|
The
COMPASS |
February 2002 |
Official Newsletter
for Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club |
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
:
Welcome to a
new beginning for GSBARC. Starting in March you will find the compass at our Web site www.gsbarc.org
in a text formal. We will also print 25 copies which will be available at our general
meeting. If anyone has a problem with getting the compass this way please call or see me
and we will work it out.
The
membership at the January general meeting approved the budget which has the dues
increasing to 25 dollars per year. This is consistent with other clubs on Long Island.
This increase will help the board and membership to plan and implement a very exciting
year for GSBARC. Some of the events are Field Day, Light House weekend , parties in August
and December and possibly a special event station on Memorial Day at the Air Power Museum
in Farmingdale.
During the
year we will find and correct our problems with the 2 meter machine. Possibly purchasing a
new repeater. It is our goal to make 146.685 a reliable and powerful machine to be used by
Hams on Long Island.
On Tuesday
March 5 at 7:30 PM a Tech Class will start. Please purchase the book Now You're Talking
prior to the start of classes. For more information please contact me at 631-226-0698
2002
Dues are Due now
Any one with
a problem with the 10 dollar a year increase please feel free to see me or Tom KA2D and we will work it out.
At our
February General meeting the featured speaker will
be Jim Idone from Patcomm.
The subject will be small HF radios.
All March meetings are moved forward one week. See back for revised
March meeting dates.
God Bless
our Fighting Troops, 73
Phil N2MUN President GSBARC
DUES :
Dues renewal is $ 25.00 per year.
Tom KA2D will be collecting dues at GSBARC meetings . You may also mail in your dues to
the club PO Box. When renewing your membership it is important to update any change of
your personal information such as a new address, phone number, call sign, license class,
ARRL membership, and e-mail address.
CLUB
APPAREL:
KC2EGK has shirts and lightweight
jackets than can be ordered with or without embroidered club logo, name or call sign.
These items are available in various colors. Spin also has a supply of club hats and Tshirts .
FEBRUARY
BIRTHDAY'S: Happy Birthday to;
KB2IEV N2UHR KB2PZR WB2TWL KB2ZGS N2XOB W2FX N2QXK W2PB K2TV
GREAT SOUTH BAY AMATEUR RADIO
CLUB
MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING.
Thursday January 10, 2002
Location: Babylon Town Hall EOC, Lindenhurst NY
Meeting called to order by N2MUN at 8:00 PM. Phil wished everyone a
Happy New Year. New board members were welcomed. A moment of silence was held for the
troops fighting in Afghanistan.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
President
N2MUN
Phil
Lewis
Vice President
KC2EXP
Cliff
DeBear
Recording Secretary
N2GBM
Pete Maxwell
Corresponding Secretary
KC2FBV
Scott Verity
Treasurer
KA2D
Tom
Carrubba
Director
KA2RGI
Walter Wenzel
Director
KC2EGK
Frank Spinazzola
Director
WA2UJI
Dom Stengele
BOARD MEMBERS NOT PRESENT:
Director
N2MIG
Tom
Favilla
OTHER CLUB MEMBERS PRESENT:
KC2GWO David, KC2GWQ David, N2OJA Danny
TREASURER’S REPORT:
KA2D reported on the balances of GSBARC accounts.
The post office box and club liability insurance have been paid for
the year. KA2D has placed the 2001 financial records in the file cabinet at the EOC.
KA2RGI presented the treasurer with a bill for expenses incurred for the holiday party. A
check was given to KA2RGI to cover his expenses for the summer picnic.
MEMBERSHIP:
127 Total (108 full paid, 10 family, 9
complimentary)
CORRESPONDENCE:
Checking account statement, newsletters from LARC and RCARC,
qsl’s from Skywarn Recognition Day and Lighthouse Weekend, insurance renewal notice,
several dues renewals.
NETS:
2 Meter – N2MUN and KC2GWQ have occasionally filled in as Net Control. N2MUN would
like to see more membership participation in the club net, especially from board members.
10 Meter – Going well.
Swap n Shop – KA2RGI says this net will move to Tuesday nights after the Tech classes
are over.
EDUCATION:
There will be one more week of Tech classes. The students should be ready to take the test
at the HRU VE session on Jan. 20.
There have been queries about new classes. KA2RGI says he will not be
able to teach a Tech class this year due to schedule conflicts.
GUEST SPEAKERS AND PROGRAMS:
A presentation will be given at the February or March meeting about a new small HF radio.
Suggestions are welcome for possible speakers at upcoming meetings.
COMPASS:
The January issue is almost ready to go. N2MUN says that K2JY may be assisting with
putting the Compass together. N2GBM has found a place that will print, collate, and staple
the paper Compass for 4 cents a page, if 1000 pages are paid for. A price of 3.5 cents a
page is available if 4000 pages are paid for. Following discussion, it was decided to
print only 25 issues of the Compass each month, and they will be made available at the
general meeting. An electronic version will be available on the club web page. This will
greatly reduce one of the club’s biggest annual expenses. Assistance will be
available for anyone who is not able to view the Compass on the internet. This change will
start with the March 2002 issue of the Compass.
WEB PAGE:
KA2D says the page has information on HRU2002. The page is basically up to date. Tom is
working on making several improvements to the page.
CLUB STATION & EQUIPMENT:
All equipment borrowed for the Skywarn event has been returned.
LIBRARY:
WA2UJI reports there is nothing new at this time.
APPAREL:
KC2EGK says he has 10 of the new hats left. N2MUN suggested that Spin offer club apparel
for sale at the HRU event.
REPEATERS:
2 meter – not being used too much. N2MUN says the club should make it a goal this
year to purchase a new repeater (after the new tower is constructed). Some construction
has already begun. KC2GWQ says that the repeater shack is in poor shape and needs repair.
KA2RGI says some repeater equipment will be available soon that may
be suitable for our repeater.
220 – still down
440 – still working
DX & CONTESTING:
KA2D says to listen to the DX notes portion of the Monday night net for up to date
information on DX. Tom described various
upcoming contests. He says there are a lot of events scheduled for the Spring.
VE SESSIONS: There was no VE session in December. The next session
will be held at HRU on Jan. 20. VE’s are needed for this event. KA2D says the new VE schedule is posted. New
exams for Extra Class will be used starting in July.
ARES/RACES:
KA2RGI says on the air training starts next week. At the ARES meeting next Thursday,
Walter would like to get everyone’s information updated. The Suffolk County Half
Marathon and 5K Run will be held on April 14. Upcoming activities are posted on the
TOBARES website. Paul Beeman is now the Suffolk County Skywarn coordinator.
HEALTH & WELFARE:
K2LI is in the hospital. W2SF sends greetings from Florida, where he reports that it is
cold. KA2DZR is going in for surgery on Jan 15.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
HRU 2002 will be held on Jan 20. Tables, etc. will be set up on Jan 19. There was discussion of what equipment and
supplies will be needed from the club. KC2EXP offered to provide the coffee. The next
planning meeting will be held on Jan 15.
HAMFESTS:
KA2RGI suggests the club sponsor a tailgate type hamfest somewhere in the area. The
parking area behind the Great South Bay shopping center is a suitable site, but approval
will have to be given by the mall manager.
BUDGET:
N2MUN presented a proposed budget for 2002 based on dues of
$25, and an alternate budget, based on dues of $20. Following discussion, it
was decided to use the budget based on dues of $25. A change in the way the Compass is
distributed will reduce the club’s expenses significantly. (see COMPASS notes above.
The proposed budget will be presented to the membership for approval at the January
general meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS:
There was discussion about ARRL plans to eliminate certain information from QST each
month, and about a letter sent out by Section Manager N2GA regarding this change.
A motion to adjourn was made by KA2RGI and seconded by KC2EXP. The
meeting was adjourned at 9:08 PM
Respectfully submitted by
Pete Maxwell N2GBM
Recording Secretary
GREAT
SOUTH BAY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING
Thursday
January 31, 2002
LOCATION: Babylon Town Hall EOC, Lindenhurst NY
Meeting called to order by N2MUN at 8:00 PM
MEMBERS OF
EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESENT:
President
Phil Lewis
N2MUN
Vice President
Cliff DeBear
KC2EXP
Rec. Secretary
Pete Maxwell
N2GBM
Treasurer
Tom Carrubba
KA2D
Director
Tom Favilla
N2MIG
Director
Frank Spinazzola KC2EGK
Director
Dom Stengele
WA2UJI
MEMBERS OF
EXECUTIVE BOARD NOT PRESENT:
Corr. Secretary
Scott Verity
KC2FBV
Director
Walter
Wenzel
KA2RGI
OTHERS
PRESENT:
All members
and guests introduced themselves.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
KA2D reported on the balances of GSBARC accounts.
MEMBERSHIP:
Total = 127 members. 108 full paid, 10 family, and 9 complimentary
CORRESPONDENCE:
Dues renewals, QSL cards from Lighthouse Weekend and K2U, bank statement for the CD,
returned Compass
NETS:
2 meter - N2MUN has recently substituted for N2UHR as net control, and KC2GWQ has been
running the Newsline Report.
10 meter - No report. If N2NGE is unable to do this net, anyone can bring it up.
Swap n Shop - this net has moved to Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM.
EDUCATION:
After information about classes was posted on the GSBARC website, several people expressed
interest in a Technician class. Therefore, a new class will start on Tuesday March 5 with
N2MUN as instructor. Phil says that another new class will start in May, probably Extra
class, since the Extra class exam will be changing in July. Anyone interested in attending
an Extra class should notify N2MUN.
GUEST
SPEAKERS AND PROGRAMS:
A speaker is being lined up for the February meeting who will speak on small radios, kits,
etc.
The blind auction has been postponed and the new date is still pending.
COMPASS:
N2MUN says the Compass will soon be available to club members on the internet and paper
copies will be available at the meeting for those who do not have internet access. A mass mailing of the Compass will no longer be
done. Anyone who is not usually able to attend the monthly meeting and who does not have
internet access should contact N2GBM, who will mail them a copy.
WEB PAGE:
KA2D says the site is constantly being updated with pertinent information. The new net
schedule will be posted soon. Tom says the page continues to get a lot of hits.
CLUB STATION
& EQUIPMENT:
Some of the equipment used for HRU2002 still has to be put back in the EOC.
LIBRARY:
WA2UJI has donated issues of Monitoring Times and QST to the library. Dom was thanked by
the membership for this donation.
APPAREL:
KC2EGK still has several club hats available. They are $12 each.
REPEATERS:
The 2 meter repeater is not performing very well. The new tower is currently being put up
but the new antenna has not been installed on it yet. KC2EXP says the construction of the
new tower is moving along. WA2QAV suggests the auto dial feature be disabled since it is
not being used and is receiving erroneous incoming calls.
The 220
repeater is still down.
The 440
repeater is working but the coverage is poor.
N2MUN says
his mission for this year is to get the 2 meter repeater working properly. The controller,
cans, and antenna are new. The repeater itself needs to be replaced.
DX/CONTESTING:
KA2D described some Dxpeditions currently going on. He also listed some of the contests
coming up in February. The DX notes that Tom compiles are read on the Monday night net.
If there is
enough interest, Emil can come to a meeting to check qsl cards.
FIELD
DAY: KA2D says we need to start thinking about field day. Tom noted that some of the rules
are changing this year and gave details. N2MUN says KC2EGK has agreed to be one of the
field day chairmen again this year. Phil will also ask K2ZDX to be the other chairman.
VE
SESSION:
The last VE session was held on 1/20 at HRU. There were 19 candidates. The next VE session
will be held on 2/24.
ARES/RACES:
No report.
On the air training has not started yet but is expected to start next week.
BUDGET:
N2MUN went over the proposed budget for 2002. Phil noted that this proposal is in the
January Compass. It was pointed out that the Compass has not been sent via email yet.
Following Phil's presentation, the proposed budget was discussed. N2CRV made a motion for
club dues to be raised to $20 (instead of $25 called for in the proposed budget) and any
additional money needed to balance the budget be taken from the club bank account. This
motion was seconded by N2YAY. Following discussion, the motion was voted on and did not
pass. A motion to accept the budget proposed by N2MUN including a dues increase to $25 was
made by N2MIG and seconded by KB2IEW. Following discussion, this motion was voted on and
passed.
OTHER
BUSINESS:
Due to a conflict with Valentine's Day, the February board meeting will be held on
February 7. The date for the general meeting in March falls on Passover so all scheduled
club and ARES meetings for March will be moved up one week. Board meeting will be 3/7,
ARES meeting will be 3/14, and general meeting will be 3/21.
The meetings
in November will also be moved up 1 week to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday. KA2D
encourages all club members to attend the monthly board meetings. Most club business
should be conducted at this meeting so the general meeting can be used for speakers,
demos, etc.
N2MUN has
asked everyone to fill out the questionnaire that appears in the January Compass. It is a
survey of what people want from the club and what they are able to do to help.
HRU2002:
N2MUN thanked everyone who helped out at the HRU2002 event. He noted that NY6DX did a good
job running the special event station. Attendance was about 300 people. KA2D noted that
more club members should give support to this event.
The 50/50
drawing was won by KA2UJP. Total prize = $26, which was split with John.
A motion to
adjourn was made by KC2EXP and seconded by KA2DZR. Meeting was adjourned at 9:23 PM
Respectfully
submitted by
Pete Maxwell, N2GBM, Recording Secretary
Swap
& Shop
For Sale by KA2DZR
Kenwood TS-850S HF Transceiver -$900.00
YG-455C-1 500 Hz CW Filter
YK-88SN-1 1.8 Khz SSB Filter
SP-31 Eternal Speaker w/audio filters
Hand Mic
Manual and boxes
MFJ-250 2KW
PEP Dummy Load - oil cooled $30.00
MFJ-207
160-10 SWR Analzer $60.00
2 DAIWA 4
position antenna switch $80.00ea
Frequency
counter $50.00
Bero KA2DZR
631-376-6022
ka2dzr@arrl.net
UPCOMING
EVENTS FOR GSBARC
GENERAL
MEETING
FEBRUARY 28 AT 8:00 PM
- VE Session –
FEBRUARY 24 AT 12
PM
MARCH
Meetings moved forward one week
Executive
Officers Meeting
MARCH 7 AT 8:00 PM
TOB ARES/RACES
MARCH 14 at 800 PM
General Meeting
MARCH 21 at 8:00 PM