GMARC MEETING MINUTES 19-SEP-06

 

I.  Call to Order by President, Scott W1BIC at 7:03 PM

            The President noted that our Secretary Stefanie KC8TLB has gone away to college, and it will be necessary to appoint a new Recording Secretary.  A motion was made to appoint Bobby N8CY as Recording Secretary by Bob KZ8N and seconded by Dave W8RIT.  Motion passed.

            GMARC embroidered Polo Shirts were available for pick-up by members who ordered them in the first order.  The shirts are White with Royal Blue collar, placket, and sleeve trim and are embroidered with the Official GMARC logo.

 

II.  Introductions

            The following visitors were introduced:

                        KD8AVF – Tom ( Now N8ZI )

                        KA8TUR – Jim (Guest Presenter)

                        KB8ULS – Roger
                        KA8VSI – Bob

                        KB8TEZ – Matt

 

III.  Minutes

 

            A motion was made to approve the minutes from the 20-Jun-06 meeting was made by Joseph KD8AAK, and is seconded by Rich K8OX.  Motion passed.

 

IV.  Treasurer’s Report

            T.J. N8RUH reported that GMARC has a total of $1,137.79 in the checking account.

A motion to approve the Treasurer's report was made by Mark KC8WPS and seconded by Chuck N8ZA.  Motion passed.

 

V.  Membership Report by Bobby N8CY

            We have 80 members, 67 have paid their 2006 dues, and 1 has paid 2007 dues.

 

VI.  Nets and Newsletter by Dave W8RIT

            Dave W8RIT noted that the Sep-06 Newsletter is late and asked the members to turn in some articles for the Club Newsletter.  Bobby N8CY and Scott W1BIC agreed to write at least one article.

 

VII.  Club Liaison Report

George K8GEO, Club Liaison Representative was not present.  Mike N5WCS reported:        

GMARC will be providing Emergency Communication support for two upcoming events, and volunteers are needed:
            1-Oct-06 – American Diabetes Assoc Walk at Stony Creek 7:45 AM – Contact Bobby N8CY

                        8-Oct-06 – Rochester Crop Walk in Downtown Rochester 1:00 PM – Contact Scott W1BIC 

 

VIII.  Tech Committee Report

            No Report.

 

IX.  President's Remarks

            Scott W1BIC noted that we will have a very interesting presentation after the break on Military Radios by Jim Karlow KA8TUR.  Our President welcomed back all members (and visitors) after our two month break over the Summer.  He noted that Dan Romanchik KB6NU will be making the presentation at the 17-Oct-06 meeting.

            On the break, our President requested that anyone who has not ordered a GMARC Polo Shirt may do so for $14.50.  Volunteers are needed for the 01-Oct-06 Diabetes Walk and our OnStar activities, and GMARC QSL cards were available to any member who wants one from Bobby N8CY on the break.

 

X.  New Business

            Scott W1BIC noted that there has been a request to make the repeater code to open EchoLinkฎ on the UHF Repeater in the “Public Domain” and not have it restricted to Members Only.  A motion was made by Mike N5WCS and seconded by Val N8OEF.  According to our standard procedure, this motion was tabled until the 17-Oct-06 meeting when it will be voted on by the membership.

 

           Scott W1BIC noted that the Club has received the (10) orange vests with "Emergency Radio" silk-screened on the back, and these vests will be available for use by Members at the 01-Oct-06 Diabetes Walk and the 08-Oct-06 Crop Walk.

 

            Bob KZ8N reported that radios for the OnStar Command Center at GM Renaissance Center Tower 400 have been put together and are ready to go.  Parking has been arranged for volunteers and KZ8N has a PDF file with parking instructions that can be eMailed to volunteers.  Members were requested to sign-up on the break to participate in this and future support of our Strategic Relationship with OnStar.  The following members signed-up
:

                        W1BIC – Scott

                        KZ8N – Bob
                        N8CY – Bobby

                        N8ZA – Chuck

                        KC8WPS – Mark
                        N8RUH – T.J.

                        W8WRB – Bill

 

XI. Break from 8:25 to 8:40pm

 

            50/50 winner is Bobby N8CY - $22.00

 

XII. Presentation by Jim Karlow KA8TUR from Takata Corporation entitled:

 

 Modern Military Radios and The HAM Operator

(What Military Configurations offer as Diversification to our Hobby).

 

            Jim KA8TUR began his presentation by highlighting the purpose of his presentation:

 

  • Identify a recent resurgence of interest in rugged portable radio communications due to the availability of surplus modern military radios
  • Discuss differences between military communications equipment and recent HAM radio offerings
  • Examine some specific military systems and provide hands-on demonstrations
  • Provide resources for additional information
  • Encourage discussion, questions, and idea sharing about Military Radio Equipment and Procedures.

 

            He made available a hand-out of the April 2006 QST article “Green Radio Round-up” giving further details on various alternative radio sets.  He also noted that Army Field Manual FM 24-18 is available as a PDF file on the internet and can be downloaded.

 

            After his presentation, KA8TUR had an open discussion with several GMARC members.  He identified the following topic of interest and noted that he would be willing to make a future presentation on one (or more) of these topics:

 

1. OSS and CIA Spy radios (SSTR1, RS1, RS6, URD10) 

2. WW2 era US and Japanese communications (BC-611 Walkie Talkie, SCR-288 (BC-474), BC-1306 

3. Viet Nam era communications (PRC-25/77), GRC-9, PRC-74 etc. 

4. Digital Communications modes and ALE. 

5. Other military communications, VHF Radio, SINCGARS and SATCOM

 

Dave W8RIT noted the following URLs regarding Military Radios that may be of interest to the membership:

http://hereford.ampr.org/history/portable.html
http://www.kpjung.de/tasker1.htm

 

            Bobby N8CY stated his intention to burn a CD with all of the information provided by KA8TUR (and any other data provided by GMARC members) and make it available at the 17-Oct-06 GMARC meeting.  Dave W8RIT noted that he has a dozen (or so) files to contribute to this CD.

 

XIII.  New Members

           

            The following new members joined GMARC at this meeting:

                        KC8ZVA – Ken

                        KB8ULS – Roger

 

            Two members paid their 2007 Dues at this meeting:

                        N8CY – Bobby

                        K8OX – Rich

 

            28 Members attended, and 7 Visitors were present – a record for our first meeting of the year.

 

XIV.  Motion adjourned at 9:20PM. Motion by Mike N5WCS and seconded by Rich K8OX.  Motion passed.

 

 

            Respectfully submitted,


            Bobby Corr N8CY,

            Recording Secretary – GMARC

            N8CY@gmarc.org