September 2005

Amateur Radio Society of Dryden

 September 14th, 2005 Meeting Minutes

Dryden Fire Service Training Centre

President Bob, VA3GUN, brought the meeting to order.

In Attendance were:

Minutes of the May 11th, 2005 Meeting were read. 

M.S. Arnie, VA3NOL, Neil, VE3VNM that the minutes of the May 11th, 2005 General Meeting be adopted as read.  Carried.

Old Business

-        The Can Warn Training course was good, although attendance could have been better.

-         Seven amateurs assisted with parking and crowd control at the RCMP Musical Ride in Atikokan:   VE3FYN,(Warren), VA3EXT,(Scott), VA3DIK,(Dick),  VA3UDP,(Bob), VA3RGA, (Rick), VE3ASS,(Leo), & VA3LYS,(Mel) participated to help get parking arranged and keep the crowd from entering inside the roped off area where the ride took place. The Atikokan, VE3RIB was temporarily installed at Vic's QTH before the ride.

-         The Town of Atikokan has acquired an 80-foot tower just east of Atikokan.  Dick, VA3DIK and Scott, VA3EXT will assist Warren, VE3FYN in moving the repeater to the new site, and will also set up an APRS Wide Digipeater.  Warren is planning to install Echo Link once the voice repeater has been moved. 

-         The June BBQ was held at Barclay Hall and was enjoyed by everyone who attended.

-         Dick, VA3DIK, and Bob, VE3YDN attended the Saturday events at Camp 807 at Fort Frances.  Overall there was a good turnout for the weekend.

-         Scott, VA3EXT is getting the Echo/IRLP interface running for the VA3DIS repeater (147.375 +). Location is at VA3DIK's QTH on Leech Road, on a 64' Delhi tower, with a 4-bay Decibal antenna, a GE ExecII 40 watt radio, 4-can duplexer, and a CSI 9800 controller.  Coverage is past Nelson's Granite on HWY 17 West, around Route & Blueberry Lake areas (north up the Dryden Ski Hill road), Meggisi Lake on HWY 502 South, and to Basket Lake on HWY 17 East. While it does not have an autopatch, it works excellent for communications within the city on a hand held.

-    Walleye Masters boat checkers & ground crew: VA3NOL,(Arnie), VE3YDN,(Bob), 
VA3EXT,(Scott), VA3GUN,(Bob), VA3BRY,(Bryan), & VA3DIK,(Dick). APRS was
used to track the boat checkers and onlookers where very impressed.

-    Hog & Rod: VE3HTN,(Doug), VA3KKI,(Kate), VA3RGA,(Rick) & VA3JYA,(Joy) 
helped at the event.

-    Fort Frances Digi: VE3RLC APRS DIGI repeater was setup on the west side of 
town. VA3EXT,(Scott), VA3DIK,(Dick), & VE3JJV,(Al) participated in the 
installation.

 

New Business

-         Scott, VA3EXT has set up a temporary test link to Ignace.  It will run full duplex so it can eventually be run as an extension of the Pinetree Intertie Network.  We will be able to control other links (such as Sioux Narrows) from the Ignace coverage area.  The link is on Link 3.  *703 will turn it on, *730 will turn it off.

-        The Club must explore avenues of increasing revenue and decreasing operating expenses.

            There has been a decline in membership and interest, not only in Dryden, but the surrounding communities as well.  The bank balance is just over $1,000 and             will not cover the utility expenses and insurance premium from now to the end of the year.  The treasurer was instructed to review our insurance coverage with             a view to reducing the premium.  We may have to self-insure our equipment at outlying sites, however, our agreements with the various site owners require us             to carry liability insurance.  Last years premium was $1100.  Over the past year we have upgraded our equipment, so we do not foresee the need to replace             or purchase any additional equipment.  If, for some reason, we experience an equipment failure, we will need to approach the members for a special levy (as             outlined in the clubs Constitution) to cover the cost of replacing that equipment.  And the affected site will be off the air until the money has been raised and the             replacement equipment purchased.

            Members were also asked to consider possible fund-raisers.  Lotteries present a problem:  The club must be Incorporated, and have the funds to purchase the             prize prior to any draws.  Applications to various foundations also require the club to be incorporated, but Foundations will provide finances for capital costs,             not operating expenses.  And, while the club can barely meet its operating expenses, it certainly cant cover the incorporation costs

            Increasing memberships will bring in some additional revenue.  A 10% increase will bring-in an additional $300, which will just cover the yearly insurance             premium and utility expenses.  When one considers the individual/family membership mix, there is a large percentage of family memberships, which dilutes the             potential revenue derived.

            M.S. Neil, VE3VNM; Dick, VA3DIK, that we increase dues by $10 for individual memberships and $15 for family memberships effective              January 1, 2006; to be voted on at the November General Meeting.  Carried.

-         The 50/50 draw was won by VA3EXT.

      -    M.S. Bryan, VA3BRY; Neil, VE3VNM the meeting adjourn.  Carried.