Minutes of SCARC meeting of June 11, 2009

A regular meeting of the Shelby County Amateur Radio Club was called to order by President Bill Davidson KW4J who asked the attendees to introduce themselves. One visitor was recognized - Ed Tyler KI4GKS.

President Davidson reminded club members of upcoming events such as Field Day June 27-28 and the election of new club officers September 10.

It was announced that Don Tunstill W4NO of Huntsville is a silent key.

President Davidson noted that present predictions estimate Cycle 24 to peak in 2013 instead of 2011.

The July QST lists Alabama as the number 4 in the nation for the 2008 SET.

Vice President Jim McAlester W4YXU gave an outline to the next two Club programs.

Treasurer Jack Evans KC4PZA reported as follows:
Account Balances:
Savings $3,069.83
Checking $176.12
Repeater Fund $1,383.35

Bills paid
Sanitation facilities for Field Day $160.00
Tom Appleby – for headsets $295.00
Bill Davidson – ARRL materials $ 89.73

Communications were read by Secretary Mike Thomason K4FQF.

MEC Tom Appleby W4TCA enumerated emergency related activities that he attended and outlined future emergency related exercises and meetings of interest to club members

Joe Ford, K4NVJ reported that 12 persons were present at the last testing session. He also announced that future testing for both BARC and SCARC will be at 2:00 PM on the first Sunday of each month starting in August and that the venue will be the Shelby County Red Cross Office.

W4SHL Repeater Trustee and Chairman Bob Thomas KC4AF said that back up batteries were now on line. They are designed to give several days of normal usage before failing. During Bob’s report, he called upon Jim McLester to outline a proposed set of repeater protocols which will give indication of the state of the power input to the repeater.

Bob Thomas also reported that four individuals indicated an interest in becoming Hams at the recent Alabaster CityFest and signed up for more information.

Patty King KI4MQI Red Cross Liaison reported recent meetings with Red Cross people and plans to attend Public Health Department training classes.

Terry Dillard, KI4YZI was named as Shelby County EMA.

John Murphy, Webmaster, KA4ZXL said that a power point program relating to the Extra Class License was available on the Club web page.

Ron Andrews KC0I introduced visitor Ed Tyler, KI4GKS. Ed is president of the Coosa Valley Radio Association, and told of the work being done in his area to educate amateur radio operators for being competent trainers.

President Davidson formally introduced the need for a motion to change the Club Constitution and By-laws in order to make the W4SHL Repeater Trustee a Club Officer. No changes in responsibility are to be included. (This motion introduction was in accordance with the current Constitution and By-Laws.) Jack Evans made a motion that this action should be made and it was seconded. After a call for discussion, the vote was cast and the motion passed unanimously by a show of hands.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mike Thomason, K4FQF, Secretary