Marquette Repeater Association - Spring Meeting - May 13th, 2009

The meeting was called to order by the President Andy, KB8PPE at 7:16PM:
In attendance:
Andy - KB8PPE
Mike - KE8IL
Mike Beltz-KD8JIR
Fred - W5TJC
Allan - W8FYZ
Coral - KC8DTE
Mark Robertson - KF8RV

Secretary's Report
The Secretary's Report was given by Al, W8FYZ and the Minutes of the last
meeting were read -  Motion to Accept: Coral-KC8DTE, Second: Fred-W5TJC, Passed.

Treasurer's Report   (Removed for online publication)
Motion to Accept: Al - W8FYZ, Second: Mike - KD8JIR, Passed.

Old Business
 ~ Al, W8FYZ gave an update on the linking project to connect the Trenary
Repeater Association's 147.030 to the MRA's 146.970 . Al stated the link will
be on a "call-up" command basis (not permanent) and that it will be done in a
cost-effective manner rather than utilizing a cross-band link or high-quality
solution.
 ~ Mike, KE8IL gave an update report on Echolink on the 444.800 repeater
and the various conferences and nets in use and why tone inhibit is important.
Mike also updated us on Echolink Control and that Jack, N8JRN backs him up for
control when there is traffic unwanted on the system.
 ~ Al, W8FYZ stated that the new 444.800 repeater was completed on December
16th, 2008 and that he only needs to finish mounting the PL tone encoder and
"dressing up" the package of the GE MVP repeater, continuous duty amplifier and
power supplies.
 ~ Al, W8FYZ stated he has not finished repair of the Kendicom 97 yet as
he pushed that aside to work on the new 440 repeater.


New Business

 ~ There were numerous questions from new members present about the
existing antennas on both the 440 and 2 meter repeaters.
 ~ Mike, KE8IL gave a report on the capability of streaming audio that
is now available from both the MRA and HARA websites. By listening to those
streams you can hear the audio of the MRA 444.800 and 146.970 repeaters as well
as the HARA link system. This will be great Public Relations when the Hams run
communications for events such as the UP200 Sled Dog race as well as the many
other public service events we are involved with. The public can listen in via
the Web.
 ~ Mike, KE8IL was asked to give a report on the impact of Verizon's
purchase of Alltel as we are on an Alltel tower. He did not anticipate any
change in our relationship with them.
 ~ Mike, KE8IL requested that the MRA consider putting a second 440
repeater antenna, comparable to the present one, on the north side of the
tower to cover the gap that presently exists to the north of the tower. The
440 antenna is on the south side of the tower and is heavily shadowed by the
size of the tower (unintended reflection).
There was much discussion on this.

Al, W8FYZ from the Technical Committee passed around some printouts of possible
commercial antennas that could be used for this. He compiled these at Mike's
request.

After much discussion, Mike, KE8IL made a motion that we empower the Technical
committee to review what used commercial antennas we might have available and
if they are found unsuitable, to purchase one of the recommended antennas on
the sheets provided by Al, W8FYZ.

President Andy, KB8PPE and Coral, KC8DTE asked Mike to amend his motion to set
a maximum dollar amount to be spent if a new antenna was necessary.

Mike, KE8IL did so and amended his motion to read that the Technical Committee
not spend more than $600.00 on a new antenna, not to include the required splitter
and connectors for pigtail.
Motion- Mike, KE8IL, Second-Andy, KB8PPE, the motion passed. 

 ~ The MRA would like to welcome new members Mike Beltz, KD8JIR and Mark
Robertson, KF8RV.

Al, W8FYZ made a motion to Adjourn at 9:15PM, Mike-KD8JIR Seconded, Approved.