Meeting minutes

Southern Berkshire Amateur Radio Club
Meeting of 7 December 2009 - Sharon Community Center

Present:

Ed Rubin, N2JBA Lee Collins, K1LEE
Jay Wilson, KB1HNE Doc Simont, K1CTT
Ed Wilbur, WB1CEI Bill Clum, KC2BTX
Arnie Rodegerdts, KC2CBV Orison Robinson (Stretch), WB2MSD
Noel Anderson, W1XB Guy Huse, K1BB
AJ Hayes, WB2HRK Andy Tedds,, W1/G6JVS
Nevton Dunn, N2CPP Donald Woodbridge, KB2SMZ
A.J. Hayes, Jr.

The meeting was called to order by Club President Ed Rubin, N2JBA, at 7:04 PM EST on Monday 7 December 2009.

The minutes from the meeting of 2 November 2009 were read by Club Secretary, Donald Wooodbridge, KB2SMZ. The minutes were slightly corrected for spelling errors. The minutes were then approved.

A Report from Club Treasurer, Arnie Rodegerdts, KC2CBV, followed. It was reported that the Club had a balance of $4,189.07. Arnie Rodegerdts, KC2CBV, also asked that the members appove a reimbursement of approximately $60 to be made to Club President Ed Rubin, N2JBA, for various, out-of-pocket, incurred expenses. The request was approved.

Club President Ed Rubin, N2JBA, noted that he had not yet heard from Sharon Hospital regarding the Emergency Protocol and Memorandum Of Understanding which are to be created between Sharon Hospital and SBARC. Doc Simont, K1CTT, stated
that Sharon Hospital would be having an Emergency Simulation during the spring of 2010 and that SBARC should be ready and able to participate. A discussion of how to train Club Members for operating the radio at Sharon Hospital then ensued. Doc Simont, K1CTT, then proposed that the radio be brought from the hospital to The Sharon Community Center in order to train club members free from EMTs and other distractions at the hospital: he further proposed that Monday 4 January 2010 at 7:00 PM be used as an initial workshop for members to learn how to use the hospital radio, the workshop to be held at The Sharon Community Center: he further proposed the use of a crib sheet for quick reference when operating the hospital radio. Ed Rubin, N2JBA, noted that the cabinet containing the radio at the hospital needed to be replaced with a cabinet which had a properly functioning key.

Ed Rubin, N2JBA, told the members that he had met the Director of the American Red Cross at a holiday party in Poughkeepsie and that the Club should try to coordinate with them regarding Emergencies, simularly to what the Club was doing with Sharon Hospital.

Lee Collins, K1LEE, reported on his activity in the CW Sweepstakes held in early November. He also reported on the Phone Sweepstakes in later November, in which Ed Rubin, N2JBA, Doc Simont, K1CTT, and he had participated and made
about 400 contacts, in toto. He further noted that ARRL was pushing the use of electronic logging using the Cabrillo Format; and also that there are about six contests per year in which a club pool can be used.

Ed Rubin, N2JBA, read the President's End of Year Report.

Nev Dunn, N2CPP, stated that he would like more photos of shacks, in order that he might place them on the Club Website.

Lee Collins, K1LEE, noted that about 1/3 of contests involve VHF and digital mode. Ed Rubin, N2JBA, reminded the membership that Lee Collins, K1LEE, had made the point during the year that the club members might get more involved in contests and activities, and that both he and Lee Collins, K1LEE, thought that the club might try a "fox hunt" contest.

Arnie Rodegerdts, KC2CBV, related that the present supply of Club Membership cards was becoming depleted, and he stated his opinion that the club ought to design a new membership card, possibly including the ARRL logo on it. In his opinion, and that of other members, the cards ought to be smaller, with a size similar to a credit card.

Lee Collins, K1LEE, announced that there would be VCE sessions in Thomaston, CT on Tuesday 8 December and on Tuesday 12 January 2010.

Lee Collins, K1LEE, opined that Club Members ought to visit Greg Andracke's,cool website at www.andracke.com.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Donald Woodbridge, KB2SMZ, Recording Secretary, 1 March 2010

PENDING/FUTURE BUSINESS/REMINDERS:
1.) Early 2010: The club shall decide on what type of booth to rent at the
2010 Tri-State Trade Show.
2.) June 2010: Prior to The Goshen Fair, communicate with the Fair organizers
the fact that the Club does not want its booth near a PA speaker.
3.) Put club bylaws into text and pdf and/ rtf format (D.E.W., KB2SMZ,
working on this)

PENDING/FUTURE ACTIVITIES/REMINDERS:
1.) Sharon Hospital Emergency Radio: 4 January Workshop at SCC to be followed
by a second workshop
at a date TBA.
2.) Work with Poughkeepsie Area American Red Cross in regards to Emergency
Coordination (E.R.)
3.) Trip to the Sharon Repeater
4.) Electronic Logging