1)  Call to Order

Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) called to order the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association’s Board meeting at 14:38 EDT (18:38 UTC) on April 24, 2021, on ZOOM. A quorum was present with five board members. Members present: Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT), Charlie Artner (KN4VDW), Jeff Stahl (K4BH), Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR); Members Absent: Tom Savoca (excused), Erik Olmer (W4EJO)

2)  Old Business

a)    Echo Link – Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR)

Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR) has not had a chance to work on it since he focused on the repeater issue.

b)   WinLInk – Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)

Still on hold.

c)    ARRL Club Grant for projects

You have received a link from Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR), and after talking with Barry Porter, he said that almost everybody is getting approved. We need to define a project.

Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) put a motion on the floor to advance the purchase of a laptop up to $700.00 to use this project to apply for the ARRL grant. Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR) is seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) will research the laptop.

d)   Spring Picnic at Vista View

The date for the picnic is May 21, 2022. We have to pay $75.00 because we applied as the club and not ARES/RACES.

Jeff Stahl (K4BH) moved to pay the $75.00 for the picnic. Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

e)    Winter Field Day 2023

The date for WFD is January 28-29, 2023. The Letter of Intent has not been created yet, but the letter from last year has been sent to Erik Olmer (W4EJO) and Carol so they can work on it.

3)  Summer Field Day

a)    Antennas

Joe McGee (NX4T) is donating a Fan-Dipole that he made. This antenna covers 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m. Jeff Stahl (K4BH) will build an antenna for 160m. Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR) mentioned that the last time went on 2m, we only had a few QSOs. He is questioning that the low number of QSOs may not be worth the effort.

b)   Start Prepping

Dan will do CW. Between Charlie Artner (KN4VDW), Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR), and Jeff Stahl (K4BH), we have enough radios available to the club.

The category we will be competing in will be 3A

We will have two generators. The club generator and Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) will bring his.

Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) will put a form online so people can start volunteering for different SFD functions. He will also be co-chair for SFD.

4)  Testing – Jeff Stahl (K4BH)

Testing issues have been taken care of.

5)  Repeater Status / Boca Repeater – Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR)

Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR) and Eric Rodriguez came across a refurbished Motorola repeater for $650.00, including shipping and 30-day warranty.

Jeff Stahl (K4BH) moved to go with the Motorola repeater for $650.00 from a gentleman in Nevada who refurbishes repeaters and is a Motorola certified service center. Seconded by Charlie Artner (KN4VDW). Motion carried unanimously.

6)  HF Station Status

Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) recommended moving the HF remote station to JKV.

Discussion: Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR) will pick up the equipment from Joe McGee (NX4T) and try to have it back up by this upcoming weekend.

7)  New topics to discuss?

a)    ARRL page for the club

Tom Savoca (K9TJS) will update the club page since he is the PIO.

8)  Adjournment

Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) adjourned the meeting at 15:42 EDT (19:42 UTC).