Board of Directors Meeting June 5, 2024
Robert Kocourek W9RKK called the meeting to order at 7:00PM
Attendees
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Secretary’s Report
Cliff Sowka K9QD: May BOD Meeting Minutes as published in the RHG: Paul Burkett KD9FMN moved to approve and seconded by Bill Reiss KW9WR. Motion Adopted.
Treasurer’s Report:
Chris Brewer AC9GN not present.
Public Service
Rob Glowacki N9MVO not present. Rob has provided advance notice on SARC-ALL regarding Hoffman Estates Fourth of July plans:
There is a radioactivity event on Thursday, July 4 in Hoffman Estates.
As in many previous years, the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club is requested to organize the parade this year. So, at 7:30 AM, we will meet at Illinois Ave and Paris Lane, a couple blocks north of Schaumburg Road to get our location assignments.
The parade will be on Illinois Ave. this year, as in some previous years. The task requires a few blocks of walking. Each operator is given a list of the parade units to be located on his block, and what address each unit is planned to be staged. You will also be given a map of the area to indicate the addresses. And if I could figure out how to get this thing to include a map I could edit I could draw in the areas where we will be staging units and show the parade route.
Prior to the start of the parade at 9:00 AM, we ensure that the units are in place. Then at the start of the parade, we direct our units out to the parade route, in order. Parade units line up on Payson St. and Paris, Newark, Norridge, and Morgan lanes. The Reviewing stand is near Illinois and Evanston street.
We need to report to the reviewing stand any units that are missing, or if there is a conflict between units (like two adjacent units playing music) so we can get permission to change the order of those units. Of course, some units arrive late, so we get to try to insert them into the parade where they belong, and tell the reviewing stand when they are appearing in the parade if we can’t get them in order.
This year, the person I used to work with in getting information has moved on to another job, so we may have some documentation problems. (The new people have not yet verified the IHOP breakfast as has been traditional).
At the appointed time, we direct units in order onto the streets leading to Paris Lane, from which they will turn into Illinois Blvd for the parade.
It makes for a lot of fun, with a little work, mostly walking and checking unit numbers, and communicating by radio.
If you have not done a Public Service event before, this is a good one to start on.
All you need is an HT with the EMCOMM channels programmed into it, a hat and maybe sunscreen for protection from solar energy, and probably a bottle of water or two, if the weather is hot. A clipboard for holding the list of units can be helpful. We have some yellow safety vests for the club, but if you have one of your own, bring it.
Communications distance (as the radio wave travels) is about a mile, so no repeater is necessary. We will use EMCOMM 4 (147.420 MHz Simplex) as the normal operating frequency, with EMCOMM 5 (146.490 MHz Simplex) as a backup.
We need at least 10 operators to support the parade.
If you are willing to assist, please let me know. If we have more volunteers, we can double up on some blocks, so you won’t have to walk as far.
Thanks and 73 de N9MVO,
Rob Glowacki Public Service Chair
Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club
EMCOMM
No Report.
Repeaters
Rob Glowacki N9MVO, Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ not present.
Robert Kocourek W9RKK continues work to establish an operation manual for our machines with assistance from the Repeater Team and Kent Ochs W9KAO.
Construction Project (CP)
Cliff Sowka K9QD reports CP is on summer hiatus and will return in September.
VE Testing: John Schofield AC9JS reports results for june1, 2024
| Name | Call | Class |
| Neil | KE9ATK | Technician |
| Scott | KB9LCD | General |
| Julianna | KE9ATL | Technician |
| Chase | KE9ATM | Technician |
| Class | |
| Technician | 3 |
| General | 1 |
| Extra | 0 |
| Total | 4 |
Participating Volunteer Examiners (VEs):
| Joe | Barela | KB9RCR |
| Bill | Davies | K9WKD |
| Bill | Riess | KW9WR |
| John | Schofield | AC9JS |
| Mariusz | Szpryngacz | AD9DU |
| Kevin | Willard | KB9QYX |
| Jon | Wit | KD9WNL |
Four of our new VEs, all SARC members, assisted in this session, which was greatly appreciated.
Next examination date: July 6, 2024
John Schofield
Session Manager
AC9JS
Nets
Attendance remains enthusiastic. Need Net Control volunteer to host on Tuesdays.
Radio Hill Gazette RHG
Need Editor. No Report.
Membership
Scott DeSantis KB9VRW Membership Committee Chairman not present.
Publicity
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chairman reports the following:
1) Added SARC to ARRL Field Day Website. Other publicity getting ready for release.
2) Email from Tracy Raimondo – Village of Schaumburg does not have events coming up that would require participation from SARC.
Social
Need Chairperson.
Education
Leo N9NBH not present. There is currently no answer from the Library regarding fall classroom availability for us.
Programs
Don Dewar KD9NJR: Need program ideas and membership presenter support.
Old Business
John Shofield AC9JS has been providing SARC informational materials after his VE sessions and wishes to have printing budget to enhance the offerings.
- Moved to approve $60 budget for VE team expenses. Danny KD9HIL seconded. Motion Adopted.
Discussion regarding Annual Dues. As new Hams obtain their FCC Licenses and consider joining SARC, John notes there is some consternation regarding our cyclical renewal date of June 30. John suggested SARC offer Complimentary Membership until the nearest Renewal Date. Paul Burkett KD9FMN ponders a possible solution.
For example, a new member joins in May. This new member will enjoy Complimentary Membership for ~2 months and added to SARC-ALL immediately. Therefore will not incur a ~$60 expense for a 14-month duration.
For example, a new member joins in July. This new member will enjoy Complimentary Membership for ~11 months and added to SARC-ALL immediately. Therefore will only incur first Dues expense the following June.
Paul Burkett KD9FMN agreed and BOD tabled discussion for our next Business Meeting.
Daryl Jenks KB9RHR will assist to organize Scouts JOTA this coming October 19th but he will be traveling that month. Therefore suggests we find another SARC Member who can coordinate local Scout Leadership.
New Business
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK proposed New Business Topics:
- A) Should we show up at the “Coffee with the Council Meeting”?
- B) During hybrid SARC Business Meetings, remote participants can’t see board members behind the camera, and can’t clearly hear speakers. Is it possible to add another camera and / or a remote microphone?
- C) DX Engineering Zoom Webinars during Club Meetings
- D) A couple of members have suggested purchasing EVOLVE laptop computers. They could be used for logging during Field Day, connected to transceivers for Digital Modes, training. Cost about $90.00 +tax. Daryl (KD9RHR) and Scott (KB9VRW) both suggest adding a solid state hard drive.
- SARC Website needs updates to outdated Club Officer List.
Field Day:
Danny Kafka KD9HIL continues to fill gaps for Field Day; several roles undetermined at the moment.
Critical need: Messages (to Section Manager, Message Handling)
Please let me know if you have additions or corrections and what blanks I can replace with YOUR name.
Thanks for all your help!
Danny KD9HIL reports Field Day progress at this moment:
LOCATION: Plum Grove Road water tower, 1406 N Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg 60173
TIME Gate opens for Friday setup at 4 PM, Saturday at 8:30 AM.
SARC CALENDAR: (for June 22-23) Posted to site April 5
INSURANCE documents received from Treasurer (Chris AC9GN) April 10
Site APPLICATION submitted (using Schaumburg Special Event request form) April 16
- Received permit: May 9
PUBLICITY Dennis KD9HIK
ARTICLE for website placed by Matt AC9IG on May 20
MATERIAL for distribution during FD: Dennis
TAKE INVENTORY of supplies and equipment
- Do we need to do it this year? done informally
STATION LOGGING SCHEDULES:
Available on May 20 (done by Matt AC9IG)
STATIONS / TENT CAPTAINS
CW Bob: W9DXR using Rob’s (N9MVO) tent
Single Side Band: Robert W9RKK (with computer donated by Daryl KB9RHR)
VHF/UHF: Kent W9KAO, time TBD
Others can be involved – work at back tables, welcome tent or your car
GOTA: Paul KD9FMN with tent provided by Robert W9GEW
GENERATORS will be supplied by:
Rob N9MVO and Daryl KB9RHR
PALLETS under generators: in storage
FURNITURE TRANSPORT
(tables and chairs from/to Tennis Club)
SETUP: John KD9VZJ
Daryl KB9RHR
TEARDOWN: Leo N9NBH
Daryl, John T, with a few others to help load
TOWER CLIMBERS
Setup (Friday)
Paul KD9FMN
Jorge W9TMX
Tear Down
Paul KD9FMN
Jorge W9TMX
SAFETY OFFICER: Dennis KD9HIK
FOOD / MEALS
FRIDAY setup Water, Ice, cold soda
SATURDAY 2023: Ordered meal for 20 + 2 large pizzas
SUNDAY breakfast coordinator: Cliff K9QD
TOTAL FOOD (last year): $412.19
TOTAL Budget this year is $1,000
ICE / ICE CHESTS / WATER
_____________________
PUBLIC INFORMATION TABLE
Dennis KD9HIK
Robert W9GEW
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY Fox Hunt: Jim KB9RGU
1:30 to 4:00 PM
MESSAGE ORIGINATION to ARRL Section Manager
Don KD9NJR
MESSAGE HANDLING Daryl will participate
W1AW BULLETIN – Rob N9MVO
ADDITIONAL/SPECIAL EVENTS
Robert Zuttermeister W9GEW
TEARDOWN / CLEANUP ________________
Vacuum cleaner, cleaning, and bathroom supplies
REVIEW SITE AND LOCK
SUBMIT FD RESULTS TO ARRL
Meal Planning at the moment:
| Call/Name | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Danny KD9HIL | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cliff K9QD | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Howard KD9WSV 1 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Leo N9NBH | 1 | ||
| John KD9VZJ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Rob N9MVO | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Daryl KN9RHR | 1 | 1 | maybe |
| Dennis KD9HIK | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Robert W9RKK | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| K9MSG Kirk | 1 | 1 | |
| Paul KD9FMN | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ron WB9PTA | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| John KD9YKF | 1 | 1 | |
| Bob W9DXR | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Keith KD9WDU | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bob W9JAX | 1 | ||
| Roger WB9NBA | 1 | 1 |
Danny KD9HIL
NOTES FROM LAST YEAR
Do NET check-in awards, suggestions, items to restock.
Kent says we need Sterno: one can purchased (DK).
John Thornton KD9VZJ has 12 cans.
Adjourn 7:48PM
Submitted Jun 6, 2024
Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary