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 1928 hrs.
12 club members and 4 guests attended.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Tom Arnold – W4KVF gave the report. 2009 Dues are due ($15 for individual
membership, $18 for family membership).
Secretary’s Report
Secretary Steve Czaikowski, W8SC reported. The January meeting minutes were read and approved. An application for the club to be recognized as an ARRL SPECIAL SERVICE CLUB was submitted by the Club Secretary on January 5, and was approved by the South Carolina Section Affiliated Club Coordinator on January 13. ARRL Headquarters officially approved the application on February 4. Our club is one of only TWO clubs in all of South Carolina that are officially designated a Special Service Club. Congratulations to each and every member for helping to achieve this high honor. An email survey was sent to club members on January 12 reminding them about dues and asking them to report whether they are ARRL members. The survey was sent to 43 email addresses and responses were received from 20 (46%). Remember to join or renew your ARRL membership using the special form provided by the Club. The Club receives a rebate for each new or renewing member but you MUST use the special form. Copies of the Club Roster are available to current club members; contact W8SC for a copy.
The club received a new application for family club membership to be voted on at the next meeting:
Maria Lind, KI4WAX
David Westbrook, KJ4IZW
Repeater trustee Dick Schoenfelder was not present. The repeater has been running fine business
Net manager Mark Ledford KG4IUQ reported that his employer has permanently assigned him to Shelby, NC. Mark would like to continue as Net Manager for now. Club members are encouraged to try their skills as Net Control. W8SC volunteered to provide training for net control operators if there is any interest. Mark will be listening to the N2ZZ repeater via Echolink after each CSLN session on Sunday Evenings. He would like to hear from Club members. Call KG4IUQ on the N2ZZ 145.35- (100 Hz) repeater after the CSLN. If anyone wants to volunteer as NM for the CSLN, contact W8SC.
ARRL South Carolina Section Emergency Coordinator Charlie Miller, AE4UX reported that the SC alternate EOC will be exercised for the first time on February 11. The emergency communications vehicle and the Ham station at the NWS will also be utilized. Simplex from the Alternate EOC to various key locations will be part of the exercise. The Amateur Radio Club of Augusta is requesting a few more volunteers for the Battle of Aiken February 20-22. Boots WX4BB passed around a sign-up sheet.
Boots WX4BB reported that The Amateur Radio Club of Augusta was awarded renewal of their Special Service Club status. Congratulations to the ARCA on achieving this special recognition. February 21 will be the ARCA’s Spring swap-meet at Pendleton King Park. Talk-in on 145.49 repeater. Dr. Jim N2ZZ reports that attendance at the Charleston Hamfest was up. Alan Pitts from ARRL HQ was present. “Talk on a Disk” and “Swiss Army Knife” disks are available from ARRL to PIOs and others who are preparing presentations on Amateur Radio topics. The Roanoke Division Convention will be held at the Charlotte Hamfest March 14-15. The SC Section Convention will be at the Spartanburg Hamfest. See the SC Section News for updates. The Roanoke Division Service Award, aka the Vic Clark Award, has been awarded for 2008 to Charlie Miller, AE4UX (applause). The award will be presented by Roanoke Section Manager Dennis Bodson, W4PWF at the Charlotte Hamfest on March 14. Everyone is encouraged to attend and cheer for Charlie! N4NUM is the new OOCoordinator for SC. Can-AM days scheduled for Myrtle Beach has been cancelled. FCC requested DTV assistance by Hams is officially limited to giving verbal advice. More will follow regarding the risk of hands-on technical assistance. There are several bills in SC Assembly and Senate committees that affect Amateur Radio, including a PRB-1, and use of wireless communications devices in vehicles. See the club newsletter or the SC Section News for instructions on writing your Senator and Representative regarding language that will be friendly toward Amateur Radio on these bills. The new Digital EmComm course is available from ARRL.
The Club has been sponsoring Introduction to Amateur Radio sessions at Schofield Middle School in Aiken. Mike K4NOP and Kent KQ4KK have been instructing, along with Katie Besley. The February 3 presentation included HF, VHF, and Morse code sessions. Steve W8SC assisted with the morse code presentation. Another presentation will be held on February 10 and 17. Schofield Middle School has asked to be considered as a recipient of the Club’s ARRL Book Library Fund. Boots WX4BB moved that the Club purchase a set of ARRL books from the book fund and present them to Schofield Middle School. Second by Dr. Jim N2ZZ; unanimously carried. Mike K4NOP will be doing an Amateur Radio presentation at Aiken Prep.
Ben Baranski, WB4MXZ, of Hephizibah, GA has donated an MFJ-557 Code Practice Oscillator, an MFJ-422C Electronic Keyer, and a brass straight key to the Club, to be used in support of training new Amateur Radio Operators. Steve W8SC moved that the Club initiate a letter of thanks to Ben in appreciation for his generosity. Seconded by Boots WX4BB; unanimously carried.
The topic is "Where is ham radio going?" Carl AJ4AU led a presentation and open discussion of Ham radio and the direction for the club and members. Topics included modes of operation, events, volunteering, Field Day and meeting the needs of the membership.
March 9, 2009 at Aiken Regional Medical Center.
Members: N4AGG,
AJ4AU, WX4BB, W1EOI, KQ4KK, W4KVF, K4NOP, WB4RXZ, W8SC, W4UK, AE4UX, N2ZZ
Respectfully submitted by
Steven P. Czaikowski, W8SC
Secretary
February 9, 2009