Board of Directors Meeting May 7, 2025
Board Chairman Bill McGovern, W9WEM, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
Attendees:
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Bill McGovern, W9WEM |
Robert Kocourek W9RKK |
Don Dewar KD9NJR |
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Howard Mitchell KD9WSV |
Cliff Sowka K9QD |
Paul Burkett KD9FMN |
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Danny Kafka KD9HIL |
Bill Riess, KW9WR |
Kirk Musselman K9MSG |
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Bob Benwitz N9JAX |
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK |
Eliot Libner, N9EPA |
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Chris Brewer AC9GN |
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Secretary’s Report
April BOD Meeting Minutes published by Howard Mitchell, KD9WSV: Don Dewar, KD9NJR moved to approve the minutes as written. Paul Burkett, KD9FMN seconded. Members asked for any comments or questions: none heard. Motion Adopted.
Treasurer’s Report – Chris Brewer AC9GN
Chris also presented a proposed 2026 budget. When approved, the budget will be available for any member requesting a copy.
A discussion followed regarding the dues payment for current members will be due NLT June 30, 2025. A reminder will be sent out shortly to all members.
Field Day, Danny Kafka KD9HIL
Danny Kafka continuing to work on the Plum Grove Water Tower Site application. Other planning activities are on-going consistent with prior year schedules.
The headcount for early morning breakfast on Sunday will be requested by Cliff Sowka K9QD.
Danny Kafka will send out an email with staffing needs for setup Friday afternoon (about 4 pm), site take-down and clean-up on Sunday (event formally ends 1pm) and any other volunteer needs
Public Service- Rob Glowacki N9MVO Chairman
Rob Glowacki not present
Repeaters Terry Jarnholm, AE9TJ Chairman
Rob Glowacki N9MVO not present.
Construction Project – Cliff Sowka K9QD Chairman
The final construction project until fall of this year was again well attended The first SARC on the Park session is scheduled for Saturday, May 10th.
Radio Hill Gazette (RHG) – Eliot Libner N9EPA Editor
Eliot Libner N9EPA indicated he would like to receive more articles that can be posted in the RHG.
VE Testing – William Davies, K9WKD Session Manager
William Davies not present.
Nets
Don Dewar KD9NJR reported attendance continues to be very good. As always, we would like to have more Net Control volunteers for all our nets.
Membership – Scott DeSantis KB9VRW, Chairman
Scott DeSantis not present.
Publicity – Dennis Calvey KD9HIK, Chairman
Dennis Calvey’s report:
1. Facebook page up to 187 followers. Kirk Mussleman’s “Fox Hunt” announcement was posted on the Facebook page.
2. The draft Memorandum of Understanding with the Village of Schaumburg has been approved by Fire Chief Jim Walters. He will submit it to the Public Safety Committee at their next meeting, scheduled for Thursday May 8th, If approved it goes to the Village Manager (Brian Townsend) for signature and the Village Clerk (Jane Lentino) to be recorded. It then gets returned to SARC to be signed by the Club President and Secretary.
3. Antenna Project. One line sketch submitted to Bob Kryder (Village of Schaumburg Building Department) via email on April 30th for review. Follow up phone call on May 6th. Awaiting response.
4. EmComm equipment stored at the Schaumburg Police Department: On April 11th, Leo Ribordy (N9NBH), Howard Mitchell (KD9WSV), Rob Glowacki (N9MVO) and I conducted an inventory of SARC owned equipment stored in the basement of the Schaumburg Police Department. A letter of Authorization is posted on the cabinet front. Copies of the inventory list and photos taken were forwarded to Tom O’Boyle (N9GUN) who placed them in the online digital vault he set up for the club.
Follow-up required: The letter of authorization on the cabinet front needs to be updated with current names and contact information. (See EmComm section)
5. Anne Fox Elementary School Technology Fair, Thursday May 1 2025: Participated with Leo Riborby (N9NBH), Daryl Jenks (KB9RHR), Thomas O’Boyle (N9GUN) and Robert Benwitz (N9JAX).
We were able to get a table close to an exit door that allowed Daryl to run a coax from his Yaesu FT-991A out to a mag mount antenna on his van. This allowed contact with the K9IIK repeater, but the sound level in the gym made it almost impossible to hear traffic on his radio.
Tom O’Boyle brought his Maestro Control Console that allowed remote operation of the Flex radio at his home station. After some hassles with T-Mobile issues he was able to establish a connection for the Maestro Control using Daryl’s cell phone.
Robert’s demonstration of Morse code using a straight key was the biggest attraction, again. Participants were asked to print their name vertically on a piece of paper. Robert then filled in the Morse Code for each letter and showed them how to send di & dahs.
Some suggestions for the next time:
-My laptop was connected to a 32″ monitor and ran a “Death by Powerpoint” presentation. Big yawn. Got some more interest by linking to PSK Reporter and Reverse Beacon Network. However, the monitor sat on a table top, so most people couldn’t see it. We need to mount it higher and run some more interactive displays.
-Bring the SARC Club banner
-Connect a light, mounted high, in parallel with Robert’s code practice oscillator to attract attention.
-SARC owns headsets, currently stored in the basement of the Schaumburg Police Department. Use several of them plugged into a small audio amp connected to one of the radios so visitors can actually hear radio traffic.
-We need some type of inexpensive giveaway, preferably with the SARC website URL and a QR Code. Maybe a prize for successfully sending a Morse Code message or other simple contest?
– SARC Club QSL cards with QR Code. Maybe use them for Robert’s Morse Code demonstration?
6. STEM / STEAM Programs: Both Kirk Mussleman (K9MSG) and I have contacts in local schools that are interested in working with SARC to develop programs to be used with their STEM / STEAM programs. We just need someone within the club to head up a committee that would work with Leo Ribordy, Education Chair.
EmComm – Howard Mitchell KD9WSV Chair
After a bit of conversation, it was agreed that the letter of authorization on the cabinet front in the basement of the police department will be updated with Howard’s name as chair of EmComm. Howard indicted that he is concerned with the club accountability for the radios and other material in those cabinets. Howard accepted responsibility for that inventory including a review of who and when any members will be authorized to access any of that material. He will document those procedures to the membership.
Social Eliot Libner N9EPA
No additional report.
Education – Leo N9NBH Chair
Leo N9NBH not present.
Old Business
No reports
New Business
Kirk Mussleman, (K9MSG), continues to need additional volunteers for the SARC Scout Troop 37 event May 19. The objective is to aid Scouts to attain a Radio Merit Badge.
Meeting Adjourned 8:37 PM
Submitted May 11, 2025
Howard Mitchell KD9WSV, Secretary