Murray State University Amateur Radio Club

Meeting Minutes, November 3, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 19:10 by President, Randall Winchester.

In attendance:

Question of the day was : “Have you ever operated on any of the modern digital modes?”

Systems Report – Bill Call reported that the power supply for the APRS digital repeater quit working again and the repeater was down for about 1-1/2 days. This MFJ power supply has failed four times, but Bill has repaired it and has built in a safety to prevent it from supplying too much voltage to the radio.

Staff Advisor Report – John Hart reported via email to Bill Call the following:

1)      Work continues on the satellite groundstation. We should begin mounting antennas soon.

2)      HSMM network (now named Skynet, a grin for fans of “The Terminator”) is coming along. Weather has delayed installation of some links but we should be able to get the two long-distance links up to LBL this week and re-establish the link to Hamlin. All of these will be connected to a core router here on campus. This project has several TSM students interested in getting their ham license and our student group had a “build a cantenna” session to build 802.11 b/g antennas for 2.4 GHz with good results.

3)      Balloon project has stalled for a bit and I’ve got to get it moving again. Those of you who are interested in being on chase teams should check your APRS equipment and direction finding equipment. It will be vital that each mobile have APRS tracking capability and it would be helpful if they had mobile APRS computer display for data received off-air (no internet needed). DF gear is not mandatory but would be helpful. More to come.

Minutes – Chuck Williams motioned to accept the minutes as emailed, Bill Call seconded. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Bill Call reported deposits of $110.00, and a new balance of $1247.45.

VE Report – Exam session tonight, with three people taking the test. Mike Metcalf and Mary Erickson are looking to upgrade to General Class licenses and Pat Metcalf is trying for her Technician Class license.

QSL Managers Report – Valerie Barrett reported there were no new cards.

Net Report – No report from Matt Freeman.

Old Business –

1)      Christmas Party Committee Report – The party will be December 11^th. We had a couple of choices and are submitting our recommendation of “The Willow Pond,” in Aurora. The Willow Pond has good food at reasonable prices and would not have a problem with us having a gift exchange after our meal. They do have a separate area so we would not be mixed in with other diners. This is a family event with a Chinese Auction. If you are participating in the Chinese Auction the dollar limit on a newly purchased gift is $10.00 or if you prefer you can bring in up to 30 pounds of used equipment as a gift. Please remember gifts can be Ham Radio oriented or Non-Ham Radio oriented (just mark accordingly). The recommendation was put to a vote and was passed unaminously. Therefore the party will be December 11^th, 6:30 pm at The Willow Pond. An email will be sent to all members.

2)       Ham of the Year – Bob Atkinson nominated Terry Ward, Valerie Barrett nominated Chuck Williams and Mike Erickson nominated Bill Call. Bill Call declined the nomination. Chuck was asked to leave the room while the merits of each candidate were discussed. A vote was taken upon Chuck’s return with Debbie Barton and Valerie Barrett tabulating the votes.

Ham Bits – SignaLink Soundcard Interface, which is an interface between your radio and computer. This interface has its own built soundcard and therefore does not interfere with your computer soundcard settings.

Program – Randall Winchester presented the new ARRL Appropriate Use Guidelines, which raises more questions than ever about who and when a licensed radio operator can operate their radio. Please see the following links. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2259A1.pdf  and http://www.arrl.org/news/files/ARRL_AppropriateUseGuidelines.pdf

After much discussion Bill Call remarked that he thinks it will be rescinded but that we need to be aware of these changes.

New Business – We have been asked to provide communications for the MSU Bicycle Race this coming spring, more info will follow at future meetings.

Randall Winchester adjourned the meeting at 20:15 and the exam session followed.

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Barton, W8IBT

Secretary

P.S. The test session resulted in all three examinees passing their test. Congratulation to Mary Erickson and Mike Metcalf in their upgrade to General Class and Pat Metcalf for passing her Technician Class license exam.