1) Call to Order
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) called to order the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association’s regular meeting at 20:08 EDT (00:08 UTC) over ZOOM on March 22, 2022. A quorum was present with 20 members.
2) Pledge of Allegiance
3) Secretary’s Report – Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) put a motion on the floor to accept the meeting minutes from February’s General Meeting. Second by Jeff Stahl (K4BH). The Motion carried.
4) Treasurer’s Report – Erik Olmer (W4EJO)
We have 81 members, 13, who are in the grace period.
The beginning balance for this month is $8,292.46.
We have received our first revenue from the Amazon Smile Program – $26.71.
New members are Gary Metz (no FCC call sign yet), Joanna Cummings (N2QFT) with a plus 1, and Donald Thomas (AF4NR).
We had our standard bank fees and web hosting fees, and the ending balance is $8,419.93.
5) Membership Chair Report – Joe McGee (NX4T)
No updates from Joe McGee (NX4T).
6) VE Status Report – Jeff Stahl (K4BH)
Jeff Stahl (K4BH) reported that we would start to have in-person testing sessions every second Saturday of the month beginning in April. Charlie Artner’s (KN4VDW) church has agreed to let us host the testing sessions at their facility. The address is 4850 W Atlantic Blvd., Margate, FL 33063.
We should be listed on ARRL.ORG by now, and if people in our location are looking for testing locations, they should be able to find us.
Joe McGee (NX4T) asked how Jeff Stahl (K4BH) will acquire a quorum of VEs for each testing session. Jeff Stahl (K4BH) said that he would rely on volunteers and, if we do not have a quorum, don’t have one. Even if we have only one person to test, we will hold the test session. Jerry Deitch (W4LST) and Ben Echavarria (N7BBE) are VEs and offered to help with the testing.
7) Repeater Report – Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR)
146.820 MHz repeater in Boca is not working, and Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR) will have to do more investigating to find out what is not working. The repeater seems to transmit but does not receive.
8) Web Admin Report – Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) keeps the events up to date to provide more value for the visitor and encourage users to come back. The security measurements are working well, and possible attacks are blocked successfully. Occasionally, a bot successfully creates a fake account, but since new accounts have to be approved by an administrator, the account never becomes active.
Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) presented a report he receives daily on what is going on with the website. That report includes IP addresses from which attacks are initiated and other metrics.
If anybody has a question, please get in touch with Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) at KN4VDW@arrl.net
9) Announcements
a) SKYWARN Virtual Classes – Carol Sjursen
Saturday April 2, 2022, 10:00 – 12:30 hrs
b) Summer Field Day – Joe McGee (NX4T)
Joe McGee (NX4T) wants to simplify our antenna setup for the SFD. We will be at the Bald Eagle Shelter at Quiet Waters Park.
c) Free Flee
Free Flee will be held on March 26, 2022. For more information, please go to the events page at www.w4bug.org.
d) Nomination for Field Day Captain
Gary Mertz would take on this role, but because of his lack of experience, Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) respectfully declined. Jeff Stahl (K4BH) added that SFD is always the 4th full weekend in June. At this time, we have no nomination for the Field Day Captain.
e) Next month’s speaker – Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Next month’s speaker will be Robert Molleda from the National Weather Service.
10) Adjournment
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) adjourned the meeting at 20:37 EDT (00:37 UTC).