*****S.O.A.P.R.A.*****
Southern Oregon Amateur Packet Radio Association
Meeting Minutes for 1-12-02
Providence Hospital, Medford


Meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m. by Albert Lawson

Present:
	Mary Burchfield - KD6DNU	George Malmstrom - KC7JJG
	Don Barkemeyer - KI7UK		Warren Olney - KB7EKF
	Gene Burchfield - KO6DW		Will Calvert - 	N7KS
	Albert Lawson - WB6AWL		Bob McDonald - K7XI
	David Bell - N2RSN		Terry Bell - N2RSI
	Al Pion - KK7XO			Dick Suber - K7DDI
	Frank Norman - KE6MZN

Minutes of the December meeting were distributed and approved
Treasurer's Report was presented.  It was moved and seconded to reimburse Steve Grajada for SOAPRA 
dues he paid to the Oregon Region Relay Council, Inc.      Treasurer's report was approved.

Technical Report:

·	Albert reported that with the warm weather we have been experiencing, there have been 
	no problems with SOAPRA nodes.  
·	Sexton is off the air.  Steve got it back on the air and then it "dropped" out again.
·	Path north to Prairie Peak was down, then back up.  Seems that Lane Mountain was the problem.
·	The SCARA node is stable and working.

Old Business

1.	A discussion was held about what some felt as a problem with member & non-member 
	stations, relating to their packet beacons.  Often some have beacons activated 
	but connections with them are not possible.  After considerable discussion, 
	Don Barkemeyer moved that we adopt the following beacon guideline:  

·	When a beacon is on, it should ID no more often than every 30 minutes, and the 
	station mailbox needs to be available to accept mail.

Terry Bell seconded the motion. Motion passed.

2.	A discussion about what to do with our "surplus" Scala antenna was held.  It was 
	offered to the Weather Service, and we have received no reply.  Don Barkemeyer 

S.O.A.P.R.A. Minutes 1-12-02

	moved and Gene Burchfied seconded a motion to keep the antenna for our later use.  Motion passed.

3.	Will Calvert reported that he has been working on our web site.  He asked that all 
	members check it out and send him any suggestions or corrections we may have.  The site 
	address is www.sosanitation.com/soapra.

New Business:

1.	Albert reported that he is working an APRS gateway.

2.	It was discussed and agreed that we need to increase membership.  Albert said he would 
	put a brief note on his stations, seeking new members.  All members were encouraged 
	to seek membership from the amateur community.


3.	Steve Grajada has some SOAPRA equipment at his home, which he would like 
	moved.  Don moved and Gene seconded a motion that we move it ASAP.  Motion carried.  
	Will and Warren volunteered to make an appointment with Steve, inventory and move the equipment.

4.	The location and frequency of meetings was discussed.  Albert noted that our 
	by-laws require monthly meetings.  Bob McDonald made a motion that we hold 
	meetings on odd months (January, March, May, etc) at Providence Hospital, and 
	that even-month meetings be "held" on the SOAPRA system, with members 
	connecting, via packet, to the AWLBBS.  The "meeting" to take place on the 
	second Saturday of the even months at 10:00 a.m.  Terry Bell seconded.  Motion carried.  
	Albert asked that all check their deviation levels and set them for 2.5 - 3.5 for best 
	conferencing results.  He also said he would send out some instructions on how to "navigate" 
	the conferencing system.


Meeting was closed at 11:00 by a motion by Gene and a second by Terry, which passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Warren Olney
Secretary