SCARC Meeting Minutes May 22, 2008

Many thanks again go to SCARC Secretary Frank Hoult KI4VVI for providing the Club's Minutes

Call to order was given at 7:02pm at the EMA Headquarters in Columbiana with President Bill Davidson KW4J welcoming the members and visitors. The members introduced themselves and there was one visitor - Barbara McLester, xyl of VP Jim McLester W4YXU.

President Bill Davidson, KW4J, reminded everyone about the following:
Alabama QSO Party June 7th
Field Day June 28 -29
CQWW WPX CW 24-25

Treasurer Jack Evans, KC4PZA, reported the following bank account balances: Checking........................$79.52
Savings.....................$2,240.89
Repeater Savings....$1,180.38.

Secretary Frank Hoult, KI4VVI said that the Birmingham News is still printing our meeting notices.

MEC Rod Scott, announced upcoming activities.

President Bill Davidson ....
Presented Ed Boutwell W4ZSB, John Wilder WB4CCQ AAND Hub Harvey N4HUB with the "ATTAABOY Award" for their recent stint as NCS at Shelby EMA during the storm event on May 8
Announced that the American Red Cross has eased the background checks for ARES volunteersRead an article on adding satellite emcomm communication (uplink frequency 145.90 mhz and a downlink frequency of 435.225 mhz)
Read excerpts from Les Rayburn's article in the recent ARRl e-letter
Passed around several periodicals for review (HAMSAY, Alabama ARES update, Alabama QSO Party Rules)

VE Joe Ford, K4NVJ, announced that there will be a license exam given on June 6th at the new Red Cross offices in Pelham and mentioned that some 40 licensees passed their exam at the May 3-4 Birminghamfest.

Repeater Chairman Bob Thomas, KC4AF, said that the new ARCOM repeater controller has arrived, was assembled by Jim McLester and is ready for testing.

Red Cross Liaison Jack Evans said that there will be a meeting next Wednesday from 4:40 - 5:00pm to plan the installation of the ARC's radios, cables and antennas.

Web Master John Murphy, KA4ZXL, demonstrated the club updated website which should be installed over the weekend.

Shelby EMA Construction liasion Rod Scott made two announcements:
(1) work party scheduled for May 31st
(2) the HF software needed to be tested

Field Day Chairman Joe Ford said that the upcoming Field Day will be using 100% commercial power, that there will be some 3-5 stations, and that volunteers are needed for food preparation. He also said that the portable toilet will have to be arranged. Bill Davidson elaborated on the modified ICS Format planned to be used at Field Day. Marcus Thomas KF4YCP gave a report on the use of a freezer box for the field day.

One late visitor was announced: Kris Kirby from the UAB Amateur Radio Club.

Bill Davidson discussed the Alabama QSO Party details and opened the floor for further discussion on this matter. A vote was taken and it was decided not to participate as a Club.

Ed Manley W4AGA brought up a discussion about possible fox hunting programs but his proposal was tabled until a later date.

Rod Andrews, KC0I, gave an update on the upcoming general license testing.

Bill Davidson announced that there are new (additional) EMCOM courses that are required for EMA operations - IS 701, 702, 703, 800B (See www.fema.gov for course outlines).

John Outland, K3FP, announced that there will be a birthday party for Lee DeForest on August 26, 2008. Special events will be held and that volunteers are needed.

The meeting was dismissed at 8:35pm. (Note: The scheduled program for this meeting was cancelled.)