club received a Thank You card from Mr. & Mrs. Henry Morris.  The club sent a fruit basket to the Morris family during their recent illness.

• Skywarn Recognition Day is December 6^th.  Handout provided.

• No Issues were presented or voted on.

• 16 Full Members Present/1 Associate Member/2 Visitors

• Tom NN5A was kind enough to bring in several promotional items such as frequency charts, grid charts, and a host of other items for giveaway to any members present. 

• Landon mentioned that we may want to consider at a future meeting, moving our meeting time up to 7:00.  It seems that we are always pressed for time, and we could use the extra 30 minutes.  No action taken on this proposal during this meeting.

Program:

Program presented by Skip W4VTH.  Skip’s program was on The Amateur Radio Service’s Role in the development of Radio Control. 

Skip began with a history of the early days of radio, when there was very little interest in radio for commercial purposes.   In fact, at one point, everything above 1.5 MHz (1500 KHz), was given to the first amateur radio operators.

Skip brought along a lot of the control devices from the early days of radio control for aircraft.   Each of those present had an opportunity to hold and view the devices as Skip presented a history and evolution lesson on the devices of the early days, and today.

Following his presentation, Skip answered questions from the group.

Skip really did a lot of research for this program, and presented some great historical data.  Landon asked Skip if he would be interested in having his notes put under a special section of the club’s website as a sub category.  Skip agreed.  We will discuss this at our January meeting, and present to the club a proposal for a vote to have Skip and Evan develop a sub area on the website for amateur radio and radio control.

Meeting Adjourned

Special Note:        No donations or funds were collected due to the absence of the treasurer.

These minutes were compiled and recorded by club president Landon KF4CAU.  They are correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.  The reading of the minutes and official vote to accept will be accomplished at the December Christmas party, set for December 20, 2003.   J.L.R.

October 2003

Operation Goblin is on. The FM antenna at the Police Department is good. We will operate on a Simplex freq. (146.58 probably)

All articles for the Dickson Herald are completed thru November 30.

October 23 there will be a Skywarn class held at the Ren Center for the Explorers. It will be at 5:15 in the afternoon. The public is invited.

The Christmas party will be the 18^th or 20^th of December. It will be an Add A Dish.

Becky will send a Fruit Basket and card to Henry on behalf of the Club.

The SET, Simulated Emergency Test, will be the 8^th. We will hold our own here in the county. Jerry will send an email with the information.

The White elephant sale brought in $185.

This brings the Club treasury to $651.67

September 2003

ARRL report:

BPL is in the Cooker at the ARRL, but may be stopped. The National Broadcasters have stepped in.

Morse code - the ARRL is in the process of coming up with their stand on a code requirement. If you have a say, write them before the end of the year.

ARES report:

EMCOM training is not a requirement for any ARES member. The club can set up for an EMCOM testing session. The Red Cross is now charging $15 for the Emergency Classes.

The training net is held every Thursday night at 7:30 on 146.580 simplex. Most of the time, the 442.375 (107.2 Tone) repeater is tied in to the net also.

Charles Seay, KN4HL, has offered to recommend the 147.375 repeater frequency to be left in Dickson County. He will be moving soon, and would like us to have the frequency. Thanks to Charles for all of his efforts. He recommends we have all our information ready in case we decide to get that frequency.

On Thursday the 11^th, a landing zone class will be held for the Explorers. Everyone is invited. Jeff Clark has all the information.

Skip Delius was voted in for full membership to the club. Welcome aboard Skip!

Fall picnic – Lakeview park October 11. 6:00pm

Operation Goblin is in question. Jeff will check on Police department involvement.

Jeff has Tenn. QSO Party info on hand outs.

August 2003

Old Business/Reports:

ARES Report: Plan of action is an ongoing project. A preamble has been made up for net procedure, anyone wanting to see it let KG4HDZ, Jerry, know. 

Contest Report: The main topic of discussion was the Tennessee QSO party on the 14^th of September, from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Jeff wanted to know how many would be interested in working the contest. We can take the TN Contest Group's call (K4TCG) for the contest. A 100 point bonus is given for contacts to this call sign. Jeff has copies of the rules. 

Net Manager: There were a couple of Emergency Nets this month. They went well, and it was mentioned that County EMS is interested enough to monitor these nets. Anyone can activate a net, not just the EC. It was mentioned to leave the Club call out of the net, and use the Dickson County ARES/ Skywarn Net.

New Business:

Fall picnic- Jeff is to get a location reserved. There will be a White Elephant sale again this time. Special items up for auction will be a 12v Battery from Tennessee Battery Sales and a Radio Shack ) 10 meter Radio donated by Highland Electronics. There will be a minimum bid for these items.

ARRL Report: There is, or will be a petition going around about abolishing the Morse code requirement. All amateurs will be able to have some type of input about this subject to the ARRL.

The Communication Information being included in the Ac line is causing a terribly high amount of interference on the HF bands; your local representatives should be contacted concerning this mode of data transfer.

Steve Kennedy W4MGY has accepted to position of ARRL Liaison.

Ryan Forbes membership was voted on and accepted. Let’s all welcome him to the club.

Membership certificate was mentioned, and will be looked into.

July 2003

The meeting was held at The Renaissance Center on Hwy 46 in Dickson. The meeting was opened by Club President Landon KF4CAU.

Members Present
Landon Reynolds KF4CAU, Barry Turner N4KKT, Vollie Miller W4TDB, Henry Morris W9YHR, Becky Clark AF4QB, Jeff Clark NY4N, Steve Kennedy W4MGY,Alice Kennedy N4DXE, Tom Keil NN5A, Wilma Keil NN5YL, Jerry Lewis,KG4HDZ, Bill Measures K4RXY, Toni Tilley KG4IWR, Ed Tilley AF4FW, Evan McCutchen KG4ABM, Stan McCutchen KF4TJE, Linda Turner, Drew Reynolds.

Guests and Visitors
Larry Thompson, Ryan Forbes KG4WBO

Program.

Larry Thompson presented a Question and Answer session on Batteries, Charging, types etc. He presented all attendees with a pack of AA batteries.
 

Topics/Announcements

• Minutes for June were read and accepted.

• New Technician Manuals are in, and for loan to potential hams. A motion was made to donate one to the Dickson Library. There were some reservations about that. But the motion passed, and a note to put a DCARC label in the back.

• Field Day pins were handed out to FD participants. Any that are left over are available at cost ($5.00).

• Jeff gave a report on field day and thanked everyone that helped. A full report is on the club web site. Future sites were discussed, and more information will be needed before the decision can be made. Jeff Clark announced his retirement as Field Day Chair person.

• A list of coming contests were given, and a discussion about the Tennessee Contest group was held. Any additional information can be had from Jeff or Vollie.

• An ARES report was given by Jerry. A plan of Action for any emergency situation is needed. Relays are encouraged during any net situation. It was brought up that ARES ID cards are now needed to get amateur radio license plate . Jerry is going to check on that. It was noted that the tone for the Waverly repeater was omitted from the list of middle Tennessee repeaters, and this will be amended.

• The members would like an email reminder about the net.

The meeting was adjourned
 

07/18/2003 Amateur Radio Corner

07/25/2003 Amateur Radio Corner

June 2003

Click here for the June Minutes

07/18/2003 Amateur Radio Corner

May 2003 (Spring Picnic)

As usual, the food was enjoyed by all at the Spring picnic. Some say this was our largest turnout yet! New officers were elected and the positions were filled as follows:

April 2003

Click here for the April Minutes

March 2003

The March 10^th meeting of the Dickson County Amateur Radio Club was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the President, N4KKT.

Attendance:

NY4N - Jeff, AF4QB - Becky, W4TDB – Vollie, N4KKT – Barry and Linda, KG4HDZ – Jerry, KF4CAU – Landon, KG4CEO – Justin.  Visitor:  Dennis Defrese, Tennessee Department of Health, Bio-terrorism specialist.

Old Business:

Ham University Reciprocal Advertising:  Landon is to check with Ham University regarding the details of the ad they wish to place (banner, link, location on our site, etc.)

Red Cross Training:  Landon will e-mail members a lost of classes held in Nashville.  He is discussing with them the possibility of hosting classes here. 

Spring Picnic:  The Spring Picnic will be May 24^th from 6-10 p.m. at the Soccer Field at Buckner Park (site of Field Day).

Honorary Memberships:  A motion was passed to present a certificate of appreciation to the Renaissance Center and to confer Honorary Membership on Leanne Polk and Sen. Doug Jackson.  They will both be invited to the Spring Picnic where their certificates will be presented to them.  Club will send them a letter formally inviting them to our picnic.  There was discussion about asking Ralph Easley to accept the certificate on behalf of the Renaissance Center.

New Business:

Field Day:  Jeff reported new information for Field Day activities at the soccer field.  According to park officials, nobody is allowed inside the fence, in order to preserve the grass on the field.

There was discussion and a motion was presented for the club to purchase 6 Technician exam study guides and 1 morse code cd or software cd after the new question pool takes effect.  This motion will be presented for a vote at the April meeting.

There was discussion to hold a VE testing session in May and at Field Day.

There was discussion to post our club VHF net to the current events section of the newspaper.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

February 2003

The February 10^th meeting of the Dickson County Amateur Radio Club was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the President, N4KKT.

Attendance:

NY4N - Jeff, AF4QB - Becky, W4TDB - Vollie, W4MGY - Steve, N4DXE - Alice, AG4FW - Ed, KG4IWR - Toni, K4RXY - Bill, Bob Measures, N4KKT – Barry and Linda, KG4HDZ – Jerry, KF4CAU – Landon, KG4CEO – Justin.  Visitor:  KG4SFF – Charles

Old Business:

Jeff reported on the SKYWARN class held February 8^th.  It was a successful event with several in attendance, including 6 club members.

Reciprocal advertising on the web page was tabled for more information.

Red Cross:  Landon will see if the Nashville Red Cross will come here and give any disaster classes.

New Business:

Suggestion was made to give Doug Jackson or the Renaissance Center a certificate of appreciation or an honorary membership.  A vote is required for honorary membership and will be voted on at the next meeting.

The May picnic will be held on May 24^th or 31^st.  Jeff is checking on date and location.  Becky will coordinate the food.

Jeff is resigning as the Emergency Coordinator for Dickson County as of March 1^st for health reasons.

NY4T – Lee Hall, the Public Information Officer for the Tennessee Contest Group presented a program on Field Day Operations as well as comic relief for the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00.

No collections were made

No treasurer’s report

January 2003

The January meeting of the Dickson County Amateur Radio Club was called to order at 7:30 by the President, N4KKT.

Attendance:

Tom – NN5A, Wilma – NN5YL, Alice – N4DXE, Steve – W4MGY, Jerry – KG4HDZ, Bill – K4RXY, Vollie – W4TDB, Landon – KF4CAU, Barry – N4KKT, Melanie – AG4VG, Bobby – KB4INR

The Waverly VE testing session on January 4^th yielded the following:  3 new Technicians, 1 General and 1 Extra class.  Congratulations to all!  The next VE session in Waverly will be April 7^th at 7 p.m.

The Hohenwald club tests every month, their contact is Brent Bridges, W4DUI.

Committee Reports:

VHF Net:  Meets every other Thursday night at 7:30 on 146.58, simplex.  An alternate frequency is KG4CEO’s repeater, 442.375 with a tone of 107.2.  The next nets would be on January 16^th and January 30^th.

ARES/SKYWARN:  There will be a SKYWARN class on Saturday, February 8^th at 6:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Center in Dickson.  There will be a SKYWARN class on March 6^th at 6:30 in the Agricultural Center in Waverly.

Friday, January 31^st is an Emergency Communications Course at the hamfest in Jackson, Mississippi.  Barry has the information.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

There was discussion about having a reciprocal advertising link on the club website for Ham University, in exchange for one free, fully-licensed Ham University software package for the club.  Melanie was to check with our webpage provider on their advertising policy as well as obtain website passwords from Evan.  The club decided to vote on this matter at the February meeting.  Members can vote by e-mail.

There was discussion about coordinating with the Dickson Red Cross to set up and co-sponsor disaster services courses in Dickson.  

There was discussion about sponsoring Amateur Radio courses at the Renaissance Center.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30.