UPARC Meeting Minutes December 7, 2019
Alan Streitman W4UB called the meeting to order at 9:58 am at Fire Station 65 in Palm Harbor.
Alan Streitman W4UB reviewed the Club’s goals and core values.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jason Esterline N4BOZ.
Alan Streitman W4UB presented the Agenda overview.
The Club Board members and meeting attendees were introduced.
Reports
Secretary’s Report – Jeff deGrasse K4JJD stated the November 2, 2019 Meeting Minutes were posted on the Forum. Dean Siegrist N0OAC moved to approve the meeting minutes, Mike Branda K4HN seconded the motion, and the motion was passed.
Treasurer’s Report – Glenn Panazzolo N4ESU presented the report. The total balance is currently $3,429.67. Jason Esterline N4BOZ moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report, Karl Schulte WA2KBZ seconded the motion, and the motion was passed.
In addition to the Treasurer’s Report, Alan Streitman W4UB discussed the Club’s budget from a yearly perspective. Currently the yearly income has been $43.66 less than expenses. The Club is faced with additional costs on the horizon such as HamWan, incorporation fees, and text messaging expenses. The contingency fund is not growing. It may be necessary to increase membership dues to $25.
Committees
Technical – Alan Streitman W4UB reported that no repeater problems were reported and the repeater is apparently running well.
HamWan – Alan Streitman W4UB stated there is still a low signal level in the equipment closet. A new 175’ cat 6 outside rated cable is being tested today to determine if we have a bad cable.
Club Net Status – Glenn Panazzolo N4ESU stated there were 4 nets for a total of 57 check-ins. A call for more net controllers was issued. Tom Schaefer NY4I volunteered to act as net controller on December 24th. Call sign login practice will continue to take place after the net.
VE Testing – Mike Branda K4HN reported 1 candidate at the pre Club meeting testing session who did not pass.
Communications – Jason Esterline N4BOZ stated that after the first of the year, the text messaging system will now be an expense for the Club on a pay per subscriber or pay per message charge. The messaging traffic will be reduced to reduce expenses. It is estimated the yearly cost will be $100 with minimal use. Tom Schaefer NY4I moved to approve $40 for startup expenses, Jack Kinney N4KIN seconded the motion and the motion was passed
ARRL Winter Field Day – Will take place on January 25-26. Ron Appel W4RFA acted as the lead on the kickoff conference call on December 4th.
Social and Events – Jack Kinney N4KIN stated the Breakfast Social will be at Bob Evan’s on December 28th at 9:00 am. Operator call sign logging training will continue to take place after the weekly Club net activity.
Youth and Community Outreach – Nothing reported.
Club Incorporation – Alan Streitman W4UB reported for Ken Skaggs WQ3V that we are waiting for a CPA review of the incorporation documentation. After reviews, the Club board will consider approving the incorporation before submitting it to the general membership for approval.
Officer Election – Alan Streitman W4UB announced the formal election results: Alan Streitman W4UB resident, Jason Esterline N4BOZ vice president, Jeff deGrasse K4JJD treasurer, Steve Foy N4FOY secretary, and Glenn Panazzolo N4ESU member at large.
Old Business – Nothing reported.
New Business – Mike Branda K4HN began a DSTAR conversion. Because a DSTAR repeater interferes with our current 440 MHz equipment, the Club needs to find another location to host the DSTAR equipment. Who and where to host is yet to be determined.
Yearly accomplishments – Alan Streitman W4UB reviewed the Club’s accomplishments from the preceding year. This includes Winter Field Day, technical presentations, three technical license training courses, two picnics, ARRL Joint Field Day, and UPARC in the Park. The Club has stayed on budget, membership is up 15%. Meeting attendance is up 14%. HamWan installation is nearly complete. The web site and forum were migrated to more flexible editing platforms. Significant progress was made updating the bylaws for the incorporation effort.
Alan thanked all for their efforts to support the Clubs progress.
There was brief mention of training over the air consisting of radio contact call sign logging practice session that would be held on the repeater. Simulated contacts could be recorded using variable playback speed to challenge the user.
Technical Presentation – Glenn Panazzolo N4ESU gave the Club a presentation title ‘Portable Operations’ which described various events held at parks, beaches, and other locations for the purpose of field day like contesting .
Jason Esterline N4BOZ conducted a 50/50 raffle and a book raffle.
Tom Schaefer NY4I moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:23.