Minutes: Katy Amateur Radio Society

Date: August 9, 2010

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
3. Old Business
   1. Minutes of July 12, 2010 listed on the KARS website
   2. i.      Charlie and Paul motion to accept.  Club votes and accepts minutes as read.
4. Treasurer’s report – current account standing is $2124.34
5. Other old business – none to report
6. New Business
   1. New Members – currently, we have no policy of screening new members against the RSO database – thus, we will hold off on the voting with new members
   2. Jerry makes motion to read a message from Joel Dunlap passed through Bruce Smith.  Del and Charlie
      1. i.      Bruce reports that Joel is doing well in Arkansas, now an extra class, helped train 15 new hams.  Bruce reports he is moving in 2 weeks time to the Hill Country.
7. Attendee introduction and visitors
8. Presentation of fire station security keys to Dave Land, Michael Smith, Joe Peet
   1. i.      Darryl was kind enough to have 3 keys assigned to the club.  Phil will update the roster and record who has keys available.  Bernie points out that all key holders are working full-time, perhaps it might be a good idea to have a retired member hold a key as well.  Joe will discuss it with Dave and Michael.
9. Fire Station Radio Room Project, nomination and voting of leaders
   1. i.      Joe wishes this to be a “project project” – allowing new members the opportunity to participate and learn from the installation.  Dave Land was voted as to be the team lead.  Michael Smith, Dave Scott and Owen Morgan have been voted as members of team.  Finally, Jerry Cammack was voted to be technical and safety advisor.  Dave Land will communicate to the club on actions, Saturday meetings, fund raising and accepting donations of equipment.  Charlie suggests that the club propose a touch keypad be installed at the entrance of the radio room to limit access.  Dave will take the action of speaking with Darryl about the keypad.  Joe Peet, KARS president, will also serve on the project committee.
10. Austin Summer Fest – Highlights and comments
    1. i.      Marshall provided informal feedback – the seminars were very interesting, but the swap meet appears to be going downhill.  There is very limited availability of classic tube-type “boat anchor” transceivers or transmitter/receiver pairs.  The seminars were very good.  The biggest problem is that it was incredible hot.  Charlie shared that the “garage sale” portion of the event was not impressive.  Del attended the ARRL meeting held by NN1N that timing of the meeting affects attendance.  Paul picked up an FT-857D in the garage sale.
11. Emergency net frequencies for KARS
    1. i.      Michael Smith suggests 3878 KHz may be a suitable frequency.  Scott Reeve suggests that we connect with BVARC and be mindful of the frequency at the TX traffic net at 3873.  The intent is to have default frequencies to which members may turn for informal social support and KARS traffic in the event of an emergency.
12. Any other new business
    1. i.      Dave Land reports that the club repeater may need some interim power and surge surpressor on the repeater until the Fire Station generator comes up and running.  Dave and Darryl recommend the installation of a surge protector and UPS.  The club nominated and voted for Owen to pursue (a) possible equipment donations, (b) install UPS/surge protector for the club repeater.  Owen and Dave Land will pursue UPS/surge protector for the club repeater.
    2. ii.      Del Partridge announces he is selling is VX-150 handi-talkie with accessories to those interested.
    3. iii.      RSO – Chris motions that the club empower the president, Joe Peet, to assemble a subcommittee of club members to formulate and propose a policy restricting RSO from participation in club.  The motion is seconded by Jerry Cammack and voted on unanimously by club members with none opposed.
    4. Reminders
       1. Net control volunteers – Sachiko Peet (W5IDF) will be contacting you on an as-needed basis.
       2. Awards
          1. Presentation of certificates for first time NCOs
             1. i.      Joe Peet presented certificates to club members who assumed net control responsibilities for the first time.
             2. Refreshments

Attendees

KF5ENT            Paul Glosch

KF5CZO            Owen Morgan

KT5BBQ           Charles Lancaster

KJ5OW             Phil Burrow

AD5KB              Bernie White

WA5NSF          Larry Doyle

KB5ZBU            Peter McLean

K5MMD            Marshall Dues

KE5VAI             Mike Mettler

W5QQ              Del Partridge

KT5US              Jerry cammack

KT5SR              Scott Reeve

KD5FX              Dave land

AE5QB             Tom Maxwell

N5TGL              Michael Smith

KT5USN            Stephen Manning

W5IDF              Sachiko Peet

N5IDF               Joe Peet

W5OIL              Chris Haase