Board of Directors Meeting April 7, 2021

With the help of Geoff KA9QGH’s ZOOM-enabled call, Burt Schultz AB9CV called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Attendees:

Secretary’s Report:

Cliff Sowka K9QD: March 2021 BOD Minutes moved for approval by Danny KD9HIL and seconded by Geoff KA9QGH as published in the RHG.  So moved.

Treasurer’s Report:

John Zietlow K9WIC provides the following report:

Month:   April 1, 2021

Bank Balance        1-Mar                                                     $6,325.93

INCOME                                                                   $631.33

22-Mar   $631.33 Xfr from Pay Pal

DISBURSEMENTS                                                      $437.82

19-Mar   $62.82   data line

checks cashed this period

1246       15-Mar   $25.00

1248       12-Mar   $50.00

1255       1-Mar     $300.00

Checks Outstanding                             $75.00

Deposit not included                            $0.00

Account Balance                            $6,444.44

plus petty cash – special accounts Funds Available                 $6,538.64

28-Feb                   Bank Statement                              $6,519.44

minus FD donations                            $75.00

$6,444.44

Petty Cash                                          $169.20

FD Donations                                                                                                       $75.00

• 113 members on roster

Ed Lishka AC9SD moved to approve the Treasurer’s report and seconded by Geoff KA9QGH.  So moved.

Public Service:

Rob Glowacki N9MVO no report.

EMCOMM:

John Zietlow K9WIC reported there are upcoming EMCOMM events:

1. ChicagoLand Marathon May 23^rd. John has confirmed the trusted (Village security badge) radio operators for the Village of Schaumburg are available to support the event.  He will be recruiting up to ~24 or more ham operators to staff the venue.
2. State of Illinois SET (Simulated Emergency Test) is currently planning details for the May 1^st Current planning indicates there will be three sections: South, Middle, and North.  Radio resources include use of VHF and will also investigate data strategies.  It remains likely there will be a local NET invoked for participation in the SET.

Repeaters:

Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ reported the recent communication interruptions on the 2M machine appear to be entirely related to data line instability.  Rob Glowacki N9MVO and Terry AE9TJ visited the Barrington Road site to observe apparent self-correction and deemed the causation to be instability beyond our equipment.  Data line speed was measured at about 1MB.  Research into possible wireless internet connection was discussed including the potential for denial of service during an emergency whereas wireline access is perceived to be more reliable during crisis.

SD Card refresh (replace potential NAND FLASH tunneling wear weakness) was attempted but abandoned for the moment. Our $68 per month data line fee was thought to provide speeds of about 3Mb down and about 256K up which is adequate for voice; we know it handles 3 to 4 stations well enough.  Wireless Internet access can be accomplished with about ~$250 equipment outlay and then add the monthly fee.  Discussion of 3^rd Party services that ride on the big providers with lower marketing costs (lower monthly fees) did not bring a decisive conclusion regarding changing from wireline to wireless Internet access at the current time.

Construction Project:

VE Testing:

Ed Lishka AC9SD informed the VE Team tested two successful candidates in April.  One General and one Extra achieved.   Participating Volunteer Examiners (VEs):

Nets:

No report.  There has been steady attendance >20 for both TechNet and Thursdays.  Leo N9NBH has been consistently hosting the TechNet but needs volunteer controllers for two weeks each month where he has other obligations.  Somewhat inconsistent controller availability has occurred but the Nets are accomplished regardless as members step forward to take the role.

Radio Hill Gazette RHG:

Mike K9KMV No Report.

Recurring Calendar:

None.

Membership:

Darryl Jenks KB9RHR not present.  Discussion regarding club’s public exposure, VE Testing Session recruitment, Website’s presence, and available printed information such as Tri-Fold literature explored with past membership success mentioned.

Publicity:

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chair explored possibility of publicly announcing our club’s participation in the upcoming Chicagoland Marathon.  It was decided we should be able to publish our support during the event only afterword since there are several government agencies organizing the venue and we’re specifically only supporting Schaumburg’s agencies.  A Public Information Officer (PIO) will be appointed and we’ll wait until the event has concluded and then summarize SARC’s participation to public outlets.

Amazon charity:  We have fixed our links with PayPal and the lack of 501c3 IRS tax filing for the past 4 years may not affect our legitimacy since smile.amazon.com appears to have SARC correctly posted in their database.  John K9WIC was also able to sweep ~$600 out of PayPal and into the Treasury.

Social:

John KD9KSH surmised there may be government authorization of social events sometime a few years in the future.

Education:

Leo N9NBH.  No Report.

Programs:  

No Report.

Old Business:

Danny KD9HIL informed the permit application for the Plum Grove water tower Field Day this year will be submitted as a Private Event.  Our preparation for Field Day will be submitted for permitting as a Private Event to lessen governmental oversight (such as logging general public) requirements.

New Business:

Jim Campbell KB9RGU suggested our currently healthy finances could allow a 50% dues-reduction for renewals this year.  The Club’s current operating expenses of insurance, repeater IP access, maintenance consume the entire revenue of ~90% membership dues’ income so relaxing the fee could be accomplished now that our membership exceeds 100.   It was determined a temporary fee reduction may not be sustainable unless we decide to deficit-spend and use our current financial cushion.

Cliff K9QD will be attending annual Continuing Education (CE) course to maintain Class-A Supervising Electrician License April 15, 16 and therefore will not be able to attend the April Business Meeting.  A temporary Scribe will be appointed to record the April 15^th Business Meeting in his absence.

Geoff KA9QGH reminded Robert Kocourek W9RKK previously suggested the club purchase radios for Field Day by utilizing some of the finance resources we currently enjoy.  Cliff K9QD related an experience about 20 years ago where a complete inventory of club radios was taken.  Some equipment from that inventory was subsequently loaned-out to active members on a temporary basis but records were somehow lost over time and so was the equipment.  It was also determined that new equipment as a Club Asset would be good for overall operations-consistency but the learning-curve on new radios can take longer than Field Day participants could accomplish during the limited hours of the event.  We don’t have a club station and this precludes a secure location of expensive club assets over time.

Burt AB9CV moved monthly Board Meetings be moved to the CP venue to lessen the latency of our current ZOOM resource as in-person meetings are much more productive.  Difficulties due to the current attendance limitation of 10 people could be overcome by implementing ZOOM (internet is available in the basement) for Board Members unable to attend due to personal travel reasons as well as general membership being excluded via the currently-imposed headcount limitation would still allow all members some form of access.  Motion failed and the decision was to continue with ZOOM for the duration.

Motion to Adjourn:

Meeting adjourned 8:15PM.  Submitted March 4, 2021.  Cliff Sowka Secretary

Not available