Board

TARC Board of Directors Meeting

December 2, 2004

 

Biff, K4LAW called the meeting to order at 7:30p.

 

Repeater Report – Lu

The .025 repeater is acting like a temperature controlled annunciator.  When it is cold, it says ‘N’ and not N4TP.  Otherwise, no changes in repeater status from last month.

 

Mike, NI4M commented about the .105’s antenna.  Larry, KR4X will be having someone at the EOC repair the antenna since the last round of ‘big blows’ came through earlier in the year.  Mike suggested we put up a dual band antenna for future use in the 70cm segment if the occasion arises.

 

Mike, NI4M, proposed to place the club’s 6m repeater antenna on the back tower since the front tower does not have sufficient room for the two antennas required for 6m.   A discussion ensued, and it was agreed to do this after the current work on the towers is completed.

Mike, NI4M proposed placing temporarily a 70cm repeater on one of the towers at the club house till JUNE, 05.  He would provide all needed feed lines, antennas, etc.  Mike stated the antenna will be a 6/2m antenna and will be placed temporarily on the front crank up tower then moved to the 100’ level when tower #2 is ready to support the club’s 6m repeater

While the 440 repeater is located at the club house, it will be open for member use. 

The proposal was put to a vote, and passed.

 

There was a general discussion of repeater sites, but nothing was resolved.

 

Phase 2 Tower Project – Warren, W1GUD

The antennas have been installed on tower #1 … Please all come out to admire them.  The C19XR still needs to be tuned, and Blake, N4GI will likely be doing that for us.  There is a possibility it either the feedline, or the patch panel.  Some investigation is needed here.

The ‘N’ connectors for the 7/8” hardline have been ordered @ $25.00/each by Julio, W4HY. 

 

Tower #2 will not be completed till after the first of the year.  A six-pack switching box is planned, and cabling requirements are to be finalized.  The F-12s on the back tower are not ready and won’t be till sometime in January, at the earliest.

 

We are missing some fiberglass rod guy grips, and cannot locate them … If they are seen, please inform Julio.

 

A proposal was made to bury all the feedlines and control cables from the club house to tower #2 in conduit.  The Proposal was moved and approved.

 

There was a discussion about the 25’ cromolly mast and the fact that it was too large for tower #2 and what we were using it for.  A motion was made to cut the mast to the length we require for tower #2, and sell the remainder.  It was approved.

 

Radio Room – Warren, W1GUD

Warren made an offer to sell his Icom 765 Pro II for $1,500 if they desired it, since it will become surplus to his needs after the Manatee Hamfest (he is getting a PRO III !).  There was some discussion and the motion was approved to buy Warren’s PRO II.  Warren abstained from the voting.

 

IT was moved that Keating would file the insurance claim on the damaged Icom 746.

 

By-Laws.

There was significant discussion on the by-laws to present to the membership for approval on 12/13, and the amendments proposed to the draft presented last month.  Most of them centered on the consolidation of the councils, the term and stagger of voting of Directors, and the enabling amendment that takes into effect in April, 2005.  These consolidated changes will be applied to the final by-laws for approval at the general membership meeting on 12/13 and voted on there.

 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:30p

 

TARC Board of Directors Meeting

July 8, 2004

 

Biff, K4LAW called the meeting to order at 7:20p.

 

Cathy stated we received a $100.00 Founder’s check last month, and that we owed Julio, W4HY a couple of hundred dollars for the Tower project, etc.   No actual balances were provided with this report.

 

Field Day update – Warren, W1GUD

 

No messages to the Section Manager or NTS were originated.  We missed out on 200 points for this omission.

 

Warren felt after our performance and general club mood after Field Day, we should re-direct our focus on Field Day as it was intended:  An opportunity to train operators, prove our ability to operate in adverse conditions, and throttle back the pressure so that the event is enjoyed by all.

 

It was mentioned it would be better if we viewed Field Day as an exercise in station building, eating, and commoradore, and leave the focus of contesting to other events during the year.

 

We need to now focus our energies on building a world-class multi-multi station for other contesting, which should be attainable with the completion of the tower project.

 

Wes, K4NQ commented that our claimed score was hovering around 9600 points, which could change as more log data is received.

 

There was some discussion on what happened during field day, that we had so much trouble.  The bulk of them were centered on Band/Mode decisions, the lightening strike,  too many ‘firsts’ attempted, vs perfecting what we do well, and schedule problems.  In spite of all this, we did score well, just not as well as last year.

 

Biff stated we should acquire a couple more F12 Ef-140s for the C3s so we can hold our own better on 40m.  Also, he would like to get another Military mast.  There is a concern with the GOTA station crank up mast having a bad weld.  This needs to be looked at sometime after TarcFest.

 

 

Phase 2 Tower Project

Ron should be available in a few weeks. We will need 3-4 people to help build the F12s.  People who know them and how to tune them should be chosen.  No names selected, but a few names were discussed.  Biff/Warren to select the lucky leads on this.  Danny Conner was selected as one of the leads on this.  Warren will contact him when he can help.

 

There was some discussion on the logistics of constructing tower #2’s antennas and raising them because of their shear size.  Ron Silverman offered to raise them with his helicopter.  He is experienced doing this, and so is Ron.  Warren to follow-up on this.

 

A comment was made that we still needed more antennas for tower #2, and another mast that can support the load.

 

TarcFest – Biff, K4LAW

TarcFest is 8/28.  A lot of interest has been expressed already, including the Florida Boat Anchor group listing TarcFest on their reflector as one of the better Hamfests to drive 200 miles for in the area.

 

A comment was made about possibly upgrading to another Icom 756 Pro II, and the possibility of selling one of the 746s to help finance the purchase.  No decision was made on this suggestion.

 

Computer Committee

No report

 

VHF Trustee Report – Wes, K4NQ

Wes reported that Mike, NI4M wants to put a 440 MHz repeater pair on the back tower temporarily to hold the pair till a permanent home is found.  Some discussion took place, but no resolution to this was made.

 

JOTA/Extravaganza – Warren, W1GUD

Warren reported that the Boy Scout Extravaganza booth will be at Armwood High on 8/7. 

The JOTA event is scheduled this year for 10/16, and does conflict this year with University of Scouting.  We need to get the word out to the units.

Bill will get with Ian Grieg to inform the district committees.

 

Biff mentioned a Glossy promotion sheet as a hand out for events like JOTA, etc.  Wes stepped up to make the master for printing.

 

 

 

 

New Business

 

Gary, KC5QCN asked the status of merging the councils, as was discussed earlier in the year.  It was commented that there is currently not a pressing need, but the logistics of the merger need to be worked out.  The biggest unknown is how to handle the treasuries of the two councils when the merger is made.  Biff commented the hope is to complete the merger by the 2005 elections, although he wants to make sure we get the details right first, so nothing will happen in the near future.

 

A call was made for program ideas for the 3rd Monday of the month.  It has been noticed that turnout has been dwindling, and need to get the membership interested in coming out is in order.   Lu, K4LVR offered to handle program nights through September.

 

Warren praised Gary and Keating for their efforts with the Technician course and getting them to come out for Testing.   GREAT JOB!

 

The next board meeting is scheduled for 8/5 at the clubhouse.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:45p.

TARC Board of Directors Meeting

June 10, 2004

 

Biff, K4LAW called the meeting to order at 7:30p.

 

The corporate treasurary had the following balances:

 

            679.84            Beginning balance

            100.00            Check from Warren not cashed

            100.00            IOU from Larry

            ---------

            879.84            Ending balance

 

Field Day update – Warren, W1GUD

 

2 mobile command posts will be available … one from the Tampa Police Department and the other from Hillsborough Fire (same as last year).

Dan, K2TOC will provide his camper for GOTA, and Brian, AF4SR will provide his trailer for the VHF station.

 

The Force12 Magnum shipped on 6/14, and should arrive in time for FD.

Blake will come with his 2 element Cushcraft 40 m beam, but needs a boom.  Bill, N4WEB will bring his Kt34XA boom to finish the beam.

 

We will have 3 F12 C3s, two with the EF140 40m rotatable dipole kits.

 

Scott, will bring his 7 ele M2 6m beam, and his 18 ele 2m beam for VHF

 

Warren’s Windom will be used for 80m SSB

 

The primary bread and butter bands for the two primary CW stations will be 20m and 40m, unless conditions improve.  GOTA will run Digital or CW till 400 QSOs are made, and then will switch to SSB.

 

No operator schedule has been worked out for the 2nd CW station. 

 

Larry, KR4X, will update the repeater with messages about Field Day.

Jim, Wa3DIT will handle e-mail messages to get the word out

Phone calls will be made for those who have not been brought on board.

 

Field operations start at 2:00p on Saturday, and run for 24 hours.  Setup starts at 2:00p on Friday at the clubhouse

 

Gary, KC5QCN will handle getting all the bonus points

 

Mark, N4SEX, and Kathy, KC4KYJ will be handling the food.  It was noted that VHF needs to pass the hat.   They are not quite as ‘free with their money’ as the HF council J

 

Julio, W4HY will handle the WriteLog setup, and Keating/Ken will setup the laptops and programs, and configure the wireless interfaces.

 

Emergency Management Liaison

Biff proposed replacing Gary, KC5QCN as liaison with Keating, since the two have a good repore.  Bill, N4WEB made the motion to replace Gary with Keating as the Emergency Management Liaison.  Brian, AF4SR seconded the motion and was approved by a voice vote.

 

A comment was made about taking the existing windom and attaching it to tower #2 as a sloper back to tower #1, connecting it to the stand-off on tower #1.  A climber will be needed.

 

TARC Fest XII

The food was good

 

Phase 2 Tower Project

Ron and Julio to get a bucket truck in the back to trim the trees

Mike, Ni4M agreed to buy the KT34XA from the club’s tower #1 when the F12 C19XR is mounted on the tower.

The club owes Ron Lebron $500 to finish the tower #2 work

 

Founder’s Dinner – Biff, K4LAW

Currently not scheduled …

 

Computer Committee –

Keating not in attendance

 

New Business

 

A 04-05 long range planning committee needs to be formed.  Biff suggested its makeup should be 7 club members.  Three from the Board, three not on the board, and Biff.

 

A discussion was raised about selling the non-MARS modified Icom 746s and acquiring another Icom 756 ProII.

 

A suggestion was made that we create a glossy promotion sheet to promote the club, versus our photocopied ad sheets we have now.

 

It was brought up the Yaesu FL 7000 amplifier the club has needs to be repaired.  Danny Conner will be contacted to have it looked at and repaired.

 

A comment was made there was a very useful radio user and service manual website where one can download various manuals for free.  The link needs to be distributed to the general membership as an FYI.

 

Warren, W1GUD moved to reimburse Biff, K4LAW for the odds and ends he picked up at Dayton for the club.  These included connectors, patch cords, etc.   Wes, K4NQ seconded the motion.  It carried by voice vote.

 

The next board meeting is scheduled for 7/8 at the clubhouse.

 

Brian, AF4SR made a motion to adjourn.  Kathy seconded and motioned carried when everyone got up to leave.

 

TARC Board of Directors Meeting

March 4, 2004

 

 

Thursday evening the final meeting of the 2003-2004 TARC Board of Directors was held.

 

General discussion were held on Field Day 2004 and the pressiong need to network our contest computers to take advantage of more CW opportunities.

 

TARCFest XI is April 17th; publicity will be gearing up and a good crowd is anticipated.  Volunteers are needed, primarily between the hours of 6am and 9am and at the conclusion of TARCFest at 1pm for clean up.  Contact K4LAW to volunteer (k4law@arrl.net)

 

Our computerization of our logs and rig control was discussed and it was noted that TRX manager has been ordered.

 

An update of the Phase II antenna project was given.  Discussion of re-galvanizing the Rohn 45 tower sections, mast and top section was discussed.  It was decided to invest in the regalvanizing to get the maximum life from the tower.  Julio, W4HY, who has been spearheading the tower project will make arrangements to get this done next week.  It will delay the installation of Tower 2 and the retrofit of Tower 1 approximately two weeks.  Sufficient hardline has been acquired for our use on T1.  Parts for the C31XR acquired at the Orlando Hamfest have been ordered and the C19XR has been shipped from Washington State and will arrive Monday.

 

Based on the current budget, modifications to the initial deployment plans will be made.  Such modifications are as follows

 

T1 Rohn 25, 75 feet (92 to top of mast)

 

Force 12 C19XR Tribander

2 meter boomer

70 cm yagi

23 cm yagi

20 ft chromoly mast

Yaesu G-1000DXA Rotor

3 runs of hardline

 

 

T2  Rohn 45, 111 feet (118 to top of temporary mast)

 

Force 12 C31XR Tribander

6 meter yagi

10ft carbon steel mast (on loan)

Yaesu G-1000DXA Rotor

 

T1 will be in its final configuration.  T2 will need a new 20 ft chromoly mast, a 2 element 40 meter antenna, and possible WARC band tribander (30, 17, and 12 meters).  T2 will be completed as additional funds are raised and antennas acquired.

 

A Founder's Dinner will be held to raise funds in May or June, and to honor those who have contributed to the club as Founders and also long standing members of TARC and TBARS.  Currently there are 4 Gold Founders ($250 Contributors) and 23 Silver Founders ($100).

 

The Digital Committee gave an update on the DSL line which has been installed at the clubhouse and was authorized to purchase a soundcard for an additional workstation.

 

A discussion on the TARCList policies was held and it was agreed to maintain the broadest possible distribution of all information due to the fact that the list has a small audience and has not had problems with excessive or unrelated posts to the list.  The list remains the most effective way of communicating with interested parties and currently contains 219 subscibers.  Those that are annoyed with the light volume of traffic on this list are encouraged to become reacquainted with their delete button.

 

Educational needs were discussed which highlighted the need to clean our the 8' X 10' room so it may be employed for teaching.  Keating, KC4HSI will acquire educational materials for use in both entry level and upgrade classes.  Also, under a new format of meetings in the future, the 4th and occasionally 5th Monday will predominantly become an Elmering night, designed to expose members to operating techniques and practices on modes and frequecies that may be less familar to them.  To clear out this space we need to dispose of surplus cubical materials stored there.

 

There was discussion of the elimination of all of the non-deployed antennas that are not being used for field day once T1 and T2 are up.  It is hoped that several antennas will be available at TARCFest.  Also, authorizatoin was given for the sale of the KT 34 XA to Red KG4ORS who  expressed an interest in the antenna when it comes off T1.

 

Being no further business, the Board adjourned at 8:20 local time.