Meeting Minutes for January 12, 2009
The meeting was held at Aiken Regional Medical Center, Rooms A&B, in Aiken, SC.
Meeting was called to order by Club President Carl Bosard, AJ4AU at 1930 hours EST.
14 club members and 4 guests attended.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Tom Arnold, W4KVF gave the report. 2009 Dues are DUE NOW ($15 for individual membership, $18 for family membership).
Secretary’s Report
Secretary Steve Czaikowski, W8SC reported. The December meeting minutes were read and approved. The annual ARRL Affiliated Club Report was submitted and can be viewed on line. We are working with the SC ACC, KR4SP, on regaining SCC status for the club. Application for SCC was submitted on January 5. I believe we have sufficient activities documented to become reinstated as a SCC. ARRL requires 51% of our Club members to also be ARRL members in order to maintain our status as an ARRL affiliated club, and as a SCC. We need an update from club members on their ARRL membership status. An e-mail survey will be sent out to club members who are not present at this meeting as the first step in obtaining the ARRL membership numbers. The e-mail will include a reminder that 2009 dues are due. An “Invitation to join the NABRC” flyer has been drafted and will be available at VE sessions, hamfests, and Aiken and Edgefield County libraries. A PO box has been set up for Club Mail. k4nab@yahoo.com has been set up for club e-mail. Renew your ARRL membership, or join the ARRL for the first time, through the Club. For ARRL membership renewals, the club receives $2 if you renew through the Club. If you join ARRL for the 1st time, the Club receives $15 from the ARRL, and the Club will then put that $15 toward your current or next year’s club dues, making your Club membership FREE for that year! You MUST process your ARRL membership renewal/application through the Club for the Club to obtain credit.
Repeater trustee Dick Schoenfelder reported that he checked the new battery that was installed, and discovered that someone had by-passed both our locks and the City’s locks. The city was notified.
Net manager Mark Ledford KG4IUQ reported that the net has been meeting on schedule every Sunday night and averages 10 check-ins. NTS practice is scheduled to begin soon and anyone interested in generating practice traffic is encouraged to do so.
ARRL South Carolina Section Emergency Coordinator Charlie Miller – AE4UX was not able to attend the meeting. Bob Besley, K4NJN, ASM for District 6, announced that he has begun his position as Emergency Coordinator for Aiken Regional Medical Center.
SC SM Dr. Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, provided an update on Section news. The SC state convention will be February 7 and he has requested a League official from Newington to attend. Spartanburg hamfest is May 2. Check www.arrl-sc.org for the latest SC Section news.
An article appeared in the December 14, 2008 Aiken Standard regarding the Boy Scout Merit Badge program sponsored by the club. A discussion was lead by Carl AJ4AU on the ARRL Book Fund and where books should be distributed. Mike K4NOP gave an update on Schoefeld Middle School. Sessions on Ham Radio will be held on January 27 and February 3. Mike is also looking to see if there is sufficient interest to re-kindle the Aiken Prep Radio Club. Bob & Katie Besley were on morning CCTV at Schoefeld M.S. 2 meter radios and antenna were installed in the Edgefield County trailer on January 1. Jim N2ZZ expressed his thanks to Kent KQ4KK and Mike K4NOP for providing APRS training. Dr. Jim also expressed appreciation for everyone’s activities in amateur radio ventures.
Marie Lind, KI4WAX just completed the Disney Marathon in Orlando, FL and displayed her completion medal. The club rewarded her achievement with a round of applause. The Battle of Aiken is February 20-22 and volunteer radio operators are needed; contact Henry KN4AV or Boots WX4BB if interested. Dr. Jim N2ZZ stated that the Can-Am days, a joint Canadian/USA operation will again be held in Myrtle Beach. Check the SC Section website for details. Attention CW operators: The CN desperately needs CW operators and NCS volunteers. Contact W2EAG, CN Net Manager if you can help
Carl AJ4AU lead a discussion of DTV and the FCC’s request for Amateur Radio to provide technical advice assistance to the public. Carl then lead a lively discussion on restoring, refurbishing, and modernizing vintage amateur radio equipment.
The next meeting will be February 9, 2009 at North Augusta Public Safety Station #2. Members should bring in a list and photos of equipment they want to donate, give away, or sell. An auction or swap fest will develop if there is sufficient interest.
Members: W8SC, KG4IUQ, KQ4KK, K4NOP (formerly KC8MMZ), N4RM, K4FKJ, WD4PLF, WA2RUG, W4KVF, W1EOI, N2ZZ, AJ4AU, WX4BB, KI4SWN
Respectfully submitted by Steven P. Czaikowski, W8SC, Secretary Jan 12, 2009