I. Call to order (12:42 hrs)
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) called to the Board Meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc at 12:42 EDT (17:42 UTC) on November 22, 2020 on ZOOM. A quorum was present with 9 board members.

II. Voting over Zoom
The meeting started with a discussion how to vote over ZOOM. The concern was to maintain anonymity during the voting process. It was established that if needed, this can be achieved even over ZOOM.

III. Nomination of Parliamentarian
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) nominated Jeff Stahl (K4BH) for the position of Parliamentarian. It was questioned whether the President has the authority to do so. Erik Olmer (W4EJO) confirmed that the President in fact does have the authority to nominate a Parliamentarian.

IV. Miscellaneous Business
Melanie Fernandez (JK4VCT) reminded all officers that an officer will be removed after missing 3 executive meetings. The question was asked whether these meeting have to be consecutive or not. Question was not answered during the meeting. A moment of Silence was suggested for the SKs of 2020 in the next general meeting.

V. Post Office Box
Joe McGee (NX4T) withdrew his objections to how we are currently attending to our post office box. Everything stays they way it is.

VI. PayPal
The option to pay your club dues over PayPal will be in place by E/11. Erik Olmer (W4EJO) will setup the PayPal account Erik Olmer (W4EJO) and John Cole (N1QFH) will work out the details how the option will be implemented on the website. The email address for the treasurer is gcaratreasurer@gmail.com. Meeting Date: November 22, 2020 Minutes Submitted by Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)

VII. Repeater Report
All repeaters are working. Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR) has not been at the Boca location yet. Melanie asked for a 12/15 deadline for this action item. All we need are the serial numbers of all the equipment at the Boca location.

VIII. HF Project
Joe McGee (NX4T) reported that we are on all major bands at this time. Tuner is back in line. Problem: Hard to compete because of the low power. It is not recommended to go high power due to the technical issues we still have. Antenna can’t handle more power and RF coming back into shack. Tuner can only handle 300.

IX. Winter Field Day
Winter Field Day in 01/2021 will be conducted in the same manner as the Sommer Field Day of 2020. Individual contestants will participate on behalf of the club from their own homes. Joe McGee (NX4T)  will right the rules. The Winter Field Day is January 30/31, 2020. X. Speaker Certificates Michael Wolf (K2HXC) will email template for certificates to Melanie.

XI. FYE Change
Erik Olmer (W4EJO) suggested to change the FYE from CYE to November. Suggestion was briefly discussed and then TBLD until next meeting. XII. Next Board Meeting
Next Board Meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2020 at 12:30 hrs (UTC 17:30)

XIII. Adjournment
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) adjourned the meeting at 13:41 EDT (18:41 UTC).

CALL TO ORDER:

The Board meeting was called to order at 12:30 pm by GCARA president, Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT by Zoom format.

The remaining Executive Board was present with the exception of Mike Wolf, K2HXC. Guest resource persons invited who were present were:

John Cole N1QFM, Barry Porter KB1PA, and Carol Sjursen KJ4AWB.

Not present, Charlie Artner, KN4VDW.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Memorial Bricks were purchased from the ARRL for $250.00 each in the names of Donald B. Search, W3AZD, Hope Smith, WB3ANE, Roy Neiman KJ4EGN, and Chuck Gress K3NXH. Monies were sent to Barry Porter, KB1PA, ARRL Section Manager, who will forward it to the appropriate individuals at the ARRL. The club will send award letters to the widows. The ARRL letter of confirmation of each brick with photo will be sent to the widows and Chuck’s sister per Barry Porter KB1PA. Don and Hope’s bricks will be placed side by side. The remainder of the funds ($83.00) in the Don Search W3AZD Memorial Fund will be sent to his widow, Hope Smith, WB3ANE by mail.

• The rest of the donations in the Memorial fund of Roy Neiman KJ4EGN, $355.00, as well as the $175.00 donation made by Chuck Gress’ widow and sister, will be retained for use on the HF station equipment, as designated by Vicki Neiman, Barbara Tunteich, and Mary Ann Gress, relatives of the deceased being honored.

• Special recognition will given to Jesse Shannon, KJ4FKK, and Dirk Basting, N4AN, for their most generous contributions to the memorial funds.

• Treasurer, Erik Olmer, W4EJO, introduced the payment of the Certificate Of Insurance, $180.40 into business for approval. The Board approved the payment which will be effective on all our equipment until October 2021.

• Subsequent conversation ensued about the up to date inventory of all equipment insured. Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR, will work on updating the list of all club possessions along with serial numbers.

NEW BUSINESS:

• John Cole N1QFM, our current webmaster, requested that all the Executive Board be trained in Word Press so the publishing of the website can continue forward.

• Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR, repeater trustee gave his report as follows:

• No problems noted with the 61 repeater. Cat Controller in operation and working. Crossbanding on hold for now.

• Boca site (82) will be visited by Jeff Stahl, K4BH, John Cole N1QFM, Ricky Eaton KD4HGR and Eric Rodriguez KF4LZA on either November 6^th or November 13^th, now that contact has been established with new owners of hospital (current 82 repeater site). Boca Raton ARA has some equipment of theirs that will be removed while Ricky and Eric will do much needed maintenance on our equipment. NOAA Weather radio will be removed from 82 and installed on the 61 site.

• Ricky Eaton has purchased and received the new router for the HF station and he and Mike Sams will meet with Joe McGee Oct. 31 at Joe’s house and install it. Hopefully, this will work and allow Joe to gain control of his own computer and internet service.

• Jesse Shannon has donated his Titan antenna for use on the remote HF station. Joe McGee and Ricky Eaton will collect on the first day of good weather that all three people are available.

• Joe McGee noted problems on the HF station and has worked on some solutions to correct them. He will work on an “Interrupt Protocol” for operators using the station and make a Zoom presentation with Erik Olmer to share with members on the use of the Remote HF station.

• A motion was made and passed to purchase a UPS and an Amplifier for the Remote HF station as money and time allow. We currently have $530.00 towards that project and we will initiate inviting more contributions for same, as well as collecting our dues at the November Meeting.

• Discussion was held on the Winter Field Day for January 30^th and 31^st, 2021. Joe McGee will check with Dan Vasilca regarding his participation in coordinating the logging and the various details of the Field Day which will be done either on the HF station or in the ham’s personal shacks.

• It was decided that our next Board Meeting will be November 8^th, 2020 at 12:30 PM and any issue tabled or pending will be discussed then.

• PayPal was discussed and a motion was passed to transition to that for the 2021 year to make the payment of dues more convenient for our members and Treasurer. Erik Olmer and John Cole to bring specifics to the November 8th Board Meeting.

• The 501C(3) status is still pending and Melanie will check with Ricki Witte, our previous Treasurer, to ascertain what still needs to be done. Will report on Nov. 8^th meeting.

• Post office was discussed and the expense vs. value. It was decided to retain the PO box for now as it is needed as a mailing address for our club.

• Mike Wolf was not present to report on the progress of Speaker Certificates.

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 2:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Melanie Fernandez, President GCARA

Meeting Date: November 24, 2020
Minutes Submitted by Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association

Meeting Minutes
I. Call to order (19:00hrs)
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) called to order the regular meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc at 19:00 EDT (23:00UTC) on November 24, 2020 on ZOOM. A quorum was present with 18 members.

II. Moment of Silence
We started the meeting with a moment of silence for GCARA members who became a SK this year and for all other SKs in the Amateur Radio World. This year following members became a SK:

Donald B Search W3AZD/SK
Charles Gress K3NXH/SK
Roy L Neiman KJ4EGN/SK

III. Approval of minutes from last meeting
The Minutes from October 27, 2020 have been approved. Motion was made by Jeff Stahl (K4BH) / 2nd by Joe McGee (NX4T)

IV. Treasurer’s Report
Erik Olmer (W4EJO), Treasurer, reported on the income and expenses ending October 27, 2020. Treasurer’s Report was filed for audit.

V. Membership:
Joe McGee (NX4T) reported 63 paid members for 2020. 57 of our members are also ARRL members. 3 members have already paid for 2021 and 1 member paid through 2022 Total Membership including Life Members is 84.

VI. Testing Report
Jeff Stahl (K4BH) reported on testing activities. Online class is 2/3 through. Test will be in Miramar.

VII. Web Report
John Cole (N1QFH) is working on online payment option. Possible completion by the end of November.

VIII. Remote Station
Joe McGee (NX4T) reported that the tuner is now inline and ready to be used. Meeting Date: November 24, 2020 Minutes Submitted by Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)

IX. Winter Field Day
Winter Field Day will be held in the same manner as the Summer Field Day. Individual participants competing on behalf of the club. During the last Sumer Field Day the Club finished in the upper 20 percentile with a total of 6 participants.

X. Repeater Report
Ricky Eaton (KD4HDR) reported all servers are up and running

XI. Melanie read the following from the Agenda
The current 2020 Board will meet again, Sunday, December 13 th , at 12 Noon check in, 12:30 PM Meeting on Zoom format to finalize all of the plans being put in place for the 2021 Executive Board. We have had a very productive year and the Board business could not be concluded at our Nov. 22, 2020 meeting. Invitations will be sent to the new Board Members and Resource Persons needed for Reference according to their special skill sets. No guest will be allowed to interrupt the meeting, but by hand raising, will be recognized for their time to comment. The Executive Board will continue to work hard for its members, and even though a volunteer entity, will meet during the normal vacation time for the GCARA members. We are all looking forward to an even greater year in 2021!!!

XII. Board Nominations
Al Flapan (AF4FA) presented the proposed board members for 2021. The full slate was accepted by acclimation. All Yeah / Zero Nay

XIII. Auction
Dirk Basting (N4AN) auctioned off an ICOM ID51A HT Bit started at $100 but no buyer for the item.

XIV. Presentation
Jesse Shannon (KJ4FKK) was the first to give a presentation on himself in our series MEET THE

HAM.
XV. Adjournment
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) adjourned the meeting at 20:06 EDT (00:06 UTC).

I. Call to order
President Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) called to order the regular meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc at 19:05 EDT (23:05UTC) on October 27, 2020 on ZOOM. A quorum was present with 19 members (2 guests)

II. Approval of minutes from last meeting
The Minutes from September 22, 2020 have been approved

III. Treasurer’s Report
Erik Olmer (W4EJO) gave the treasurer’s report. We still need more donations for HF project. An Amendment has been suggested by Jeff Stahl (K4BH) and Report has been approved as amended. (see attached)

IV. Membership:
Joe McGee (NX4T) reported 67 paid members for 2020 which includes 2 new members (1 member new / 1 member reactivated). 57 of our members are also ARRL members. 2 members have already paid for 2021.

V. Repeater Report
Ricky Eaton (KD4HDR) reported all repeaters are up and that we received donations. The modem router came in
Allan Karden (N4ALK) reported problems with DMR talk groups and so did Charlie Artner (KN4VDW).

VI. Website
John Cole (N1QFH) is planning on teaching the directors on how to update and edit the website. Currently we are using WordPress.

VII. Presentation
Wolfgang Snitzar (KV4ATV) gave a highly informative presentation on Nano VNAs. During the presentation a YouTube video was played and here is the link to it: https://youtu.be/xa6dqx9udcg

VIII. Adjournment
In Absence of President Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) Barry Porter (KB1PA) adjourned the meeting at 20:32 EDT (00:32 UTC).

Minutes Submitted by Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)

GCARA MINUTES OF MEMBERSHIP MEETING

September 22, 2020

Call to Order – The regular meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc., was called to order on Zoom on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at 7:02 p.m. by President Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT, followed by the pledge of allegiance.

Attendance – There were approximately 27 members and guests participating in the Zoom meeting, which was sufficient for a quorum.

Minutes – The Minutes of the August 25, 2020, meeting were approved as submitted and available on the Association’s web page.

Reports

Treasurer – Erik Olmer, W4EJO, Treasurer, reported income of $235, $30 for dues and $205 in donations toward memorial bricks, with expenses for the month of $24. Assets on hand as of September 22^nd are

Check Account Balance $1,122.96

Don Search Memorial Fund 250.00

Roy Neiman Memorial Fund 705.00

Chuck Gress Memorial Fund 50.00

Reserve Fund 3,500.00

Total GCARA Assets $5,627.96

Membership – Joe McGee, NX4T, reported 82 members of whom 17 are Life Members, and 56 are members of ARRL.

Covid-19 and Testing – Jeff Stahl, K4BH, said caution remains essential to reduce the spread of the virus. Testing has not been resumed.

Repeater Report – Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR, said he has been receiving donations toward a new antenna, and a vertical antenna has been donated and will be erected soon.

Web Site – John Cole, N1QFH, said board members have been learning WordPress in order to post content on the website. Dave Warner, KB4ICU, offered to assist with the website. There was a discussion of facilitating the payment of dues by enabling payment through PayPal and also of moving forward with becoming a 501(c)(3) organization.

Old Business – Imperial Point Hospital remains unavailable as a meeting site, and picnics and quarterly dinners remain on hold.

Announcements and Informal Discussion

Melanie Fernandez announced that Peter Rimmel, N8PR, has become a silent key.

Jeff Stahl announced the annual SET (Simulated Emergency Test) to be held on October 3^rd and 4^th. Members with shelter assignments are encouraged to go as close as possible to the site to check in. Four frequencies will be used, changing every 15 minutes, between 9:00 and 10:00. Participants should check in on each frequency.

GCARA will host a Halloween happy hour on Zoom on October 10^th at 7:00 following the SEFTN, including a costume contest.

Ralph, N0LO, and Sherry, KB5VWW, Tullo said goodbye, since they are moving to North Carolina.

Speaker – Dave Warner introduced the speaker: Wolfgang, KJ4ATV, who gave a presentation, along with Roland, KC6JPG, on amateur television. Amateur TV has a number of repeaters in California, Arizona, and Nevada, and a weekly “net” on Tuesdays at 10:30 Eastern Time, on whereby.com/atn1, to which GCARA were invited.

Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

Ricki Witte, KJ4FSJ
Secretary Pro Tem

CQ, CQ, CALLING ALL HAMS!!!

Hello GCARA! I hope that everyone is doing well this month!

If you want to DX, remember the club HF station is getting the spotlight. For those of you who have no radio or antenna but own a computer, it is perfect. I speak from experience. I use it every chance I get when not caring for my mother in law and it is very exciting to call and make contacts or even just to listen to others talking from all over. It had been my dream to DX for a long time and FINALLY, thanks to the generosity of the club, I get to do it. I have been studying for the Extra exam for many months on and off and I find that actually broadcasting on the air has stimulated my interest in the study and passing of the test and is leading to a better understanding of the propagation material I had been reading about. Thanks to Joe McGee NX4T, Rick Eaton KD4HGR, and Al Flapan AF4FA for helping maintain the radio station for those of us who are in need of such a help. I appreciate not only the radio usage but the education that has gone into performing the feat of communication.

I would like to encourage those who do DX, to continue to sharpen your skills through contesting as well as checking into nets available. One example of a net I like is SARNET on 14.265.000 on 20 Meters, Monday through Saturday 10:00 am to 11:00 am EST. You can get the weather report from all over the US by hams reporting in and it is quite interesting to listen to. It beats the Weather Channel, in my opinion. LOL.

Please remember that we are going to vote for the Executive Board in November on Zoom. Most of the club that attended meetings regularly on a monthly basis, have continued to support us on Zoom, plus some others who cannot travel comfortably to the hospital now. I would encourage every paid up member to attend the November 24, 2020 ZOOM meeting and vote, if the slate is not accepted as it is presented. Running for office this 2021 term is:

• President Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT
• Vice President Joe McGee NX4T
• Treasurer Erik Olmer W4EJO
• Secretary Charlie Artner KN4VDW
• Director at Large Jeff Stahl K4BH
• Director PIO Mike Wolf K2HXC
• Repeater Tr. Ricky Eaton KD4HGR

I am so pleased to announce that thanks to Jesse Shannon, KJ4FKK, that we will be acquiring a club contribution of a Titan Gap Antenna which will provide the remote HF station to also be available on 80 Meters. Jesse has been so generous in this and other ways and the club is proud to recognize his contribution. We are in the planning stages but, hopefully, I can persuade him to present to us in November to start out our new Series called Meet the Ham. Jesse, like so many of our members comes to the meetings, supports us financially, and provides himself as a valuable member of the audience, but does not get known because he is one of our more silent members. He often gives me feedback on the Board efficiency by email, when we encounter snags of service and it is very important to me, as President, to field all feedback. That is the very essential way we improve and meet all members’ expectations. Thank you Jesse for your support.

I absolutely LOVE our membership who have risen to the support of the club. One of our frequent flyers is Dirk Basting, N4AN, who is always donating his old equipment to the club for donation purposes. I appreciate his pleasant suggestions and his generosity to the club in so many ways. He continually goes above and beyond for the benefit of others and it is so appreciated.

I also appreciate the constant service provided to the club by Eric Rodriguez,KF4LZA, Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR, and others that help maintain the repeaters, antennas and see to the betterment of our communication. The innovations and donated equipment is such a blessing to all of us.

Of course, our club would be nothing special if we did not have those of you who support us with your dues and attendance every month. I realize that many of us are getting on in years but every ham is appreciated as well as those of you married to our hams and who support them in their hobby. I want to ask you to keep the ideas coming and let us know how we are doing. The Board is here to serve you as best we can and it is certainly both an honor and a pleasure to do so. Thanks to everyone in GCARA and to those of you who give kindly of your speaking services like Kai Siwiak and Robert Molledo of the Miami Weather Bureau. We have almost interesting and loving group.

I would like to give a plug to ARES-RACES as well. Please consider joining the group with Jeff Stahl, K4BH and the lovely Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB, who together, keep the Emergency Communication Services going for Broward County. It takes a lot of their personal time, skills and planning ability to cover the county in an emergency and this pair are phenomenal at it. There is a lot to learn there and your contribution as a volunteer is so greatly appreciated.

I wish you many happy thoughts and good energy, as well as good health as we traverse the months to come of COVID-19. Please stay safe, by wearing your mask, frequently clean surfaces and wash hands and keeping socially distant from one another. It is estimated by the CDC if everyone follows these simple rules, we could wipe out this contagion. God bless.

Melanie KJ4VCT

FREE TO A GOOD HOME

As many of you are aware, Ralph N0LO and Sherry KB5VWW Tullo are starting a new chapter in their lives with family in North Carolina. We wish them well in their new endeavors.

They are leaving behind a great desk that was used as their “ham shack”.  There is plenty of room to mount radios, a place to put your computer and keyboard, lots of cabinets and draws to store items out of sight and a large area that can be used as a workspace or to repair your equipment.

Dimensions:

96” Deep
72” Wide (Cabinet Side)
65” Tall

Ralph and Sherry are willing to give this away for FREE to anyone who can give it a good home.

And, just in case you or someone you know is looking to buy a home, theirs is for sale!

Interested in either?  Call Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB at 954-803-6338 and she can give you the details on both!

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE FLYER

 

MIKES ELECTRONICS
1069 NW 53 STREET
FT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309
954-491-7110
mspivak@bellsouth.net
9am to noon MON-FRI

• SHARK RF HOT SPOT2 $125
• LDG AT-600PRO Automatic tuner 600W max. $175
• ICOM IC-2200H (2) 2 meter 50 watt, both rx/tx one has bad display $125 for both
• ICOM IC-2300H 2 meter 65 watt with mic & mobile bracket, DC power cord on a to go board $150
• ICOM IC-2300H 2meter 65 watt with mic, DC power cord & mobile bracket $130
• MFJ259 ANTENNA ANALYZER early model 1.8-170MHz. Tested with 12vdc external power. $135

Call to Order – A board meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc., held on Zoom, was called to order on Sunday, September 13, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. by President Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT.

Attendance – Board members present were Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT; Joe McGee, NX4T; Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR; Erik Olmer, W4EJO; Jeff Stahl, K4BH; and Mike Wolf, K2HXC; which was sufficient for a quorum. Guests present were Barry Porter, KB1PA, who provided the use of his Zoom account for the meeting; Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB; and Ricki Witte, KJ4FSJ.

Memorial Bricks – There are sufficient funds for ARRL Memorial Bricks for Don Search, W3AZD, and Hope Smith, WB3ANE. Funds are still being accepted for bricks for Roy Nieman, KJ4EGN, and Chuck Gress, K3NXH.

While the families of brick honorees will receive letters from the ARRL, Melanie proposed sending a letter from the Association to the three widows and read a draft of such a letter. The board agreed.

Website – John Cole, N1QFH, will give individual instruction to board members in order that board members can post their own articles. Arrangements for a mutually convenient time should be made with John before the end of September.

Ricky Eaton reported the repeaters are working. The voter is still a problem, which appears to be either wiring or software. Ricky will help Hope Smith with programming her DMR radio.

HF Station – Joe McGee said the HF station was created to enable hams whose homeowner associations prohibit antennas to get on the air. Putting it on the repeater site did not work, so it was set up at Joe’s residence using his internet connection and 35-foot antenna. The station did not work with either of the two available routers so was hooked up without a router. It works, but interferes with Joe’s internet connection. So far, the station works on 40 and 20 meters. Some training for users is necessary, and Joe’s presentation at the last membership meeting was recorded and is on the website. Erik Olmer suggested small group training on Zoom, with the idea that individuals who learn to use the HF station will maintain contact with each other, promoting use of the station and club espirit de corps.

Audit – Ralph Tullo completed the audit of the treasurer’s records and found everything satisfactory. He suggested using an appropriate computer program because the treasurer changes periodically. After reviewing several, Ralph recommended MoneyMinder. Melanie asked everyone to look at the program, which costs about $159 a year, and be prepared to discuss and vote at the next board meeting.

Election of Officers – Al Flapan, AF4FA, will be asked one again to head the nominating committee and present a slate at the October general meeting. The election is at the November meeting. Present board members have indicated a willingness to continue. A secretary will be to be found to replace silent key, Roy Nieman.

Volunteers Needed – Barry Porter and Carol Sjursen spoke of the need for emergency volunteers, and there was a discussion of ideas to attract volunteers, including a video shot in one of the schools used as a shelter in the event permission could be obtained. The plan to use hotels as shelters will create additional challenges, since the hotels will not have antennas already on site.

Testing – Jeff Stah is still in the process of determining how to manage testing during the pandemic restrictions, either online (possible but complicated) or using a parking lot or public park and having test takers remain in their cars while taking the test, each one observed by a volunteer monitor.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m.

Ricki Witte, KJ4FSJ
Secretary pro tem