Aug 2011

Mid-South Amateur Radio Association - Club Meeting Minutes August 18, 2011

Location: Northeast Police Precinct (Appling Farms Parkway) 6850 Whitten Bend Cove, Memphis, TN 38133

Attendance: President Tony Brignole (WA4KHN), Vice President Del Earnheart (AJ4EM), Secretary Linda Ware (KJ4ELL). Attendance: approx 30.

Welcome: Meeting called to order by Tony at 7:00 p.m. Introductions; introductory comments.

Minutes for previous meeting posted on MARA website (maraonline.org) and printed copies, along with previous Treasurer’s Report available on front table. Motioned (Bill Hudock KF4SQV), seconded (Ham Hilliard W4GMM), and accepted as posted by attending membership. Treasurer's Report (June 15 through August 18, 2011) read by Tony in the absence of Treasurer, John Parish (KD4EUZ). Motioned (Ham W4GMM), seconded (Donald Gilmore AA4JA), and accepted as read (viva voce).

Old Business: The club's total expense for Field Day was $301.82, keeping within our budget. Bill Hudock's laptop used by the club for Field Day has been located and returned to him.

New Business: Christmas party at Coletta's is tentative for December 8th. The third Thursday was already booked for this year. It's time to start looking for sales and collecting gifts.

MARA meeting location to be the same for next year (2012) and thanks to Jeff Kloek (KI4NDR) for setting that up again. We may be able to get back to having meetings on the first Thursday of each month, as it was for many years. Tony is following up.

Announcements:

Condolences for George Bartlett (WB4MMI) Silent Key. George was killed in an accident while on horseback at his home in Ramer, TN. Pat Lane and Nina Stone will attend the services in Ramer. George was active in the Memphis ham community for many years and was very highly respected by all. He worked in the police department communications group, and was instrumental in putting up the old 34/94 repeater on White Station tower. George had retired and moved to Ramer several years ago.

Huntsville Hamfest is coming up August 20. Joe has a few seats left on the bus if interested. See Joe to sign up for the upcoming Basic Electronics class. Ham Hilliard's upcoming training class is now filled. Comments/discussion re: the importance of these classes and new hams.

Program: Construction of a "Go Box" for ham radio emergency operations

Thanks to Lance and Roger for bringing in the supplies including the heavy-duty, water-tight muzzle loader dry boxes, each including a 12 volt 30 amp hour battery, ATO blade fuse holder, power pole connectors, and a special-cut wood block fitted to the bottom of the box. The club provided a great deal for the members at a cost of $25 each. 19 were constructed. Fun.

Notes: Joe (WA4OVO) has available discount books for Kroger stores at $25 each.

Next meeting September 15, 2011.

Motion to close (Roger WR4R), seconded (Bill Stevens WC9S), adjourned by Del (AJ4EM) at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Secretary Linda Ware (KJ4ELL)