Jul 15, 2021

 

Danny Kafka KD9HIL Vice President called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM

 

Attendees:

 

Burt Schultz AB9CV Rob Glowacki  N9MVO Michael Musica KD9SBN Bob Benwitz N9JAX John Douglas KD9KSH Barry Friedman KD9SCR Ed Lishka  AC9SD Mike Clodfelter AC9CG Bob Zuttermeister W9GEW Dennis Calvey KD9HIK John Zietlow K9WIC Leo Ribordy N9NBH Hugh PParl WB9UWM Matt Warrington KD9EBV Chris Brewer AC9GN Dave Carpenter W9VTD Brent Kaser WB9UXN Bruce Warrington N9EHA Danny Kafka  KD9HIL Bill McGovern W9WEM Jim Hansen Charlene Treve K9CMZ David KD9CVI Cliff Sowka K9QD John Scrip N9IJS Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ   Special Celebration Tonight Mel Luxenberg W9FRT is newly anointed Member Emeritus. During a previous Board Meeting, John Zietlow K9WIC suggested our club celebrate Mel’s ~40 Year contribution to the club.  John Douglas KD9KSH arranged for refreshments, Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK brought his professional photography equipment, and our club presented Mel his Certificate of Appreciation (photograph is also planned to be posted on www.n9rjv.org website shortly).  Roberto WA9E suggested we craft an appreciation certificate and also provided key support in contacting family members to arrange Mel’s travel to our meeting tonight. Mel related his radio background to the group including responsibility for the antenna farm of O’Hare Field during his years with the FAA.  Earlier, Mel’s WWII wartime service on Destroyer USS Sumpter (later on USS Calloway) was also explained briefly:  Being a licensed Ham Operator before the war, Mel was now responsible for the ship’s radio shack.  While not in actual battle at the time, a wayward sailor entered the highly secure area without authority, mistakenly kicked-over an open can of paint and in a fit of fury, Mel drew his 1911 sidearm to throw the man out.  Mel subsequently had to stand trial at Captain’s Mast and was convicted / sentenced to shore leave denial for 10 days (they were at sea for at least 20 more days) because he did not kill the offender.  Mel explained Military protocol requires any situation where arms are drawn to conclude in elimination of the threat.

He’s also the only person we know who climbed the WGN transmit tower to re-lamp the clearance lighting and lived to tell us about it.

Secretary’s Report:

 

Cliff Sowka K9QD read June’s Minutes into the record and moved for Approval.  So Moved.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 

John Zietlow K9WIC provided the following report:

 

Bank Balance       $6,519.44   INCOME                $1,101.00 from CP Surplus Sale   DISBURSEMENTS $62.82 16-Apr data line   Petty Cash             $144.20   FD Donations        $75.00 included in balance   Funds Available    $7,576.82   As of July 15, 99 paid members.

Public Service:

 

Rob Glowacki N9MVO informed the Hoffman Estates Fourth of July Parade and the Schaumburg Triathlon have been canceled this year.

 

EMCOMM:

 

John Zietlow K9WIC reported there is concerted effort to organize a consistent approach in supporting local governments by several local Ham organizations including Des Plaines, Lake County, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, and DuPage County.  There is a need for a common understanding of the protocols used by local government entities who call upon the Ham Radio community for support during emergency situations.

 

We are currently familiarizing ourselves with the newly-installed government officials in Schaumburg for the various entities such as Village Administration, Park District, Police, Fire Department, and Township Library.

 

John’s organization of SARC’s 24-person support for the recent Chicagoland Marathon was acknowledged by Schaumburg Village Police Chief Bill Wolf.  The Village sent written correspondence to John presenting thanks for our club’s successful contribution to the event.  Thank You to our members of SARC for this valuable acknowledgment of our radio support.  <attachment below>

 

Repeaters:

 

Rob N9MVO and Bruce Warrington N9EHA discussed some of the possibilities surrounding the antenna installation on top of the Schaumburg Road Water Tower:  Kent W9KAO previously reported occasional static similar to wet and/or windy weather possibly originating within the Station Master antenna.  Since the antenna is more than 20-years old, it’s possible there may be lightning damage to the structure or cabling.  Maybe we could recruit a club member with Drone Photography capability to make a cursory survey of the tank’s top.  Bruce described his experience years ago in climbing the tower for installation and related there is a flat area beyond the convex top where the welded anchoring can be accessed safely if there is need to replace the antenna.  While expense of a new Station Master could be substantial (~$1K?) we may not be required to hire professional antenna installation talent.  The 440 machine is currently running 20 Watts and there may be a need for a new linear; coverage seems adequate at the moment but future expenditure may be needed to beef-up our signal.

 

Construction Project:

 

Don’s KD9NJR Saturday morning CP meetings remain dormant until the fall sessions resume.

 

VE Exams

 

Ed Lishka AC9SD reports there is one candidate scheduled for August at the moment.

 

Participating Volunteer Examiners (VEs):

 

Steve	Karson	AC9EM
Ed	Lishka	AC9SD
John	Schofield	AC9JS
Dirk	Smith	W0RI

Radio Hill Gazette  RHG

 

Mike Griffiths K9KMV no report.

 

Membership:

 

Darryl KD9RHR not present.

 

Social:

 

John Douglas KD9KSH reports there is a plan to have a social gathering at Garibaldi’s sometime in October and then a Holiday Party sometime in January.

 

John reminded us about the scheduled memorial for our past Secretary, Ken Krzywicki, who was a long-time member and club secretary for SARC.  Ken passed away in January 2020 while in Arizona.  Due to the COVID shut down shortly thereafter, the family had to postpone his memorial service.  His wife, Joanna, wanted our club members to know that the services have now been scheduled.  The visitation will be Friday, July 16th from 4 to 8 PM at:

 

Grove Memorial Chapel

1199 South Arlington Hts Rd

Elk Grove Village

 

The funeral Mass will be on Saturday, July 17th at 10:00 AM at:

 

St. Julian Eymard

601 Biesterfield Rd.

Elk Grove Village

 

Education:

 

Leo N9NBH reports our training schedule is likely to be restarted with a target date of January 2022; also there is some consideration of instituting a Morse Code training effort sometime in the fall.

 

NETS:

 

Leo N9NBH has been receiving much-needed support from John Scrip N9IJS for the evenings he has schedule conflicts.  Nets are active and well attended.

 

Publicity:

 

Dennis KD9HIK Chairman reminded purchases on Amazon can provide financial benefit for our club if smile.amazon.com is selected when entering new orders.   Since SARC is a 501c3 organization, Amazon has already qualified us as a valid recipient and John Zietlow K9WIC has already enabled our banking to gain access to any funds earned.

 

SARC in the Park

 

Booked the pavilion for us until August.  Rob N9MVO described typical gatherings for new members.  Our Radio Hill Gazette editor Mike Griffiths K9KMV is very involved with Parks on the Air and also attends our SARC-in-the-Park often.

 

VE Exams

 

Booked in Heritage for all but March 5, 2022.  March will be in Construction Project Basement.

 

Construction Project

 

STP Basement is booked for September, 2021-April, 2022

 

Programs:

 

No report.  Need Chairperson.  Charlene Treve K9CMZ may present a ~6 minute video of her earlier jazz vocal performances during the August meeting.  John K9WIC is planning to present as well.

 

Old Business:

 

None.

 

New Business:

 

Burt Schultz AB9CV reminded the Construction Project attendees prepare a test equipment upgrade wish-list as well as renewing some of the consumables such as freeze-spray, control cleaner, and tools.  Burt will be the Point-Person as the inventory requests solidify.

 

John K9WIC mentioned there may be a Schaumburg Public Safety Day this fall.  SARC has previously sponsored a booth with a Ham Radio display.  If the Village plans to hold an event, he will notify membership and recruit participation.

 

Ask an Elmer

 

Barry Friedman KD9SCR offered more assistance in programming a tri-band HT and others suggested bringing the radio to the next SARC-in-the-Park to see if we can the thing working properly.

 

Mike Clodfelter AC9CG discussed his experience with a Wolf River antenna and mentioned some of the methods he’s used to achieve really good results.

 

Motion to Adjourn:

 

Meeting ended 8:42 PM

Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary