Murray State University Amateur Radio Club

Minutes of the March 4, 2008 Meeting  

The meeting was called to order by President, Randall Winchester at 1908 hours. In attendance were:

Self-introduction of members took place and “If you had a choice between the top of the line Elecraft, Kenwood, Yaesu, Ten-Tec, Icom or Flex-Radio rig which would you choose for HF, VHF and UHF?” was the question of the day.  

Minutes – Randall asked for any corrections to the January minutes which were emailed in January, there was no February meeting due to bad weather. Bill noted that under Program a correction from “which is 1000 times more accurate than WWV” should be changed to “which is 1000 times more accurate than receiving the WWV signal.” Correction was noted and the minutes were accepted with noted correction.  

Treasurer’s Report –Bill Call reported no expenses, two deposits of dues totaling $195.00 for a current balance of $1,034.83. Bill noted there was a mathematical error in his report for January and that the current balance is correct at $1,034.83.  

Systems Report – Bill Call reported that 94 is working well and is still on the back-up antenna. He has purchased a replacement antenna that has yet to be installed. The small tower has been taken down and reinstalled. The other repeaters are working fine. The main tower is down and will be reinstalled when the tower company is available, probably when the weather is warmer. The cables could not be pulled through the conduit, the pull rope broke and the conduit moved, but the cables wouldn’t budge. It was noted that the small tower needs painting as it’s getting quite rusty. It was also noted that the club is looking at purchasing a top section for the small tower.  A new section would cost approximately $150 - $175. The auto patch is available for all dues paying members, if you need the access code please contact Bill Call.  

Staff Advisor Report – John Hart reported that the tower needed painting was brought to his attention within days of it being reinstalled. He also noted that we can expect “static” (from university people) when we install the high frequency dipole on the small tower.  

Net Report – Matt Freeman gave his reports for January and February. January had 4 sessions, 0 traffic, 42 stations, 98 minutes and 68.6 operator hours and February had 4 sessions, 0 traffic, 40 stations, 94 minutes and 62.67 operator hours.  

QSL Manager’s Report – Valerie Barrett had nothing to report and will check with Bill Call concerning some type of confirmation that we need to provide to the QSL Bureau to prove we are affiliated with the ARRL.  

Ham Classes – Randall Winchester reported that he is holding an Amateur Radio licensing class on Saturday mornings at 9:00 am at the Public Library and he currently has three students ( one adult and two kids). New students are welcome.

No further reports.  

Old Business – Randall Winchester gave a demonstration of the Litz Decoder and John Hart explained what the Litz Decoder does. Randall passed a working model around so everyone could exam it. He has written new software for the new model. Bill Call is reviewing the parts list, when that is complete, printed circuit boards need to be printed. After that someone will then need to assemble the decoder according to the instructions to check for accuracy. When all of this is accomplished the club will be able to put the new Litz Decoder into production in kit form. For more information contact Randall.  

Bill Call thanked those who attended the Basic Weather Spotting Class and reported that the Advanced  Weather Spotting Class will be Monday, March 24^th at the IT building on the MSU campus.  

George Knecht also reported that the Marshall County Amateur Radio Club is having a Basic and Advanced Weather Spotting Class at the East Marshall County Fire Department on Moor’s Camp Road (Hwy 93), Tuesday, March 18^th at 6:00 and 8:00 pm respectively.  

Ham Bits – “Making Waves” A chick-flick for hams, a British film, was previewed. We should see if it can be shown in the International Cinema at the Curris Center.  

Program – Dale Barrett presented Field Day follies, “How not to put up an antenna” and also information on an “air powered antenna support launcher”.  It is a CSV19 Pneumatic Antenna Launcher. Information, instructions on use and how to order the kits can be seen at http://www.antennalaunchers.com/csv19/csv19asm.html.  

New Business – John Hart made a motion to allocate $200.00 for purchasing a new top section and  painting the small tower. Whipple Walker seconded the motion. Motion was brought to a vote and passed unanimously.  

Election of officers will be held at the April meeting, be sure to attend.  

Field Day – Maybe try something different this year. Bring your ideas for submission next month, lets come up with some creative ideas.  

New Member Applications - We had two new hams request associate membership with MSUARC, I read their information to tonight’s attendees, Bill Call moved to accept Andrew and Rose Cullen as Associate Members (provided they unpack their radios J). John Hart seconded and the motion passed unanimously.  

The following Hamfests are coming up in the next couple of months, mark your calendars.  

Middle Tennessee ARS, March 15^th, Tullahoma, TN. http://www.qsl.net/mtars

The Ides of March Hamfest, March 15^th, Reelfoot ARC, Union City, TN. http://www.reelfootarc.com

 29^th Annual Hamfest, March 29^th, Lincoln Trail ARC, Elizabethtown, KY. http://www.qsl.net/ltarc/.

FreeFest, April 12^th, Mid-South ARA, Bartlett, TN. (replaced Memphis Hamfest)

8^th Annual Hamfest, May 3^rd, Hopkins County ARA, Madisonville, KY http://www.wb4jro.net/hamfest_flyer.html

Book for Public Library – Bill Call moved to purchase a book, an Amateur Radio Study Guide, for the Calloway County Public Library. John Hart seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Randall Winchester thanked the club on behalf of the Public Library. John Hart reported that the university library is up-to-date in regard to Amateur Radio publications and that these are available to any Calloway County taxpayer. 

There being no further business John Hart made a motion to adjourn, Whipple Walker seconded, all in favor and motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 2010 hours.  

Respectfully submitted,  

Debbie Barton, W8IBT, Secretary