Athens Country Amateur Radio Association Minutes of the meeting of February 19, 2008 (revised) In Attendance: John Biddle W8PG Jim Crouse KC8OVB Constantine Faller KC8JXA John McCutcheon N8XWO Drew McDaniel W8MHV Eric McFadden WD8RIF Richard Perry WB8SYZ Rich Post KB8TAD John Thomas KC8JWZ Following the 7:00pm social gathering, the meeting was called to order at 7:31pm by president Drew McDaniel, W8MHV. The minutes of the January, 2008 meeting were accepted as distributed. The Treasurer's Report was accepted as presented by treasurer Jim Crouse, KC8OVB. Old Business Winter Potluck John McCutcheon, N8XWO, reported that the winter potluck dinner was "a great success" and that twenty-four "very hungry people" attended. Jim Crouse, KC8OVB, suggested that a donation to the Red Cross be made. He reported that the Red Cross is having financial difficulty and that their major facility user, Weight Watchers, is no longer renting the space. He said that $20 to $25 is the normal fee charged by the Red Cross to use the space. He made motion that club donate $25 to Red Cross. The motion passed unanimously. Jim will extend the club's thanks to the Red Cross. Repeater Eric McFadden, WD8RIF, reported there have been no changes at the repeater site since the last report. Drew McDanial, W8MHV, asked if the heater is still in place and running. Eric reported that it is but the thermostat has been turned down some. He added that Ted Jacobson has removed the experimental telemetry equipment so Eric doesn't know the temperature in the rack but it has been warm enough that the repeater hasn't displayed cold-related scratchy-audio. Eric suggested that before next winter hits, the club should invest in smaller heater that directs heat directly on the repeater and controller. Packet Drew McDaniel asked about the replacement TNC. Jim Crouse reported that the new TNC has arrived and has been given to Ted Jacobson. Jim believes the new TNC has already been placed into service. Ham Class John McCutcheon reports that the class is progressing well. There were six students at first session. Four or five come to the weekly sessions. Hamfest -- April 27, 2008 Drew McDaniel reported that the entire requested amount of $510 was awarded to the club by the tourism bureau. He said this is the first time that the club received the full requested amount. He mentioned that the tourism bureau has a new director. Drew reported that the event is now listed on the ARRL web site. Drew reported that the Rec Center has not yet been reserved. He will reserve it immediately. Drew explained that the grant money must be used for promotion of the event. Jim Crouse asked if we should increase the mailing. Drew looked at last year's promotional costs and found that the postcard and flyer printing cost and postage came to just about $500 so grant money won't cover increased mailing list. John Biddle, W8PG, announced that the Radio Shack Outlet Store near Columbus is closing. He suggested that if prices are lowered there it might be a good place to get door prizes. Drew reported that a person at the local store said the Outlet Store is to close in April. Jim Crouse said he will again send flyers and complimentary tickets to local clubs. Drew reported that we still have a sufficient quantity of tickets. Constantine Faller, KC8JXA, asked if the Red Cross was again doing food concession. Jim Crouse said he thinks so but will need to confirm with the Red Cross. Drew reported that he has been approached by W4SCO who markets a computer-logging application, LogWindows v4.5. W4SCO sells this on his website for $79.95. He is offering to let the club sell this at the hamfest for $20 and that the club could keep $10 of each sale. In addition, W4SCO will provide door prizes. Drew will download a the demo version from the website and evaluate the program and will report on it next month. New Business Athens Marathon -- Sunday, April 6 Jim Crouse reported that he attended the first marathon planning committee. The route will be same as recent years with the addition of a new aid station near Tri-County Mental Health. Eric McFadden reported that he will again ride with the race leader with 2m voice and APRS. He and Ted Jacobson have discussed moving the APRS to a dedicated frequency but have decided this would require too much additional complexity. Jim Crouse again asked if someone else would be willing to take over as chairman. This position requires attending the two or three marathon planning meetings and acting as a liaison between the ACARA and marathon planning committee. The main duty is to coordinate with the two aid station persons. John McCutcheon suggested that the position of net control be offered to Mike Cooper. John reported that Mike did an excellent job with this month's ACARA 2m net and Jim Crouse added that Mike has run a 10m net on several occasions. Constantine Faller asked if Jim Crouse is ready to make assignments. Jim said he was. Several members present announced they want same positions as last year. Drew announced that he will be unable to participate this year, making the Eclipse Mining Town aid station available to someone else. Constantine Faller asked if anyone has ever written a piece on the marathon with a focus on the communications support the club provides. He suggested that the local paper would probably run such a piece were a completed article be submitted. John Cornwell, NC8V, Memorial Drew McDaniel stated that he feels it appropriate that the club do something in memory of John Cornwell, NC8V, who passed away on February 1. Drew suggested a donation be made to the Red Cross in John's name. John McCutcheon suggested that a donation be made to hospice, instead, and mentioned that the family requested donations to either the Red Cross or hospice. John Biddle asked how hospice is funded and was told that the home visits program is funded by Medicare. Drew asked if a donation could be made to both organizations. This idea was met with approval. Drew asked how much should be donated and $100 was decided upon. John McCutcheon moved that the ACARA donate on behalf of John Cornwell to the Athens County Chapter of the Red Cross and to the Appalachian Visiting Nurses Hospice Program in the amount of $100 to each organization. The motion was seconded by John Thomas, KC8JWZ. The motion passed unanimously. Drew McDaniel would like the club to establish an annual award in John Cornwell's name to recognize the good work of a local ham. Such an award could have a name such as "The John Cornwell Outstanding Southeast Ohio Amateur Award". Drew asked if this idea is worth discussing. The members present agreed that this idea is worth discussing. Jim Crouse suggested keeping the criteria for the award "loose" to prevent the award being presented a small set of recipients over time. Rich Post, KB8TAD, suggested that the award be for "special contribution" and that it need not be issued every year. Constantine Faller questioned the need to limit the award to amateur radio operators, and suggested that anyone in the community who has made a special contribution to communications in the community be considered for the award. Drew agreed that this idea made sense. John McCutcheon asked if John Cornwell's callsign, NC8V, could be secured as a club call sign to use during contests or special events in memory of John Cornwell. John will investigate the procedure involved in requesting as a club callsign the call of a deceased amateur and will report back. Drew McDaniel tabled the discussions about the memorial award and club callsign until next month. Program Eric McFadden, WD8RIF, gave a presention on portable HF operation. His notes are available in PDF format at http://home.frognet.net/~mcfadden/wd8rif/pdf/PortableAmateurRadioOperations.pdf The meeting was adjourned at 9:16pm by President Drew McDaniel. Respectfully submitted, Eric McFadden, Secretary.