Murray State University Amateur Radio Club

Club Minutes                                                     5 April 2005

 

The meeting began with introductions at 7:05PM. 

 

John Hart, KO4ZE                                  Bill Call, KJ4W 

Randall Winchester, WD4HVA                Dale Barrett, WB7D      

Valerie Barrett, KG4OCJ                         Don Fogt   KG4NCZ

Bob Atkinson, K9OIM                             Bill Slayman, KY4NU

Ray Bradley, KN4ZL                               Whipple Walker, N4STW

Matthew Freeman, WX4MET                   Bonnie Allen

Robin Jones, KF4GCD                           Mark Garland, K4SDI

Bill Husfield, K9MMW                            Mary Husfield, KI4HYI

 

Hambits

Randall Winchester, WD4HVA, presented on compact HF antennas using mobile whips.

 

Program

There was no program.

 

Reports

Minutes of the March meeting had been emailed.  Acceptance moved by Bill Slayman, 2nd Bill Call.

Treasurer – Bill Call, KJ4W – There was no activity so the current balance is unchanged at $2,010.64.  Report accepted.

University Advisor – John Hart, KO4ZE, had nothing to report.

Systems – Bill Call, KJ4W

.94 Repeater – Checks fine.

.24 Repeater – Significant noise on receive occasionally but when tested there was no apparent problem with the repeater.  The SWR is high at 2.3:1 which indicates a problem.  Bill check the hardline about ½ way to the top.  Bill believes the antenna suffered damage in a lightening strike.  He purchased a new Diamond antenna which he hopes to mount on top of the tower with a spare on the side.

440 Repeater – Working well and power measures 40 watts output.  The range seems to be a bit low.  This may be due to lower antenna height (relative to .94) or some other factor.

APRS Digi – seems to have a come-and-go sensitivity problem but nothing shows on the instruments.

VE – Bill Call, KJ4W.  There have been no test sessions.  Some members indicated interest in a session in the next month.  A test session was scheduled for 26 April.

QSL –no report

Nets - Matthew Freeman, WX4MET, 0 messages, 50 checkins, 140 minutes, 116.6 operator hours.

Webmaster - Matthew Freeman, WX4MET, No changes except routine maintenance.

ARES – No Report

ARES DEC District 1 – No report
 

 

Old Business

Field Day –

Site Discussion – Mark Garland, K4SDI presented Mike Miller park in Benton (same as last year) and the club station as options for the Field Day site this year.  The club station could be entered as an EOC station with an F designation.  After discussion, Bill Slayman moved and Mark Garland 2nd to have Field Day in the club station.  If Freshman Orientation is scheduled for that weekend we will move it to Mike Miller park.  John Hart to check on Freshman Orientation.

Horse Race Communications – The LBL horse race is scheduled for April 29, 30 and May 1 from approximately 7am until 4pm.  Bill Call is the contact.

Disaster Blaster – Rescheduled for April 16.

 

New Business

Club Station Reorganization – John Hart reported on the reorganization of the club station and moved for the club to purchase a Sound Blaster Plus interface, three headsets and three footswitches to augment club equipment, cost not to exceed $400.  2nd by Don Fogt.  After a brief discussion about using an intercom system the motion passed.  If there is sufficient interest later we can design or purchase an intercom system that integrates with the headsets.

Weather Nets – Bill Slayman reviewed weather net operating procedures and “Dos and Don’ts”.  Specifically, he indicated the need for more discipline on the nets, the need to keep transmissions short and the reminder that the NCO is in charge of the network.

Sale of old Club Equipment – John Hart moved and Bill Slayman 2nd that the older club equipment including the Heathkit Twins and several other pieces (currently in the northwest corner of the station be sold and the money added to the treasury.  Motion passed and John is to check on the going prices and list the items.  This does not include the Collins station.

EchoLink Setup – Don Fogt asked about the possibility of opening up the Echolink station so that more than one remote connection can be made simultaneously.  The software allows many simultaneous connections.  Bill Call indicated that the limit was set to one connection now to keep traffic down.  After discussion it was agreed to set the limit to two simultaneous connections.

Election Of Officers – New officers were elected.  The new officers are; President Mark Garland, vice-President Randall Winchester by acclamation, Treasurer Bill Call by acclamation, Secretary John Hart (volunteer after no one else spoke up).

 

Motion to adjourn by Dale Barrett, 2nd by John Hart. Voted with feet.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:47PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

John Hart