Board Meeting Minutes, March 21, 2021

Meeting Date: March 21, 2021
Minutes Submitted by Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association

Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association

Board Meeting Minutes

I. Call to order 13:18 EDT (17:18 UTC)

Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) called to order the Board Meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc at 13:18 EDT (17:18 UTC) on March 21, 2021, on ZOOM. A quorum was present with 7 board members.

II. Old Business

Re-stated Articles of Corporation

Send an email to members with new By-laws.

III. New Business

 

IV. Adjournment

Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) adjourned the meeting at 14:41 EDT (18:41 UTC).

Message from the President March 2021

CQ, CQ, CALLING ALL HAMS!!!

Greetings from your Board of Directors!  We are busy doing some Spring Cleaning of the GCARA Website dusting off and updating our bylaws and doing our due diligence on the repeater site upkeep.

Currently, we are still meeting on the ZOOM format on the fourth Tuesday of the month at a new time, 7:30 PM. We will announce our speakers at the first of the month by mail chimp and on the website, w4bug.org. Every effort will be made to keep you informed and up to date.

Charlie Artner, KN4VDW, has graciously offered to assume the responsibility of our website this past month. He will be updating and you may see some things change a little. Please check in from time to time and please comment as to what you find. We would love feedback.

John Cole, N1QFH, has done an outstanding job for us but asked for relief due to the many websites he now manages. I am indebted to John for his trailblazing efforts on our site and his dedication to keeping it fresh and updated for us, even though his time was limited. I hope that we will have the opportunity to work together again on club business. I found John to be very valuable assistance to my efforts to keep others informed and to keep our web resources secure. He is a fountain of knowledge and he was a good and patient instructor. I have appreciated all of John’s efforts and wish him the best as he helps out other people with their websites. Thanks, John.

We have a fully operational Remote HF station and it has been a Godsend for those who have Condo restrictions to outdoor antennas or need a radio but cannot afford it. It allows us to make long-distance contacts on many frequencies and has performed admirably when used. We wish to thank Joe McGee, NX4T who spearheaded this effort with the help of Ricky Eaton, KD4HDR, our Repeater Trustee, Al Flapan, AF4FA, of our repeater team, and Mike Sams who also jumped in to help with computer and router issues we were having. These gentlemen deserve a round of thanks so when you see them for talk to them online, please convey your appreciation. If you have not yet availed yourself touting the Remote HF station, please do and you will get HOOKED. It is so neat!

I want to congratulate our member in good standing, Allan Karden, N4ALK, on passing his EXTRA and getting his VE certification. I am beyond proud of this individual. When I first met this gentleman and his wife Anna-Jean, they were unlicensed and made the efforts necessary to get both of themselves licensed. I am certain that he will continue to be an asset to the club, as well as to hams in general. He has been so gracious and generous in supplying me with CW Cds, information, and general encouragement. Thank you, Allan.

Our Treasurer, Erik Olmer, W4EJO, has developed a very successful and efficient invoicing system along with Pay Pal availability, to make collecting dues and donations very easy for us to track. He is using a new accounting system, Money Minders, to track our budget and expenses and so far it looks like it will serve our needs for many years to come. Along with those efforts, Erik has also made the necessary submissions to the IRS to help us obtain 501 (c) (3) status that was started by our last Treasurer, Ricki Witte, KJ4FSJ. There have been many people working for the club behind the scenes to make things happen for the benefit of the club and I am so pleased and sprout of all of them. As we continue to build infrastructure, we can continue to make other dreams a possibility.

While we all genuinely miss our picnics and public Field Days, we are continuing our communication skill-building independently through many avenues. The ARRL affords many contesting opportunities, we have two major Field Days, one in Winter and one in Summer which we collaborate, plan and attend to, as well as our Remote HF Station. There are opportunities in AresRaces to get involved in and make a difference and I highly recommend that you seek out those resources and as well as support other clubs. We are just a cog in the wheel of communications and information is power. We need to stay ready for whatever comes our way in these “interesting and trying” times with our ever-changing weather problems and possible natural or man-made disasters. For warned is for armed.

Thank you all for your ongoing support of the GCARA and your contributions of time, talent, and funds that help propel us to greater heights in our hobby. Help develop another ham for an outstanding legacy for yourself.

May everyone enjoy all of the Holidays of Spring, no matter what ilk or creed. We can all feel blessed at the freedoms our country allows for enjoying our separate traditions in a peaceful way. Long live the USA!!!

Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT

Board Meeting Minutes, February 14, 2021

Meeting Date: February 14, 2020
Minutes Submitted by Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association

Board Meeting Minutes

I. Call to order 13:04 ET (18:04 UTC)

Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) called to order the Board Meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc at 13:04 ET (18:04 UTC) on February 22, 2021, on ZOOM. A quorum was present with 7 board members.

II. Old Business

III. New Business

NOTICE: FROM NOW ON NO DECISIONS TO BE MADE UNLESS FULL BOARD PRESENT AND DISCUSSION HELD THAT AFFECT POLICY OR SENSITIVE ISSUES. We will re-discuss something already decided on after a lengthy discussion. A quorum was reached but some Board Members unhappy with the result and felt re-discussion should be held. It is being done this time only in the interest of fairness to all. Also, the President will not vote unless a tie.

IV. Status of Articles of Incorporation

Erik Olmer (W4EJO) will send a check to Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) and the correct form for non-profit organizations. Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) will check with Ricki Witte (KJ4FSJ) to make sure it is filled out correctly.

V. Adjournment

Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) adjourned the meeting at 14:58 ET (19:58 UTC).

General Meeting Minutes 26-Jan-2021

Meeting Date: January 26, 2021
Minutes Submitted by Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association

Meeting Minutes

I. Call to order (19:13hrs)

Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) called to order the regular meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc at 19:13 EDT (00:13UTC) on November 26, 2021 on ZOOM. A quorum was present with 20 members.

II. Minutes from November 24, 2020

Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) made the motion to approve; second by Erik Olmer (W4EJO). Minutes have been approved without objection.

III. Treasurer’s Report – Erik Olmer (W4EJO)

PayPal has been setup and we are able to send out electronic invoices. Money Minder is setup and first reports have been presented. The federal application for the 501(c) has been mailed.

IV. Membership Chair – Joe McGee (NX4T)

We had 17 members that paid their dues and 1 family member renewed. We have 16 Life Members. The income for the year is about $650.00 from membership dues.

V. VE Status – Jeff Stahl (K4BH)

Jeff received a 3-page long email from the VE to go over. This email contains information on how to file electronically.

VI. Repeater Report – Riche Eaton (KD4HGR)

No changes regarding the repeaters. Boca site is still on stand-by. John Knox repeater seems to be working good except of the noise we receive from time to time.

VII. Web Site – John Cole (N1QFH)

New Features added (News Tab). Communication regarding the invoice was uploaded. This past weekend

VIII. Announcements

Jeff Stahl: Broward County Emergency Net is up and running again. David (KB4ICU) took over net management. David is still looking for volunteers.

Carol Sjursen: The county depends on the HAMs in Broward to staff the shelters. Anyone who would like to volunteer, please let Jeff Stahl (K4BH) or Carol Sjursen () know.

Melanie: Looking for volunteers for the SUNSHINE COMMITTEE. Cannot get ahold of members in the club—old contact information, etc. Jeff suggested posting the names on the website and see if somebody knows how to get in touch with them. Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) is now handling our MailChimp account. We are still looking for presentations for this year. If you are interested, please contact Melanie.

IX. Speaker: Joe McGee (NX4T)

HF Rig: Live Demonstration; The remote station is now working on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters.

Winterfield Day: We are going to operate from our own homes. The website is winterfieldday.com. Recap of WFD 2020 results. This was the last time we operated outdoors. There were about 300 entries and we came in at 19. We were operating 3 stations (3O). We got all 4 categories for the bonus points (total: 6000). We submitted 18,342 QSOs and 16,202 have been confirmed.

X. Adjournment

Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) adjourned the meeting at 21:16 ET (02:16 UTC).

GCARA Meeting January 26-2021

AGENDA Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association

January 26, 2021 Meeting

Call to order by Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT – 7:00 p.m. on ZOOM meeting. The host, Barry Porter, KB1PA,  will mute everyone while reports are given. Please use the raise hand button to ask a question or make a comment. Thank you.

GOD BLESS THE USA!!

Welcome to 2021 in Ham Radio!! Introduction of guests in attendance.

 Secretary Charlie Artner KN4VDW:

Minutes of previous meeting on _November 24, 2020___

          Draft minutes on website.      Motion to approve?    Second?

          All in favor say “aye.”  Opposed, “no.”

Treasurer Erik Olmer W4EJO:

Treasurer’s report. Erik Olmer W4EJO – Current status of funds, news from Board Meeting regarding the 501(c) (3) work board is doing. Please discuss the option of PayPal to circumvent the PO BOX.

Discuss Invoicing option for dues and donations.

Membership Chair Joe McGee NX4T

 

Membership report. Joe McGee NX4T –  Accepting dues now to be sent to the PO BOX until PayPal in effect in late December 2020.

VE report  Jeff Stahl K4BH

Testing report. Jeff Stahl K4BH – Plans for testing 2020-2021 as they are in progress.

Repeater Trustee Ricky Eaton KJ4HGR

Repeater report. Ricky Eaton KD4HGR – Give progress on:

Repeater?

DMR repeater?

Boca site?

Any further info on Coral Springs site?

WEB ADMIN  John Cole N1QFH

Webmaster report, John, please review changes to website and plans for 2021.

Call for old business.

We still have not heard when the hospital will be allowing our club to meet yet so we will continue with Zoom meetings. As far as our quarterly dinners and biannual picnics, they are on hold until the dust settles from the latest rise in COVID-19 cases. It does not appear to be safe to meet in public with groups larger than 10, masked or not.

Announcements:

Joe McGee, NX4T  Membership Chair, will discuss this year’s policy on 2021 dues in light of COVID-19.

Jeff Stahl K4BH – Let people know about the BCEPN Net and new host.

(Introduce DAVE WARNER KB4ICU)

Carol Sjursen KJ4AWB – Introduce need for Emergency Volunteers now to help staff the new Hurricane/Disaster Season for Broward EOC. Explain purpose and need. Tell about AresRaces opportunities.

Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT –  Ask for Volunteers for the SUNSHINE COMMITTEE

Mail Chimp Announcements are being handled by Charlie Artner KN5VDW. IF you wish to get a message out to the group, kindly email Melanie @ earthmother1950@gmail.com and she will copy Charlie Artner. This includes info on Silent Keys, Items for  Sale, etc.

We are looking for Hams who would like to do presentations this year. IF you have a good idea for a topic or you would like to speak, please contact Melanie at the aforementioned email address.

SPEAKER THIS MONTH:   Joe McGee NX4T and Ricky Eaton KD4HGR

 *Winter Field Day Reporting after operating from home station.

** HF Remote Station Review by Joe McGee NX4T

QUESTIONS ABOUT TALK. HOST UNMUTE Members.

Thank the speaker.

NEXT MONTH SPEAKER:   DAVE WARNER KB4ICU on practical use of VNA in building an antenna.

“The chair will entertain a motion to adjourn.”

 

Board Meeting Minutes, January 23, 2021

Meeting Date: January 23, 2021
Minutes Submitted by Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT)
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association

Board Meeting Minutes

I. CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order by President Melanie Fernandez in the ZOOM format at 3:21PM. Absent was Secretary Charlie Artner. Resource people in attendance was RIcki Witte and Carol Sjursen.

II. OLD BUSINESS:

It was decided after much discussion to make it a rule in the bylaws that only people with Amateur Radio Licenses be Members of GCARA. Others will be referred to as Guests. This was done so that member’s privileges would be reserved to hams only including, but not limited to, the use of the repeater, voting on club business, using HF Radio, etc.

A single membership would remain $30.00 and a family membership would remain the discounted $50.00 for a couple who are both hams.
Non HAMs will be guests.

III. NEW BUSINESS:

A discussion was held whether it would be proper to waive the membership fees this year due to Covid-19 and what impact it would have on club finances to do so. A motion was made to waive the fees this year so that all may retain their membership throughout this difficult time. People who have paid already may (1) donate their dues, (2) use them as credit towards the year 2022, or (3) get a refund. The motion was seconded and carried.

The Treasurer, Erik Olmer, Started the Money Minders Program today for the accounting of the club funds. The budget was discussed, and the proposed budget was approved by the whole board present. The budget will be presented to the General Membership on January 26, 2021, General Meeting as it is. (Copy attached)

Treasurer Erik Olmer discussed with the Board the need for submitting the annual report and requested permission to pay the fees associated with it. Permission was granted.

The articles of Incorporation are signed and ready to be employed on Sunbiz.org.

Erik will file the taxes for the 501 (c) (3) submission.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:37 PM

Respectfully submitted by President Melanie Fernandez

Message from the President January 2021

Greetings and Happy New Year 2021!

I hope that everyone had a very nice holiday season in 2020 despite the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and political climate.  Let’s all pray that the USA will get over the pain and suffering of 2020 and rise to new levels of greatness for ALL of its peoples.

We will continue our Zoom meetings this year until we have assurances that the risk of infections will be diminished. Meanwhile  the Board has plenty to do this year organizing our Virtual reality.

First of all this year, please keep in mind that this is Winter Field Day Month (Jan. 30, 31). We will practice our skills from home either on our own equipment OR the HF station. Please contact Joe McGee (954-782-3543) at your earliest convenience with what you desires for the weekend are. We need to schedule usage of HF station if it is in high demand. Our first meeting of 2021 will cover what our guidelines for our Winter Field Day will be. For more information, kindly go online to   www.winterfieldday.com       and read all about what we can and cannot do. It is well written and informative and answers everyone’s general questions. We will cover specifics, like reporting your contacts, etc. at our first general meeting and by Mail Chimp for those who cannot attend.

Second, the Board will be doing some cosmetic work on our By-Laws as it had come to my attention that some of the areas had not had the intended corrections made and that some areas were ambiguous. We will vote on the perfected by-laws at our first general meeting and they will be distributed by Mail Chimp before hand for your perusal.

Third, and very important to do, our annual dues are DUE!! It costs $30.00 for a single membership and $50.00 for a couple or family membership. This is a very important time of year as it funds us for our costs and gives us some idea of what we can do for benefit of the club projects. We are limited only by our imaginations and Income. It is nice to see what we will have to work with so our planning can begin. Our Treasurer Erik Olmer W4EJO has set up an invoice system and now our dues can be paid either by Pay Pal, Personal Check or other arrangements can be made for cash payments. As we are becoming a 501 ( c) (3) entity, we look forward to many more perks, like the tax benefits of donating money to the club for Special Projects. Please bear in mind that this concept is new to us and we will have a learning curve with it but proper explanations will be made in due time.

If any of our members would like to feature their history in ham radio and their shack in a Power Point Presentation for the group I am in need of two hams to do so. Hopefully this will be a sort of show and tell of the shack and your ideas to streamline it. It is hoped that not only will we get to know our members better but we will learn from other’s efforts. Please contact Melanie @  Earthmother1950@gmail.com with your ideas and your tentative presentations. This is a good time of year to let me know what you would like to learn this year, as I always try to bring the most information possible to the club.

I want to take this opportunity to say an en masse thank you for each and every member of the club. Many of you have corresponded with me over the years and I have been so honored that you have done so. I count every person as important and thank you for your continued support. I hope that this year is no different.

God bless everyone this year in good health, prosperity to continue on, and with gratitude for all we have in this country. We sometimes forget how fortunate we are to live in the USA. God bless America!

Warmest regards,
Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT

Message from the President December 2020

Greetings my fellow amateur radio enthusiatists! I hope that this missive finds everyone safe and well, in this, one of the most surreal and strangest years we have ever lived through. Since the advent of COVID-19, we have had to practice our skills separately and apart as to opposed in our usual groups and while a little more lonely, we still managed to come together as a club and practice our emergency management skills in our Field Day efforts. Thank you everyone for all the ways that you have attended meetings on ZOOM, supported the club financially and practically, sharing your gifts of time, talent and skills, as well as the time you have spent saying goodbye to those silent keys by attending  drive by funerals. Like the resourceful humans we are, we have managed to  assess our options and find other ways to accomplish our tasks.

This past year, we said goodbye to Don Search, W3AZD, SK -our best known and favorite member and QSL card checker. Then we had to say goodbye to our Board member, Roy Neiman, KJ4EGN, SK – a notable voice to many on the Traffic Net for many years, as he welcomed new hams to the hobby and was a treasure to know, being a generous giver and a peacemaker in his service to this club. Both of these gentlemen provided outstanding public service in all of their volunteer efforts and will be sorely missed.

Then, much to our regret, we lost our satellite specialist and good humor gentleman, Chuck Gress K3NXH, SK to the horror of COVID-19. It was shocking as well as heart-wrenching to lose this man of stellar character with a great sense of humor and a kind streak that his blue eyes emitted graciously. Many of us mourn his precious loss to the club and said good-bye to a good friend to many.

Even with our precious losses, we have gone on and in their memory have been able to utilize the skills of Joe McGee NX4T, Ricky Eaton KD4HGR, Al Flapan AF4FA and our stalwart companion, Mike Sams, to put together our remote HF station at Joe McGee’s QTH. These gentlemen all donated their time to the project, in the hopes that those hams, without antennas at their homes, or radios to use, could still enjoy the sport of DXing. And making contacts galore via the remote station has been a new practice to many, including this author. I have to say that I appreciate and laud praise upon those  hams involved for making one of my dreams come true in this life. Dxing was always my goal and now I can do it! Thanks Joe and Ricky for working out the logistics for the club use. We hope that many people take advantage of the new opportunity, especially the shut ins and those living in strict condo communities. Get on the air!

We have not just had losses,  however. We have made great strides in the way we do things also. With the help of Erik Olmer W4EJO and John Cole, N1QFH, we now have a way to pay our dues over Pay Pal or by computerized invoicing. Erik is also preparing to make this non-profit club a 501(C (3) entity, where our donations can be tax deductible. This undertaking started with the efforts of our former Treasurer, Ricky Witte, KJ4FSJ and will come to fruition in 2021 with Erik at the helm. Thank you everyone for your help and dedication to get this job done. Each day, in a little way, the Board has accomplished good things for us.

We also have seen much progress in the repeater section, with the ardent work of Eric Rodriguez KJ4LZA and our Repeater Trustee Ricky Eaton KD4HGR. We have a DMR repeater, a new fantastic antenna, updated equipment at our John Knox Village location and soon will have refurbished the equipment at our Boca site. These gentlemen work tirelessly and independent of supervision to get the job done. The sites are closely monitored and work is being done even when the club is unaware. Thank you to this fabulous duo. Ways are being looked at to link the systems throughout the tri-county area for use in hurricane season and in times of disaster.

WE will not rest until our goals are met, hopefully in 2021.

Our newest Board member, Charlie Artner KN4VDW, has already made great strides in his Secretary role by taking over the Mail Chimp notices for the club and is currently working to update and clean up our bylaws. He has a unique skill set in the computing side of things and is a great help to us. John Cole, N1QFH, has been the guru for the webpage and is keeping it up and changing to a more friendly format as we modernize the site. His contributions have been noteworthy and this president is feeling fortunate for all this man has to offer in the way of computer skills and support to the Board.

Many thanks to Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB and Barry Porter, KB1PA for their ZOOM format sharing and help with Mail Chimp throughout the year while the President was getting a newer computer set up. They have helped the club achieve better communication amongst ourselves. I appreciate their generous and gracious contributions throughout the year.

We have been blessed by many donations of equipment and money by the following members this year:

Thank you to those who pay your dues on time or ahead and that are keeping us in good financial health to support the needs of taking care of the equipment. Your generosity and outpouring of love has been duly noted and deeply appreciated.

With hope for the future, I say goodbye to this difficult pandemic year and I am refreshed once more by witnessing the spirit of our amateur radio operators. May God continue to bless our efforts and each other as we venture out  into the unknown of 2021.

Greetings and blessings from the Board to you! God Bless!

Melanie Fernandez Kj4VCT President

Joe McGee NX4T, VP and Membership Chair

Erik Olmer, W4EJO, Treasurer and PIO

Charlie Artner KN4VDW, Secretary

Jeff Stahl, KB4H, Director at large, Parliamentarian, and VE Coordinator

Mike Wolf K2HXC, Director, PIO

Ricky Eaton, KJ4HGR,  Repeater Trustee.

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