A regular meeting of the Shelby County Amateur Radio Club was held on September 24 at 7:00 PM at the Shelby County Red Cross Office, President Bill Davidson KW4J presiding. Members present were identified by name and call sign. Visiting were Bill Bates KD7MKD and Reuben Burch WA4ZEN.
Treasurer Jack Evans KC4PZA submitted the following:
Checking account $43.55
Savings account $2,165.64
Special account $1,659.13
MEC Tom Appleby, W4TCA reminded members of upcoming emergency training events: SET on October 3rd. and Operation Highball. Tom reviewed the recent drill at Alabama Power Company Wilsonville Steam Plant and commended members who participated.
President Davidson introduced newly elected officers for the coming year.
President: Harold Taylor N4AFC
Vice President: Marcus Thomas KF4YHP
Treasurer: Jack Evans KC4PZA
Secretary: Barbara McLester W5YXU
MEC: Bill Davidson KW4J
Director: Frank Hoult KI4VVI
Director: John Outland K3FP
Outgoing officers were recognized and thanked for their service to the club.
President Davidson reminded the members who were also ARRL members to vote in the upcoming Alabama Section Manager election.
Jack Evans, KC4PZA presented a program on battery basics.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
President's Annual Report 2008-2009
The SCARC Bylaws requires the most recent past President to make a report concerning how the Club fared during his watch, so I am making this one via the blog so that it is available for everyone. I will make it short and concise; actually, it could be summed up by saying that it was a good term and that the Club accomplished a lot. We did not do some of the things that I had a vision; instead, we some other things that I did not imagine.
October 2008 saw that the Club was actively involved with the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test which showed that the members are commited to being responsive to communication emergencies. In fact, Alabama ranked fourth in the nation and Shelby County was the lead county! SCARC proved to be committed to emcomm training and a lot was done through the year, such as SKYWARN and the ARRL ARECC courses. Many Club members attended the 'fifth Thursday' emcomm training which was usually hosted by the ARRL AEC's for both Jefferson and Shelby Counties. Preparations for the 2009 SET are now underway.
Much volunteer work was accomplished by the Club members to complete the Shelby County EMA radio shack which is now functional except for the installation of the backup hf vertical, which should be installed before the end of this year. New equipment, such as the noise-cancelling head sets, have been inventoried into the EMA equipment lists. The EMA shack includes state-of-the-art equipment, including DSTAR and other digital capability. Work has been planned on the associated BBQ shed but is waiting for permission from the Alabama Highway Department, who owns the property. We moved into our new facility at the Shelby County Red Cross Office and currently are planning the installation of two uhf/vhf radios there. Work has also begun on the Shelby County Hospital radio room. The radio's have been received and a rapport has been established with the contractor personnel, so that project will become active shortly.
The Christmas party was a resounding success with an excess of fifty people attending.
Special thanks goes to Patty King AJ4RO for her work on it. The annual February Tail Gate was also another successful undertaking for this term, and Bob Thomas KC4AF deserves a lot of credit for making sure everything went well. SCARC was supportive of the OMIK convention which was held in Birmingham during July. Club members were active in educating the public on the switch to digital TV. A booth was prepared and manned by Club members to demonstrate amateur radio at the Alabaster Arts and Crafts Show during June.
Joe Ford K4NVJ led the VEC as many tests were given and passed for new amateur radio operators as well as upgrades. Ron Andrews KC0I is a dedicated teacher and mentor who has provided a way for many local residents to become active in amateur radio. John Murphy deserves special recognition due to his masterful work maintaining the Club's web site. The Club and amateur radio in general has benefitted by the work of these dedicated hams.
Several interesting programs were presented on the 'Fourth Thursday' meetings and were coordinated by Jim McLester W4YXU.
A change to the ByLaws was suggested and proprely implemented to make the 146.98Mhz Repeater Trustee a Club officer. No change was made to the duties and responsibilites of the office. A new repeater controller was installed to allow remote linking with other local repeaters during disasters. Also, the old, unused repeater was sold and the funds deposited into the Repeater Fund.
In summary, the Club has increased its emcomm capability both materially and training but there is still considerable work to do. The uhf/vhf repeater system is functioning better than in the past; however antenna work is required to service more areas in the southern part of the county. The Club is becoming more availiable for emcomm exercises and actual service; this should continue to be stressed. The Club has a lot of talent available and it is hoped that it will be tapped even more for the upcoming term.
October 2008 saw that the Club was actively involved with the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test which showed that the members are commited to being responsive to communication emergencies. In fact, Alabama ranked fourth in the nation and Shelby County was the lead county! SCARC proved to be committed to emcomm training and a lot was done through the year, such as SKYWARN and the ARRL ARECC courses. Many Club members attended the 'fifth Thursday' emcomm training which was usually hosted by the ARRL AEC's for both Jefferson and Shelby Counties. Preparations for the 2009 SET are now underway.
Much volunteer work was accomplished by the Club members to complete the Shelby County EMA radio shack which is now functional except for the installation of the backup hf vertical, which should be installed before the end of this year. New equipment, such as the noise-cancelling head sets, have been inventoried into the EMA equipment lists. The EMA shack includes state-of-the-art equipment, including DSTAR and other digital capability. Work has been planned on the associated BBQ shed but is waiting for permission from the Alabama Highway Department, who owns the property. We moved into our new facility at the Shelby County Red Cross Office and currently are planning the installation of two uhf/vhf radios there. Work has also begun on the Shelby County Hospital radio room. The radio's have been received and a rapport has been established with the contractor personnel, so that project will become active shortly.
The Christmas party was a resounding success with an excess of fifty people attending.
Special thanks goes to Patty King AJ4RO for her work on it. The annual February Tail Gate was also another successful undertaking for this term, and Bob Thomas KC4AF deserves a lot of credit for making sure everything went well. SCARC was supportive of the OMIK convention which was held in Birmingham during July. Club members were active in educating the public on the switch to digital TV. A booth was prepared and manned by Club members to demonstrate amateur radio at the Alabaster Arts and Crafts Show during June.
Joe Ford K4NVJ led the VEC as many tests were given and passed for new amateur radio operators as well as upgrades. Ron Andrews KC0I is a dedicated teacher and mentor who has provided a way for many local residents to become active in amateur radio. John Murphy deserves special recognition due to his masterful work maintaining the Club's web site. The Club and amateur radio in general has benefitted by the work of these dedicated hams.
Several interesting programs were presented on the 'Fourth Thursday' meetings and were coordinated by Jim McLester W4YXU.
A change to the ByLaws was suggested and proprely implemented to make the 146.98Mhz Repeater Trustee a Club officer. No change was made to the duties and responsibilites of the office. A new repeater controller was installed to allow remote linking with other local repeaters during disasters. Also, the old, unused repeater was sold and the funds deposited into the Repeater Fund.
In summary, the Club has increased its emcomm capability both materially and training but there is still considerable work to do. The uhf/vhf repeater system is functioning better than in the past; however antenna work is required to service more areas in the southern part of the county. The Club is becoming more availiable for emcomm exercises and actual service; this should continue to be stressed. The Club has a lot of talent available and it is hoped that it will be tapped even more for the upcoming term.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Minutes for Sep 10, 2009
The Shelby County Amateur Radio Club held its regular meeting on September 10 at 7:00 PM at the American Red Cross Office on Valleydale Road with Vice President Jim McLester, W4YXU presiding. Members present were identified by name and call letters.
One visitor was present Chris Golightly, W5URR.
Jack Evans, KC4PZA, Treasurer reported as follows:
Checking account $43.55
Savings account $2,165.64
Special account $1,659.18
Tom Appleby, W4TCA, MEC announced two upcoming events. The VHF simplex exercise will be held on 9/12 with details available on the Club website. A simulated emergency exercise will be held on 9/15 at the Alabama Power Company Wilsonville Plant and will entail a chemical spill. Details for this are also on the Club website.
Repeater Trustee Bob Thomas, KC4AF said work was continuing on a second repeater site, and a donation of hardline by the Alabaster Fire Department was received.
Webmaster John David Murphy, KA4ZXL asked for suggestions regarding the Club web page.
One new member application was read and approved by vote – Chuck Couchkell, N4MLN.
Bob Thomas, Nominating Committee Chairman read the list of nominees for 2009-2010 club offices. Ballots were distributed to all members present in good standing. Completed ballots were counted by the Committee and the following results were announced:
President – Harold Taylor N4AFC
Vice President- Marcus Thomas KF4YHP
Treasurer- Jack Evans KC4PZA
Secretary – Barbara McLester W5YXU
Mgr-EC – Bill Davidson Kw4J
Director - Jim McLester W4YXU
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.
Submitted by Mike Thomason K4FQF - Secretary
One visitor was present Chris Golightly, W5URR.
Jack Evans, KC4PZA, Treasurer reported as follows:
Checking account $43.55
Savings account $2,165.64
Special account $1,659.18
Tom Appleby, W4TCA, MEC announced two upcoming events. The VHF simplex exercise will be held on 9/12 with details available on the Club website. A simulated emergency exercise will be held on 9/15 at the Alabama Power Company Wilsonville Plant and will entail a chemical spill. Details for this are also on the Club website.
Repeater Trustee Bob Thomas, KC4AF said work was continuing on a second repeater site, and a donation of hardline by the Alabaster Fire Department was received.
Webmaster John David Murphy, KA4ZXL asked for suggestions regarding the Club web page.
One new member application was read and approved by vote – Chuck Couchkell, N4MLN.
Bob Thomas, Nominating Committee Chairman read the list of nominees for 2009-2010 club offices. Ballots were distributed to all members present in good standing. Completed ballots were counted by the Committee and the following results were announced:
President – Harold Taylor N4AFC
Vice President- Marcus Thomas KF4YHP
Treasurer- Jack Evans KC4PZA
Secretary – Barbara McLester W5YXU
Mgr-EC – Bill Davidson Kw4J
Director - Jim McLester W4YXU
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.
Submitted by Mike Thomason K4FQF - Secretary
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