GCARA Meeting Minutes: 24-September 2019

CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association, Inc., was called to order on Tuesday, September 2019, at 7:37 pm in the Auditorium of Imperial Point Medical Center by President Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT. A quorum was present.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the 35 persons in attendance introduced themselves by first name, call sign, and city.

MINUTES:  The Minutes of the July 29th meeting were approved as posted on the website.

REPORTS:

Treasurer
Ricki Witte, KJ4FSJ, gave the treasurer’s report

Membership

Joe McGee, NX4T, reported a total current membership of 79, of whom 63 have renewed for 2019. There are 16 life members and 52 are members of the ARRL.

Joe also gave a preview of our plans for Winter Field Day.

Volunteer Examiners

Jeff Stahl, K4BH, reported five persons had taken licensing tests all five passed.

Repeater Trustee

Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR stated that the 146.610 Repeater is working well. He and Eric decided to wait until after Hurricane season to install the new Antenna. The strange noise on the Repeater has fortunately gone away.

Webmaster Report

John Cole invited members to send articles for the “Blog.” Prepare them in Word, Ariel,14 pt.

Carol Sjursen thanked everyone that manned the shelters for Dorian. Erik presented those persons with symbolic Turtles as a thank you.

The Boat Parade is December 14th this year.

The 50/50 raffle was won by Al Nevares, N4ACN, who donated it back to the club.

October 12th will be our last Quarterly dinner at Wings Plus. Please plan to attend.

Kenny KE4NC asked for volunteers to conduct the SEFTN.

November 2nd is the date for our combined picnic at Vista View Park. $10.00 food donation is suggested.

PROGRAM: Mike Samokiszyn KF4ZYN gave a very informative presentation on the details of DMR radio setup and programming. He emphasized the ease of setting up and using the new system.

ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 9:07 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Roy Neiman, KJ4EGN, Secretary.

President’s Message for Sept-2019

Happy Fall Hams! With the recent changes in the weather, I can tell that Fall is upon us. It officially begins the day before our monthly meeting and it will be a welcome change to our rainy summer. Here’s hoping that the Hurricanes stay away.

We had a nice summer with a great Field Day exercise at Quiet Waters Park and a very well attended Quarterly Dinner in July at Wing’s Plus in Coral Springs. The Board has been very pleased with all of the interest and participation in both events.

We plan to close out our year with another strictly Social Dinner October 12, 2019 at Wing’s Plus again and I hope that everyone will join us to touch base with our many friends and fellow hams. As you may realize, the November 26th meeting will close our 2019 year for GCARA and will be the last opportunity to see your friends at a club sponsored meeting until we resume again for Winter Field Day, Jan. 25th 2020. Our first meeting of the year will be after that on Jan.28, 2020. The architects of the Winter Field Day for 2020 will be our “Fearsome Foursome” Joe McGee NX4t, Jeff Stahl K4BH, Ricky Eaton KD4HGR, and the fabulous CW master Dan Vasilca AI4WW.
We are so lucky to have such Field Day diehards among us. They LOVE FD and all it brings in the way of challenges, demands, and socialization with competition. They each try to out do the previous year with thought provoking innovations and lessons gleaned from previous attempts. Thank you gentlemen for your volunteerism and leadership.

It has been my absolute pleasure working with everyone in the club this year. We had an outstanding presence in many efforts in the ham community as we are encouraged our fellow community volunteers (CERT in particular) to learn more about amateur radio and will extend ourselves to many more in 2020. The idea of volunteering will be promoted again in 2020 so we can create a larger footprint in the world of communications during times of community disasters or bad weather conditions. As many Hams are aware, we are hams first for service and to help others keep lines of communication open as well as enjoy this ever evolving fascinating hobby. We are all here to help one another, teach one another and respect one another for the many different skillsets each person brings to the table. Together we are genius!!!

The GCARA Board met in August and discussed all of the plans for the rest of this year and the beginning of next. All but one member of the Board agreed to serve again in 2020 if the Club agrees. Ricki Witte, our super sweet, talented Treasurer must step down for personal reasons for 2020 but we have a newer contender waiting for the opportunity to continue Ricki’s efforts with the position. Our goal in 2020 as Board members will be to execute our future plans AND mentor those willing to offer leadership for our future CLUB. We hope to nourish, enrich, and sustain a cohesive group that will prevail beyond our present limitations. We would like to carry on our founder Chuck Ritchie’s (SK) group of hams beyond our own lifetimes. So many good, talented and intelligent hams have gone before us and it is only suiting that we carry on in their stead. We have large shoes to fill but we will give it our best efforts now and in 2020.

You will be hearing more updates on the repeater antenna and other things in the works by our Trustee Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR at our September meeting. As always he has dedicated a lot of his and Eric Rodriquez, KF4LZA ‘s time to improving our footprint in the county and updating our communication system so it will serve the future adequately. We hope to one day link our resources to others to provide a wider broadcast area at least for times of emergency.

I also want to extend a big thank you to two hams who stepped up in the Hurricane Dorian adventure to cover our service in cooperation with the EOC at John Knox Village, the home of our repeater. Thanks you Joe McGee NX4T and Jerry Felski WB4LGR for attending to the plans set for the in early Spring. We were well represented by these two gentlemen.

I am pleased to have made note that many of our industrious hams were involved with the EOC and shelter communications during Dorian as well. At the EOC, were Carol Surjsen KJ4AWB, Races Coordinator, Jeff Stahl K4BH, Ares Coordinator, Erik Olmer W4EJO, GCARA volunteer, Jeff Ronner W4AEQ, GCARA volunteer and (Bill Rafus from Are Races). In the shelters (special needs first) were Ricki and Mel Witte, Kenny Hollenbeck, Mike Wolf, and Jerry Deitch., Monitoring the airwaves for communication needs were Al Flapan, John Sharp, Don Search, Joe McGee, Jerry Felski, and eavesdropping was Melanie Fernandez, (yours truly for the first time!) It was a fascinating experience and I hope that we will get more volunteers for the future who are willing to jump in and serve the community. The experience served as a “practice for a call –out” and all went smoothly to my understanding.

Our next ham experience opportunity will be the Winter Fest Boat Parade and all people interested in helping that effort are to contact Carol Sjursen. More info on that at the meetings.

I wish everyone well in the ham community and hope that every day will be satisfying in many ways. May God bless each and every one of you in the coming days.

Melanie
09-12-19

GCARA Meeting Minutes – 27 August 2019

Call to Order:   7:35 PM

President Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT, called the meeting to order and lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:

Roll call of the entire membership present was given. Thirty Four (34) people were in attendance.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting on July 23, 2019 were approved as they appeared on the website.

Treasurer’s Report:

Ricki gave the Treasure’s Report

Membership Report:

Joe stated that we now have 86 members and 16 life members

Testing Report:

One tech tested and  passed.

Repeater Report:

Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR, TRUSTEE said that he needs a method of transportation, for the new Antenna, as it is 26ft. long. Kenny has a trailer that should suffice. It will be installed soon as he and Eric have a crew to assist pulling it up outside the building. The Boca Repeater is fine. The 442.500 Repeater is working exceptionally well. Dirk has the active Fusion system on his building.  Ricky also stated that we have no backup for the 146.610 Repeater at this time.

Webmaster Report:

John Cole, N1QFH is on vacation, so no report is expected until September.

Annnouncements:

Barry Porter is coming home and will have home therapy. Jeff Beals has improved and we were happy to see him at the meeting.

Carol Sjursen mentioned that the Class on August 3rd and 4th yielded 24 new hams. She also announced that the Boat Parade will be on December 14th.

Also, there is to be another class on September 9th in Naples, FL.

Jeff Stahl has sold the antenna that he donated. Ricky will sell the other equipment that we have, or it may be auctioned off at a monthly meeting.

We’re hoping to plan another picnic at Vista View on November 2nd. If interested, contact Melanie.

October 12th will be our last quarterly dinner for the year at Wings Plus.

Jim Schilling KG4JSG stopped by and asked for our vote for ARRL Vice Director.

Jeff Stahl is also running for that office. Ballots should arrive around October 3rd.

Ralph Tullo mentioned that the SAR Net’s future is looking better, after so many Hams sent their appeals to maintain it.

50/50 Raffle: Was won by Jeff Ronner W4AEQ. He donated it back to the club.  

SPEAKER:

Jeff Stahl gave a presentation regarding how to deal with the stress of being a volunteer in emergency situations. Also, one should get professional help after the emergency, if needed.

After Jeff’s presentation, Mike Wolfe showed some Field Day Pictures.

The speaker was thanked and the meeting was adjourned at 9:09PM.

Respectfully submitted by Secretary Roy Neiman KJ4EGN

Committees and Roles

Sunshine Committee

Repeater Team

Trustee

Technical Advisor

Maintenance Crew

FIELD DAY

Coordinators

Assistants

Food Committee

Volunteer Examiners

Chief Examiner

VE Assistants

Web Site

Editors

Administrator

BOARD MINUTES: 17-Aug-2019

CALL TO ORDER: 8:12 President, Melanie Fernandez J4VCT Opened the meeting Members Present Melanie Fernandez, Jeff Stahl, Ricki Witte, Rick Eaton, Joe McGee and Roy Neiman. Resource: Carol Sjursen. She said we gained lots of interest from Field Day. Carol needs to confirm the dates for the Winter and June Field Days at Quiet Waters Park.

SECRETARY NOTES: Melanie: We need to choose a moneymaking project. Raffle of Ham equipment and Radio, accessories are possibilities. Joe McGee has some donated equipment that we can sell. He will give a list to Melanie. We’ll need to have a nominating committee. All the current officers have agreed to stay on, with the exception of Ricki Witte. We hope to have a Fall Picnic with a Fox Hunt. Plans to be made later. Requests have been made to use the W4BUG by some individuals that are contesting. It was decided that the Board should be involved in the approval process. Rick: The new antenna is here. Rick and Eric will need some way to transport as it’s 26 ft. long. They plan to have 2 people on the ground and he and Eric on top of the building, using a rope to pull it up outside of the building. They are reasonably sure that they can’t take it up inside the building. The noise problem is caused by something in the John Knox building. The Boca Repeater site has had some personnel changes. Rick needs to establish who has access to our repeater. Joe McGee: Agreed to spearhead the Winter Field Day again, along with Jeff Stahl and Dan on January 25th of 2020. We’ll run a simpler version this time, using FPL power and no beam antenna, since it’s a one day affair.

MEETING ADJOURNED: The meeting was adjourned at 9:24 AM EST by President, Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT. Respectfully submitted by Roy Neiman KJ4EGN, Secretary.

2019 Summer Field Day

The Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association hosted the 2019 Summer Field Day festivities in the Bald Eagle Pavilion at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, Florida on June 22nd and 23rd.  Also invited to participate were the Palmetto Amateur Radio Club and Broward County ARES/RACES.

Approximately 100 amateur radio operators and guests were in attendance for a weekend of fun, food and camaraderie as they practiced their operating skills under simulated disaster conditions.

As you are aware, there are numerous tasks involved in putting on a successful Field Day.  A big thank you goes out to all who helped with the planning, preparation, shopping, cooking, event day activities, setup, breakdown and much more.

We had many visitors including park guests, Elmo, CERT members from around the County, the media, Coco, the German Shepherd Therapy Dog, representatives from Broward County Emergency Management, the ARRL and the Red Cross.

We are very thankful that we had the opportunity to practice our emergency communication operating skills under adverse conditions.

Should we ever have a major disaster in Broward County, the amateur operators will be ready.

Submitted by,

Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB
Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT

GCARA Meeting Minutes – 23-July-2019

Call to Order:   7:30 PM

President Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT, called the meeting to order and lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:

Roll call of the entire membership present was given. Thirty (30) people were in attendance.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting on April 28, 2019 were approved as they appeared on the website.

Treasurer’s Report:

None

Membership Report:

None

Testing Report:

Two people took the test and both passed

Repeater Report:

Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR, TRUSTEE, stated that the new Antenna is on it’s way. It will be installed soon after it’s arrival with Eric’s assistance.

Webmaster Report:

John Cole, N1QFH is on vacation, so no report is expected until September.

Call for Old Business: Mike Wolf is working on Field Day pictures for showing at August meeting

Annnouncements:

Barry Porter is in rehab and showing improvement. Jeff Beals is out of the Hospital. He was hoping to make this meeting.

Melanie asked if there were any members interested in learning Morse Code. 3 people expressed an interest.

50/50 Raffle: Was won by Jeff Ronner W4AEQ               

SPEAKER: Robert Erik Olmer.Erik gave an excellent presentation regarding the need for more Hams at Shelters. He explained what to expect upon arrival. He also listed the items one should bring to the site such as, personal items, Radio(s), back up batteries, coax adapters, etc. The Radio operators are in the staff area, not in the general population. There are generators at most all the sites.

The speaker was thanked and the meeting was adjourned at 9:08PM.

Respectfully submitted by Secretary Roy Neiman KJ4EGN

Message From The President for July 2019

Congratulations GCARA for a wonderfully executed Field Day. About half of the membership currently attending our meetings showed up for Field Day to help us with set up, pull down and operating. I counted 38 members, 34 of which were ARRL members attend. This was the BEST Field Day effort I have witnessed from the club thus far. There were over 50 visitors and other HAMS who just dropped by to visit and lend a hand as well. I did not get an accurate count on paper but informally I believe we had close to 100 people at the event.

We started early to plan and everyone who volunteered for a part did an excellent job of performing. I want to thank the four architects of Field Day this year, Joe McGee, NX4T, Jeff Stahl, K4BH, Dan Vasilca AI4WW, and our wonderful Repeater Trustee, Ricky Eaton, KD2HGR, for their due diligence in planning, meeting separately and facilitating a memorable Field Day.

Instrumental in advertising and creating a general interest in Field Day this year, were, Erik Olmer, W4EJO, Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB, and Mike Wolf, K2HXC, who got the media attention and worked on Facebook to make announcements and create interest. Thanks to Erik, we saw Coco, the K-9 and ELMO from Sesame Street. Carol used her connections to get Emergency Management there as well as various officials of city agencies.

Where would we be without good food? Nowhere, that’s where. Ricki Witte, KJ4FSJ, made a batch of her Fabulous Chili and Mike Wolf made his mouthwatering Cole Slaw. The great fresh burgers, dogs and sausages were cooked to perfection by Sherry Tullo, KB5VWW and she was aided by her husband Ralph Tullo, N0LO, in keeping the grill up and running. Sherry’s presence this year made all the difference to me for cooking. She cooked to order, kept the grill spotless and kept her usual smiling demeanor while doing it. The ambient temperature that day outside was approaching 100 degrees. Add to that the temperature of the grill 350 degrees to 450 degrees and you have a hot house to work in. Well done Sherry and Ralph. Thank you so very much!

We had an antenna farm like no other I have ever seen at Field Day. Both sides of the Bald Eagle Pavilion was surrounded by all sorts of antennas and it was impressive to say the least. Thank you to all who helped erect the antennas, brought the equipment and designed special ware for the event. There were some new innovative technology tried and this time we were able to make solar contacts and we were set up for satellite as well. There were also some impressive GO KITS, the likes of which I have never witnessed as well. Thank you Erik Olmer W4EJO and Mark Lukinovich KW1O and our loveable Kenny Hollenbeck KE2NEC, who had all sorts of interesting things for us to look at and buy or trade. It was a lot of work but it was done impeccably with a “little” help from our friends.

What I saw this year that stood out for me was the combined efforts of very giving people who love the hobby of amateur radio and are generous enough to share it with everyone. We would not be effective if not for them. That is what attracted me the most about Ham Radio, the people and their generosity and willingness to work for others so unselfishly. It is less about “me” and more about “we”. What can “we” do to make things better? This demonstration of all the concerted efforts of those named and unnamed, are the HEART of Ham Radio. Congratulations to GCARA and our guests, Palmetto Amateur Radio Club, for a job well done!

Warmest regards,

Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT

GCARA Meeting Minutes – 26-June-2019

Call to Order: 7:32 PM
President Melanie Fernandez, KJ4VCT, called the meeting to order and lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:
Roll call of the entire membership present was given. Thirty-four (34) people were in attendance.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting on May 28, 2019 were approved as they appeared on the website.

Treasurer’s Report:
Ricki Witte, KJ4FSJ, gave the Treasure’s Report

Membership Report:
There is a paid membership of 79 people so far this year. About half are ARRL members.

Testing Report:
Three people took the test and 2 passed

Repeater Report:
Ricky Eaton, KD4HGR, TRUSTEE, gave us the updated report for the repeater projects being worked on. The Boca site will be serviced in the upcoming months. The new 146.61 antenna is expected to be in and installed by next month. Plans are being made to get a 6 meter antenna to go with the 6 meter repeater that was donated to the club by Eric Rodriguez, KF4LZA, of our repeater team.

Webmaster Report:
John Cole, N1QFH is on vacation, so no report is expected until September.

Call for Old Business: Mike Wolf, K2HXC gave out the club shirts.

Announcements: Field Day was a great success. Thanks to the hard work and organization of Joe McGee NX4T, Jeff Stahl K4BH, Dan Vasilca AI4WW and Ricky Eaton KD4HGR. We made about 3864 points. More details to come.

Thanks to Erik Olmer, Carol Sjursen and Mike Wolfe for handling the advertising, which resulted in an outstanding attendance. Elmo from Sesame Street attended, as well as, Coco the K-9.
Melanie, Ricki, Ralph and Sherry did a great job handling the food.
Richard Trowell of the Palmetto Club furnished deserts. Melanie thanked all of the other members that participated.

The quarterly dinner at Wings Plus will be on Saturday July 13th. A wrap up and discussion regarding Field Day will be the discussed.

Melanie suggested that we pray for Frank Baker and Barry Porter and hope they get better soon.

50/50 Raffle:
The raffle was won by Joe McGee NX4T He returned the money to the Treasury. Joe also won a gift certificate for $30.00 Dan Vasilca AI4WW won the $50.00 gift certificate. The AnyTone DMR radio was won by Jim Gallagher KN4RGG.

SPEAKER: Robert Molleda gave another very interesting presentation. He explained the various aspects of predicting, tracking and damage caused by Hurricanes. He stressed that the “Cone” may not react as one would expect.

The speaker was thanked and the meeting was adjourned at 9:08PM.

Respectfully submitted by Secretary Roy Neiman KJ4EGN

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