GMARC MEETING MINUTES FOR MARCH 2006

 

I.  Meeting CTO at 7:13 PM, by Scott W1BIC in the Library.

 

The April 18, 2006 Club Meeting will be held in the Lecture Hall (to the left and down the stairs on First Floor).  The May 2006 meeting will be held in the Library on the 2nd Floor.  All future GMARC Club meetings will be located in the Lecture Hall thru (at least) December 2007.

 

II.  Introduction of members 

 

There were 26 members present.  Kurt, WU8V is a visitor and welcomed to the meeting by Scott, W1BIC.  Dan, KB6NU is also a visitor and will be making the presentation tonight.

 

III.  Previous Minutes

 

Rich, K8OX motioned to approve the minutes from last month; seconded by Joe, N8OZ.  Passed.

 

IV.  Treasurer’s Report

 

TJ, N8RUH, could not attend the meeting due to a death in his family.  No report made.

 

V.  Membership Summary from Bobby, N8CY

 

N8CY said, “Pay your 2006 dues!!”  There are 46 members who have paid their dues for 2006.  We have a total of 73 members including Honorary Members.

 

VI.  Technical Committee Report from Jeff, N8XN

 

The Technical Committee recommended to the membership that we proceed with preliminary plans to install the 1.2 GHz ICOM repeater offered to the Club by John, K8OCL.  Before putting up the 1.2 GHz repeater, the Club must first obtain coordination from MARC and then draw-up an engineering diagram for submission to SpectraSite (Tower Communications).

 

A discussion brought up these important points:

 

A 1.2 GHz repeater would provide an additional frequency band for repeater operations, and if the Club does not agree to place the repeater in operation, the offer of equipment will be withdrawn by K8OCL.  A Club Member would need to purchase a $200-250 transverter or a 1.2 GHz capable HT (>$400) in order to actually use the new repeater. 

 

George, K8GEO, motioned to submit coordination to MARC for approval.  Once coordination is received, the committee will then prepare engineering specifications for submission to SpectraSite.  Seconded by Mike, N5WCS.  Passed.

 

VII.  Net Information from Dave, W8RIT

 

Dave suggested having a more informal InfoNet on Mondays at 8:00 PM.

 

VIII.  GMARC Newsletter Information from Dave, W8RIT

 

Starting with the April 2006 Edition, the GMARC newsletter will have a new section called “Meet the Members” which will consist of an interview with a different GMARC member every month.

 

Chuck, N8ZA, agreed to be the “Guinea Pig” for the New Section for the first month.  Thereafter, the featured member will choose the next member to be featured.

 

It was also decided to dedicate a section of the Newsletter for URL’s and Web Sites with pertinent information for Ham Radio Operators.

 

IX.  Club Liaison Report from George, K8GEO

 

Some important upcoming events:

 

- April 8th - Milford ARC Swap – Milford H.S. - Milford, MI  http://www.qsl.net/w8ydk/

- April 15th - Michigan QSO Party

- May 18th - SKYWARN training at Freedom Hill.

 

Contact George, K8GEO for more information or visit http://gmarc.org/Upcoming_Ham_Events.htm

 

X.  Old Business

 

Bobby, N8CY motioned that Nancy Polis be inducted as an Honorary Member (tabled from the Feb-2006 meeting); seconded by Joe, N8OZ.  Passed unanimously. 

 

XI.  New Business

 

Tentative plans:  The club will sponsor a “Trunk Swap” in the Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot the last Saturday of June, July or August.  Entry would only be $5 per car.  It would help to get the Club better-known and be a minor fundraiser.  This issue was tabled until the April, 2006 meeting.

 

XII.  Reminders

 

- Next month bring your batteries for a battery test from Dave, W8RIT using his new analyzer
               and software purchased at the Maumee Swap.

- Don’t forget to purchase GMARC Mugs and Pens – available from Bobby, N8CY!

 

XIII.  Break from 7:50 to 8:15 PM

 

During the break Scott displayed some wonderful pictures of our two repeaters located 775-feet above the Detroit River on top of the Marriott Hotel at GM World HQ (Renaissance Center)!

 

50/50 Winner was Dave WI8C!!  WI8C generously donated his winnings of $26 back to the Club.

 

XIV.  “Getting Kids Into Ham Radio” presentation by Dan Romanchik, KB6NU  (ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator for the Michigan Section)

 

Dan, KB6NU is working on getting more kids into Ham Radio.  He organized a Ham Radio Club at Ann Arbor Middle School where kids are doing “hands-on” stuff and getting involved with Ham Radio.  KB6NU has created a brochure called “The Parent’s Guide to Ham Radio” designed to help Parents motivate their kids to become involved with Ham Radio.  Copies can be obtained from Dan, KB6NU (KB6NU@w8pgw.org).  KB8NU is also planning an additional guide entitled “The Teacher’s Guide to Ham Radio” to be available sometime later this Spring.  He also indicated that he plans to get on the agenda of the Michigan Sciences Teachers Association to advance his program.  He stated that President Bush has challenged the nation to push for more Math & Science in school curriculums, and, of course this program fits “right in” with that objective.   Many students need public service “points”, and participation in Ham Radio public service events; e.g. providing Emergency Communications for charitable organizations during their fundraisers will allow students to achieve their objectives while participating in an exciting (and educational) hobby.

 

Some Web Sites for kids interested in learning more about Ham Radio are:

 

http://www.hamkids.com – Sponsored by Gordie, KD8CDP and his Father KD8BUS.

http://www.ki3ds.org

http://www.kidshamradio.com

http://www.ICOMamerica.com/amateur/kids/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ham_instructor/ - Discussion Group on Yahoo.

 

One way to get involved is on Tuesday nights on EchoLink® -- connect to KD8BUS

 

If you would like to assist in these efforts to attract more young persons into Ham Radio, contact Dan, KB6NU (KB6NU@w8pgw.org), or Bobby, N8CY (N8CY@gmarc.org).

 

XV.  Motion to Adjourn by Chuck, N8ZA, and seconded by Joe, N8OZ. 


26 Members Attended - Adjourned at 9:50 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Stefanie, KC8TLB