Minutes of Meeting – November 01, 2011

The meeting was called to order by the President, Mike, KC9AOM, at 1902. Everyone was welcomed and a motion was made to accept the Minutes of the September meeting as published in the Newsletter. It was noted that the winner of the door prize, KC9DJU, has his call listed as a “B”. With that correction a motion was made by W9EEL and seconded by KA9SYP that the Minutes be approved. All were in favor.

There were no illnesses or silent keys reported.

The Treasurer, Tim, KB9VE, reported: Beginning balance of the Treasury after the July meeting was $1,693.80. Disbursements were $36.25 for the antenna for the repeater control receiver, $50 for two memorials, $7.14 for the Corporate report to the State resulting in a total disbursement of $93.39. Income from dues was $75 for a new treasury of $1,675.41. A motion for approval was made by KC9JWO and seconded by W9EEL. All were in favor.

.82 Repeater Report – Tom, KA9SYP, reported that it’s working fine and there have been no issues reported.

.09 Repeater Report – Tim, KB9VE, reported that it’s working “flawlessly” with no issues. The IRLP is still doing fine.

UHF Repeater – Steve, WA9CWE, reported that it’s working OK. There is still an intention to change the reset timer, but it hasn’t been done yet. It’s recommended to let the carrier drop out entirely before picking up for a transmission.

Web Site – Paul, KC9BKZ, reported that the 2012 calendar has been added and he’s populated it with the dates that he knows. Everyone please check the dates listed and contact him with any other dates that need to be added.

Weather Station – Tim, KB9VE, reported that it’s working normally. The only time there is a problem is when the internet connection goes down. He has replaced the batteries in the sensors prior to the winter season.

EMA Report – Dick, K9FOI, thanked the membership for the memorial for his son and for the support shown by all. There is a new State Statute that allows the County EMA Director to change the “travel status” of the County. In the past it has had to be made by the County Commissioners but no longer. Ha can change it from a “watch” to a “warning” for example. The map that is housed on WebEOC is the one that the news media show on TV. There is now a standard definition for the entire State. In the future we want to initiate an informal “net” on .82 whenever the weather is bad and request reports from our amateurs who are out driving in it. That information along with law enforcement reports will help determine when he changes the status.

EMA needs help for a major exercise next April 25 to 27 being held at the State facility at Muscatatuk. This facility is now a world class training facility for all types of disaster senerios. The All Hazards Incident Management Team Task force from District 6 will test with District 4 and 5 in 12-hour Operational Periods. The Command General Staff need additional help and any of our members who want to go are welcome. Will be going down on Wednesday and back on Friday. Will be camping out, all food and facilities are provided.

The AHIMT had a training session last Saturday in Marion. There is another upcoming in Jay County plus the one next April.

Tom, KA9SYP, invited any hams to help out with the Communications for the Purdue Outdoor Club “POCAR” event next January 25-27 (MLK Weekend, Sat/Sun/Mon). Amateur communications will be on 6 meter FM and base stations and mobiles are needed. He’ll be manning a “water stop” and it’s rough camping in the winter. Tom discussed how the event worked and how the communications are held. It’s like Field Day in the winter. Participants from all over the US and the World come to this event to participate in this “orienteering” contest.

Dick, K9FOI, reported that the County Police/Fire dispatch is in the process of moving from the Jail to the Consolidated Dispatch Center at the Anderson dispatch location. The MCU has been stationed at the Jail since Tuesday morning and has been running on the 65KW generator. Dispatching of the Fire Departments has been occurring from the MCU and the MCU Drivers have been supporting that activity.

Dick congratulated Alan, KC9JWO, for completing the COML certification by the State.

Warning/Weather report – Tom, W9EEL, reported that two months ago the ElNino was in neutral. Now the condition has drifted to the LaNina condition but it may not be quite as intense as last year. Tom displayed and analyzed the forecast maps for the next few months and most of them predicted above average participation usually meaning above average snow. The expectation is the heaviest participation and coldest conditions in mid-winter.

New Member application – Steve, WA9CWE, submitted the new member application of Scott Shepler, KC9RAX. Scott lives in Marion and works in Daleville. He’s very interested in participating with us in public service activities. It was moved by WA9CWE and seconded by KC9AOM that the application be accepted. All were in favor. Scott was present and was welcomed into the Club.

Correspondence – Tim, KB9VE, has received a notice of the Fort Wayne Hamfest coming up November 19 & 20. Ten complementary tickets were provided for the Club. Tim passed them out to members who intend to attend the Hamfest.

Steve. WA9CWE, announced the Run-the-Mounds Communications Exercise this coming Sunday. Everyone is invited to attend. We have 13 communicators signed up so far.

Tom, W9EEL, announced that the StormNet Training for 2012 will be on March 13, 2012, 7PM at the Ivy Tech Conference Center, the same location as last year. Dave Tucek will be the speaker again.

It was announced that Dick, WA9STB, is having an 80th. Birthday reception at his house on November 11, 4 to 8 PM. Everyone is invited to drop by.

Mike, KC9AOM, announced that there is a State Auxilliary Communications Class planned for January 7 and 8. Also the Deputy Director of Wayne County is trying to schedule a Workshop for Amateur Communications.

Alan, KC9JWO, noticed that our County has more hams than most other counties in the State and probably more activity.

The VE Testing has been going well. We have had successful attendees at all of our monthly sessions. Thanks to Paul, KC9BKZ, for leading this important activity.

Old Business – None

New Business – Nominations were opened for Club Officers for 2012. No nominations were made and the floor will remain open for nominations at the next meeting prior to the Election (January meeting).

Show-And-Tell – Gene, KB9WI, commented on the article in QST about Field Day. He also mentioned a new ham in Frankton, N9TL, Dave Davis. Dave is a preacher in Frankton. Gene also demonstrated a small portable amplifier that he obtained for use in his home visitations that assist him in communicating with people with poor hearing. It’s made by Luminaud, Inc. in Ohio. This $191 device solved his problem.

The door prize was won by K9FOI.

The meeting was closed at 2005 by motion of KA9SYP and KC9JWO. Pictures were taken for the new EMA ID cards after the meeting. There were 18 present.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve Riley, WA9CWE
Secretary, ARC