Board of Directors Meeting Dec 1, 2021

Burt Schultz AB9CV Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Attendees:

Secretary’s Report:

Cliff Sowka K9QD:  Danny KD9HIL moved to approve the November BOD Minutes as published in the RHG. Ed AC9SD seconded. So Moved.

Treasurer’s Report:

  John Zietlow K9WIC provides the following report:

Month:                                                 December

Bank Balance     1-Nov                    $7,590.53

INCOME MEMO                                $     11.02

22-Nov Amazon Smile                    $     11.02

DISBURSEMENTS MEMO               $   167.52

11/10    Data Line                             $   167.52

Checks Outstanding                        $       0.00

Deposit not included                      $       0.00

Account Balance                               $7,434.03

30-Nov Bank Statement                $7,434.03

Checks Outstanding

Adjusted balance                             $7,434.03

Checkbook balance                         $7,434.03

Petty Cash                                           $   131.00

Pay Pal                                                  $     23.64

+petty cash – special accounts     $7,588.67

114 members on roster

Public Service: 

Rob Glowacki N9MVO not present.

EMCOMM:

John Zietlow K9WIC reports there is no public activity planned in the near-term.  John will enlist

Robert’s W9RKK assistance in editing the current EMCOMM information on our club’s website.  Once the frequency assignments and labels are updated, he will then request our webmaster Matt AC9IG to change the website’s summary.  John has also been keeping Village Management updated on our Ham Radio Licensing class plans for early 2022 (see also Publicity below).

Repeaters:

Rob Glowacki N9MVO and Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ Repeater Committee not present.

Our planned twisted-pair Data Line switch-over from ATT to DSLextreme has failed.  DSLextreme claims they cannot find our DSL copper pair in the upstream infrastructure because we’re not assigned as an existing phone number.  Since twisted-pair copper will suffer continued decline in the years ahead, it may be prudent to install cable access or install wireless access to the repeater site for a better longevity outlook.  If a coax pipe to the building is an option (Public Works approval) then a path to the site will require somewhat involved construction access.

John K9WIC is organizing an expanded Repeater Committee meeting to include Rob N9MVO, Kent W9KAO, and Terry AE9TJ, and Barry K9FMB to discuss options.

Our club purchased an FTM-300DR machine in the spring.  While configured and operational it is not currently residing at the repeater site but is planned to be moved and physically installed into our equipment cabinet in the pump house.

Construction Project (CP):

VE Testing:

John Shofield AC9JS reports the upcoming Saturday session currently has two candidates.  Legacy walk-ins were allowed to present themselves for testing in the past but the new FCC VE Testing requirements of FRN-Number registration make things a bit more cumbersome.  Candidates will be given instructions ahead of time to help them prepare for VE session admission.

Nets: 

Barry K9FMB Net Chairman not present.

Radio Hill Gazette RHG:

  Mike K9KMV No Report.

.

Membership:

A club member has stepped-forward to inquire about what duties are required to become Membership Chair.  If the activity is something that member can support, we may be able to announce new leadership shortly.

Publicity:

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chair will inform Schaumburg EMCOMM management about the SARC Ham Radio Licensing class offering that begins early January.  Additional thanks to Village Park District Management in helping SARC conduct our meetings without interruption.

Social:

John KD9KSH visited with Lucky Monk’s management in preparing for our annual Holiday Party:

• Sunday January 16^th at 6PM.
• November Business Meeting voted $300 club support for the event.
• The BOD tonight approved $300 for appetizers ($250+$50 tip).
• Attendees will be able to select and individually pay from a limited menu as in past.
• Room occupancy limitation was increased to 40 from the original 35.
• John will publish reservation email to SARC-ALL shortly.

Education:

Leo N9NBH not present.  Leo previously reported that Hoffman Estates Library is confirmed for our Technician Class beginning January 8^th, 2022.  Set for a 10-week Technician course with class held from 10:30AM to 12:30PM.  There are four students signed-up at the moment.

Programs: 

Chair needed.  Nothing planned for the December Business Meeting at the moment.

Old Business:

None.

New Business:

BOD portion of November’s Election Requires Correction:

An Election Error for the 2022 cycle has occurred.  Our Ballot in November requested a vote for TWO Board Members when there is actually a need for only one candidate to serve for the coming year.  Additional error occurred when a mistaken need for THREE candidates was declared.  Good news is our vote tally provides an accurate record of the member’s votes and subsequent candidate selections.

• John Shofield AC9JS received the most BOD votes and will fulfill the required Director role for three years beginning 2022.

Cliff K9QD therefore moved to correct the 2022’s Director Candidate count from three to one.  Danny KD9HIL seconded.  So Moved.

ACTION REQUIRED:  Published Club Officer listing on the website only requires one edit to Board of Directors assignment to reflect the currently expiring term in 2021 to be updated with new entry of John Shofield AC9JS expiring 2024.

Summary of offices to be posted for 2022:

President:                           John Zietlow K9WIC

Vice President:                                  Danny Kafka KD9HIL

Treasurer:                           Barry Friedman K9FMB

Secretary:                            Cliff Sowka K9QD

Board of Directors

John Shofield AC9JS        2024

Kent Ochs W9KAO           2022

John Douglas KD9KSH     2022

Dennis Calvey KD9HIK    2023

Ed Lishka AC9SD               2023

Adjourn: 8:41PM.

Submitted December 2, 2021  Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary

Business Meeting Dec 16, 2021

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

Attendees:

 Secretary’s Report:

Cliff Sowka K9QD:  Leo N9NBH moved to approve the November Minutes as published in the Radio Hill Gazette (RHG).  John Douglas KD9KSH seconded.  So Moved.

Treasurer’s Report:

  John Zietlow K9WIC provides this report:

Petty Cash                                                           $   151.20

Pay Pal (waiting to be transferred)            $     23.64

Account Balance as of November 1^st        $7,590.53

Income                                                                 $     11.02

Amazon Smile

Expenditures                                                     $   167.52

Repeater data line

Account Balance as of December 1st       $7,434.03

Available Funds                                                 $7,588.67

Current membership (Dec 15):                   114

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK moved to Approve, Leo Ribordy N9NBH seconded.  So Moved.

 Public Service:

Rob Glowacki N9MVO mentioned there are no events planned at the moment.

EMCOMM:

John Zietlow K9WIC explained there are no near-term activities.

Repeaters:

John K9WIC previously offered a special thanks to Rob, N9MVO and Kent, W9KAO for giving up their Friday December 10^th to oversee the installation and configuration of a new data service at the VHF repeater site.  The 50 Mbps download/5 Mbps upload capability should keep K9IIK on the air for the foreseeable future.  Monthly $167 data line expense will decrease to ~$65 with the new service.  All features of the repeater appear to be working as of last Friday afternoon.

Our newly purchased FTM-300DR machine will be physically installed into our equipment cabinet at the pump house sometime in January.

Construction Project (CP):

VE Testing:

John Shofield AC9JS reported candidate test results for December, 2021

Participating Volunteer Examiners (VEs):

The exams were given on Saturday, 12/4, and results were posted in the FCC ULS License System
by end of day on Monday, 12/6.

Next examination date: February 5, 2022. The first Saturday of January is New Year’s Day,
so no exams will be given in January.

I would like to thank our entire VE Testing staff for their hard work and dedication:

• Bill D. K9WKD
• Steve K. AC9EM
• Ed L. AC9SD
• John S. AC9JS
• Dirk S. W0RI
• Bill R. KW9WR
• James M. KC9UFB
• Will S. W9WSS
• Neil O. N9NL

John Schofield

Session Manager

AC9JS

Nets: 

Barry K9FMB Net Chairman reported he’s still working to establish a consistent team of Net Controllers for the first Tuesday (Tech Net) of a month.

Radio Hill Gazette RHG:

  Mike K9KMV No Report.

Recurring Calendar:

Programs and Articles for RHG needed.

Membership:

We’re looking for someone to Chair this important role.

Publicity:

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chair has submitted our Tech Class plans to the Daily Herald.

Social:

John KD9KSH has arranged our event with Lucky Monk on Barrington Road:

• Sunday January 16^th at 6PM.
• SARC will provide $300* club-paid appetizers this year.
• Attendees will be able to select and individually pay from a limited menu as in past.
• John published request for member reservations; 23 confirmed at the moment.
• Room occupancy is limited to 40.

Education:

Leo N9NBH informs the Hoffman Estates Library branch has published his 10-week Technician course to begin January 8^th, 2022.  Class will be from 10:30AM to 12:30PM.  The Library allows capacity of 16 attendees with 5 seats reserved at the moment.

Discussed potential General course offering in the fall of 2022.

Programs: 

John Zietlow K9WIC presented VSWR theory with associated instrumentation tonight. We’re in need of a Program Chair.

Old Business:

None.

New Business: 

John Zietlow K9WIC moved we alter our January schedule:

• Maxfield’s Breakfast January 8^th
• Construction Project (CP) January 15^th and January 29^th
• SARC participation w/Winter Field Day January 29^th @ 1PM following CP
• Dennis KD9HIK and Rob N9MVO will be Winter Field Day Chairs

Danny KD9HIL seconded.  So Moved.

Adjourn:

7:52PM.

Submitted December 17, 2021.  Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary

Board of Directors Meeting Jan 5, 2022

John Zietlow K9WIC President called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Attendees

Board of Directors selects Ed Lishka AC9SD Chairman.

John Douglas KD9KSH moved to empower club officers’ voting rights.  John Shofield AC9JS Seconded.  So Moved.

Secretary’s Report

Cliff Sowka K9QD:  John Douglas KD9KSH moved to approve the December BOD Minutes as published in the RHG.  John Shofield AC9JS seconded. So Moved.

Treasurer’s Report:

  Barry Friedman K9FMB provides the following report:

Month:                                                 January

Bank Balance     1-Dec                    $7,434.03

INCOME                                               $            0

22-Nov Amazon Smile                    $     11.02

DISBURSEMENTS 12/16                $   167.52

12/06    Data Line                             $   161.82

Checks Outstanding                        $            0

Liability Insurance                            $   300.00

Statement                                          $6,804.69

Account Balance                               $6,804.69

Petty Cash                                           $   131.00

Pay Pal                                                  $     23.64

Funds Available                                $6,959.33

114 members on roster

John Zietlow K9WIC moved to authorize Barry Friedman K9FMB to perform an audit.  John Shofield AC9JS Seconded.  So Moved.

Public Service

  Rob Glowacki N9MVO not present.

EMCOMM

John Zietlow K9WIC reports there is no public activity planned in the near-term.

Repeaters

Rob Glowacki N9MVO and Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ Repeater Committee not present.

AT&T DSL was been replaced with AT&T Uverse on December 10th.  We now expect an on-going data line fee of ~$62 now that the initial installation fee has been paid.

Our club purchased an FTM-300DR machine in the spring.  While configured and operational it is not currently residing at the repeater site but is planned to be moved and physically installed into our equipment cabinet in the pump house.

Repeater Committee will need to investigate the antenna(?) shortcomings at our Small Drive site.   Also, memory cards reliant on NAND FLASH have a known wear mechanism that requires refreshing of the current files to prevent possible system failure.   We previously authorized purchase of hardware but memory refresh isn’t accomplished at the moment.   Basic Documentation is an additional item requiring attention since our technical operational resources are kind-of limited to only a few people.

Construction Project (CP)

Board of Directors placed the current $300 consumables purchase authorization on hold.  Danny Kafka KD9HIL moved to suspend the previously approved purchase budget until a new study can be defined by Committee.  Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Seconded.  So Moved.

VE Testing

John Shofield AC9JS reports no testing session for January was conducted.  Testing is expected to resume February 5th.  Legacy walk-ins were allowed to present themselves for testing in the past but the new FCC VE Testing requirements of FRN-Number registration make things a bit more cumbersome.  Candidates will be given instructions ahead of time to help them prepare for VE session admission.

Nets 

Barry Friedman K9FMB reported our calendar of events suffered a Control Operator assignment hiccup last week.  Fortunately Don Dewar KD9NJR was able to host the Net after a short delay.

Radio Hill Gazette RHG

  Mike K9KMV No Report.

Membership

A club member has stepped-forward to inquire about what duties are required to become Membership Chair.  If the activity is something that member can support, we may be able to announce new leadership shortly.

Publicity

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chair reports:

Schaumburg Township District Library has temporarily canceled any in person events.

The instructors have elected to not pursue Zoom classes at this time.    Please ask that N9RJV website be updated.  I will try to cancel the event on the Daily Herald.

No mention of Winter Field Day on N9RJV.org website “Events” or landing page.  It is noted on the calendar website.  Suggested text:

• “The Winter Field Day (WFD) will be on Saturday January 29th, 2022, with setup commencing at about 11:00 AM, on the air operation starting at 1:00 PM and continuing until late afternoon. WFD is set up under the pavilions adjacent to the Bocce Ball Courts near the northwest corner of the CRC.  SARC will cancel if weather conditions are too extreme”
• Current Meeting Status for Schaumburg Park District meetings at the Community Recreation Center (CRC) :

1) At this time proof of vaccination will not be required for attending meetings at the CRC.

2) Mask mandate is still in effect.

3) The North entrance to the CRC should be unlocked.

4) No food or refreshments are to be served (BYO drink ok)

Social

John Douglas KD9KSH informed the current COVID uncertainty has thwarted reservation activity for our annual Holiday Party.  Current count is only ~50% of capacity.   Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK moved to postpone the event and reschedule when more appropriate conditions prevail.  John Shofield AC9JS Seconded.  So Moved.

This means a January Business Meeting will be held at the CRC instead of a Holiday Party for 2022.

Education

Leo N9NBH not present.  Due to current Hoffman Estates Library closure our Technician Class has been canceled.  Our website has been updated with this change.  Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK is attempting to inform Daily Herald of this change.

Programs 

Chair needed.  John Zietlow K9WIC will present his Committee Organizational proposal at the January Business Meeting.

Old Business

None.

New Business

Barry Friedman K9FMB presented Don Dewar’s KD9NJR suggested QSL card to be mailed to non-member NET attendees.  Don’s example was presented to the Board.   Tabled so that the proposal with necessary hosting/printing/postage could be considered at the next Business Meeting.

John Zietlow K9WIC plans to implement a change for Business Meetings.

• Limit Business Meeting Introductions to Name/Call/New Attendee.
• No longer include a question of the night in order conserve time needed for presentations.
• Social interaction, group participation can occur during the 10-minute break.

Adjourn

8:44PM.

Submitted January 6, 2022  Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary