MINUTES FOR JANUARY 13, 2011        

                                                By Bob, KT4KS

 

At precisely 7:30PM, President Maki K4RQZ called the meeting to order, and immediately led the 15 attending members in the pledge of allegiance.  Introductions were then initiated.

 

MINUTES: A motion was made to approve the November Minutes, but Maki stated that it was “not necessary”, as no one presented any comments or amendments.  Possibly, this was the result of Maki reading his new copy of Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

REPEATER: Doug WA3WEP reported that the repeater was down 2 afternoons, and Bob KT4KS mentioned that the auto patch was not operational the last time he had tried it.  VP Greg AJ4QZ stated that 11 operators checked into the week’s Tuesday evening net, presumably suggestive that the repeater is working so well that more operators are using it.  Doug stated that he saw Jim Claxton WD4PDP (who is the owner of the club’s previous repeater site), and that Jim is still anxious to move all of the club’s old equipment out of his home.  Doug also stated that Jim is donating a National’s transmitter and Hallicrafter receiver to the club, and that the club will sell them for BIG money.  Regarding the wet NiCad batteries, it appears that Doug is taking them, as Mike KE4ER and John K2VPR have decided not to use them.  Doug mentioned that those batteries are of a 75 amp hour, and will last forever.  It is expected that Doug will pick up the batteries, and that Maki will pick up the transmitter and receiver from the site.  

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Greg expressed that the club’s various materials and history suggest that a committee should be nominated in January, officers should be nominated in April, and new officers take over their duties at the May meeting.  Maki will be on the nominating committee.  Membership appeared hopeful that the present officers will remain for another term.

 

GEORGE WASHINGTON SPECIAL EVENT:  The event will take place February 19 and 20.  As has been done over at least the last 10 years, the club will set up stations at the Mount Vernon greenhouse on Sat morning, and make as many contacts as possible until Sunday.  The club will satisfy requests for certificates, as long as any request is accompanied with a SASE (preferably 8 ½ by 10, so we don’t have to fold the certificate).  Doug said that he will bring food, and mentioned the possibility of bringing that chicken soup that everyone loved last year.  Debra KG4URO offered to provide logistics.  Advanced notice was placed on the ARRL web site.  John WQ4L suggested that advertisements may extend to the club’s web site (great idea), and even the QRZ web site.  Expected equipment at the site will include the club’s smoking FT-990, Pat WJ0T’s 897 and dipole, Maki’s vertical, and possibly Steve’s K3IZ antenna and Bob’s QRP rig.  The event will be a real event, as the club’s operators will operate CW.  Bob KT4KS will provide clear directions to the site via the Reflector.  The February meeting occurs before the GW event, so further discussion will likely occur.

 

 

VE TESTING: John’s WZ4A team provided free tests the second Saturday of January, and the group had a good turnout.  One testee passed all three elements (Tech, General and Extra), but that was not necessary as he was a Tech when he first walked through the door.  One YL took, and passed her test.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Mike KE4ER forwarded his report via Bob KT4KS, and it was announced that the club has $241.26 (checking), $3395.60 (savings, including $1468.48 in Doc Hyde Fund), and $100 (cash).  Some members mentioned that those numbers may not have included a few recent expenses (i.e. web site).

 

SHOW AND TELL: Debra showed off her wonder warmer seat cushion, which appeared large enough for any ham’s seat.  She twisted the cushion the slightest bit, and it immediately heated up.  The unit was passed around the room, and it got hotter and hotter.  Debra paid $32 for the unit.  Bob showed an accessory light that plugged into a vehicle’s accessory plug, and suggested that every car should have one.  Maki displayed his tiny QRP paddles.  The paddles are retractable into a small metal case, and have a nice feel to them.  They cost over $100, and even look it.

 

DOOR PRIZES: Maki won first prize, and selected the holiday popcorn; Doug won a calendar; David KU8V won a tiny voice recorder; and Pat won the ICOM hat.  The prizes were donated by Greg AJ4QZ and John WZ4A. 

 

COOKIE MONSTER: Debra was the Cookie Monster, and she did a fine job of it.  Bob KT4KS will be the Monster for February, and likely will do much less of a job.

 

CLOSED: President Maki then closed the meeting.