SARC General Meeting

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

7:17 PM

Brian, KC5CAY called the meeting to order.

The Club dues are due. If not able to get funds to Diane this meeting, then send to Club PO Box.

Dianne, KD7DJE read the Treasurers' Report. Motion to accept made by Terry, NK7T.

Myrna, KN7M read the minutes from the November meeting. Approved by Jim KY7W and seconded by Judy, K7JLF

Committee Reports:    

Hamfest report by Ron, AJ7T: Ticket sales were down slightly this year, though vendor sales were up. Surprisingly, raffle prize costs were slightly lower ($20).  The parking lot is quite expensive, so we might search for an alternate location next year. (Scottsdale gets lot free?).  We are going to let food vendors come in next year, so we will not have to rent generators and coffee urns.  Food vendors: Flat fee or percentage?  

If possible, Ron wants to buy raffle prizes earlier in the year, if they are on sale.  He also wants to put some sort of barrier up to force the commercial vendors to enter the lot in one place, so that we can charge them on the way in.  We will also try to have the rvs go to the back of the lot, so as to not block the view of the Hamfest.  we need to find a better deal on portapotties.  The company (United Site Services) charges a flat fee (about $412) regardless of the amount of time they are used.  W1ADW is interested in talk in operator. Jim, KA7BGY is not in the valley, and K1ATV took over.

Art and Dianne are not going to do food in 2007.

The portable toilets were a bit of a hassle this year. The large companies do not like small orders. Terry, NK7T said that there were more volunteers this year than in years past.  

Shirts and jackets: Ron AJ7T has enough orders.  

Thursday nets: the new freq is 29.650.  The reason for the change from 29.610 is noise.

Christmas Party: Jo Wilson reports that the party was a success.

Tech committee: Dan, N0FPE says the club needs to buy insurance.  The club has at least $20,000 worth of equipment to insure.  ARRL insurance cost is $1 per $1000 per year. This means that the total insurance cost per year is going to be about $200.  The private equipment in the repeater system will be included. Larry, WB7CRK made the motion to accept. A disembodied voice said “Second” and the motion passed.

Old Business:

1:  Brian KC5CAY welcomed the new 2007 officers and board.

2:  The Club needs to find a new doughnut and coffee person.  Gene and Jo Wilson volunteered.

3:  Lost Dutchman Marathon: Byron, K7TLH is taking signups.  If not able to sign up at this meeting, it is also possible to sign up at www.mcecg.net, or at www.az-serv.org.  

4:  Lost Dutchman Museum SES W7W: Harold KD7VK reports that there were a lot of operators at the last SES.  

He says SARC has been invited back to operate at the Lost Dutchman Museum on February 23, 24 and 25.  W7W is currently being used for Thunderbird ARC West fest, but should be available for this club's use. Larry, WB7CRK is to check on this.

We need volunteers for antennas, station equipment and operators.  Home stations can also be used (Note: Cannot have two stations on one band at one time. Must co-ordinate with Harold before home station operation)

The ARRL may need to be contacted to publish Special Event information.  It is too late to put info in print (QST, Worldradio) so we will try to put it on the internet

Harold has a 3el-triband beam and a Kenwood TS-950

New Business:

1:Storage facility: Judy K7JLF reports that she talked to the manager of a facility near University and Meridian. Nothing definite, but they have donated space in the past.  Also she says that she may have shelves for club.

2:  Rick Altman says that SW DIV convention was almost not in AZ.  He says that a committee needs to be set up. He already has co-chair, registrar, and webmaster.  Club will give some of seed money, but not all.  rest will be split between other clubs.  seed may come from hamfest fund.  All will be paid back, plus man-hours put into volunteering. aug or sep 2008

3: Brian, KC5CAY wants input on the direction of the Club.  can e-mail him with suggestions.

3: the club may need a new meeting place. The main reasons are accessibility, location and cost.  

4:  repeater courtesy:  do not acknowledge unlicensed users.  move to a different repeater or simplex

6:  Larry, KA7UIH is a new Life Member.  He is also offering free Technician License classes at the Mesa fire station.

7:  Terry, NK7T needs ideas for the door prizes.

Miscellanea:

1:  

2:

3:

Notes:

--None--

Meeting adjourned 8:54:37 PM