Meeting Minutes 10-25-2008

Nixa Amateur Radio Club
Meeting Minutes

October 25, 2008

Call to order

Chris Cochran, KBØWZC called to order the meeting of the Nixa Amateur Radio Club at 18:10 on October 25, 2008 at the Nixa Fire Station in Nixa, Missouri.

Attendees

Members attending: Jeff Kerr KCØVGC, David Beckler NØSAP, Geraold Johnson KEØKI, James Adkins KBØNHX, Ralph Baldi KF6AHT, Dean Gaines KCØSQD, John Copelin KCØQNM, Randy Jordan KCØUKB, James French KCØTQD, Alan DuBrul KØAWD, Matthew Bortniker KD4LSK, Chris Cochran KBØWZC, Al Gallo WØERE, Pat Barber KBØUTY, Lance Riffle KQØQ, Jim Adkins KCØIYI, David Bowman WBØQIR

Old Business

• No items were carried over from last month's meeting.
  

New Business

• Treasurer's report: Jeff Kerr, KCØVGC read the treasurer's report.
  
  
  September Meeting Treasurer's Report (was not given at last month's meeting)
  
  Beginning August-September Balance: $1012.36
  
  Debits:
  $822.53 for Repeater items
  $34.64 donated trailer (WS0E) registration
  $20.22 Picnic Supplies
  Total Debits: $877.39
  
  Credits:
  $72 Donations
  $53.17 Dues (odd amount due to PayPal fees)
  $25 Sale of equipment
  $75 Refund on equipment that did not arrive
  Total Credits: $225.17
  
  Ending August-September Balance: $360.14
  
  October Meeting Treasurer's Report
  
  
  Beginning September -October Balance 360.14
  Debits:
  $25.92 Picnic Supplies
  $265.46 Repeater Supplies
  
  Credits:
  $1.96 Dividend
  Ending September - October Balance $70.72

• Nixa Community Foundation grant request was submitted this month by Chris Cochran, KBØWZC, in the amount of $1,500. Grants are awarded in January. This money is to be used for the club HF station located at the Nixa Fire Department HQ.

• McKesson Foundation grant request was submitted this month by Chris Cochran, KBØWZC, in the amount of $5,000. Grants are awarded near the end of November first of December for the following year.
  
  
• Republic PTA Fall Harvest Festival was attended by Chris Cochran, KBØWZC, Jeff Morrissey, KBØWVT, Dean Gaines, KCØSQD, and Mark West, KBØTPZ. The club setup portable operations and conducted the Thursday NARC net from the Festival. All-in-all it was a good time. Next year we have been promised a better location with improved access to the public attending the event.
  
  
• September Club Picnic at KY3 Tower Site was considered a worthwhile event and will be planned again next year.
  
  
• Greater Ozarks Ham Picnic was attended by many. Chris, KBØWZC commented that he felt it was a very good and well attended event.
  
  
• Technical Committee update was presented by James Adkins, KBØNHX
• The 220 Motorola Micor and the 440 Motorola repeater have both been replaced with much improved Motorola CDM radios. This has greatly increased the receive sensitivity on the 220 repeater and 440 repeater. It has also greatly decreased the amount of nearby pager interferance on the 440 repeater.
  
  
• The new radios greatly improved the audio quality on the 220 and 440 repeaters. It was noted that further adjustments need to be made to lower the level of the ID and beacons. Since the 440 is the center of the repeater linking system, it has improved the link audio on all the connected repeaters.
  
  
• New duplexers for the 440 repeater have been donated by TX/RX. The new duplexers have not yet been received but are expected in the next month or so. The new duplexers will allow an amplifier to be added to the repeater at a future time.
  
  
• Amplifers for the 220 and 440 repeaters are planned to be purchased from TE Systems at a future time. Money for this project will be gained from the sale of the old 220 and 440 repeaters.
  
  
• Randy Jordan, KCØUKB donated a Dell comptuer that is being used for the IRLP node located at the home of Jeff Kerr, KCØVGC. The computer is working flawlessly and the audio reports are better than expected.
  
  
• Remote receivers for the six meter repeater are planned. Nearly 100% of the items needed for the installation of this project are on-hand and awating approval from various agencies for permission to use tower space.
  
  
• December Meeting
  
  
• This year's December meeting will be held at the residence of David Beckler, NØSAP. All members were asked to bring their favorite dish. Drinks will be provided by the club.
  

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Nixa Amateur Radio Club will be held at the Nixa Pizza on November 22th 2008

Next Meeting Agenda Items

• Hold Vice President election.
  
• Conduct any other club-related business
  

Adjournment

Chris Cochran, KBØWZC adjourned the meeting at 19:42.

Minutes submitted by: Jeff Kerr, KCØVGC, Secretary

Minutes approved by: Chris Cochran, KBØWZC, President