Business Meeting February 20, 2025
Don Dewar KD9NJR President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Attendees:
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Don Dewar KD9NJR |
Danny Kafka KD9HIL |
Chris Brewer AC9GN |
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Bill McGovern W9WEM |
Cliff Sowka K9QD |
Jim Neumann W9JWN |
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Rob Glowacki N9MVO |
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK |
Robert Kocourek W9RKK |
|
Tom O’Boyle N96UN |
Guy Stanek KE9AIA |
Howard Mitchell KD9WSV |
|
Steve Epstein WA9FZB |
Tom Kraus N9HWV |
Paul Burkett KD9FMN |
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Kirk Musselman K9MSG |
Burch Seymour KE9BEI |
Chuck Gold KC9VO |
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Bob Benwitz N9JAX |
Rich Dickens KY0Q |
Roger Young WB9NBA |
|
Leo Ribordy N9NBH |
Roberto Beltramelli WA9E |
John Thornton KD9VZJ |
ZOOM Virtual Attendees:
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Jim Campbell KB9RGU |
Steve Karson AC9EM |
Joe Barela KB9RCR |
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Paul Bocci K9NO |
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Secretary’s Report: Howard Mitchell KD9WSV
February Meeting Minutes as published by Howard Mitchell KD9WSV in the RHG:
Leo Ribordy N9NBH moved to approve minutes, Bill McGovern seconded. Motion Adopted
Treasurer’s Report Chris Brewer AC9GN
Danny Kafka KD9HIL moved to approve minutes, Guy Stanek KE9AIA seconded. Motion Adopted
VE Testing John Schofield AC9JC not present
John Schofield AC9JC FCC Volunteer Examiner (VE) Session Chair previously provided the following report for the Board meeting:
VE Tests Results for March 1, 2025
Construction Project – Cliff Sowka K9QD
Only 3 more sessions remaining until replaced by SARC in the Park. Cliff is looking for photos for a wall of honor he is mounting in the basement of the Schaumburg Tennis Plus where the construction projects are held. He also showed framed letters from Tracy Raimondo and the Schaumburg Chief of Police commending SARC participation at the SeptemberFest which will also be displayed.
Don Dewar KD9NJR added that he is putting together a list of materials and costs for building Fox Hunt slide rule antennas as has been requested by a number of members.
Public Service – Rob Glowacki N9MVO
Rob reported on initial information regarding the MS Walk activity in May which will be moved to Hamilton Lakes. He anticipates needing additional volunteers as it’s schedule (7:30 to 2:00) may now include 2 shifts. He will solicit volunteers when he gets additional information and requests volunteers simply reply to his invite rather than send independent emails.
He also mentioned:
- 4th of July parade is still likely
- Potential event July 6th at Busse Woods
- Schaumburg SeptemberFest
Repeaters – Rob Glowacki N9MVO
Continuing to try to get detailed quote from company targeted for new antenna installation for the 2M repeater.
Education: – Leo Ribordy N9NBH
Technician level class been completed: will need to wait to see how many participants take the exam for a license. There has been some initial discussion of possibly offering a General level class.
EmComm – Howard Mitchell KD9WSV
A very successful meeting was held with Tracy Raimondo, (Schaumburg Emergency Management and Accreditation) at the Schaumburg EOC attended by Howard, Kirk Musselman K9WSV and Dennis Calvey KD9HIK. As requested by Tracy, Howard sent her a one page summary of SARC and what services we can offer to the Village of Schaumburg. It was also agreed that a new Memo of Understanding (MOU) was needed and a first draft is ready to send to the Village for their input.
Publicity
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK no additional report
Old Business: No reports
New Business
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK expressed concerns about potential competition for spectrum use. He suggested the club create a legislative review committee that would coordinate SARC responses to anticipated FCC requests for comments on such legislation. The Board will take up this item at its next session.
Dennis also suggested setting up a digital vault to store club documentation. Several members have since discussed how this can be done and will likely offer a proposal for review.
Howard Mitchell KD9WSV organized a video conference call with Kent Ochs W9KAO, Rob Glowacki N9MVO, Mariusz Szpryngacz AD9DU, Oleg Harizanov KD9ZZN and Richard France N9PAN to discuss the architecture of our current repeaters. It is hoped that new members such as Marius, Richard, and Oleg, who have a good technical backgrounds and experience, will participate in thinking through improvements to our current repeater setup as well as backing up Kent and Rob over time. The discussion was excellent and a date was set for a visit to both repeater sites.
Tom Boyle discussed coordinating a casual club bike ride with radios. A number of members have expressed interest.
Don Dewar, KD9NJR indicated that the Zoom interface used for remote member participation at the monthly business meetings, despite best efforts, continues to have issues. We will do the best we can but in-person attendance is still recommended.
Adjourn7:57 PM
Presentation: Post adjournment: John Thornton, KD9VZJ gave a slide show presentation on solar power capture and storage equipment he has been using and some thoughts on how interested members could get started in this capability.
Submitted February 21,2025
Howard Mitchell KD9WSV
Secretary