I. Call to Order by President, Ingo AC8AW at 7:04 PM.
II. Introductions & Upgrades
There were 2 Visitors present - Tom KD8GZE + Marty Porea
Tom KD8GZE has upgraded to Amateur
Extra
Minutes of the 20-May-08 meeting are available at the meeting and on the GMARC Web Site, and printed copies were available to those present.
Motion to approve the May Minutes by Dave W8RIT and seconded by Scott W1BIC. Motion passed.
IV. Treasurer’s Report
Joel WU8Y, our Treasurer, was not present. Scott
W1BIC reported that our Bank Balance is $1,926.59, the Antenna Fund has
$1,070.20, and Operating Funds are $856.39. Scott W1BIC noted that the cost to
purchase one antenna is approx. $1,100 based on the report of the
Technical Committee at the 17-Apr-07 meeting.
Motion by Kurt WU8V to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Seconded by Mike
N5WCS. Motion passed.
Bobby N8CY noted that the “Unknown” $41.00 is comprised of 2-3 persons who made the initial donations to the Antenna Fund on 17-Apr-07. Anyone who made donations at that meeting should inform N8CY so he can update the donors list. The following members were recognized for their outstanding support of the Antenna fund – each making more than one donation: Dave WD8IFL, Greg N1FCK, George WB8VQP, Mike N5WCS, Dave WI8C, and Kurt WU8V.
V. Membership Report by Bobby N8CY
We have 34 members in good standing, who have paid their 2008 dues. One member
paid his dues at this meeting Bob KZ8N – bringing the total to 35 members.
VI. Nets and Newsletter
Dave
W8RIT noted that there is a problem with linking the VHF-UHF repeaters. This
problem will be referred to the Technical Committee.
Ingo AC8AW noted that the net is very vibrant with lots of
check-ins – including EchoLink check-ins from Australia, Alaska, and Arizona.
VII. Club Liaison Report
No report given.
VIII. Tech Committee Report
The problem with linking the VHF-UHF repeaters was acknowledged. It was also noted that there is supposed to be a Macro that links and un-links the repeaters on Monday evening for the InfoNet. Scott W1BIC will notify Jeff N8XN of these two issues.
IX. Old Business
None.
X. President's Remarks
Tom KD8GZE noted that Joe N8OZ [the Contact Volunteer Examiner for our area] had made a special accommodation to him to allow him to take Element 4 and obtain his Amateur Extra. Ingo AC8AW commended N8OZ – who has demonstrated over time that he is always willing to accommodate anyone who wishes to take an Exam.
Upcoming Events for GMARC:
· Trunk Swap 19-Jul-08 7:00 AM
· Club Picnic 23-Aug-08 10:00 AM
·
Next Membership Meeting 16-Sep-08 7:00 PM
XI. New Business
Scott W1BIC noted that there will be a 1K, 5K, Half Marathon race in October, 2008 named the “Brooksy Half Marathon” [in honor of L. Brooks Patterson – the Oakland County Executive]. The course will start at Oakland University and finish at different places [depending on distance]. W1BIC noted that this may be an opportunity for GMARC to provide Emergency Communications.
Motion by Dave W8RIT to accept this opportunity and authorize W1BIC to volunteer the services of GMARC members to provide Emergency Communications for this event. Seconded by Bobby N8CY. Motion passed.
Dave W8RIT noted that our former member George K8GEO will again be making available “Emergency Radio” orange vests for purchase. Anyone interested should contact W8RIT, and he will inform K8GEO. The approximate cost will be $40.
Dave W8RIT noted that ARRL elections for Division Director are upcoming this Fall – ARRL will send ballots to paid members who must return ballots by mail. The position of Great Lakes Division Director will be contested – Dan KB6NU [the existing Michigan Section ACC] will be running against Jim K8JE [the existing GL Division Director from Ohio]. All ARRL members are encouraged to vote in the election.
Tom KD8GZE noted that USECA is currently running “free advertising” on Comcast and WoW! – Channel 5. Their ad appears approximately every 7-minutes. GMARC has the opportunity to do the same thing. Bobby N8CY will send a graphic of the GMARC logo to KD8GZE, and he will pass it along to the program director for Channel 5.
XI. New Business (Cont.)
Don K7SDF noted that he recently returned from a trip to Beijing China and was trying to get on a plane during the middle of the earthquake in China. There are pictures at Flickr on the internet. He also recently met up with some of his friends from “7 Land” in Colorado and provided communications support for “Rich boaters from Salt Lake City” in an event on the Colorado River. K7SDF will send out an eMail from Yahoo! Groups with instructions to GMARC Yahoo! Groups members on how to contact him to receive access to his Flickr Pics.
Bobby N8CY reminded those present to sign-up for GMARC Yahoo! Groups if you have not already done so. There is a link from www.gmarc.org to the Yahoo! Groups – where you can sign-up. Don K7SDF and Scott W1BIC can grant permissions to new persons wishing to sign-up for Yahoo! Groups.
Kurt WU8V noted that the Club has made several past commitments for Emergency Communications service:
· Amateur Radio Hospital Emergency Communications [ARHEC] – Bill W8WRB
· OnStar Emergency Communications – Bob KZ8N
· K-9 Search and Rescue – Larry KD8CRA
· Oakland County Emergency Siren Test – Joel WU8Y
It was suggested that these Event Coordinators [or their surrogate] routinely report on their activities, and the status of the Club’s commitments at our membership meetings. Don K7SDF volunteered to report on K-9 SAR activities in the absence of KD8CRA.
Wes KD8DHS asked if the OnStar
commitment is “just a local activity”, or is it Nationwide. Bob KZ8N noted
that he has a list of frequencies [including HF frequencies] monitored by
various State Emergency Organizations + SATERN and American Red Cross. Part of
the plan for OnStar support is to have monitoring stations [e.g. operating from
their base] to monitor the HF frequencies and pass traffic via eMail or various
repeaters operating in our area to get the information to OnStar. The radios
in the OnStar command center have been programmed with all significant
repeaters in our area. He will send the info to Bobby N8CY for publication on www.gmarc.org.
Scott W1BIC will work with KZ8N to authorize GMARC members [non-GM
employees] to enter the OnStar Command Center at the Renaissance Center for the
purpose of check-in to the GMARC Monday night InfoNet. Check-in from the OnStar Command Center will demonstrate “presence”, and the Club’s commitment to “be
prepared” to service OnStar in the event of a real emergency. Members are
encourage to volunteer to check-in to the Monday night InfoNet from the OnStar Command Center.
The 50/50 raffle winner was Wes KD8DHS $28.00 who donated his winnings to the Antenna Fund. ($28 to Club).
15 Members attended, and there were 2 Visitors.
Total Collections to be delivered to the Treasurer:
Coffee Fund - $ 6.00
50/50 Raffle - 28.00
Antenna Fund - 108.00
Membership Dues - 20.00
Total -- $ 162.00 + Coffee
Fund
XV. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.
Motion by Mike N5WCS, seconded by Scott W1BIC. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Bobby Corr N8CY,
Secretary – GMARC
N8CY@gmarc.org