The PCARA Monthly Newsletter
THE PANAMA CANAL AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION (PCARA)
ASOCIACION DE RADIO AFICIONADOS DEL CANAL DE PANAMA
P.O.BOX 5414, BALBOA, REPUBLIC OF PANAMA
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 24, 2000
THE MINUTES
A Special meeting on February 24th was held at the Panama Canal Fitness Center and was attended by 26 members. The President, Ricardo Lee, HP2CTM, opened the meeting with introductions by those present, followed by a report from the Treasurer, which was accepted as presented. Since there had been no recent PCARA meetings, a Secretary's report was not available.
NEW BUSINESS
PCARA's New Status - The President advised those present that the special meeting was called to discuss the change in PCARA's status as a result of the termination of the Panama Canal Commission and departure of most US government agencies on the isthmus. He explained that PCARA Board members had sent a letter to the successor Panamanian agency, Autoridad del Canal de Panama (ACP), in November requesting continued authority to use our present repeater locations. The ACP had recently responded to that letter and our Acting Treasurer Juancho, HP1YG, read the letter.
The response from the ACP included permission to continue in our present locations with the stipulation that PCARA pay rent for the three locations and our continuance would be subject to cancellation at any time by the ACP for higher priorities or if PCARA causes interference to ACP communications. Our Acting Treasurer reported that as a result of the additional ACP rental costs, new telephone costs by Cable and Wireless, and loss of a large number of members, PCARA will need to increase the dues. He recommended that dues for full members should increase from $12 to $20 annually and from $6 to $12 for Associate members. The annual fees of $27 for full membership and autopatch privileges would remain the same.
Ricardo, HP2CTM, and Bob, HP1XRO, explained to those present that the membership had dropped substantially with the withdrawal of the military and numerous retirees leaving Panama. As a result of the termination of a US government agency running the Canal, it will be necessary to modify PCARA's by-laws. A general discussion ensued concerning whether PCARA should accept offers made by other amateur radio clubs to affiliate with them in the in the future. A vote was subsequently taken to determine if PCARA should consider affiliation at this time and to consider the proposed increase in dues. The resulting unanimous vote was to increase the dues as recommended by the Treasurer, and that PCARA should remain as a separate club in the future. The PCARA Board will revise the by-laws to permit affiliation by any amateur licensed in Panama and will eliminate the previous requirement to be affiliated with a US government agency or another amateur radio club in Panama. Those revised by-laws will be presented at the next meeting for approval by the membership.
Websites and Email Addresses-Members are advised that PCARA still has a website at www.qsl.net/pcara. Inputs can be sent to Mac, HP1XBG at hp1xbg@hotmail.com. Additionally, members are asked to advise the Board if you have an email address to which the newsletter can be sent. Please advise Bob, HP1XRO, at the next meeting or via email to emerick@sinfo.net.
SPECIAL EVENT QSLs-Ricardo Lee, HP2CTM, showed those present the three excellent special QSL cards that confirm contacts during the special event period authorized by the Communications Ministry to commemorate the transfer of the Canal and the millennium. Congratulations to Ricardo for all of his efforts on this special event. Contact Ricardo if you need cards.
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE-Complete amateur radio station-antennas, Yaesu equipment, 40 ft. tower, etc. Contact Tita Clark, Tel. 232-4992 or visit at 9235-B, Pedro Miguel.
NEXT MEETING-Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 30th at the FITNESS CENTER of the Panama Canal Authority at 7:00PM. Please note the changed location and time.