Sep 2011

Mid-South Amateur Radio Association - Club Meeting Minutes September 15, 2011

Location: Location at Northeast Police Precinct (Appling Farms Parkway) 6850 Whitten Bend Cove, Memphis, TN 38133 was not available. Meeting was moved to clubhouse. The October and November meeting location will be announced.

Attendance: President Tony Brignole (WA4KHN), Vice President Del Earnheart (AJ4EM), Secretary Linda Ware (KJ4ELL), Treasurer John Parish (KD4EUZ). Attendance: approx 20.

Welcome: Meeting called to order by Tony at 7:10 p.m. Introductions; introductory comments.

Minutes for previous meeting posted on MARA website (maraonline.org) and printed copies, along with Treasurer’s Report available on front table. Motioned (Richard K4DXF), seconded (Bill WC9S), and accepted as posted by attending membership. Treasurer's Report (August 18 through September 15, 2011) read by Treasurer, John Parish (KD4EUZ). Motioned (Ned KA4BLL), seconded (Del AJ4EM), and accepted as read (viva voce).

Old Business: The fuse holders for “Go Boxes” available at meeting for pickup.

New Business:

MARA meetings at the Northeast Police Precinct to be the same for next year (2012) and thanks to Jeff Kloek (KI4NDR) for setting that up again. Tony has confirmed that we will get back to having meetings on the first Thursday of each month, starting January 5th.

This year’s Christmas party is officially booked for December 8^th at Coletta’s at 6:30 p.m. Please begin collecting items for the gift exchange (don’t have to be ham-related), $10 range.

We have been approved by the ARRL Executive Committee for the Delta Division Convention; Glen Clayton, Tennessee Section Manager, has approved MARA to host the Tennessee Section annual meeting. We will need a lot of membership participation for the additional work involved hosting this event – at freefest, April 14, 2012, and possibly a social event the night before.

Elections are in November for the 2012 officers. Volunteers and suggestions for nominations are to be e-mailed to Tony at abrigno@comcast.net

Announcements: Condolences to the family of Fred Draper, Sr. (WA4WZT) Silent Key.

Pat Lane (W4OQG) announced a new 2-day communications course for ham radio operators at Paris Landing State Park, put on by FEMA. It is by invitation only November 18-19, room/board and meals included. If you are interested in finding out more about the qualifications and details, contact Pat at w4oqg@bellsouth.net

There is a great need for technical/electronics training, and procedural operations for hams. Tony presented results from the 2007 “Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study” which is conducted every four years.

Program: How to Keep an Alligator from Biting You on the Butt when Measuring Your Transmission Line and Antenna SWR presented by Tony. An informative and entertaining discussion of some of the pitfalls associated with using SWR (standing wave ratio) to determine how well your antenna is working.

Notes:

Call for hams to tell us about interesting projects they’re working on.

Pat (W4OQG) told us about the QSO party he and Nina (WB4CHH) attended last week.

Del (AJ4EM) told us about a GTRANS cable for APRS hookup to a Kenwood radio. He has info on this cable and its uses, and forum posts if anyone is looking into it. aj4em@arrl.net.

Call for ideas for future programs.

Next meeting October 20, 2011, location to be announced.

Motion to close (Lance N4GMT), seconded (Del AJ4EM), adjourned by Tony (WA4KHN) at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Secretary Linda Ware (KJ4ELL)