1) Call to Order
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) called to order on ZOOM the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association’s regular meeting at 19:30 EDT (23:30 UTC) on September 27, 2022. A quorum (20% / 14 members) was present with 17 members (see Appendix A).
2) Pledge of Allegiance
Secretary’s Report – Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Minutes from last month’s meeting are not ready yet. Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) will have them in October.
Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) also suggested that the club purchase a memory brick for Joe Ruby (KJ4OW).
Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) announced that he will not run for another term as Secretary.
3) Treasurer’s Report – Erik Olmer (W4EJO)
Checking Bal: $8,073.23
46 Individual members
4 Family
20 Lifetime
Total members: 70
The club made the purchase of a computer for WinLink.
Going forward, Hope Smith (WB3ANE) will call members when their membership is coming up for renewal.
4) VE Status Report – Jeff Stahl (K4BH)
Testing is not proving very popular. There will be no test session in October. Next test session is November.
5) Repeater Report – Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR)
All repeaters are up and running. We did find a VHF repeater to replace the temporary repeater in Boca.
Update on Boca repeater location: We do not need to move anymore. The buildings around the hospital are not going to be as tall as originally assumed. So, there will be no negative impact on the coverage of the repeater.
Dirk Basting (N4AN) reported that the repeater (442.2000) at Points of America is currently down. He will look into the issue within the next week.
6) Website Report – Charlie Artner (KN4VDW)
Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) is in the process of handing over all email and website duties to Tom Savoca (K9TJS). No major changes have been made to the website.
7) Announcements
a) Volunteers for Shelters – Jeff Stahl (K4BH)
Carol Sjursen () is in need for Shelter Volunteers
b) Simulated Emergency Drill, October 1, 2022- Jeff Stahl (K4BH)
This even has been canceled due to the Hurricane approaching Florida.
c) Next Club Dinner – October 23, 2022, at 19:00
9880 West Sample Road
Coral Springs, FL 33065
d) New Club Address
Please be advised that we have a new address.
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association
7378 W. Atlantic Blvd #147
Margate, FL 33063
e) Last Board Meeting
Topics discussed: Winlink, EchoLink, Field Day, HF remote Station. For more information go to www.w4bug.org
f) Slate of nominations for next year – Barry Porter
President: Erik Olmer (W4EJO)
Vice-Presiden: Ricki Witte (KJ4FSJ)
Secretary: Ben Echavarria (N7BBE)
Treasurer: Robert Ligum (KN4WII
PIO/Director at Large: Tom Savoca (K9TJS)
Director at Large: Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT)
8) Speaker: Mike Sam (KF4ZW)
He will be talking about the following topics:
- Topic 1: How to test 4:1, 9:1, and 49:1 UnUns
- Topic 2: How to build a 1:1 Balun and 1:1 UnUn
- Topic 3: Intro to EZnec antenna modeler and testing a 40-meter dipole
9) Adjournment
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) called adjourned the meeting at 20:36 EDT (00:36 UTC).
- Appendix A
1) Members Present
Melanie Fernandez (KJ4VCT) | Jeff Stahl (K4BH) | Charlie Artner (KN4VDW) |
Erik Olmer (W4EJO) | Tom Savoca (K9TJS) | Ricki Witte (KJ4FSJ) |
Ricky Eaton (KD4HGR) | Robert Ligum (KN4WII) | Nigel Richards (KB4F) |
Dirk Basting (N4AN) | Mike Sam (KF4ZW) | Carol Sjursen (KJ4AWB) |
Allan Karden (N4ALK) | Ben Echavarria (N7BBE) | Joe McGee (NX4T) |
Jerry Deitch (W4LST) | Barry Porter (KP1PA) |
17
2) Guests Present
4