MINUTES OF LIDXA INC. MEETING—April 20, 2007

 

Location: Briarcliffe College, Bethpage, N.Y.

 

John, W2GW, the LIDXA Treasurer, called to order the meeting of April 20th at 8:10 PM.  Pat, KE2LJ, the LIDXA Vice President who has been filling in as LIDXA President, was not available for tonight’s meeting.  Members present (per sign-in on the blackboard) included W2GW, K2MFY, KC2OPX, W2VZQ, AB2NT, N2KA, W2FGD, K1NY, K2MAU, KC2OPX and OM, and N2DXJ and XYL.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

In terms of DX, specific activities were highlighted:

 

  • A new DXpedition to Scarborough Reef as BS7H is expected in late April.  Scarborough is one of the top countries needed on the DXCC list.  They have a web site at www.bs7h.com/.
  • Now that the DXpedition to Swains Island has ended, as N8S.  TheDXpedition team is operating from Western Samoa.
  • Several members reported working a new group operating from the Spratly Islands.

 

Starting the business portion of tonight’s meeting was the approval of the February 16th meeting minutes.  These minutes were accepted as presented.  In addition, the minutes were prepared in advance by the club’s secretary, Ed, K2MFY, and sent out to the membership with the March 2007 meeting notice.  Thanks to the efforts of KE2LJ, Pat, the minutes appear in the LIDXA web site at: http://www.qsl.net/lidxa.  Due to the ice storm on March 16th there was no LIDXA meeting in March.

 

Club Treasurer, John, W2GW gave the monthly Treasurer’s report.  Annual dues for the 2007 calendar year are now due in the amount of $20.  John indicated that about fifteen members had already paid their dues.  John mentioned that in order to stay an ARRL-affiliated club, at least 25 members must be part of the club.  Ed indicated that the next LIDXA update to the ARRL for club status is required in early 2008.

 

NEW BUSINESS

           

John said that, although he has presided over a limited number of LIDXA meetings while Pat is down in Florida; he indicated that according to the club’s Constitution, an election must be held to permanently elect a President of the LIDXA for the remaining term until June 2008, since the untimely death of Marty, NN2C back in October 2006.  John said that his responsibilities as Treasurer is not burdensome and that he could handle both positions and would gladly run for President.  Since a quorum was at tonight’s meeting, by a show of hands John was elected president o the club.

 

John also reminded the membership that since Pat is leaving the NYC area for a Florida retirement in the late Spring, we shortly must elect a new club Vice President.  Another active member of the club was reported to be leaving area soon.  Pete, NA2P, would be relocating.  Since Pete was not at tonight’s meeting, no other details were given.

 

It was mentioned that Louise, KC2MAU, John’s XYL had recently upgraded to General Class and would be using the callsign K2MAU.  The membership congratulated Louise’s on her upgrade.

 

It was reported that long-time member Lenny, KB2HK was recuperating from a stroke.  The club all hoped that Lenny would get well soon.

 

Ed updated the membership of his line noise and his discussions LIPA Interference Division, Special Services investigator, Mike Malinowski.  Although some repairs were made on the hardware in noisy electric poles in the area, the QRN is still objectionable.  Ed said he would keep members aware of progress on this problem.

 

The membership was reminded that on May 14 the U.S. and International postage rates would be raised.  First class domestic postage (1oz) would go up to 41 cents (each additional ounce another 17 cents), Air Mail for most of the world would go up to 90 cents for each ounce (to Canada/Mexico would be raised to 69 cents per ounce), etc.

 

A discussion arose on some-what local hams would could do antenna/tower work.  Although most members knew about the fine work of ex-LIDXA member Woody, K2UU—it was noted that he is difficult to reach.  Also mentioned was ex-LIDXA member Larry, W2EJ (was WA2YNH), WA2VUN (Mike in NJ) and KC1XX (Matt, the owner of “XX Towers” who owns a professional tower company in NH).

 

It was mentioned that most sources indicate that the low point in the present sunspot Cycle 24 will be reached in July of this year.

 

A new DVD was then shown on the February 2006 multi-national DXpedition to Peter I Island (as 3YØX).  The team amassed about 87,000 contacts from the island down near Antarctica.  The club thanked John for bringing in his portable DVD player to the meeting.

 

This meeting concluded at around 10 PM after all the scheduled business and entertainment had finished.  The next LIDXA meeting will be held on Friday May 18, 2007.

 

 

                                                                        ______________________________________

Ed Whitman, K2MFY

LIDXA Secretary