Choctaw Amateur Radio Club Minutes from January 21, 2008 Member present: Bill Wilburn, N5NUK, CARC Secretary, CORA Officer/President Dave Downing, WD5G, CARC President Dave Huntz, NH6SM Richard Edwards, KA5ALO, CORA Alternative Director Norman Wilson, W5FLO Ron Earnest, W5RGT Richard Johnson, KE5RAC Bill Tarkington, K3YC, CORA Officer/Treasurer Larry Brewer, K5VVD, CARC Treasurer Don McDown, N5ENQ, CORA Director Jerry Baumeister, KD5ZUG Visitor present: Tom Webb, WA9AFM OKC Memorial Marathon Communications Chair Due to the Martin Luther King holiday, the Vo-Tech was closed and the CARC held the January meeting at the First Baptist Church in Nicoma Park. Meeting was called to order with introductions. Tom WA9AFM made a recruiting presentation for the OKC Memorial Marathon that will take place April 27, 2008. He passed on volunteer information for those wishing to help with communications for the event. OLD BUSINESS: Repeater replacement: Research presented by Ron W5RGT showed that ICOM would sell a repeater set up that includes a rack mounted box, radios, and power supply for about $XXX. Rad-Com in Lubbock, TX states they can construct a set up with two commercial transceivers (ICOM IC 127F) with connecting cables utilizing our own duplexer and power supply for a ballpark cost of $XXX. The issue of cost brought forth the Treasurer’s Report from Larry K5VVD. The period starting In August 2007 showed $1181 in the treasury and $XXX ending in January 2008. There was some technical discussion regarding power output and duty cycle. It was stated that 20 watts output would be sufficient and would avoid interference with a repeater in Claremore, OK. There was some discussion about D-Star, although it was determined not to be a practical solution for a variety of reasons. A motion to authorize funds not to exceed $XXX for the purchase of two radios including necessary accessories was made by Bill K3YC and seconded by Richard KA5ALO. The motion passed unanimously. Constitutional Amendment change: A motion was made to eliminate the Family Membership and to go with a ‘one size fits all’ Single Membership of $XX per person, per year, effective at renewal and/or subsequent joining. Motion was made by Bill K3YC and seconded by Larry K5VVD. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: Dinner Gathering: Dave WD5G proposed a dinner get together due to the Christmas Dinner being cancelled because of the December ice storm. The date is set for February 23. Larry K5VVD will contact the Choctaw Creek Golf Course (Secretary note: This is currently on the club website although there is no time of day specified. Please RSVP Larry by February 17). Club Roster sharing: Larry K5VVD inquired members regarding having Microsoft Excel capability for the purpose of receiving a spreadsheet of the CARC roster. Discussion ensued about getting the software including being able to download the Excel Reader. He also pointed out the drop in membership and the need to encourage past members to rejoin, and current members to update their information about being an ARRL member in order for CARC to be an ARRL member club. Tom WA9AFM informed Dave WD5G that CARC is currently not a member club. Dave asked to have the roster reviewed to determine whether there are enough club members designated as ARRL members to qualify as an ARRL member club. Tech Meetings: Dave WD5G had emailed members requesting possible programs or presentations for the monthly tech meetings. A couple of members stated they had changed email addresses and had not received the notices. This raised the issue of bringing the club roster up to date with current member contact information. The next Tech Meeting scheduled date: February 7. (Secretary note: Dave WD5G gave a presentation on working the 10 meter band. Approximately 10 members attended this meeting). Other presentation/programs suggested were on antenna modeling software, digital modes, sound card software, Echo Link, IRLP, Pactor, and APRS. CORA Report: Bill N5NUK gave the CORA report for January. Don N5ENQ will be a CORA Director representative from CARC, and Richard KA5ALO will be an alternative Director. Bill K3YC is also a CORA Director from CARC. (Secretary note: At the February 2 CORA meeting, Bill K3YC has accepted the position of Treasurer for CORA for 2008). There was no further new business. Some members donated funds towards the repeater equipment update. The next meeting date was set for February 18, 2008 7:00pm at the First Baptist Church in Nicoma Park. The meeting adjourned.