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FLARC General Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Meeting at Space Place and Zoom

Called to order at 19:33 by Steve W9GZO

Introductions & Guests
  • Bob, KE9BHS
Review of September Meeting Minutes

No corrections. Thomas WN1C moved to accept, Nicholas KB9SKW seconded. No objections.

Treasurer's Report

$2000 was moved into a 13-month CD with 4.5% interest rate. Recent transactions includes Dues payments received. Combined CD and checking balance is $8109.76

Nicholas KB9SKW moved to accept report, Patrick KD9ZKI seconded. No objections

VE Report

3 candidates - 1 new tech, 1 upgrade to Extra, 1 no license. Additionally one address change.

Bragging Rights

Patrick KD9ZKI made a 10m long distance contact using a modified CB antenna

Steve W9GZO got a cobweb up

Thomas WN1C activated 2 parks during Wisconsin Parks on the Air.

Thomas AC9BJ also participated in the WI-PotA from Governor Dodge State Park but had to cut it short due to his battery not being fully charged.

Upcoming Opportunities
  • Hidden Valley Hamfest, Lancaster WI - October 19, 2024
  • ARES Wisconsin Convention, Wisconsin Rapids WI - November 2, 2024
  • Milwaukee Repeater Club Friendly Fest - November 2, 2024
  • The Fox Cities Amateur Radio Club Swapfest - November 3, 2024
  • Winter Field Day - January 25/26, 2025 [Matt NM9O]
  • Tri County Hamfest Jefferson WI - March 17 2025
  • MARA Hamfest Stoughton WI - April 26, 2025
  • ARRL Summer Field Day - June 28/29, 2025
Old Business
New Business
  • Open Positions: Secretary, Member at large, VE Liaison, Equipment Tracking Manager
  • Introduction to 2024 Bylaws Revision Process
    • We have not had updates since 2001 and several updates are needed to be addressed
    • Paper copies of the draft available tonight at the meeting. PDF to be circulated over the list.
    • Formal proposal will be submitted at the November meeting with voting in December
    • Objectives for modifications:
      • Ensure continued operation of club
        • Increase flexibility in elections to add electronic balloting
        • Assure ability for members to form a quorum for voting at club meetings
      • Clarify membership types and, separately, classifications for dues schedules
        • Includes striking life membership rate due to lack of use and avoiding financial administrative effort needed to manage those funds
      • Clarify details of Directors and Officers
      • Standardize language around Annual Business Meeting
      • Align references to communication so as not to conflict with the increased use and availability of technology since the prior revision
      • Address potential typographical errors accumulated due to revisions and transcriptions of previous texts
      • Confirm Not For Profit status of club corporation in the Purpose text (we are not currently a registered Non-Profit corporation)
  • Holiday Party Planning {tentative Dec 3rd 6-9pm}
    • Interest survey has been sent to QST. If you would like to attend the party, please complete the survey by tomorrow.
    • Current proposal is $18/person with a choice of 4 meals. May need to adjust plan depending on number of interested members
  • Winter Field Day Planning
  • Summer Field day Planning Team: Zoom meetings Jan, Mar, May
    • Interest for the committee was gathered, Zoom meetings to be arranged
    • Kevin is volunteering for BBQ
Announcements

Illinois QSO Party is this weekend, AC9BJ will be operating from the Salem park in Illinois.

With solar flares, any recent contacts? Thomas made one 6-meter contact. VHF activity has been high with aurora bounce. HF has been a struggle with noise. However the Badger Emergency Net (40m daytime) was strong today following the storm.

Program for October Meeting

Antenna Tuning & equipment

YouTube Video - Electronics for the Inquisitive Experimenter: What is an Antenna Tuner and what does it do for me?

Show-n-tell with manual tuner and nanoVNA

Adjournment of Meeting

Adjourned at 20:51

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