Inland Empire VHF Radio Amateurs Club

March 12, 2009 regular meeting

The meeting was brought to order at approximately 1835 hours, local time, at Spokane Community College, Mike Grounds, KE7PG presiding.

Introductions by each attendee were given. A total of 21 persons signed the attendance sheet.

Treasure’s report: Dave, K7DWB, presented the financial report. According to Dave, the club is doing well, financially. A printed financial report may be obtained by request to Dave via the club web site www.ievhfclub.org. Click on "officers and contacts" to request a report. Dave reported that club taxes for 2008 are currently being processed.

Technical report: Karl, AK2O, reported that all radio systems are functioning except for the packet BBS, which is down at this time. Karl reported some "malicious interference" problems on some of the repeater systems. Contact John Demster, W7OE if you have information regarding this issue. 499-5317 is W7OE’s contact number. Karl, AK2O, handed John, vice president and trustee, W7JRB, the trustee’s badge.

Mike, KE7PG, announced that he will not be attending next month’s meeting due to personal obligations having priority.

Inventory: Equipment inventory, including photos, serial numbers, system diagrams, and locations will be taken in June when the radio sites become accessible.

Publicizing announcements:

The Agilent web site, as announced by AD7FO is willing to take amateur related announcements for publication on their site. Mike, KD7GHZ has compiled a 12-month calendar that is published as a Yahoo calendar and is available to be viewed on our VHF Club web site. This calendar may currently be seen on the Spokane County A.R.E.S. web site.

VEC exam session results:

As on every second Thursday of each month, the VE exam team conducts F.C.C. exam tests at 1700 hours local time just prior to our meeting at 1830 hours. The results of tonight’s exam session are:

4 new technician class. 2 general class, 1 extra class.

Nominating Committee:

As required in the club by-laws, three members must volunteer, or be appointed, to establish a nominating committee in order to nominate candidates for the 2009-2010 period. Elections will be held at the May 2009 meeting on May 14. Three volunteers stepped forward for this very important committee. They are: 1. Jim, K7JJP 2. Red, WB7RED, and Bob, KE7RAP. John, W7JRB, club vice president, is the chairman, in accordance with club bi-laws.

Positions available for nominations are: President, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and one director position. Treasurer Dave will provide a list of members who have phone numbers on file for the nominating committee to call, requesting nominations for the aforementioned positions.

Field Day 2009 Report:

Mike, KD7GHZ, reported that the Lilac City Radio Amateurs has once again invited our VHF club to attend the joint Field Day operations at the Spokane County Park near Valley Ford, Washington on June 27. Set-up is on Friday the 26^th, and activities end on Sunday the 28^th. A breakfast will be available on Sunday morning, June 28. Notify Mike if you plan to attend so that adequate barbeque items may be obtained. Last year’s Field Day operations were attended by four or five clubs. The field day event was considered a great success by most who attended. This year, our VHF club will assist in providing funds for food requirements. Camping is allowed for ham radio personnel at Valley Ford Park during this event.

Bloomsday:

Kyle, KA7CSP, announced the need for amateur radio volunteers to provide communications for the annual Spokane Bloomsday run on Sunday, May 3. This will be the 33^rd Spokane Bloomsday event and Kyle’s 31^st year of coordinating the communications for this huge road-running event. Forty volunteers are needed. Contact Kyle at??? to volunteer. Kyle passed a signup sheet around for volunteers to sign up.

Coeur d’Alene Ironman:

Gary, KE7IAT, announced that the Coeur d’ Alene Ironman event is on June 21. Seventy hams are needed along the racecourse. Get on the Coeur d’ Alene Ironman web site to volunteer, attention Jim Linden, N7VIL.

Repeater Monitor Receiver Progress Report:

John, W7JRB, reported that he has a repeater audio monitoring receiver built, but it needs further work. The purpose of this receiver is to digitally record audio from the VHF club’s repeater systems, in MP3 format, to report possible FCC violations or "jamming" incidents to the FCC.

Presentation:

Mike, KD7GHZ, gave an excellent presentation whose subject was the proper technique of originating, sending, and delivering message traffic, meeting NTS/ARRL standards in the process. Mike handed out an excellent paper (KV5R’s Traffic Handler) complete with instructions and message form, and explained what each line on the message form required. Included in Mike’s handouts was a quiz designed as an excellent learning tool. Mike provided information for a number of NTS nets such as WASA, WARTS, to name just a couple.

50/50 drawing: won by Mike Shaunssey, KE7AVK. $6.00.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 2000 hours.