September 4, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 1903 by the President, Doug, KB9DXO, supported by the other officers. Prior to the start of the meeting we utilized the computer and projector to review the FEMA Independent Study Courses available on-line, and to remind all of the Communications Division members that IS-100, IS-200 and IS-700 were required. Mike, KC9AOM, and Doug, KB9DXO, reported that some of these courses are now required for their job.

We circulated the sign-in sheet.

Doug confirmed that everyone had received their Newsletter and upon motion of K9TZJ and W9EEL the membership approved the Minutes from the prior meeting.

As reported in the ARRL Section Newsletter Frank Taylor, KC4FCO, from Elwood is now a Silent Key. He had been a member of the Club from 1990-2000 and again in 2004. Dick, WA9STB, reported that his name has already been added to the plaque in the hallway.

Treasurer Tim, KB9VE, reported that since his last update (March) the initial checking account balance was $754.71, disbursements of $134.83 for the January-June telephone bill, $56.00 for the PO box, $25.25 for batteries for the repeater and $20 memorial for a total disbursement of $236.06. Income was $140 in dues and $1600 from the County for the weather station purchase. The treasury is currently $2,258.65. Upon motion of W9EEL and KC9BKZ that the report be approved as given all members were in favor.

.82 Repeater Report – Tom, KA9SYP, reported all was working OK. It was noted that after the power outage downtown the voice recorder started working again, and we have “Sharon’s” ID for the repeater back again. Dick, WA9STB, asked if anyone had noticed interference on the system. No one else had heard anything other than the normal improved band conditions.

UHF Repeater Report – Steve, WA9CWE, indicated all was working normally.

.09 Repeater Report – Tim, KB9VE, reported that the RF package was working well. About 3 weeks ago something tripped the UPS and everything shut down. It recovered OK. Gene, KB9WI, asked about the “time out message” that he gets when trying to connect to the Mansfield IRLP node. Tim explained that.

IRLP – Tim reported that we’ve been blocked on one of the Indy Reflector node sub-channels. When the Thursday 9PM “Hams with Disabilities” net is being held someone is “blipping” the repeater continuously and causing interference that messes up the network. Therefore, Dave, K9DC, who runs the reflector has shut us off. Tim has been in contact with him about it and Tim agrees that is the right thing to do. We discussed the interference issue and we plan to listen this Thursday on the output and input to see if anyone can hear the source of the signal.

Tim also pointed out that almost every morning someone keys up the system without identification and runs the weather report. We all agree this is not an acceptable operating practice, but haven’t been able to determine who is doing it. Everyone should remember to always ID when performing a control function code on the repeater.

Tim also reported as a follow-up to the IRLP report that when the UPS was tripped the weather station computer developed a problem with the hard drive. He got it working again but would like to obtain another hard drive to run with the primary one as a backup. There was some discussion about how this is done, and upon a motion of KB9VE and K9TZJ it was approved by all members that Tim purchase another hard drive for about $80.

EMA Report – Steve, WA9CWE, reported that all “first responders” must have passed IS-100, IS-200 and IS-700. This applies to all agencies in the County. Since it isn’t expected that all of our volunteers will get this accomplished we’ll be establishing two tiers of our Communications Division membership so we will meet the requirement. This is necessary for the agency to continue to get Homeland Security funding. The FD’s that don’t meet the requirement will not be eligible for future funding. Dick has been working with them all year to meet the requirements. We also had the MCU out for the Pendleton Public Safety Day and also the Concert in Anderson. We had good support by Comm. Div. members at the Anderson event (18 members plus Anderson EMA, FST, etc.). We are reorganizing the ECC to move the RACES stations and the map down to the south end just in front of the Warning Div. location. We have new maps to put up and will be rearranging things over the next few months. September is National Preparedness Month. The ARRL September VHF QSO Party is this Saturday, Sept. 8. Anderson Fire Department is switching their “Control” to Fireground 2 and FG2 to the Control repeater to minimize the interference problem they are having. We also looked at the new MCEMA Web site that should be going on-line this week.

Mike, KC9AOM, reported that we should be lucky that we have the high level of interest in our organization. Mike Palmer, N9FEB, has suspended the Communications meetings and activities in Indianapolis due to a lack of interest. They still can get people to help out with the races and other events, but no one is interested in the training and organizing required. Marion County has over 1000 hams, but can’t seem to get the participation.

Weather – Tom, W9EEL, reported that the weather situation has been quiet and there is nothing to report.

Tim, KB9VE, reported that the only mail received was (2) tickets to the Kalamazoo Hamfest if anyone wants them. Dick, WA9STB, said that the MCARC also received (2), so there are four available if anyone wants them.

Old Business – None

New Business – None

Technical Presentation – None

We did have a discussion on the interference on the EMA UHF repeater. Several members have heard it and are helping to identify the source. Steve discussed what he’s doing to locate the source.

Tim, KB9VE, was the recipient of the Door Prize for the evening.

The meeting was adjourned at 2000. There were (14) members signed in.

Steve Riley, WA9CWE, Secretary, ARC