ARCARS
February 2010
Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order on January 14, 2010 with 9 members and guests present.
MOTION: to accept the January minutes by Mark (N8EGJ), seconded by Steve (KD8JHT), approved.
TREASURES REPORT: Suzanne reported that our balance now stands at $604.01.
DISASTER REPORT: Things were quiet for the Local Chapter of the American Red Cross with respect to local call outs. The national efforts are focused to relief for the Haiti earthquake victims and overall recovery.
ARCARS was involved in an effort to find a missing person early in January. KC8SPD and KD8FRE responded. The person was discovered after being alerted.
NET REPORT: Edgar (KC8VLV) reported the net has been strong with 11 to 12 amateurs checking in weekly.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Numerous events are being planned for 2010. Andrew reported that a schedule of events will soon be completed and available to everyone as it will be posted on the internet. The Feast of the St Clair (May 28 & 29th), Field Day (June 26th & 27th), Boat Night (July 16th & 17th), the Farm Museum event (Aug 27 – 29th), bicycle races, and County Fair and Light Ship special events, constitutes a partial list.
CLUB STATION: The 146.800 (K8ARC) repeater is operational and working well. A chair was donated by Edgar to be used by net control operators at the station. Andrew mentioned that our battery backup system is the best ever and should allow continuous / uninterrupted operation in case of a power outage. Should we experience another extended power outage a generator can be utilized.
NEWSLETTER: Our newsletter and web page is available at www.qsl.net/arcars and www.bandopening.com/arcars . There is a wealth of information available on the website including the RSS feed.
Edgar requested that a link to skywarnonline.com be added to the site.
CLUB PROJECT: A storage unit is being sought to house the field day equipment. This will free some space up for Gene (NA8I).
Andrew and Mark are planning to visit the repeater site and re-install the 220MHz packet station.
OLD BUSINESS: The ARCARS email and document sharing system that was rolled out last month is working well with only a few exceptions that are being corrected.
NEW BUSINESS: Requests have been made to secure more of the handheld radios that were purchased prior to last months meeting. Andrew reported that efforts are underway to purchase them at a discount and make them available to others on an ongoing basis.
Edgar reported that Skywarn class in coming up on March 15th at 7pm in the County building. If you plan to attend or would like additional information you can contact Julie Wallace at (810)989-6965 or visit the web site at www.emergencymanagement@stclaircounty.org .
DX SPOTS/ SPECIAL EVENTS: none reported
MOTION TO ADJOURN: by Edgar (KC8VLV) seconded by Steve (KD8JHT)
ANNOUNCEMENTS and other info:
The ARCARS & International Traders Net is held every Tuesday evening at 8pm on the 146.800 K8ARC repeater.
The International Friendship Net is held every Thursday at 9pm on the 145.370-VA3SAR repeater
The Thumb / Mid Michigan Nets are held Monday through Saturday at 9:30pm on the 147.300 repeater.
HF: The Great Lakes Emergency and Traffic Net is held nightly at 6pm on 3.932 kHz (temporary time change from the customary 8pm slot)
The AC8W DX Cluster on 144.970 MHz is available. Check it for HF activity.