Board of Directors Meeting April 2, 2025
Board member Robert Kocourek W9RKK called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM
(Chairman Bill McGovern, W9WEM, unable to attend)
Attendees:
|
Robert Kocourek W9RKK |
Danny Kafka KD9HIL |
Don Dewar KD9NJR |
|
Howard Mitchell KD9WSV |
Cliff Sowka K9QD |
Paul Burkett KD9FMN |
|
Bob Benwitz N9JAX |
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK |
Tom O’Boyle N96UN |
|
Kirk Musselman K9MSG |
John Douglas, KD9KSH |
|
Secretary’s Report
March BOD Meeting Minutes published by Howard Mitchell KD9WSV: Don Dewar, KD9NJR moved to approve the minutes as written. Paul Burkett, KD9FMN seconded. Members asked for any comments or questions: none heard. Motion Adopted.
Treasurer’s Report – Chris Brewer AC9GN
Chris Brewer not present
Field Day, Danny Kafka KD9HIL
Danny Kafka reported that Field Day set up will be June 27th with June 28-29 as the operational event. She will proceed with the Plum Grove Water Tower Site application after insurance documents are received from Chris Brewer AC9GN. Paul Burkett KD9FMN moved to allocate up to $1,000 for field day activities including food, equipment, etc. Seconded by Bob Benwitz N9JAX. Motion Adopted.
Public Service- Rob Glowacki N9MVO Chairman
Rob Glowacki not present
Repeaters Terry Jarnholm, AE9TJ Chairman
Rob Glowacki N9MVO not present. Howard Mitchell KD9WSV reported that a visit to both repeaters is scheduled for April 5th to have Rob Glowacki N9MVO and Kent Ochs, W9KAO brief newer members Richard France, N9PAN , Oleg Harizanov, KD9ZZN and Mariusz Szpryngacz, AD9DU on the repeater hardware and software. To ensure we meet our objectives, this visit is restricted to Howard and the members listed above.
Construction Project – Cliff Sowka K9QD Chairman
Cliff Sowka discussed that attendance has been excellent and most likely the best attended of all SARC events. He would like to add a budget item to cover some of the costs for donuts and coffee in the future and will request the same via the annual budgeting process.
Radio Hill Gazette (RHG) – Eliot Libner N9EPA Editor
Eliot Libner N9EPA not present
VE Testing – William Davies, K9WKD Session Manager
William Davies not present. No report as test session for April not scheduled until 4/5.
Nets
Don Dewar KD9NJR reports attendance continues to be very good. Echolink hasn’t worked for about a week. Robert Kocourek W9RKK will try to access remotely to reboot the software.
Due to the continuing quality problems on the 2M repeater, likely due to the antenna, Don may try an experiment to move a session of one net to the 70cm repeater.
Membership – Scott DeSantis KB9VRW, Chairman
Scott DeSantis not present.
Publicity – Dennis Calvey KD9HIK, Chairman
Dennis Calvey’s report:
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SARC Facebook page up to 180 followers. Link added to Kirk Mussleman’s (K9MSG) Amateur Radio Events web page http://www.amateurradioevents.com/
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Tracy Raimondo (Village of Schaumburg, Emergency Management and Accreditation) on Spring Break last week. I will try to talk with her later this week about the Memorandum of Understanding. She provided us with a contact for arranging access to the radio cache in the Police Department basement: Liz Scanlon, Logistics Coordinator, Administration Division. I’ll contact the EmComm Team about setting up a date & time to inventory the equipment there.
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Link to the April 16th Village of Schaumburg Spring Emergency Preparedness workshop registration sent out via sarc-all. Some reports that the link to the registration page didn’t always work. Separate emails to sarc-all asked that if you have problems with the link, call the Nursing and Senior Services Division at 847-923-3766 to register.
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Working with Leo Ribordy (N9NBH) on meeting with Elementary School Dist 54 about developing a Ham Radio STEM program. Bob Kaplan, (School District 54 board) is very interested in connecting us with resources within the school district. Kirk Mussleman (K9MSG) has also provided additional contacts with the school district.
EmComm – Howard Mitchell KD9WSV Chair
The initial draft of the MOU with the Village of Schaumburg has been prepared and ready to send to Tracy Raimondo (Village of Schaumburg, Emergency Management and Accreditation) for comments.
The educational mission of this committee was initiated with a challenge to the membership interested in EmComm to take the FEMA course ICS -100.
Social Eliot Libner N9EPA
No report.
Education – Leo N9NBH Chair
Leo N9NBH not present.
Programs-Don Dewar KD9NJR Manager
Don Dewar suggested a presentation regarding Fox Hunts targeted toward helping newer members to understand how to effectively participate and to encourage more participation.
Howard Mitchell, KD9WSV suggest a presentation at an upcoming business meeting as a briefing for all members regarding SARC Field Day objectives, scoring and participation.
Old Business
No reports
New Business
1) Don Dewar KD9NJR reported that the annual fee for Zoom of $150 is due this month. There was considerable discussion about the viability of using Zoom at the business meetings. Problems have been experienced due to rooms frequently assigned to us which have inadequate facilities for internet connection and video projection. Too often this and other issues result in poor overall quality and effectiveness for zoom participants, and significantly disrupts and lengthens the meeting for those in attendance. The club, however, will once again attempt to put a more effective procedure in place to accommodate those few members who have legitimate issues traveling to the meeting to participate in person. A motion was made by Kirk Mussleman’s (K9MSG) and seconded by Bob Benwitz N9JAX to approve $150 for the Zoom renewal. Motion adopted.
2) Tom O’Boyle N96UN made a presentation summarizing discussions he and Kirk Mussleman (K9MSG) have had regarding the establishment of a data repository to store important documents and data produced by the club. He captured a number of significant requirements including tight SARC Board/Officer level control, having it web based, securing access, ease of use and other considerations. Don Dewar KD9NJR, as club president and consistent with SARC constitution and by-laws, will appoint a committee to initiate development of the repository. Our treasurer, Chris Brewer AC9GN, was proposed as the Officer representative to oversee the efforts of Tom and Kirk to develop and document this repository.
3) Kirk Mussleman indicated that he has been contacted by a few Scout Leaders in potentially aiding Scouts to attain a Radio Merit Badge. (Note that, subsequent to the meeting, he posted a message in sarc-all regarding this topic)
Meeting Adjourned 8:50 PM
Submitted April 3, 2025
Howard Mitchell KD9WSV, Secretary