Meeting Minutes - April 6, 2010

Meeting opened at 7:30 pm by Steve, N9UDO. Minutes read as published, motioned by N9ROY, second by N9TRY to accept. Passed Treasurer's report: Don was absent, but N9UDO read last months amounts and thought we had no outstanding bills. So we have approx. $xx50.00. Bill for D-Star combining system is coming soon. Old Business: D-Star equipment has been installed. One of the filter cavities has been removed as it is not needed, as when designed the engineer did not know that the antennas had at least 80 feet of separation between them. Removing the cavity saved some loss, and a few dollars. Steve will send Don, K9JYX, a bill for the system as soon as the new total is figured out. It will be cheaper than last report. Steve, N9UDO and Brad, KB9VMC split the cost of a new UPS system for the D-Star repeater. This will allow the separation of Commercial radio equipment from Ham equipment. Thus extending battery backup life. (ed. note - The UPS that was on the D-Star system was a loaner from Brad and was moved to the commercial equipment, as the commercial equipment was sharing the UPS with the 3-1-5 repeater) MFJ 269 has been put on the back burner for now, at least until the 501c(3) has been paid along with the combining system. New Business: We had 2 club members renew their memberships. Sonny, W4KXQ, and Brian Bodendein, KB9ZKS. Thanks. We hope anyone else in arrears renews their membership soon. Jane, N9JAS sent a resignation letter to the Board members, explaining that she has a new shift at her work QTH. Due to working second shift, she would be unable to perform her duties as secretary. With sad hearts, the board accepted her resignation, but do wish Jane the very best. Steve asked for volunteers to take her place for the remainder of the term, and Rick, N9ROY volunteered. Steve got no other offers, and appointed N9ROY to take the temporary term. Thanks Rick. Circus Heritage Days will be here at the Sauk County Fairgrounds on May 21-23, 2010. We will again set up a station for demonstration purposes and will attempt to launch an amateur Balloon. This would have a cross-band repeater, GPS, live streaming video, and have still photo capabilities. Motion by N9ROY second by N9PQJ to supply the tank of gas needed. Passed. A donation request was received by N9UDO for the World Radio Sport Dfing contest to be held in Russia. This is a donation to help de-fray the cost for US members to attend. No discussion ensued, so it died a quiet death. Bill, KC9CVD has purchased the old Communications trailer from the CAP and has offered it to anyone that would like to use it. Motion to adjourn by N9ROY, second by N9TRY. Passed. Respectfully submitted, Rick, N9ROY Un-official fill-in Secretary After the meeting, members in attendance then listened to Todd Sprinkman, KC9BQA about the contesting and nets available to VHF/UHF enthusiasts. Todd put on a very interesting program about equipment and antennas needed to do long distance communicating. There are several nets available for all of us to listen to, including: Tuesdays    7:30-9:30 on 222.100 SSB. 7:30-8:00 223.500 FM simplex. Wednesdays  7:00 pm, from Wisconsin Rapids on 144.240 SSB. 8:30 pm KC9BQA looks to the west from Sheboygan for checkins. Thursdays   8:00 pm on 146.430 FM simplex, there is a net and they do checkins by Counties. KC9BQA is net control from Sheboygan. 8:30 pm on 146.460 FM simplex, there is a net from Onalaska. Anyone interested in VHF/UHF nets and contesting, can go to the web site: www.kc9bqa.com and Todd has daily updates there about nets and contesting. In Attendance: Rick Plouffe, N9ROY - Wisconsin Dells Dave Spearing, KB9CSW - Portage Tom Yager, N9TRY - Portage Todd Sprinkmann, KC9BQA - Sheboygan Bill Stehling, KC9CVD - Sauk City Joe Mayenschein, WB9SBD - LaValle Steve Schulze, N9UDO - Baraboo Tom Harrison, N9PQJ - Reedsburg Brad Pointon, KB9VMC - Baraboo