1) Call to Order
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT)called to order the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association’s regular meeting at 19:30 ET (00:30 UTC) over ZOOM on February 22, 2022. A quorum was present with 18 members.
2) Pledge of Allegiance
3) Secretary’s/ VP Report – Joe McGee (NX4T)
Minutes will be approved in the next meeting
4) Treasurer’s Report – Erik Olmer (W4EJO)
In February, we have taken in $290.00 ($650 YTD) in dues and $140.00 in donations.
We had our recurring payment of $20.00 for our website.
Total PayPal fees this month are $21.22
We also paid $200.00 for our liability insurance. And $205.38 for the annual MoneyMinder fee.
The annual filing report with the state was $61.25.
We purchased a plugin called WordFence, which was $99.00 for one year for additional security on our website.
For Winter Field Day, after refunding all the money and money already spent, we showed a loss of $30.00.
At the end of this reporting period, the total fund available was $8,292.46.
79 current members, 19 LifeTime; 54 Singe, 6 Family members.
5) Membership Chair Report – Joe McGee (NX4T)
Joe McGee (NX4T) introduced some of the new members; Stuart Gallant (K3RZB) and Michael Mermigas (W3DDS). Joanna Cummings (N2QFT) applied but had issues with payment.
6) VE Status Report – Jeff Stahl (K4BH)
Jeff Stahl (K4BH) reported that we could start in-person testing every 2nd Saturday of the month at 10:30 EST. Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) will send Jeff Stahl (K4BH) the address of his church where the testing will take place so Jeff Stahl (K4BH) can publically announce the testing dates.
Jeff Stahl (K4BH) also reminded everyone that hurricane season is just around the corner.
7) Repeater Report – Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR)
146.820 repeater is off the air. We are trying to get access to the hospital since the hospital has been locked down tight since Covid. We do not know why the repeater is offline. EchoLink is currently on the back burner until the repeater is back up and running.
Our contact at the hospital has retired, and we do not have any contact person at the hospital.
8) Web Admin Report – Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) reported about additional security measurements on the website. The club’s site was attacked the past few weeks. We are now protected by Wordfence, the software mentioned earlier in the Treasurer’s Report.
We also are now posting the ARRL Audio News on the website. As time permits, Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) will broadcast the ARRL Audio News on the .610 repeater on Fridays or Tuesdays.
Certain areas are now password-protected, and members who want to access the roster, forum, etc., need to create an account. The account will not go active automatically. Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) is approving new users manually after a quick verification process.
9) Special Elections
Barry Porter (KB1PA) presented the two open positions to the membership. No further nominations have been brought forth, and the slate was accepted by acclamation.
Slate: SECRETARY – Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Director/ARRL PIO – Tom Savoca (K9TJS)
10) Announcements
a) Skywarn Virtual Class
Carol Sjursen announced upcoming SKYWARN Virtual classes on Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 10:00 to 12:30 EST.
b) Sunshine Committee
Hope Smith (WB3ANE)—Sunshine Committee Chairman, and Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) are sending cards to people who are ill or need otherwise encouraging words.
c) Board Notes from VP Joe McGee (NX4T)
Joe McGee (NX4T) is starting to organize ARRL Summer Field Day. One significant change will be to work with more simple antennas in the future. Setting up the antennas is taking a lot of time, and simple homebrew antennas might give us a similar, if not the same, result with less effort.
d) Next Months Speaker
Next month’s speakers will be Josh Landewee and Code Cameron (W3AMG) from BridgeCom Systems.
e) Club Focus for 2022
Our club focus for the year will be to get people up to speed with their equipment and get volunteers for the community’s various needs. We would like to see a strong volunteer group in our club, so we are using our licenses and privileges thereof for the purpose they are meant to be used for in the community. We will offer help to those wanting to upgrade their license and provide several opportunities for practice.
11) Adjournment
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) adjourned the meeting at 21:12 ET (02:12 UTC).