Minutes of the OCARS March 2008 meeting

May 6, 2008

Meeting called to order by President Tim Pepper, K8NWD, at 7:34 PM. Tim asked everyone to identify themselves and give their call signs.

The following people were present:

Troy Bartz – KD8GML                                Danny Briggs – AD8I

Walter F Schoenbach – WB8FRC                Del Brown – KC8IJF

Bob Patton – KB8CU                                  Rayfus Jones – NU8C

Jim Decker – W8YFI                                   George Smith – WD8INW

Larry Hornsby – KB8POD                           Al Bailey – K8SIX

Jim Vigne – KB8TXZ                                   David Vigne – KD8BXT

Dion Jordan – KD8HNM                             Kim Wu – KW8YL

John Eldred – N8FNN                                  Jim Sanford – K8ZZU

Tim Pepper – K8NWD                                Michael W Smith – N8GUZ

Darryl F Wood – K8IY                                Phil Mudge – KD8HNK

Don Pittman – WB8ZOM                             John Dillworth – W8BHN

Charles G Kamachos – KD8HNL                 Leo Voelkle – K2EIA

Brad Nowak – N8SNM

OLD BUSINESS:

Siren Test held on March 3 was reviewed.  A request was made asking more people to check in and help on the next test, which will be held on June 7^th. 

Secretary Larry Hornsby, KB8POD, reported that due too illness the club email list has not been published, but it should be ready for the June meeting.

Secretary’s Report:  Motion made by Darryl Wood, K8IY, seconded by Al Bailey, K8SIX, that the minutes for the April meeting be approved as written.  Motion Passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Jim Sanford, K8ZZU, gave the financial report for April.  He stated that the Webmaster for WWW.QSL.NET/W8TNO was sent a check for $50.00 to help defray the operating cost of the QSL website.

Jim Sanford, K8ZZU, stated that there are presently 31 paid members in OCARS. Motion by Michael Smith, N8GUZ, seconded by Al Bailey, K8SIX, to approve Treasurer’s Report as presented.  Motion passed.

Treasurer Jim Sanford, K8ZZU, informed everyone about a way that we could all help OCARS with finances.  All hams that join, or renew their memberships, with the ARRL can bring money back to the club if they do it through the treasurer.  A new membership will return to the club $15.00 and each renewal will bring $2.00.  The plan is to try and have all members of OCARS submit their application in September.  It doesn’t make any difference when your membership is up because it will just be extended for 12 months when you renew.  If you have any question, please see Jim.

Next Siren Test will be held on June 7.  Check in on 146.840 MHz at 12:30 PM.  President Tim Pepper, K8NWD, requested that the area North and North West of the county are areas that need to be checked.

NEW BUSINESS:

President Tim Pepper, K8NWD, covered a list of publications that would be good for new members:

FIST – A CW publication

DX Magazine

QST

CQ

World Radio

AMSAT Journal

QRP Quarterly

Michigan QRP Club

NCJ National Contest Journal

Additional places to check are Club newsletters, ARRL web site and the club’s web site at WWW.QSL.NET/W8TNO.

Item for sale:

ICOM 756 – see Jim Sanford, K8ZZU for info.

President Tim Pepper, K8NWD, then turned the meeting over for open discussion regarding the 2008 Field Day, which will be held at Springfield Oaks on Anderson Road in Davisburg.

Tim will be manning the CW station as his schedule permits on Saturday.  He is looking for additional operators.   If you can handle high speed CW please contact Tim.  He has the tent and generator for the station.

Michael Smith, N8GUY, is setting up the tent and table for the GOTA station.  He also has 2 – 30’ fiberglass poles that could be used for additional antennas.

There will be a locked gate on the road this year and we will be in the back again this year.

Bonus points were discussed.  OCARS is looking for as many bonus points as possible. One thing we do need is more operators.  If you did not operate the GOTA station last year, you are encouraged to come out and operate.  All guests are asked to visit the GOTA tent.

Darryl Wood, K8YI, is handling the PR for this event.

We will be operating with emergency power, generators and solar power.

Del Brown, KC8IJF, will be handling the information table.

Al Bailey, K8SIX, and Fred Holmes, W1SKU will handle 80/20/15/10 station.  They are all set with equipment for their station.

Jim Vigne, KB8TXZ, will handle 40-meter station.   He is all set with the equipment he will need.

Set up time will be 2:00 PM on Friday.  Anyone available is encouraged to come out and lend a hand.

Field Day activities will run from 2:00 PM Saturday until 2:00 PM on Sunday.  Additional help will be needed after 2:00 PM on Sunday to assist it taking the equipment down.  Please come out and help if you can.

Del Brown, KC8IJF, will be contacting Charles Hamm, KC8LMN, to ask him to again provide the meals like he has in other years.  Chuck does a fine job and no one goes hungry.

The possibility of running 4A this year by adding another station was discussed.  The room is available and Michael Smith, N8GUZ, has offered to assist.

Break time was at 8:45 and the meeting was adjourned at 9:18 PM.

Submitted by Larry Hornsby, KB8POD, Secretary