Northeast Iowa Radio Amateur Association (NIRAA/W0MG) Meeting Minutes, April 2017 The April gathering of the Northeast Iowa Radio Amateur's Association (NIRAA) was called to order at 7:02 PM April 09, 2017 by Mark Colby (N8TWO). There were 22 members (18 ARRL) and 3 guests in attendance this evening, listed below. MINUTES ------- Adjustments to last month's minutes: - Fitkins have paid dues - scouts camporee, we are just doing communications assistance, this is not JOTA Minutes accepted as adjusted, (N0TKC / N0CF) TREASURER'S REPORT ------------------ Dave reports we have $1764.37 in the general fund plus $5 in savings - we recently received a repeater donation, approx $200 - dave suggests we move the repeater donations to the savings account so the money is tracked separately and is assured to be spent on repeater maintenance, motion approved (NK0T/W0ALO) - no insurance bill has been received yet, should renew in May. Last year's bill was $228. Motion to pre-approve payment up to $250 (N0ZYC/N0CF) - AE0TB suggests looking into ARRL insurance, since benefits are similar and cost is lower (around $200), and registration is fast - W0HHF suggests we allow Dave to make the call on the upcoming insurance issues since it's time sensitive. (N0CF/N0TKC) - Report accepted (N0CF/N0TKC) OLD BUSINESS ------------ N0CF - repeaters haven't been touched recently N8TWO - recap of upcoming tech classes and testing There was extended discussion of upcoming testing, sept 16 is our next scheduled test. N4HRL - working on coordinating this year's field day participation by the Salvation Army, probably same arrangement as last year. They feed us, we ring some bells. Win-win, worked out very well last year. W0SJ - laptops for field day logging are coming along, need to get those button batteries installed for the bios (he's got the batteries, may need help installing) W0GEN - field day on track for Bill's property, June 24. W0SJ - we're assuming we'll have three regular stations (2 HF and one GOTA) plus the free VHF/UHF. N8TWO - looking to get a JOTA committee going for this year. We have 3 of 4 needed volunteers for 11-5 on May 6. N0ZYC joined, ok we have our positions filled. W0HHF - NIRAA 2017 hamfest progress updates. We can do a "casual event" up to twice a year without having to oversee sales tax. "registered dealers" (that sell in various places numerous times per year) will need to take care of their own sales tax. Legally, we're not liable for their minding their taxes, that's their responsibility. For simplicity of financing and since the club has reasonable reserves, Dick suggests we simply start this out as a "club funded event" rather than passing the hat again. Simply pay the proceeds back into the treasury after the event, rather than trying to approve and arrange individual expenses leading up to the event. Expected costs: - $110 LOCATION DOWN PAYMENT - $225 DAMAGE DEPOSIT (WE GET BACK) - $100 DMR HANDHELD RADIO (MD380/390) + indoor table sales income + donation bowl last year we had a 60% return. This is likely to go up over the next few years as we become more of a regular event. Motion to club sponsor finances (W0GEN/K0CQH) NEW BUSINESS ------------ Advanced storm spotter training April 24, Lathem Hall rm 125 at Hawkeye College The May meeting will conduct field day preparation and logging software training in leu of a presentation N0HHF - looking into getting our non-profit status reinstated, it's actually looking much easier than anticipated, stay tuned for details W0SJ - working on a DMR antenna for bicycle mobile, mounts to neck of bicycle Motion to adjourn (N0TKC/W0SJ) PRESENTATION ------------ Tonight's presentation was by Maureen on Emergency Response Members wishing to get an ID card, visit this link: http://responders.us/files/shared/documents/Person_data_entry_form.pdf Print, fill out, scan, and email to mmehmen@bhciaema.com OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ------------------- (none) UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS ---------------------- - There will be no May presentation in leu of Field Day preparation. Please attend for training on use of logging software. REGULAR EVENTS -------------- - ARES net check-in is at 9pm every Sunday night, on 146.94/34 - hams meet informally at 9am every Monday morning at HyVee on University Ave - hams meet informally at 12pm every Tuesday at Taco Johns on University Ave - Iowa Digital Net runs every Tues night at 7pm on 3572.5 / 3574 ctr USB - DMR checkin 7:30 pm Sunday night on talk group 3119 VE TESTING AND TRAINING ----------------------- - upcoming tech-to-general class - 2017/09/16 VE testing, contact Tom (AE0TB) dir3@w0mg.net - 2017/11/25 VE testing contact Tom (AE0TB) dir3@w0mg.net HAMFESTS -------- - Cedar Rapids Junk in the Trunk is on Saturday May 13 Starts around 7:30 am, SW corner of Blairs Ferry Rd NE and C Ave NE Tailgaiting only, no facilities, no vendors, but usually one of the best hamfests in the area - W0MG Swap Meet on Sat July 8 at Waterloo Gateway Park http://vftp.net/n0zyc/hamfests/W0MG_SwapMeet_2017.jpeg - CVARC Hamfest on Sun August 6 at Cedar Rapids http://w0gq.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017CVARC_HamfestFlyer.jpg OTHER EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ------------------------------ 2017/05/06 Boy Scout Spring Camporee (need four volunteers) 2017/03/27 Weatherspotter training 6:30 pm, Tama Hall at Hawkeye 2017/04/10 spotter training at the Waverly Civic Center W0MG/NIRAA LINKS ---------------- - Club Website: http://w0mg.net/ - 2017 NIRAA Membership form: http://www.w0mg.net/contact/membershipform2017.pdf - Cedar Valley area repeaters: http://w0mg.net/repeaters/ - W0MG 2017 Hamfest: http://vftp.net/n0zyc/hamfests/W0MG_SwapMeet_2017.jpeg =============================================================================== The NIRAA club meets on the 2nd Saturday of every month at 7pm in the basement of the Red Cross building (2530 University Ave) in Waterloo. Anyone interested in ham radio is welcome to attend. Our primary club repeater is on 146.94 mhz, negative offset, PL tone of 136.5 hz, with coverage centered in Black Hawk County. Our club website is at http://www.w0mg.net/ . Primary email contact is Nathan at sec(a)w0mg.net Officers may be contacted over the air or via email: President, Mark Colby, N8TWO, pres(a)w0mg.net Vice President, Curtis Wilson, NK0T, vp(a)w0mg.net Secretary, Nathan Fisher, N0ZYC, sec(a)w0mg.net Treasurer, Dave Knittel, K0CQH, treas(a)w0mg.net Director 1, Harold Lucas, N4HRL, dir1(a)w0mg.net Director 2, Stan Johnson, W0SJ, dir2(a)w0mg.net Director 3, Thom Bicket, AE0TB, dir3(a)w0mg.net - Nathan Fisher Secretary, W0MG You're receiving these meeting minutes because you have given the NIRAA club your email address for minutes or announcements. If you no longer wish to receive email, please reply requesting removal from one or both distribution lists. This month's meeting attendance: Members: N0ZYC Nathan Fisher N4HRL Harold Lucas N0CF Chris Conklin W0ALO Chuck Angel NK0T Curt Wilson W0HHF Dick Nelson W0SJ Stan Johnson WA0TPN Scott Lowe KA0DBC Lois Johnson N0HHF Judi Nelson W0VJB Vickie Bicket N0TKC Taryn Colby KE0IWP Janice Fitkin W0EL David Welch K0CQH Dave Knittel AE0TB Tom Bicket KE0IWQ James Fitkin N8TWO Mark Colby W0GEN William Dedic KZ0MBI Michael Chapman W0DTD Robert Trettin KD0WVN Nick Miller Guests: Susan Maureen Mehmen KB0RSW Randall McClain Members wishing to pay their 2017 dues (or have paid and are not listed) please contact Dave Knittel.