Minutes of the February 2014 meeting of the Fort Smith Area Amateur Radio Club
FSAARC February Meeting Minutes 2-17-14
The February meeting was called to order by President Jimmy Lowrey, W5JNL at 7:00 p.m. on 2-17-14. Other officers present were vice-president, Mike Cole, W5TMC and secretary, Jeff Ricketts, K5KDX. Treasurer, Chuck Johnson N5JUD was unable to be present tonight. A motion to accept the minutes of January’s meeting was made by Rory Bowers, K6CKS and was seconded by John Samuels, W5ATW. The motion carried. A treasurer’s report was not made. W5JNL read the bank statement balance indicating that there were some additional deposits of dues to the account which would result in a balance somewhat above $6,000.00. No repeater chairman report was made as Wayne Johnson, W5OFN was not present tonight. W5ATW mentioned that the repeater’s announcement of the clock time is still off by several minutes. W5TMC advised all present that he will be operating as W5ANR from his house for the ARRL DX phone contest on 3-1-14 and all those interested in participating should come to his house for the contest. The Russellville Hamfest is also this same day. W5ATW reminded the group of the ARKAN club’s special event station of W5T railroad mobile from a train out of Springdale to Winslow, AR possibly. W5TMC advised he sent some club information to W5RXU- Dale Temple AR section manager to get our club back in front of Arkansas hams. W5TMC advised that the technician testing session will be put on hold until possibly July 2014. The Skywarn Storm spotter’s session will be at the Sebastian Co. EOC on March 10, 2014 at 7 p.m. in Ft. Smith, AR. Royce Rainwater, KE5TC indicated that our club van has been requested to be in attendance at the Green Country Hamfest in Claremore, OK. We will also have a FSAARC table at the hamfest. Hamfest times are Friday 3-7-14 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday 3-8- 14, 8 a.m. 3 p.m. KE5TC mentioned an interest in having the van at Claremore by noon on Friday. The van’s liability insurance policy has expired as of today. K5KDX will check into getting a quote or two to get liability insurance coverage back on the van and hopefully at a better premium. Mark Platt was to be dropped from the list of approved drivers. W5JNL had everyone present introduce themselves. The discussion was turned to our 2014 Hamfest. It will be at K of C Hall in Ft. Smith, AR on Saturday April 5, 2014. Chuck Foley, W5CJF made a motion of allotting $3,000.00 for the purchase of door prizes for the hamfest. The motion was seconded by Mark Clayton, W5ONE and the motion carried. Prizes will be purchased by whomever gives us the best deal/ and/or the best rebates we can receive. W5ONE asked for volunteer help in setting up tables and chairs prior to hamfest and on Saturday afternoon for taking down . Art Sellers, W3TZ suggested some door prize variety other than just radios. W5TMC advised that the cut-off for pre-paying for the Hanging Judge hamfest tables and entry fee is 3-31-14. W5JNL advised that the tower lease fee of $100.00 is now due and payable to Global Tower Partners. W5JNL then shifted discussion to Field Day 2014. The club will be at Bell Park in Greenwood, AR this year. We have the pavilion and operating spaces per Joel Goldstein, W5GOL. There is a question as to whether or not we will be able to have the use of the CERT trailer. To make it official, Rick Deaton, K5RRD motioned that the van be taken to Green Country Hamfest. Motion carried after the van has been insured of course. Mike Bell, K5JMB then motioned for adjournment and so it was as the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeff Ricketts, K5KDX FSAARC Secretary