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ManCoRad Meeting Minutes
June 11th, 2008
PDF VERSION
The June 11th, 2008 meeting was called to order at 1933 (7:33pm) by Carl KA9WYK, club President. Introductions were made by those in attendance at the club shack.
Reports
The first order of business was a motion was made by Denise N4WGK to accept the May Secretary’s report. Marty KC9JGE second the motion. Hearing no further discussion, a vote was taken and the motion passed.
Next, Dan N9NCU went to help with communications in Columbia County because of the flooding and severe weather in this area, so Carl KA9WYK read the Treasurer’s report. Chris KB9VLS made a motion to accept the report and it was second by TJ KC9HYD. The motion carried.
Old Business
Field Day – The crane that is normally used for Field Day may not be available this year because of overtime at the company, but Gene KB9KXF has offered his lift truck as a back-up. This lift has been successfully used in the past and should work out fine for our purposes at Field Day. Thanks a lot Gene for all your help in matter!
There is interest in a possible satellite contact for Field Day. Besides being very cool, it is worth 100 points; so check the ARRL bulletin for addition details if you are interested. Also, for local information contact Marty KC9JGE or Chris KB9VLS.
Press releases have been issued to the local radio stations, newsprint media, and television stations with invitations extended to the Mayor of Manitowoc, the Two Rivers City Executive, State Representatives and other service agencies. Just a reminder that there will be a family style picnic late Saturday afternoon; the Club will provide the meat and members should bring a dish to pass.
USS Cobia – The Cobia weekend coincided with Thunder on the Lakeshore Airshow which hosted a gathering for the pilots at the Maritime Museum. It got a bit busy at times, but all and all we had fun. Carl did a presentation on amateur radio for the Cub/Boy Scouts that were going to stay overnight on the Cobia and after they were given their tour of the submarine, we had about thirty Scouts take turns speaking on the radio. A big thank you all the HAM operators that helped set up and tear down, even though the weather was less than cooperative. Also a thank you goes out to Jerry KC9JNL who stayed up late talking with all of the youngsters from the Scouts that got on the radio.
We had the good fortune to have two amateur operators visiting from Iowa that helped out with the event. One was an Extra and the other was a General class. For those who are interested in returning the favor, the main event that they participate in is the Five Sullivan Brothers event. This is an event in honor of the five Sullivan brothers who served on the USS Juneau (CL-52) and were lost at sea during a battle November 13th, 1942. For more information, check out - or Waterloo, IA: Five Sullivan Brothers Amateur Radio Club, W0FSB. 1500Z Nov 13-2200Z Nov 13. Anniversary of the loss of USS Juneau and the 5 brothers. 146.340 21.240 14.240 7.240. Certificate. Five Sullivan Brothers ARC, 4015 Independence Ave, Waterloo, IA 50703. (
As far as contacts, HF was pretty lousy. Weather may have played a big part, for example the wind kept blowing one of our antennas into a support cable on the Cobia and there was plenty-0-lightening to go around. Other contacts were:
- Saturday Meter Sunday
- 15 2 0
26 20 301
44 40 22
I think our furthest contact was someone from the UK who contacted Saturday morning via Echolink. (A note for future contacts: There is about an eight second delay in communication at that distance.) On Sunday, Fred W6BSF started on the 20 meter at 1440 Zulu (9:40am) and looked like he was having a blast with his pile up. By the time he was ready to call it a day, about 2134 Zulu (4:34 pm), contacts were still pleading with Fred to stay on. As it is, there will be many QSL requests to fill. Great Job Fred!!!
Club Auction – The Club Auction that was being planned for July may be held in August instead. Fred W6BSF has information about a possible guest speaker for our July meeting. We are still looking for a few more items for the auction. Check out our website () for a current list of items.
Bankruptcy case update – We received a letter stating that our funds were lost, and then we received a letter from a different party indicating otherwise. So, as the bankruptcy turns…stay tuned.
Non Stock update – as noted in the Treasurer’s report, our yearly fee of $10.00 was been sent to the State.
New Business
Constitutional committee – Members of ARES/RACES, ManCoRad, and SkyWarn,
the meeting scheduled for June 18th has been changed to June 25th. The meeting will be at 1900 (7:30pm) in the first floor conference room.
Island Activations – Steve K9ZW and Carl KA9WYK are willing to do weekend expeditions with members who are interested in activating an inland in our area, i.e. Mill Pond, Rahr Hog Farm, Pig Island, West Twin. Basically, if an island is recognized on a Government map (Federal plot # XXX, city info – Wis. # XX), then it can be activated. Last year Steve K9ZW and Carl KA9WYK took a boat to Hobo island to activate it. They made 25 contacts, plus one DX! For those who make the first contact from one of these islands, your name will be listed as the person who “Activated” the island. For more information, feel free to contact Steve or Carl, or the web for island activations.
Scenic Shore 150 – It is a good APRS event and is scheduled for July 19th and 20th. Operators who help out event usually are given a t-shirt plus gain some valuable hands on experience.
Committees
Brat Fry – the next fry out is August 30th at Pick N Save in Two Rivers. Set up will be at 0800 (8:00am).
Field Day – Field Day is June 28th and 29th. Meet at the club shack at 0830 (8:30am) to pick up needed equipment so we can start set up by 0900 (9:00am) and be operating by 1200 (12:00pm). This nationwide event is to test our capabilities to operate and successfully communicate in case of an emergency. It gives us the chance to fire up all of our assets, equipment and operators. It provides a great chance for members to try new things and for new operators to learn from the more experience members. Though this is serious event, it is also one of the most fun. For those members who operate all night, there will be steak and eggs for breakfast. Plus there will be a family picnic Saturday afternoon. Members are encouraged to bring a dish to pass.
Repeater – We have been having reception problems with our 146.610 repeater. There was a power surge that blew a fuse in the power supply. The fuse has been replaced, but there still seems to be an issue. Several members are looking into it. If you have any helpful comments you can contact Marty KC9JGE with your input. We will use the backup repeater 145.110 if needed.
Ham Cram – We have six students on the rooster for the Ham Cram scheduled June 21st. There are club members who will test to advance their current privileges to General and/or Extra, plus a multi-generational group consisting of two brothers, Dad, and their Grandmother/Mother. Amateur radio = family fun. Way to go everyone.
A couple of students from Lakeshore Technical College and several members of a local church have expressed an interest in getting their license. Another Ham Cram will be scheduled for early autumn (September/October). A date will be selected at the July meeting. Steve K9ZW made a motion to purchase additional educational items needed to help future Ham Cram test takers. Vern K9EME second the motion. The motion carried.
There was also discussion about updating the training material to the libraries. It was suggested that the club consider purchasing a full set of books for use by members at the club shack. There is a discount on items for instructors. Material for the Middle schools, High schools, and the Universities should probably concentrate on the lower level - technical license training manuals.
Steve K9ZW is the contact person if you are interested in becoming a VE. There is also information available via ARRL. Though not a requirement, it is recommended that you be General class as you can only oversee tests up to your classification. For now, Sheboygan is willing to help us out when needed. But it might be worth checking into.
One new item that was used during the USS Cobia event was the use of external speakers in conjunction with the headsets worn by the operator. This allowed tour groups to actually hear the communications between contacts. Steve K9ZW made a motion to purchase additional speakers and the motion was second by Vern K9EME. The motion pass.
TJ KC9HYD won the first drawing for the 50/50 raffle and received $7.50; Bob KC9HBA was the lucky winner of the second drawing and won the YAESU hat which he kindly gave to Abby.
Gene KB9KXF made a motion to adjourn the meeting and it was second by Theresa KB9KXE. A wonderful lunch was provided by Lois KC9LFT. Thanks Lois for keeping us fortified. Your rhubarb cake really hit the spot.
Meeting Attendees:
Carl – KA9WYK, Marty – KC9JGE, Chris – KB9VLS,
TJ – KC9HYD, Jody – KC9KVT, Roxanne – KC9KQU,
John – N9GJV, Denise – N4WGK, Roger – W9NPX,
Lois – KC9LFT, Steve – K9ZW, Winston – KC9FVR,
Vern – K9EME, Bob – KC9HBA, Gene – KB9KXF,
Theresa – KB9KXE
Ustream:
Steve – WB9MCJ, Tim – N7TAL, Jesse – KC9LOB,
Dawn – KC9JNK, Jerry - KC9JNL, John – K5TUX(?) in AR
Respectfully submitted by:
Roxanne KC9KQU - Secretary
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