Happy Fall to all of the GCARA!! September 22, 2020 will be the first day of Fall and also our Monthly General Meeting on ZOOM. (CLICK for meeting details.)
WE are having a good time with the new HF Station capabilities and those who have used it are excited we have it. There is still come fine tuning and tweeking going on by the Administrators, Joe McGee, Al Flapan and Ricky Eaton and they ask that we all be patient as we traverse the Remote Hams world with it’s idiosynchrosies. Thanks for all of the positive feedback from users.
If you have not yet availed yourself to this wonderful Ham Radio opportunity, please check it out. Directions can be found on the W4BUG.org website as narrated by Joe McGee, NX4T, who did a demonstration at our August meeting. It will be well worth your efforts.
Being a good HAM means being a good citizen, a willing volunteer, and a loving host to newer hams. You will always follow the formal instructions of a net control operator in a NET and will always identify yourself, if asked, by your full call sign and phonetically in the case of the SEFTN at 6 PM daily. Remember, having fun does not have to sound “funny” or “ridiculous” to others. When on the air, stay polite and even tempered, identify yourself properly and respect the hobby by doing so. Be the best ham at all times. Thanks.
Thank you to all those people who are respecting social distancing in every day life and wearing their masks in public. The sooner everyone cooperates, the sooner this pandemic will abate. No one is more anxious than me to get back to “normal” but for now, I will follow CDC guidelines and stay pleasant while doing so. An unpleasant circumstance is always easier to tolerate with a positive attitude. Have an attitude of gratitude for every day, no matter what happens. You will be happier for it in the end.
Our club has taken several “hard hits” in the loss of persons like Donald Search W3AZD who was a consumate volunteer with his wife and life long friend Hope Smith WB3ANE, and our treasured Board Secretary, Roy Neiman, KJ4EGN, whose noteworthy contributions on a daily basis exemplified the best in HAM-manship whether he was on the SEFTN on Wednesday night or a host of other nets as well as being a valued volunteer in ARESRACES. These men were irreplacable at best and will be missed by myself and other club members. Chuck Gress, K3NXH, a digital guru and satelite buff, would give you the shirt off his back if he knew you needed it and was a very big support to the board and club in many ways. His cheerful attitude and generous nature will be sorely missed at meetings and the Field Days to come for sure. All three of these gentlemen will be honored with a Memorial Brick at the ARRL, supported by the donations from Palmetto Amateur Radio Club and Davie Cooper City Amateur Radio Club as well as our club. As good hams, we are working as a team, in these sad times to memorialize those we lost and to show gratitude for their selfless service. A man can gain no higher honor than to be remembered by the people he left behind.
We are about to embark on the holidays, so let me first wish Rosh Hashanah greetings to our Jewish friends and neighbors, a very Happy New Year to all, followed by the high holy day of Yom Kippur. Please celebrate and reflect in peace and joy, without conflict or grief. We will soon all celebrate Thanksgiving and we have much to celebrate in this life, despite the pandemic and challenges it has given us. That we rise above all strife, in good humor and with virtue intact, is a blessing. God bless us all in the coming days. Amen.
Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT
GCARA President
PLEASE JOIN US TO LEARN SOME NEW ITEMS!!
CHECK IN @ 6:30 PM, MEETING @ 7 PM
SPEAKER: WOLFGANG, KJ4ATV
AMATEUR TELEVISION PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA
Wolfgang will speak about amateur television and how to get on it. He will also be speaking on some interesting touch points for amateurs.
I am looking forward to seeing all of our friends and we promise this program will stimulate conversation!
Topic: Gold Coast ARA Monthly Meeting
Time: Sep 22, 2020 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 870 0119 2563
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Mike Spivak is still open for business! Please call for what you need (954-491-7110). Mike will give you a time to pick it up. He offers curbside service 9 am to 12 pm, Monday through Friday. Let’s all support our fellow ham and friend and wear a mask to pick up. Thanks.
Call to order – 7:00 p.m. on ZOOM meeting. The host 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!!
Minutes of previous meeting on July 28, 2020___
Draft minutes on website. Motion to approve? Second?
All in favor say “aye.” Opposed, “no.”
Treasurer’s report. Erik Olmer W4EJO
Membership report. Joe McGee
Testing report. Jeff Stahl K4BH – Any news on when testing can start?
Corona Virus report – Jeff Stahl
Repeater report. Ricky Eaton KD4HGR
Webmaster report, if any. John invites us to submit articles for the blog.
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.
The Board would like to pursue getting a brick from the ARRL for ROY
KJ4EGN, SK. We will start taking donations this month and September.
We will join with the Palmetto ARC for that purpose.
I am taking names for the secretary position at this time due to the
unfortunate demise of Roy. You must have computer skills, time to
dedicate, the ability to be discreet with personal business matters and an
organizational ability. Anyone who is interested, please call Melanie
privately at 954-560-3706. You must have been a member in good
standing with the Club with up to date dues for at least one year. All
candidates will have the opportunity to make a case for their inclusion in
our list of choices. Thank you.
Hope Search is looking for issues of CQ Magazine for the months of March
through present for reading material. Please contact Melanie to pick up and
deliver to Hope. 954-560-3706
Kenny Hollenbeck has an announcement- SEFTN needs volunteer control
operators even if just for one day, etc.
Carol Sjursen has a ARESRACES Announcement. Need volunteers for
shelters.
Introduction of speaker Joe McGee, NX4T, will speak to us about the
HF radio the club purchased and has set up. Several of our best hams
have had a hand in the setting up of the system. Thank you to
everyone who lent a hand in the process.
QUESTIONS ABOUT TALK. HOST UNMUTE Members.
Thank the speaker.
“The chair will entertain a motion to adjourn.”
GCARA MINUTES OF MEMBERSHIP MEETING
August 25, 2020
Call to Order – The regular meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc., was called to order on Zoom on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at 7:03 p.m. by Vice President Joe McGee, NX4T, who presided at the request of President Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT.
Attendance – There were 27 members and guests participating in the Zoom meeting, which was sufficient for a quorum.
Minutes – The Minutes of the June 23, 2020, meeting were approved as submitted and available on the Association’s web page.
Reports
Treasurer – Erik Olmer, W4EJO, Treasurer, reported income and expenses for the period from July 23rd to August 25, 2020.
Membership – Joe McGee, NX4T, reported 84 members of whom 17 are Life Members, and 58 are members of ARRL. There has been a decline in membership, apparently heightened by the pandemic.
Joe McGee invited members to share their thoughts and memories of three members who have recently become silent keys: Don Search, W3AZD, Roy Neiman, KJ4EGN, and Chuck Gress, K3NXH.
Testing – Jeff Stahl, K4BH, said testing is not being held due to the pandemic. Remote testing, which is allowed, is being considered, but the logistics are challenging.
COVID-19 Report – Jeff Stahl, K4BH, reported a downward trend in new cases and deaths, but said it appears likely that the threat will continue well into next year.
Repeater Report – Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR, said all repeaters are now working. The voter is not working yet but is being worked on.
Web Site – John Cole, N1QFH, is working on the WordPress framework, and will do additional training to enable board members to post content.
Old Business – John Cole, N1QFH, said there is still no decision by Imperial Point Hospital regarding when we can resume meeting there. Joe McGee added that there are no picnics or quarterly dinners scheduled.
New Business – The Board decided to join with the Palmetto Amateur Radio Club to buy an ARRL memorial brick for Roy Neiman, KJ4EGN, along with the one previously decided upon for Don Search, W3AZD.
Since Roy Neiman has become a silent key, there is a vacancy in the position of secretary. Anyone interested in serving in this capacity must be a paid-up member for at least a year with computer skills and should contact President Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT.
Announcements and Informal Discussion
Hope Smith, WB3ANE, is looking for recent issues of CQ magazine. Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB, reported on the transportation assistance for Hope provided in recent months by Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT, as well as Roy Neiman, KJ4EGN, and his wife, Vicki.
The Southeast Florida Traffic Net needs volunteers to serve as net control, even if only occasionally. Volunteers should contact Kenny Hollenbeck, KE4NC. Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB, thanked those who were prepared to serve in shelters if needed during hurricanes Isaias and Laura, but said many more volunteers are needed. Carol and Jeff Stahl, K4BH, will be asking members to participate in the annual test of emergency equipment and ham community preparedness on October 3rd and 4th.
Speaker – Joe McGee, N4XT, presented a program on how to use the newly created remote HF station. This program provides a way for hams who cannot put up an antenna due to condo restrictions to operate on 40, 20, and 15 meters using the internet. Software must be downloaded from the Remote Hams web site. Users must be GCARA members with a general or higher license. The physical equipment is at Joe McGee’s home, including a fan dipole mounted on a 35-foot tower. Joe McGee, N4XT, or Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR, should be contacted to obtain the necessary permission. As usage increases, scheduling will need to be resolved, but the program is currently available for any qualified member.
Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
Ricki Witte, KJ4FSJ
Secretary Pro Tem
Call to order – 7:00 p.m. on ZOOM meeting. The host 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!!
Minutes of previous meeting on July 28, 2020___
Draft minutes on website. Motion to approve? Second?
All in favor say “aye.” Opposed, “no.”
Treasurer’s report. Erik Olmer W4EJO
Membership report. Joe McGee
Testing report. Jeff Stahl K4BH – Any news on when testing can start?
Corona Virus report – Jeff Stahl
Repeater report. Ricky Eaton KD4HGR
Webmaster report, if any. John invites us to submit articles for the blog.
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
The Board would like to pursue getting a brick from the ARRL for ROY
KJ4EGN, SK. We will start taking donations this month and September.
We will join with the Palmetto ARC for that purpose.
I am taking names for the secretary position at this time due to the
unfortunate demise of Roy. You must have computer skills, time to
dedicate, the ability to be discreet with personal business matters and an
organizational ability. Anyone who is interested, please call Melanie
privately at 954-560-3706. You must have been a member in good
standing with the Club with up to date dues for at least one year. All
candidates will have the opportunity to make a case for their inclusion in
our list of choices. Thank you.
Hope Search is looking for issues of CQ Magazine for the months of March
through present for reading material. Please contact Melanie to pick up and
deliver to Hope. 954-560-3706
Kenny Hollenbeck has an announcement- SEFTN needs volunteer control
operators even if just for one day, etc.
Carol Sjursen has a ARESRACES Announcement. Need volunteers for
shelters.
Introduction of speaker Joe McGee, NX4T, will speak to us about the
HF radio the club purchased and has set up. Several of our best hams
have had a hand in the setting up of the system. Thank you to
everyone who lent a hand in the process.
QUESTIONS ABOUT TALK. HOST UNMUTE Members.
Thank the speaker.
“The chair will entertain a motion to adjourn.”
Amateur radio lost another one of the finest gentlemen to grace the hobby. Roy Neiman, KJ4EGN, went to be with the Lord today, August 12, 2020. He was quiet, humble and unassuming, gentle and the first to volunteer if needed. He was the first person to greet many of us with his outstretched hand as he shook it, smiled and introduced himself. He was a true gentleman ham, both on the radio and off. Roy served as Secretary for the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association (GCARA) for many years. In addition to the GCARA, he also belonged to the Broward Amateur Radio Club (BARC), Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and volunteered many years for the Winterfest Boat Parade. Roy also served as a Net Control Operator for the South East Florida Traffic Net Wednesday nights, and his absence will be noticed every week. Roy leaves behind several beloved children and his greatest love of 60 years, Vicki Neiman. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his lovely family and the many friends he made along his journey.
Rest in Peace Roy.
Melanie Fernandez, GCARA President
CALL TO ORDER:
On ZOOM
12:10 PM By President Melanie Fernandez
Members Present
Melanie Fernandez, Jeff Stahl, Ricky Eaton, Joe McGee, Erik Olmer, Mike Wolfe, Barry Porter and Roy Neiman.
Field Day:
Jeff Stahl suggested that all the members that sent reports to the ARRL check and verify that your entry says “complete” to ensure that it got counted.
Repeater Report:
Rick is behind on update of Cat Controller.
HF system is still in progress. Internet connection is ready. They have 2 ea. 70 Amp Power supplies and an auto tuner. The computer is a bit slow. Rick will see if he has a better one. Joe tested and lost his QSO with a station in North Carolina.
DMR repeater lost internet for some unknown reason. It is working now..
Jeff and Barry are to check into testing possibilities during the virus times. Hopefully they can put it on the web site if it can be done.
Memorials
Regarding the Memorial Brick for Don Search, Our club, Davie Cooper City and Palmetto club has collected over $460.00. We will get a brick for Hope Smith WB3ANE, and have the ARRL put the bricks side by side as per Barry Porter. Any overage on the collections will be given to Hope.
Erik is to send those donations to Barry Porter.
Hope will be moving to a one bedroom soon. Kenny has donated a DMR radio to her and Joe McGee hopes to install a window antenna once the radio is programmed and delivered.
SPEAKERS FOR END OF YEAR:
Next month’s meeting will be a Round Table discussion on “How am I spending my radio time on the air in the present lockdown.” Erik is to develop a format for the net.
A speaker is needed for our September meeting. Joe McGee NX4T suggested training on remote HF station?
It was decided that a ZOOM Meeting will be a way to vote for the new slate, as the same people attend who are paid up in dues as attends the Winter meetings.
MEETING ADJOURNED:
The meeting was adjourned at 2:02 PM EDT by President, Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT.
Respectfully submitted by Roy Neiman KJ4EGN, Secretary.
GCARA March 24 MEETING CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
As many of you have guessed, the March 24, 2020 meeting will be cancelled at Broward Health Imperial Point as of today. The hospital is limiting visitation to only necessary personnel and relatives visiting patients as well as scheduled outpatients. We will be advised of the next opportunity to meet at the hospital. Thank you for your interest in amateur radio and may everyone traverse the next few months safely.
God bless all.
Melanie Fernandez, GCARA President
