MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 8, 2009 By Bob, KT4KS At 7:30PM the Club’s meeting was called to order by Vice President Pat WJ0T. Pat 14 members in the Pledge of Allegiance, and then initiated member introductions. MOTION TO PASS THE MINUTES: Pat KG4URP made a motion to approve the September Minutes, which motion was quickly approved. ARES: VP Pat stated that credentials must be in for those working the Marine Corp Marathon. While repeater(s) will be used, some volunteers will employ D-Star equipment. COAST GUARD: The station is still operational, and to date has not been shut down. VE TEST SESSION: There is a test session this Saturday morning at the First Christian Church in Alexandria. One member suggested that the session be advertised in a local publication, in an apparent reaction to the Alexandria Radio Club’s recent local advertisement for a ham radio course that is to be given. While nothing came of the suggestion, membership agreed that periodic advertising “is good”. CLUB BREAKFAST: There is a sign in front of the Old Country Buffet that advertises their weekend breakfast for the (reduced) price of $5.95, down from $8.95. It’s believed that the new price is for people of all ages. Members continue to meet there the 4th Saturday of every month. QRP EVENT: The much discussed event will happen next Sunday (Oct 11). President Howell KG4CKJ will have the Robinson Terminal gate open at 8AM, and members are invited to come to try their hand at QRP radio. Members will be setting up tiny QRP rigs, which will operate both CW and phone. It was mentioned that Frank AA4ZS’s QRP Index radio operates on the phone band, and will actually do so if the microphone can be found. Antennas will be set up on the dock, and the rigs will be either inside or outside depending up on the weather. The event is anticipated to extent till noon. REPEATER: John K2VPR passed along a message from Dick WA4USB that “the repeater is working”. HOLIDAY PARTY: Bob KT4KS will reserve a room at the local Old Country Buffet for the second Thursday of December for an MVARC holiday party. Naturally, if the club finds a better deal, the club can change its plans. VENTURE CREW: The crew will be providing a class in the January/February timeframe in 2010. CONCERNING ISSUE: John WQ4L stated that during a July meeting of the ARRL, it was discussed that government agencies are considering the possibility of purchasing ham equipment for use in the event of communication breakdowns. As a result, the ARRL may be inquiring for control operators. It seems that hospitals have a particular interest. A 3-4 page document explains all, and may be found on the ARRL website. (All serious hams need to review the document.) SHOW AND TELL: Maki K4RQZ brought in a number of items. Firstly, Maki showed a stack of “Moo cards” that he had made up. The cards are about ½ the size of a business card, and have the club’s repeater frequency on once side and other club information on the opposite side. The cards are quite fancy, and will be used to advertise the club. Many members now have several cards in their possession. Secondly, Maki showed off his now-working SW+40 rig, which operates from 7.040-7.090, and his in-progress MFJ Cub 40. Maki mentioned that he determined that the Cub is mission a surface mount capacitor, and that MFJ is mailing him a new kit. Maki removed the covers of both radios, and the membership could see that the SW rig was much more involved in its construction than the MFJ. Maki recommends the SWR over the MFJ for those interested in constructing rigs. Thirdly, Maki displayed a CQ ham radio magazine from Japan, which country has 6,000,000 hams. Lastly, Maki showed his Japanese ham license from the late 1970’s which he was less than 10 years old. The license looked like a passport, and even had his photo in it. Maki thought that he could use that license in securing membership with the Quarter Century Wireless organization. Incidentally, Maki’s Japanese call JL1RQZ is no longer active. Nick KJ4LZF showed a tiny antenna that he constructed from SO-239 connector and t strands of coat hanger. Nick hangs the antenna from the ceiling using dental floss. Finally, Nick show off his SWR meter that he placed a special switch in to disconnect the internal lamp. Unfortunately, the construction was followed by the reverse power needle being disabled. (“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”) John WQ4L mentioned an 800 watt generator that he purchased for $88. The generator employs a 2-cycle engine. John said that the generator may be borrowed, and it appeared that he may have actually meant it. Also, John showed a power meter that he made for batteries. DOOR PRIZE: John WQ4L won the battery powered alarm clock, Bob KT4KS won a coffee cup, Peter won a scheduler, and Peter’s Dad won a personal carrier. COOKIE MONSTER: Leila WN4PP served as Cookie Monster. Bob KT4KS will be the Monster for November, and Debra KG4URO will be the January Monster. CLOSE: Pat then closed the business portion of the meeting.