ARCARS
March 2010
Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order on March 7th with 13 members and guests present.
MOTION: to accept the February minutes by Edgar (KC8VLV), seconded by Jim (N8LUV), approved.
TREASURES REPORT: Suzanne reported that our balance remains at $604.01.
DISASTER REPORT: ARCARS were not called out for assistance in February. There disaster team for the chapter was not called out last month. The National focus remains on rescue efforts in Haiti and now in Chile.
Sanilac County authorities believe that they have the person responsible for recent arsons in that county in custody.
The Coast Guard is busy with ice breaking efforts. There is a large ice sheet with up to 32” thickness that has moved into the lake just north of the St. Clair River. More information is available at www.boatnerd.com.
NET REPORT: Edgar (KC8VLV) reported that net participation is robust with quite a few Canadian amateurs checking into the net.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Discussion surrounding Field Day has begun. It will be necessary to inspect the available equipment and make a new inventory sheet. Some items will need to be replaced this year. In upcoming meetings it will be necessary to compile a list of equipment that we plan to use and who is going to be responsible to bring the items for the event.
CLUB STATION: At this time all the equipment has check in working order. The HF G5RV multi band wire antenna is to be moved to a more favorable position to enhance performance.
NEWSLETTER: Mark (N8EGJ) has checked out all the links made some corrections on the web sites. Our newsletter and web page is normally available at www.qsl.net/arcars and www.bandopening.com/arcars , and www.arcars.org. There is a wealth of information available on the website (established in 1998), including the RSS feed.
CLUB PROJECT: no discussion on this subject at this meeting.
OLD BUSINESS: There was a discussion about active local frequencies. The packet emergency frequency remains at 223.400MHz. The lack of 70cm repeaters was brought up. Locally it is believed that only the KB8WWE repeater is still functioning at 444.900MHz with a 131.8pl.
NEW BUSINESS: There was a discussion about local earthquake activity and the concerns associated with those events.
DX SPOTS/ SPECIAL EVENTS: Paul (KG8OU) reported working Saudi Arabia on 12M during the ARRL international dx contest at the end of February. Bruce (N5ASU) recently worked Spain, Portugal, and St Kits in the Caribbean.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: by Jerry (KC8YRQ) seconded by Mike (AA8K)
ANNOUNCEMENTS and other info:
The ARCARS & International Traders Net is held every Tuesday evening at 8pm on the 147.300 K8DD 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 8pm on 3.932 kHz
The AC8W DX Cluster on 144.970 MHz is available. Check it for HF activity.