MINUTES OF THE FORT VENANGO MIKE & KEY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING FOR DECEMBER 5, 2009 12/24/2009 10:43 PM   2009 Board Members: present Greg Depew, KB3KBR  3rd term ends 2010 – 2011 present Doug Smith, N3COW  3rd term ends 2008 - 2009 present Bill Morrison, KB3OXV  3rd term ends 2012 – 2013 present Dave Lynn, KA3JPI  3rd term ends 2010 – 2011 present Larry Aldrich, K3HJQ  3rd term ends 2012 – 2013 present Bev Beichner, K3BEV  3rd term ends 2009 – 2010 absent Bill Hill, K3SHK  3rd term ends 2011 - 2012 absent Russ Campbell, KA3WNL  3rd term ends 2012 - 2013 absent Jim Clinefelter, N3BAT  3rd term ends 2012 – 2013   2010 Board Members:   Bev Beichner, K3BEV  3rd term ends 2009 – 2010 Dave Lynn, KA3JPI  3rd term ends 2010 – 2011 Greg Depew, KB3KBR  3rd term ends 2010 – 2011 Bill Hill, K3SHK  3rd term ends 2011 - 2012 Bill Morrison, KB3OXV  3rd term ends 2012 – 2013 Larry Aldrich, K3HJQ  3rd term ends 2012 – 2013 Russ Campbell, KA3WNL  3rd term ends 2012 - 2013 Jon Delaney, KB3OSP  1st term ends 2010 – 2011 Gary Kulling, K3TCU  1st term ends 2010 - 2011       Without five of the nine Board Members present a Quorum for the transaction of business will not be met.   Officers Present: Jim Depew, KA3OES, President Joe Beichner, AA3TH, Vice President Joe Tarantino, AA3YE, Secretary Ron Zond, K3MIY, Editor, Key Clicks Larry Aldrich, K3HJQ, Assistant Treasurer Doug Smith, N3COW, Program Director   Officers absent: Bill Hill, K3SHK, Treasurer Hugh Housholder, N3MBR, Parliamentarian   Members (present not listed above) Jonathan Delaney, KB3OSP Charles Danielson, KB3QVR Dale Knox, WA3IXH Karen Morrison, KB3TIE Justin Perry, KB3TID Mikaela Orlasky, call sign pending   Guests Megan Orlasky   CALL TO ORDER, PRESENTATION OF THE MINUTES, & THE TREASURER’S REPORT:               After a delay by not being served quickly at the Valley Dairy and not being able to get into the UPMC Northwest Medical Facility hospital’s lower entrance, President Jim Depew called the meeting to order at 9:22 A.M  Neither the Minutes nor the Treasurer’s report, (which are provided to the membership in written form) were read.  Only a summary of the Minutes of the November 2009 Board meeting were approved as read.  The summary of the Treasurer’s Report was not presented due to Bill Hill’s absence.  Anyone interested in verifying that their membership is up to date can check the membership roster.   OLD BUSINESS:   Repeater Committee   Doug Smith reported that the new, (new to the FVMKC), GE Master II with the new ARCOM controller is up and running.  It is transmitting with 140 watts.  Some tweaking and minor programming is still required.  It was suggested that the audio level of the announcements be increased.  Doug also reported that there is a terrible problem with power line noise all along Pone Lane which is causing some problems to the repeater.  Doug said he would work with Lee, WA3FIY and Penelec to try to abate the line noise issues.  Doug also said that after we get the line noise abated we may wish to install a preamp to help the repeater hear better.  Doug, Dale and Jim Clinefelter worked at the repeater site programming and tweaking the repeater.  Dale, WA3IXH brought his brush hog and cleaned up the area around the repeater building.  Doug said that we will still have to tweak the programming for the squelch tail and will be adding an autopatch module to the controller.  This will cost the club $50 but will allow the controller to be programmed and controlled via the telephone.  Currently the controller does not have a clock back up and the time will have to be reset when ever the power is disrupted.   UHF Net   Bill reported that only a few people are checking in but he did hear Greg, KB3KBR, check in to his surprise.     Clothing Committee (Club Jackets / Hats)   President Depew contacted Wal-Mart to see if they will donate vests to the club or at least offer them for us to buy at their cost.  The local manager told Jim that the funds for donations were currently used up for their fiscal year which ends in March.  Jim was told he will be contacted by a more senior manager about his request in the near future.   Club History   Jon Delaney indicated he has not met with Bill Hill.          Oil 150 Special Event   With Gary’s absence, there was no report about the status of sending out the QSL certificates or cards.  Joe, AA3TH along with most of the other members are quite concerned about the tardiness of getting them sent out.  On the 27th it will be four months since the special event.  Joe Beichner said he would be willing to help and send out the certificates and/or QSL cards if Gary, K3TCU will provide him with the list and certificates/cards.   NEW BUSINESS:   Nomination Committee for December Elections   Committee Chair Bill, KB3OXP, provided a list of nominations to replace Doug Smith who is required to step down and Jim Clinefelter who due to other commitments volunteered to step down from the Board. The nominations included Jon Delaney, KB3OSP; Dale Knox, WA3IXH; Justin Perry, KB3TID; Karen Morrison, KB3TIE; Dan Kulling, W3DJK; Joe Beichner, AA3TH; and  Gary Kulling, K3TCU.     Suggestions for Fund Raisers   Some discussion of a Ham Swap Fest similar to what the Butler Radio Club holds ensued.  An exploratory committee chaired by Joe Beichner, consisting of Greg Depew, Bill Morrison and myself was formed and will report back at the next meeting.  We will check for good dates, not too close to the dates of the Butler, BreezeShooters and Erie hamfests.  We will check into locations which can handle around 100 cars.  Possibilities include but are not limited to fire companies, the UPMC hospital, the site of the Forest County hamfest and Clarion University Ball field       Net Controls for 2009   December:  Gary, K3TCU   Bev, K3BEV will provide a list for the next meeting which will be published in the January minutes and in the next Key Clicks.   Equipment for Sale   Jim Depew, Jim Clinefelter and Lee Richey still need to get together to discuss the equipment for sale by Glen Heasley, N3UOE.  Jim Clinefelter had a list of the equipment and will see if he still has it.               With no further business to discuss, the meeting of the Executive Board adjourned at 10:50 AM.  The formal general membership meeting was then held at which time the membership voted in the new Board members.  Let’s welcome Jon Delaney, KB3OSP, and Gary Kulling, K3TCU as our newest Board members for their 1st term of 2010 – 2011.  Let’s also thank our outgoing Board members Doug Smith, N3COW, and Jim Clinefelter, N3BAT, for their outstanding service over the past three years.  Following the election of the new Board members, the five current Board members present voted on the club officers.  The current Treasurer, Bill Hill; Assistant Treasurer, Larry Aldrich; Secretary, Joe Tarantino and Program Chair, Doug Smith all agreed to stay on another year.  With President Jim Depew stepping down, the office of President needed to be filled.  Vice President Joe Beichner, AA3TH, accepted a nomination for President along with Bill Morrison, KB3OSP.  They both accepted nominations for Vice President as well.  After a 3 to 2 vote, please welcome our new President Joe Beichner and new Vice President Bill Morrison.  Don’t forget to take the time to thank Jim, KA3OES for his outstanding service as President.  The meeting turn out was excellent with 16 members attending.   The next meeting will be on January 9, 2010 at UPMC Hospital in Seneca.  It is being held the 2nd Saturday due to 1st Saturday following the day after New Years Day.   I plan on meeting at Bob Evan’s for breakfast at 8:00 AM across from the Cranberry Mall. Anyone that would like to join me can look for my vehicle or contact me via the Franklin repeater.  I will be monitoring.  Please make sure you are at the regular meeting site in the hospital by 9:00 AM.  With a unanimous vote, the format of the meeting will be changed with the program occurring first from 9:00 – 9:30 with the Board and General Membership meeting to immediately follow the program.  You will have to use the main entrance and go down the elevator.  They indicated that the lower entrance will be locked.  Hope to see you all there.  If you haven’t done so already please pay your dues.   Respectfully Submitted, Joe Tarantino, AA3YE, Secretary MINUTES OF THE FORT VENANGO MIKE & KEY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING FOR November 7, 2009 11/30/2009 12:10 PM 2009 Board Members: present Bill Hill, K3SHK 3rd term ends 2011 - 2012 present Greg Depew, KB3KBR 3rd term ends 2010 – 2011 present Doug Smith, N3COW 3rd term ends 2008 - 2009 present Bill Morrison, KB3OXV 3rd term ends 2012 – 2013 present Dave Lynn, KA3JPI 3rd term ends 2010 – 2011 present Russ Campbell, KA3WNL 3rd term ends 2012 - 2013 present Jim Clinefelter, N3BAT 3rd term ends 2012 - 2013 present Larry Aldrich, K3HJQ 3rd term ends 2012 – 2013 absent Bev Beichner, K3BEV 3rd term ends 2009 – 2010 Without five of the nine Board Members present a Quorum for the transaction of business will not be met. Officers Present: Jim Depew, KA3OES, President Joe Beichner, AA3TH, Vice President Joe Tarantino, AA3YE, Secretary Ron Zond, K3MIY, Editor, Key Clicks Bill Hill, K3SHK, Treasurer Larry Aldrich, K3HJQ, Assistant Treasurer Hugh Housholder, N3MBR, Parliamentarian Doug Smith, N3COW, Program Director Members (present not listed above) Jonathan Delaney, KB3OSP Bob Paddock, KA8BMT Charles Danielson, KB3QVR Dale Knox, WA3IXH Karen Morrison, KB3TIE Justin Perry, KB3TID Ron Wenner, N3UTR CALL TO ORDER, PRESENTATION OF THE MINUTES, & THE TREASURER’S REPORT: After a delay by not being able to get into the the UPMC Northwest Medical Facility hospital’s lower entrance, President Jim Depew called the meeting to order at 9:08 A.M. at. Neither the Minutes nor the Treasurer’s report, (which are provided to the membership in written form) were read. Only a summary of the Minutes of the September 2009 Board meeting were approved as read. The summary of the Treasurer’s Report presented by Bill Hill was approved. Anyone interested in verifying that their membership is up to date can check the membership roster. OLD BUSINESS: UHF Net Bill reported that one or two people are still checking in. Clothing Committee (Club Jackets / Hats) A short discussion about trying to get vests that are all the same was held. Having the same vests would provide clear visibility to the public who the “Radio People” or “Emergency Communicators” are during drills or actual emergencies. Bill, KB3OXV brought his vest which was purchased at Wal-Mart for around $14. The membership thinks that the high visibility yellow vests would be great. President Depew will contact Wal-Mart to see if they will donate vests to the club or at least offer them for us to buy at their cost. I will check with A&M thread in Knox on the cost of pressing on “EMCOMM” on the back of the vest with the reflective tape. More discussion is planned at the December meeting. Club History Jon Delaney indicated he has not met with Bill Hill. Oil 150 Special Event With Gary’s absence, there was no report about the status of sending out the QSL certificates or cards. I am still in the process of sending an article to QST magazine about the Special Event. Oil 100 Race Bill Morrison reported that he must have made a “mistake” since they are expecting him and the FVMKC to provide communications again next year. The date is not final but it may very well be the second weekend in October again. Bill will be trying to get volunteers to help out with the 32 Hour race in Oil Creek State Park. There will probably be four aid stations in Oil Creek State Park plus the 911 center where Bill will need help for four 8 hour shifts. The race starts at 5 AM Saturday and ends Sunday at 4 PM. Mark your calendars now. Bill showed great leadership by taking on the task. He also used great ingenuity by utilizing the digital modes to send the runners numbers and the times they crossed the check points. This turned a twenty minute per page of 27 runners into a ten second digital transmission using MT63 2K long over the Pleasantville repeater. This also provided more free time on the repeater to handle EmComm of lost or injured runners and provide routine communications to people to ship in more supplies (food etc.) for the aid stations. NEW BUSINESS: Nomination Committee for December Elections President Depew appointed a nominating committee consisting of Board Members Bill, KB3OXP, Doug, N3COW and non-Board Member Charlie, KB3QVR. Doug Smith is required to step down from the Board and we will need a replacement. Jon, KB3OSP, Dale, WA3IXH, Ron, K3MIY, Charlie, KB3QVR and I said we would be willing to serve on the Board. It was also felt that Gary, K3TCU would also be will to be a Board Member. Suggestions for Fund Raisers Bring your suggestions for fund raisers to the December meeting. Some discussion of a Ham Swap Fest similar to what the Butler Radio Club does or possibly a breakfast or spaghetti dinner or possibly donating equipment and selling it via E-Bay or Craig’s List were suggested. Net Controls for 2009 September: Bev, K3BEV November: Jim, KA3OES December: Gary, K3TCU Equipment for Sale Jim Depew, Jim Clinefelter and Lee Richey will get together to discuss the equipment for sale by Glen Heasley, N3UOE. Jim Clinefelter had a list of the equipment and will see if he still has it. Sad News Bob Paddock reported that his Dad Charles “Chuck” became a Silent Key. I didn’t know him, but I believe his call was W8AOO then AB8BL and most recently K8CLP and he was a regular check in on the Monday night net. With no further business to discuss, the informal meeting of the Executive Board adjourned at 10:45 AM. Since there was no scheduled program, no formal general membership meeting was held. The turn out was excellent with 19 members attending including all of the Officers and 8 out of the 9 Board members present. The next meeting will be on December 5, 2009 at UPMC Hospital in Seneca. I plan on meeting at the Valley Dairy for breakfast at 8:00 AM across from the Cranberry Mall behind McDonalds. Anyone that would like to join me can look for my vehicle or contact me via the Franklin repeater. I will be monitoring. Please make sure you are at the regular meeting site in the hospital by 8:45 AM. You will likely have to use the main entrance and go down the elevator. They indicated that the lower entrance will be locked. Hope to see you all there. If you haven’t done so already please pay your dues. Respectfully Submitted, Joe Tarantino, AA3YE, Secretary