Spring 2020 meeting of the Marquette Repeater Association 5-28-2020
*Note: this meeting was held on-line via Zoom due to the Covid Crisis The meeting was called to order at 7:03PM by President Andy-KB8PPE via Zoom. In attendance: Andy-KB8PPE, MikeH-KE8IL, Al-W8FYZ, Judy-N8ITK, Mark-KF8RV, Lee-KD8BJC, Steve-KE8HEP, Beth-KE8HEK, Lucille-KD8PTE and Mike-KD8JIR. Secretary's Report The Minutes of the last meeting were read by Secretary Al-W8FYZ. (Approved by show of hands). Treasurer's Report Disbursements: Disbursements (pending): (Approved by show of hands). Old Business ~ Election of Officers was held. The President called for any nominations from the Floor and none were given. Andy Larsen, KB8PPE agreed to continue to serve as President for the next two (2) years and Allan Augustyn, W8FYZ agreed to continue to serve as Secretary for the next two (2) years. Mike Hoffman, KE8IL agreed to continue to serve as Treasurer as well as *Repeater Trustee. *Repeater Trustee is an appointed position and not subject to Election. ~ Al, W8FYZ stated the 440 Antenna was not yet installed but expected it to be done very soon. New Business ~ Andy, KB8PPE suggested that Al, W8FYZ hold off on installing the Electrical feed from the WHWL Transmitter building to the Tenant Building, where our equipment is located. An additional Tenant may be moving into the Tenant shack, which would require the power being restored to that building. Presently, we are still running our equipment on the Utility Power the past Tenant has never shut off. ~ Mark, KF8RV inquired as to whether a UPS was ever installed in our rack. Al, W8FYZ stated not yet. Al indicated the batteries would be replaced in the unit before putting in place. ~ Andy, KB8PPE stated that both the 146.970 and 444.800 Repeaters were successfully re-coordinated with UPARRA at their new location on the WHWL Tower. ~ Lucille, KD8PTE inquired to the actual significance of Repeaters being coordinated and Al, W8FYZ gave an explanation. ~ Al, W8FYZ stated that he had a discussion with Andy, KB8PPE and Mike, KE8IL following the last meeting for the need to update and revise the MRA Constitution and By-Laws. The three agreed to work on this prior to the next meeting and present these revisions to the membership for review and discussion sometime in the future. ~ A discussion was held on "DMR" digital mode Repeaters and devices versus other forms of digital modes such as DSTAR and WIRES. Al, W8FYZ suggested we investigate the DMR mode further and see if it is something we should adopt on our Repeaters. Meeting was adjourned at the direction of the President at 8:17PM