Jan 2011

Mid-South Amateur Radio Association - Club Meeting Minutes January 20, 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), Treasurer John Parish (KD4EUZ). Total approx 14.

Welcome: Meeting called to order by Tony at 7:00 p.m. Thanks to everyone for making it out in the snow and ice. Introductions; introductory comments. Minutes from previous club meeting motioned (Lance N4GMT), seconded (Dennis KJ4BDU), and accepted as posted on website. Treasurer's report read by John Parish, motioned (Lance N4GMT), seconded (Del AJ4EM), and accepted by attending membership (viva voce).

Old Business: (None)

New Business:

FREEFEST - We sent out e-mail notices to list of ARRL affiliated clubs and past vendors and have received very good response. At this time we're 60% committed on table space and they're coming in steadily. Discussion of having a big screen LCD TV for main prize instead of a radio this year for wider market appeal; club will donate $500, and LeBonheur will help with finding a deal on a TV and printing tickets, hopefully for early promotion and ticket sales.

Dick Barnes Estate - Dick Barnes (KA4HXB) had been ill this past year and recently passed away. His wife has donated his radio equipment to the club. It's all in excellent condition. Club members have the list and will receive a 10% discount.

Program: Review plans for 2011/Present budget for year. General direction: Technical - enhance your technical ability, and Social - get to know each other and have some fun.

Technical - program emphasis will be more toward education, more than just emergency communications. The FCC defines us as an experimental hobby to develop technical aspects of the hobby, as well as service to the general public. A challenge: "If you cannot explain it in simple terms, you don't understand it." We'll learn concepts, and how to put our (technical diversity) skills to the highest and best use. We'll also discuss managing a net, net control, and message handling.

Social - we may have a "left field" program this year too, we'll have some fun; a possible BBQ; FreeFest is April 9th; Field Day in June with a social vs contest approach; our annual Christmas dinner. First draft of meeting outline follows, subject to change or rearranging:

Jan - Overview and Budget

Feb - Routers and Home Networking

Mar - Repeater Overview (history and development)

Apr - FreeFest + possible social event (BBQ)

May - Dayton conflict with meeting date

Jun - Field Day planning meeting

Jul - No meeting in July since Field Day is June 25-26

Aug - Net and Message Procedures

Sep - HF antenna (simple how to)

Oct - Digital Modes (primer)

Nov - Elections, short program, and rodeo

Dec - Annual Christmas dinner at Coletta's

Club membership discussed, agreed, and voted to have Field Day with all the groups at one site this year, in Collierville at Tri-State's invitation.

Presentation of MARA 2011 Budget by Tony, followed by group discussion and Q&A. Budget was motioned (John KD4EUZ), seconded (Dennis KJ4BDU), and accepted by attending membership.

Jackson (MS) Hamfest will be Friday evening and Saturday, January 28-29, 2011.

Meeting adjourned by Tony at 7:57 p.m.

Respectfully submitted (with a lot of help from Tony and Del) by Secretary, Linda Ware (KJ4ELL)

[Note: By the first week of February, FreeFest tables were completely committed with a wait list.]