GMARC MEETING MINUTES FOR OCT 2004

Meeting called to order by President Scott Bicknell (W1BIC) at 7:11 PM .

Introductions were made.   Members present 20.

Minutes from last meeting called for approval, Mike N5WCS motioned and Joe N8OZ seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

T.J. gave the treasury report.  Deposits since last meeting $31.00, current bank balance $1,570.88.
Bill N8SA motioned to accept, Jim N8DMW seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Club currently has 78 paid members.   Delayed membership applications noted at last meeting have been located – Checks will be processed and credentials issued.

George K8GEO reported upcoming events of interest to Amateur Operators.  All upcoming events will be posted on the web site at http://www.gmarc.org/  Of special interest are the following:

Oct 31, 2004 – USECA Hamfest/Swap at American Polish Century Club, 33204 Maple Lane , Sterling Heights , MI.  Contact Scott WN1B (248) 628-4756, eMail: WN1B@k8uo.com, http://www.useca.net/ 

Nov. 5-6, 2004 – Michigan State Convention – Holland ARC (616) 396-2294, eMail: W8MAI@comcast.net, http://www.hollandarc.org/ 

Dec. 5, 2004 – L’Anse Creuse ARC Swap – L’Anse Creuse H.S., 38495 L’Anse Creuse Rd , Harrison Twp, MI  http://www.n8lc.org/, Talk-in 147.080+ pl 100 Hz.

Dec. 11, 2004 – USECA Christmas Dinner at the Mt. Clemens Elks Club, $15 per person.

Jan 16, 2005 – Hazel Park ARC Swap.  Hazel Park H.S., 23400 Hughes Ave, Hazel Park, MI.  http://www.qsl.net/w8hp/swap.html, Talk-in 146.640+ pl 100 Hz.

Scott W1BIC reported that GMARC has two tables for the USECA Swap on Oct. 31, 2004 .  It is planned to offer on-the-spot memberships at the Swap (with photo ID’s available on location).  After discussion of alternatives, it was decided to make a “Special Membership Offer” of $20 to include the remainder of 2004 and expiring Dec. 31, 2005 .  Motion by Mike N5WCS, seconded by Bob KC8YHB, passed unanimously.

NOTE:  We will need members to staff the membership table – especially early times.  Please contact Scott W1BIC to volunteer for duty (248) 375-0624, eMail: Bicknell@ureach.com.

George Collar, Scout Leader for the Boy Scout Troup at Trinity Lutheran Church made a presentation acknowledging the participation of GMARC members in his Troop activities and at the Romeo Airport Fly-in on Oct. 16, 2004 .  Certificates of appreciation were presented to: Dave W8RIT, Doug KC8ZCF, Rich K8PJQ, Joe N8OZ, and Mike N5WCS.

Scott W1BIC noted that GM has contacted the Club about the need to provide liability insurance covering our antenna site on top of the GM Renaissance Center.  After discussion it was decided that the Club will purchase a $1 million liability policy and physical damage insurance for our repeater equipment located at the RenCen.  Motion by Dave N8OEV, seconded by Joe N8OZ to purchase authorized insurance at premiums to be determined.

Scott W1BIC suggested that Mark Hill N0CJV, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (who provides our meeting place) be inducted as an honorary member.  Motion by Dave W8RIT, seconded by George K8GEO, motion passed unanimously.

Bill N8SA encouraged all members to attend the Clinton Township Zoning Board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2004 at 6:30 PM in support of Dave Cunningham KC8IAQ – who has been directed to take down his antennas.  Broad support from the HAM community is essential to preserve the spirit of FCC Opinion & Order PRB-1, and our rights under Section 97.15 of the FCC Rules.

Dina N8YJI requested that members donate any available empty ink-jet cartridges for her school.  The school will received one new cartridge for every 20 empties donated.

Bill N8SA has offered to loan the Club a pair of two meter cavities to allow the Tech Committee to evaluate the issues with our 2-meter repeater.  This will allow us to send the existing cavities out for repair (if necessary).  The 2-meter P.A. has been repaired but not reinstalled.  The UHF P.A. was returned from Henry (after warranty repair).  The P.A. was reinstalled on Sat, Oct. 16, 2004 , but it did not appear to work correctly.  It was removed and will be evaluated by Jeff N8XN.

The Club will elect new officers at the Dec. 20, 2004 meeting. Scott W1BIC stated that he will not seek re-election as our President.  Nominations for officers will take place at the Nov. 16, 2004 meeting.  Scott stated that he will provide a list full-time GM employees eligible to be nominated for President in the eMail meeting notice for the Nov, 2004 meeting.

There was discussion about making information from our membership roster available to Club members.  It was decided that we will circulate a list at the Nov. 16, 2004 meeting, and members can provide any information they wish to share with other members; e.g. eMail address, phone number, address, etc.  Motion by Dave W8RIT, seconded by Brad N8VI, unanimously passed.

Dave W8RIT referred to a story in the Michigan HAM Reflector requesting that HAMs across the nation send toys to homeless children between the ages of 1-14 in Florida as a result of the recent hurricanes.  Additional information is available at http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/10/18/2/?nc=1.  Interested members should send an unwrapped toy (along with their QSL card) to:

                Ham Radio
The United Way White Dove Project
50 Kindred Street - Suite 207
Stuart , FL   34994-3033

Motion to adjourn meeting by Joe N8OZ, seconded by Jim N8DMW.

Meeting Closed at 8:46 PM .