Historical Electronics Museum Amateur Radio Club Minutes of the meeting of 14 December 2006

The meeting was called to order by President Jim Nowotarski N3GOO at 6:10 PM.

 

There were 16 members present on the sign up sheet:

Jim N3GOO

Les WR3X

Chip W4PBG (chipw4pbg@verizon.net)

Uwe DF2IR

Tom KB3NHQ

Bill WT3B

Fred AI3Z

Sam KB3CYL (kb3cyl@verizon.net)

Chas AA3FB

Gary W3DTN (w3dtn@verizon.net)

Jim KB3GSA

Bob K3FQP

Steve WA3ZWC

Heru W3WVV

Nick K3NY

 

 

 

There was no action on the minutes since the secretary was absent.

 

The Treasurer Fred AI3Z reported a balance of fund of $1,646.32.

Three members renewed their membership at the meeting.

 

W2W

Nick K3NY reported that between December 2 and 10 at least 2,345 QSO's were logged.  (1400 US and we did work WAS.) Nick presented a model certificate showing the Maryland bridge over the Severn River that was dedicated as a Pearl Harbor memorial on December 7 this year.  He hopes to obtain a better picture.

 

Nick also noted that we now have 132 countries confirmed by QSL cards.

Many countries have been worked but the cards have not been obtained.

 

Training

Les WR3X reported that thus far 7 from the Extra Class have passed the test and 2 others are scheduled for January testing.

The Technician Class will begin on January 9, 2007 and be tested on February 27.

It was noted that Tom Dalton KB3NHQ and Jim Nowotarski N3GOO are now Amateur Extra Class. Congratulations!

 

Jim N3GOO noted that there is quite a need for Volunteer VEC testers and asked that members consider volunteering for this service.  Les will bring

VEC tester application blanks to the next meeting.

 

FAR Report for 14 December 2006

 

Scholarship: The program is doing well with announcements being received by several ham magazines.

 

The financial management and accounting of the scholarship funds were discussed at length and some details resolved to assure proper tax accounting for the annual filing with the IRS. An audit of the funds was called for in the coming year.

 

FARFEST

The decision date for the 2007 FARFest was moved to the February meeting as a new location had not been determined. At that meeting, if a location has not been firmed up there will be no FARFest 2007.

 

It was agreed that the ARRL convention associated with the FARFest was not committed to be held at the  FARFest because of the timing of The relocation resolution.  The ARRL will find another hamfest to couple with.

 

A brief whitepaper summarizing the HEMARC discussions and considerations on FAR and the FARFest was issued to all attendees and discussed.

(Copies available on the table at the HEMARC meeting) The points were taken in various degrees of seriousness.  The fact that we cared enough to

give it the clubs attention was noted and appreciated.  The points will be taken into consideration before the next meeting in February 2007.

 

FAR Officers for 2007:

President: Dan Blasberg KA8YPY,

Exec VP: William Hatfield W3QX

Secretary: Unfilled

Treasurer: Unfilled - Acting Treasurer John Chitwood K3RGB

VP Scholarship: Diane Zimmerman  AA3OF   (Chairman) and

Hugh Turnbull W3ABC.

FARFest: Bill Dobson N3WD

 

The meeting schedule has been changed for 2007 to meetings every other month beginning in February 2007.

Meetings will be held only in Maryland.

 

The Station

Gary W3DTN reported on 2 Meter beams.  It was recommended that an M2 beam of modest length and beam width be purchased.  This was Moved and passed without opposition and Fred will purchase it before spring.

Fred agreed to put together a 6 meter beam suitable for installation next spring with the 2 meter beam.  These beams would replace the 70CM Beam Heru is relocating next spring.

 

Les reported that there is a problem with the station PC's due to an intermittent mother boards.  Gwen (HEM Assistant Director) has a PC to give us and Les will check it out for suitability.

 

The wireless connection to the internet is erratic and an enhanced antenna seems to be necessary.

 

The Organization

The question of a BLOG net was raised and with much discussion nothing was resolved.  It brought focus however to the need for a uniform member data base and several possible internet solutions were raised.

 

Goodbye to UWE

Uwe Kulms DF2IR is being repatriated back to Germany by R&S.  Jim presented him with an engraved plaque honoring him as a 'HEMARC Member for Life' for his many contributions to the club during the past three years. Good Luck Uwe!

 

A notice of the upcoming mini fest was distributed.

 

Submitted by Chip Weems W4PBG

14 December 2006