Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association

PLEASE RSVP using the form below so we can let the restaurant know roughly how many people are coming.

You do not have to be a member or a HAM operator to join our monthly club dinner!

Location:
Wings Plus
9880 W Sample Rd
Coral Springs, FL 33065

General Meeting Minutes

1) Call to Order

Erik Olmer (W4EJO) called to order on ZOOM the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association’s regular meeting at 19:50 Hrs. on January 24, 2023. A quorum (20% / 14 members) was present with 19 members (see Appendix A).

2) Secretary’s Report – Ben Echavarria (N7BBE)

No notes for November meeting.

3) Treasurer’s Report – Erik Olmer (W4EJO)

Checking Bal: $8,261.79
Stripe balance $19.12 showing in transit
WFD income to date $280.00

4) VE Status Report – Jeff Stahl (K4BH)

Jeff Stahl (K4BH) reported that we will lose our testing site due to Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) moving out of the area. November 2022 will be the last session for now. If the club wants to continue test sessions, we need to find a site. Also looking into “Remote Testing”.

5) Repeater Report – Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR)

All repeaters are up and running. HF remote repeater needs more users. We will give 6 months more for use and see if we should keep it running or shut it down.

6) Website Report – Tom Savoca (K9TJS)

Working on streamlining the web site and making it more user friendly. Members only list will be open.

7) Announcements

a) Next Club Dinner – February 26, 2023, at 19:00
9880 West Sample Road
Coral Springs, FL 33065

b) New Club Address
Please be advised that we have a new address.
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association
7378 W. Atlantic Blvd #147
Margate, FL 33063

c) Last Board Meeting
For more information, go to www.w4bug.org

d) Jeff Stahl (K4BH)
Orlando Hamcation Tickets are $25.00
February 10-12 2023

8) Speaker: Erik Olmer (W4EJO)

Winter Field Day January 28-29.
0700 to 1200 hours Station Setup on Saturday. Will be operational at 1400 hrs.
Will shut down 1400hrs on Sunday.
At 4:00 pm on Saturday, Alan Lisler (NT4AL) will give a presentation on SDR receiving.
At 6:00 pm on Saturday Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) will host the SEFTN traffic net for the first time.
There will be a “show and tell” area for the public and members. Radios, antennas and equipment of
various kinds.
There will be food each day. At $10.00 per day per person.
This event will be enjoyable for both members and guests.
We should all be here to have fun.

9) Adjournment

(W4EJO) called adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm

A. Appendix A

1) Members Present
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) Jeff Stahl (K4BH) Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Erik Olmer (W4EJO) Tom Savoca (K9TJS) Ricki Witte (KJ4FSJ)
Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR) Robert Ligum (KN4WII) Nigel Richards (KB4F)
Dirk Basting (N4AN) Mike Sam (KF4ZW) Carol Sjursen (KJ4AWB)
Allan Karden (N4ALK) Ben Echavarria (N7BBE) Joe McGee (NX4T)
Jerry Deitch (W4LST) Barry Porter (KP1PA) Alan Lister (NT4AL)

10) Guests Present

Meeting at 7:30pm, Zoom Room Opens Prior to Meeting for socializing.

Speaker Erik Olmer, topic, Winter Field Day

Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting or paste the following info into your browser

https://us02web.zoom.us/join

86417366104

YjBLaUFGK1NzRE9QUFRYZnh1ckwrQT09

The GCARA continues its planning for Winter Field Day on 1/28 and 1/29 at Quiet Water’s Park, Bald Eagle Pavilion.

If you have questions or would like to hear more about the details, tune into the Broward County Emergency Preparedness Net tonight (Thursday) at 7PM, 146.610 PL 110.9 -.6 offset. Checkins do count for that net, and I’d love to hear from you.

We are excited to announce a “Show and Tell” area designated for club members and guests to have a fun, productive interactive experience. This area will be for club members to bring equipment you’d like to show off, testing equipment, presentations, swap / sale items etc. Please email president@w4bug.org if you have ideas for how you would like to use this area so we can plan accordingly.

The only rules that apply to this area are;

1. Antennas need to fit into a 25’ square
2. HF transmissions need to be coordinated with the 3 stations that will be running during the event so we don’t interfere with them

If you would like to help with any of the logistics transporting equipment to and from the sight, setup, breakdown or food prep, please email me at president@w4bug.org so we can get you onto the roster and plan accordingly.

Thanks to the Palmetto Amateur Radio Association, Broward ARES / RACES and the SEFTN for their efforts supporting and helping execute this event.

Looking forward to a great Winter Field Day, 73,

Erik Olmer, W4EJO
President
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association
Email – president@w4bug.org
Call / text – (754) 444-1187

CQ, CQ, CQ – Calling all hams……….

The old Board and the new Board of GCARA want to wish everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous Holiday Season and New Year! We are grateful to serve a club like GCARA, seeing that it grows in educational opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and expanding our communication footprint to cover the tri-county area. We stand as YOUR representative in the ham community to generate the help to the community that hams are fundamentally best at doing.

We learn, we help, we serve, and we give back to the community that needs us in our daily contributions of practicing our craft and developing new ways to communicate and most of all, volunteering our time and talents to those who need our services.

We are currently preparing for our annual practice of emergency communication at our Winter Field Day at Quiet Waters Park on January 28th and 29th, 2023. All are welcome to participate, learn and grow in your craft as we have fun working together to communicate in emergency situations. There is a job for EVERYONE.

Many hands make light work. If you want to ‘throw your hat in the ring’, kindly contact President Elect Erik Olmer W4EJO, this year’s Winter Field Day Chairman at President@w4bug.org or call 754-444-1187.

Enjoy your Holidays, whatever they may be, and God Bless everyone.

Signing off for 2022, 73,

Melanie, Jeff, Ricky, Ricki, Erik, Charlie, Tom, Ben, and “Liggy”.

PLEASE RSVP using the form below so we can let the restaurant know roughly how many people are coming.

You do not have to be a member or a HAM operator to join our monthly club dinner!

Location:
Wings Plus
9880 W Sample Rd
Coral Springs, FL 33065

Meeting at 7:30pm, Zoom Room Opens Prior to Meeting for socializing.

Speaker Erik Olmer, topic, Winter Field Day

Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting or paste the following link into your browser

https://us02web.zoom.us/join

86417366104

YjBLaUFGK1NzRE9QUFRYZnh1ckwrQT09

The meeting was called to order by President Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT at 7:30 PM. There were 21 members in attendance with one guest.

In attendance were:
Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT. Adam Hilmers KO4BVD, David Warner, KB4ICU, Al Flapan AF4FA, Carol Sjursen KJ4AWB, John Cole N1QFH, Erik Olmer W4EJO, Alan Lisler NT4AL, Joe McGee NX4T, Ricki Witte KJ4FSJ, Jo Cummins N2QFT, Robert Ligum KN4WII, Ricky Eaton KD4HGR, Dirk Basting N4AN, Mickey Galper AA4AC, Ben Echavarria N7BBE, Nigel Ricards KB4F, Allen Karden N4ALK, Barry Porter KB1PA, Thomas Savoca K9TJS, Jeff Stahl K4BH, Melodie Savoca.

The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by President Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT.

The General Meeting Minutes of October 25 , 2022 were approved as they appeared on the website W4BUG.com.

Treasurer Erik Olmer W4EJO gave the report for the month of November 2022. $8679.38 is in the treasury as of today. We ae showing 51 annual members, 3 Annual Family member and 19 Lifetime Members.

The VE report given by Jeff Stahl K4BH asks for a new place to give our examinations for Amateur Radio. This month three people tested and all passed.

Repeater Trustee Ricky Eaton KD4HGR gave a thumbs up to the equipment t this time. The only two entities that are down is the DMR repeater and the HF Remote station due to an Internet problem. Our expectation is it will be back shortly. The HF Station sent out for repair will be. Back in service once we pay the repair bill which was just presented to us.

Web Admin is now Thomas Savoca K9TJS for the upcoming year. Charlie Artner KN4VDW was not able to come tonight to receive his accolades from the Board for his tremendous contribution in building a beautiful and fully functional website that has not only added value to the club but has improved and made the nob of collecting funds for dues and events much less cumbersome.

VP Ricki Witte KJ4FSJ read the announcements:
Wing’s Plus Dinner was well attended by 22 members and 3 guests. Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT retiring President, was awarded a gavel plaque for her leadership of the club. She was also awarded a LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP, along with Jeff Stahl K4BH, for HIS continued and excellent
contributions though out his 25 years as a member.

Next Wing’s Sunday Dinner date will be announced.

BARRY PORTER KB1PA started the election process and the slate was voted in by acclimation due to no further candidates wishing to run. The New Board of Directors for 2023 will be:

• President Erik Olmer W4EJO
• Vice President Ricki Witte KJ4FSJ
• Secretary Ben Echevarria N7BBE
• Treasurer Robert “Liggy”Ligum KN4WII
• Director/PIO Tom Savoca K9TJS
• Director at Large Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT
• Repeater TRUSTEE Ricky Eaton KD4HGR

President Elect Erik Olmer W4EJO thanked the membership for their confidence in voting on the new Board.

Barry Porter KB1PA, made a motion to thank Charlie Artner KN4VDW for his service as Secretary and Webmaster the last years. Motion approved by all.

A motion to formally recognize Jeff Stahl K4BH was made by Barry for all the years he has served our club, Boca Club, ARESRACES, CAP and Winterfest Boat Parade in communications. Motion was passed by all.

A motion was made to thank Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT for her years of service to the GCARA. Motion was approved by all.

A motion was made by Mickey Gaper AA4AC to recognize Joe McGee NX4T for his dedication and service to the GCARA and for his willing support of several Field Days for the club. Motion was approved by all.

NOTE: For this year only, Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT will continue as President for the remainder of December 2022 as recalled by Jeff Stahl K4BH, per our constitution. Next year’s Board will vote to amend the constitution to terms ending with the fiscal year in November of the said year to make things work more efficiently.

Ricky Eaton KD4HGR was scheduled to speak on the use of the HF station, however, was prevented doing so because Internet was down. Jeff StahlK4BH, graciously stepped in to do a program called “Digital Radio on the Cheap” by Powerpoint. He offered a lot of less expensive ways to set up a Digital station.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.

Minutes written by Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT per video of meeting.

We are excited to begin preparations for the 2023 Winter Field Day.

Volunteers are needed at least for:

1. Food planning and preparation
2. Equipment planning, setup/breakdown, operating assistance
3. Operators of any experience level
4. Hospitality
5. Leadership roles
6. Operators for SSB station
7. Logging / mentorship for SSB station
8. Station setup 1/28 7AM – Noon
9. Station breakdown 1/29 2PM – 6PM
10. Food preparation – all weekend at QWP
11. Food shopping – ongoing, week prior to event

If you would like to find out how you can help, please contact Erik Olmer, W4EJO for more information at 314-750-5437 or via email president@w4bug.net

73,

Erik Olmer, W4EJO
President Elect

Please use this form to volunteer (or if you haven’t RSVP’d)