Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club Board of Directors Meeting January 4th, 2023

Board of Directors Meeting January 4, 2023

 

Ed Lishka AC9SD 2022 Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 

First Order of Business was to elect our Chairman for 2023.

 

Robert Kocourek W9RKK was selected by Vote of Acclimation.

 

Attendees

 

Robert Kocourek W9RKK John Douglas  KD9KSH John Zietlow K9WIC
Danny Kafka KD9HIL Don Dewar KD9NJR John Schofield AC9JS
Cliff Sowka K9QD Bill Riess KW9WR Ed Lishka AC9SD
Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Scott DeSantis KB9VRW Charlene Treve K9CMZ

 

Secretary’s Report

 

Cliff Sowka K9QD:  Danny Kafka KD9HIL moved to approve the December BOD Minutes as published in the Radio Hill Gazette. Don Dewar KD9NJR seconded. Motion Carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 

Barry Friedman K9FMB (not present) provided the following:

 

SCHAUMBURG AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MONTHLY REPORT

 

Month:                                                                                 January 2023

 

Checkbook Balance 30-Nov                                          $6,756.99

INCOME MEMO                                                                $   211.00

Deposit 14-Dec Dues Scott DeSantis                        $     25.00

Deposit 14-Dec Petty Cash Deposit                          $   136.00

Deposit 19-Dec Dues Deposit by Zietlow                                $     50.00

DISBURSEMENTS MEMO                                               $   102.82

ACH 6-Dec AT&T DSL                                                      $     62.82

Chk 1278 7-Dec John Zietlow                                       $     40.00

Outstanding Debits                                                          $   600.00

ACH 30-Dec Lucky Monk Hors D’oeuvre                  $   300.00

Chk 1277 7-Dec ARRL Insurance Premium              $   300.00

Unposted Deposits                                                          $       0.00

Account Balance                                                               $6,265.17

Computated 31-Dec Bank Statement                       $6,865.17

Note: BMOHarris Statement not avail                      –

 

Checks Outstanding

Adjusted balance                                                             $6,865.17

31-Dec Checkbook balance                                          $6,265.17

Petty Cash 31-Dec                                                            $       0.00

Pay Pal 31-Dec                                                                   $       0.00

+petty cash – special accounts Funds Available     $6,265.17

 

93 paid members

 

Check Register

Date Check Activity Deposit Debit Balance Memo CL

Petty Cash

11/30/2022 Balance                                                        $     116.00

Disbursements                                                                  $     136.00

12/14/2022 Deposit to BMO                                       $     136.00

Receipts $20.00

12/7/2022 Dues Bill Reiss                                             $       20.00

12/31/2022 Total cash balance                                  $         0.00

 

Bill Riess KW9WR moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  John Shofield AC9JS seconded.  Motion Carried.

 

Public Service 

 

Rob Glowacki N9MVO not present.

 

EMCOMM

 

John Zietlow K9WIC no report.

 

Repeaters

 

Rob Glowacki N9MVO, Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ not present.  Dennis C. Calvey discussed action needed regarding our dataline at the Barrington Road repeater site.  Dennis has authorization initiate discussion with Public Works to discuss what may be possible to help us continue connectivity without encountering an anticipated monthly price increase from AT&T.

 

Construction Project (CP)

 

Cliff Sowka K9QD related the 17 Attenuator Kits have arrived and will bring to the January 14th meeting.  The required tape-measure/PVC Yagi accessory parts may also be available if Don Dewar KD9NJR is able to survey kit-builders ahead of time to determine how many need the materials.

 

Additionally, Don suggested purchase of 6-foot BNC jumpers.  That would simply require cutting the jumper in half to make pigtails for the Yagi.

 

VE Testing

 

John Schofield AC9JS reports eight (8) candidates are scheduled for this weekend.   The SARC ‘Trifold’ is a handy marketing tool for our recruitment efforts and needs to be updated.

 

Nets 

 

Don Dewar KD9NJR has stepped forward to Chair our NETS for 2023.

 

Radio Hill Gazette RHG 

 

Mike K9KMV No Report.

 

Membership

 

Scott DeSantis KB9VRW is our Membership Chairman for 2023.

 

Publicity

 

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chairman provides the following:

 

General Class information posted on ARRL website.  As of January 4, 2023, at 2:50 PM, seven seats available.

 

Tennis Plus Antenna Project.  No recent discussion with Schaumburg Park District.  Will reach out again later in January.

 

Tried, unsuccessfully, to contact AT&T regarding data line charges for Small Drive Repeater site.  We believe rates will go up effective this billing cycle.

Permission to set up a meeting with the Village of Schaumburg (Public Works) to discuss what may be possible for a data line to the Small Drive Repeater site.  If yes, who else should be there?

 

Suggest budgeting donations for AR Newsline (played at end of SARC Club Net on Thursdays), and HAMQSL.com (source for solar data displayed on N9RJV.org website)

 

Committee for Winter Field Day?

 

 

Social  

 

No Report.  Award for NET Attendance will be ready for presentation at our Holiday Party later this month.  Consolidation of the weekly NET reports will reveal the winner(s).

 

Education

 

Leo N9NBH not present.

 

Programs 

 

No Report.

 

Old Business

 

Ending our relationship with PayPal necessitates the establishment of a new payment service.

 

Cliff K9QD moved to select Zelle and Danny KD9HIL seconded.  Motion Carried.

 

Treasurer access to our BMO Harris account will need updating and Barry will work with Chris Brewer AC9GN and Don Dewar KD9NJR to schedule the session with BMO Harris after Maxfield’s this Saturday.

 

New Business

 

SARC has scheduled our WINTER FIELD DAY participation to be held at the CRC outdoor shelter for Saturday January 29th.  Operating is planned for a few hours depending on weather.  Don Dewar KD9NJR has notified Winter Field Day Association and will publish rules and details to organize the event.

 

Don Dewar KD9NJR will determine the winner(s) of the 2022 NET Attendance Award and have ready for presentation during our Holiday Party.

 

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK moved to support $25 funding each to two organizations: AR Newsline and HAMQSL.com.  Danny Kafka KD9HIL seconded.  Motion carried.

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK moved to have SARC officially support HR 9670 Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act.  Ed Lishka AC9SD seconded.  Motion adopted.

 

Adjourn 8:31 PM.

 

Submitted Jan 5, 2023.    Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary

 

From the President: Holiday Party

Hello All,

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended our club holiday party last night. I also want to thank John KD9KSH for setting up a great party. John has put in hours of planning, preparation, and probably tears to make his efforts look easy. I assure you this isn’t the case. Making a task look easy is key to having a relaxing, fun event for everyone attending. Thanks again, John!

At the party the club was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for our support of the SATERN program. This is a two-way program as the club also benefits from the SATERN program. SATERN provides trained emergency operators and opportunities for hams to put their skills to good use.

I am honored, humbled, and embarrassed to have received multiple awards last night. Many people enjoy being noticed and appreciated. They use this as motivation and affirmation of their efforts. Of course, I’m not in the majority. I am motivated by the response of the people I’m helping. A smile and a thank you are reward enough for me, but thank you again for last night’s recognition.

Congratulations to all of the raffle winners. You all have very unique gifts that may not be something you need (except the 2019 ARRL Periodical CD). Feel free to trade with other hams for something more suited to your needs. If you enjoyed the prizes let us know; maybe next year we can have some hotel bacon and a furry toilet seat to raffle off!

Most of all I want to thank all of the club members who made the trek to the Lucky Monk to share stories, spread gossip, and just have in-person fun. All of us are the club; there is always room on a plaque or an award for you. Just share an idea, help by volunteering for an event, or plan a party. I found myself looking around the room at various tables and thinking about how this strange group of people from different backgrounds, upbringings, and professions seemed to have one thing in common, they like to talk, with or without radios!

Thank you all for your vote of confidence and I will try not to disappoint you.

73, Don
KD9NJR

New Ham Net Wednesdays

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm – K9IIK Repeater

145.230 MHz, -600 kHz input, PL 107.2 Hz

This net is for new hams to participate in a net setting while working on confidence and getting over mic fright.

If this interests you but you are unable to check in due to problems with your radio, contact Don KD9NJR (club president). We hope to hear from you soon.

Additional information

Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club Board of Directors Meeting February 1st, 2023

Board of Directors Meeting February 1, 2023

 

Robert Kocourek W9RKK Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 

Attendees

 

Robert Kocourek W9RKK John Douglas  KD9KSH Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK
Danny Kafka KD9HIL Don Dewar KD9NJR John Schofield AC9JS
Cliff Sowka K9QD

 

Secretary’s Report

 

Cliff Sowka K9QD:  Dennis C. Calvey moved to approve the January BOD Minutes as published in the Radio Hill Gazette. Robert Kocourek W9RKKR seconded. Motion Carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

No Report

 

 

Public Service 

 

Rob Glowacki N9MVO not present.

 

EMCOMM

 

No report.

 

Repeaters

 

Rob Glowacki N9MVO, Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ not present.

 

Construction Project (CP)

 

Cliff Sowka K9QD said all 17 Attenuator Kits have been delivered and paid-for.  Attendance at the recent meeting was about 50% of normal.  We were successful in bringing a member’s dormant equipment back to life.

 

VE Testing

 

John Schofield AC9JS reports

 

VE Tests Results for January 7, 2023

 

Name Call Class
William KA9DQB General
Kurt KC9IVQ General
Paul KD9FMN General
Tom KD9VNL General
Barry KD9WHM Technician
Andrea KD9 Technician
Jason KD9WHL Technician
Alphonso KD9WHN Technician

 

Class  
Technician 4
General 4
Extra 0
Total 8

 

Some of these licenses were issued as early as Monday, 1-9-23.

 

Participating Volunteer Examiners (VEs):

 

Bill Davies K9WKD
Steve Karson AC9EM
Ed Lishka AC9SD
William Riess KW9WR
John Schofield AC9JS
Will Sperling W9WSS

Next examination date: February 4, 2023 and there are 4 candidates already registered.

 

John Schofield

Session Manager

AC9JS

 

Nets 

 

Don Dewar KD9NJR Chairman reports good attendance continues.

 

Radio Hill Gazette RHG 

 

Mike K9KMV No Report.

 

Membership

 

Publicity

 

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chairman provides the following:

 

New Wednesday evening “Mike Shy Net” publicized on Facebook.  (Thank you John Scrip, N9IJS and Don Dewar, KD9NJR).

 

Amazon is discontinuing the “Amazon Smile” program.  Not a big deal for SARC as we’ve only gotten a handful of dollars from it.

 

Schaumburg Park District employees pulled some of the coax for the roof top antenna at the Tennis Plus Club on Payne Road.  Unfortunately, it looks like they only pulled one run of coax.  Unlikely we’ll be able to proceed until the weather breaks.

 

No progress on the AT&T bill for the DSL line to the Small Road repeater site.  Because I’ve been unable to find the login passcode and challenge question, it looks like I will have to go to an AT&T company store to change the service type and billing information.  Existing rate is still in effect.

 

Roberto Beltramelli WA9E has been active with SARC’s Facebook page, frequently contributing photos of events.  He also has submitted a number of operators to have access to posting on the Facebook page.  As originally configured, only two people have authority to allow new members to post to the page – John Scrip (N9IJS) and myself.  Currently only SARC members are added.  This was done to limit SARC’s exposure to undesirable posts.  We’ve recently received a number of requests (~16), none of whom are SARC members.

 

Social  

 

No Report.

 

John Schofield AC9JS thanked John Douglas KD9KSH for very enjoyable events (Picnic and Holiday Party) he successfully presented to our team.  Maybe John KD9KSH would be able to create an outline of the steps he took to help guide our new Social Chair.  His leadership is very much appreciated.

 

Education

 

Leo N9NBH not present.

 

Programs 

 

No Report.

 

Old Business

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK previously moved to support $25 funding each to two organizations: AR Newsline and HAMQSL.com.  Danny Kafka KD9HIL seconded and the Motion carried.   We’ll need to send funds to these two entities.

 

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK previously moved to have SARC officially support HR 9670 Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act.  Ed Lishka AC9SD seconded and the Motion carried.  An Officer of SARC will need to author communication to Congress indicating our support.

 

Treasurer access to our BMO Harris account has been accomplished with visit to BMO Harris after Maxfield’s last Saturday.

 

Don Dewar KD9NJR noted our Club Roster currently indicates there are several previous memberships that have fallen-out of our database.  An audit will be needed to determine the validity of these deletions.

 

New Business

 

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK has been experimenting with Net Logger.  This is a freeware program currently being used by the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) for logging the National DMR / Fusion net.

 

With a QRZ subscription (Dennis is subscriber) information about a net participant is automatically populated by entering a valid FCC Amateur Radio License number.  The program allows exporting the information from a net session to a text file.  With a little finagling, it can then be imported to an Excel spreadsheet.

 

Once in an Excel spreadsheet, the information can be tabulated a number of ways.  For example, we could total the number of times an operator checks into a net over time.  We could also look for members that haven’t participated in nets.

 

My experience suggests that it’s most efficient if there is a Net Control Operator and a separate Net Logger.

 

Does SARC have interest in adopting Net Logger?  Discussion could be planned for the February Business Meeting.

 

Discussion regarding continuance of ZOOM availability for our Business Meetings.  Equipment and account charge expense was reviewed with no action taken at the moment.

 

Danny KD9HIL will begin planning for Field Day and bring discussion forward during the February Business Meeting.

 

Adjourn 8:14 PM.

 

Submitted Feb 2, 2023.    Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary

Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club Board of Directors Meeting March 1st, 2023

Board of Directors Meeting March 1, 2023

 

Robert Kocourek W9RKK Chairman was eventually able (Quorum needed) to call the meeting to order at 7:14 PM

 

Attendees

 

Robert Kocourek W9RKK Bill Riess KW9WR Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK
Danny Kafka KD9HIL Don Dewar KD9NJR John Zietlow K9WIC
Cliff Sowka K9QD Barry Friedman K9FMB

 

Secretary’s Report

 

Cliff Sowka K9QD:  Dennis C. Calvey moved to approve the February BOD Minutes as sent to the BOD on February 2nd (not yet published in the Radio Hill Gazette).  Some Board Members are not on the SARC-BD reflector (need update) and therefore have to wait for the eventual RHG posting to view the Minutes.  Therefore February BOD Minutes were read into the record tonight to allow all Board Members to discover the record.  Bill Riess KW9WR seconded. Motion Carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 

Chris Brewer AC9GN not present.

 

Public Service 

 

Rob Glowacki N9MVO not present.

 

EMCOMM

 

John Zietlow K9WIC reported he has reached-out to the Schaumburg EMA management team to provide an opportunity for updating SARC’s EMCOMM contribution and current capabilities to the Village.

 

Repeaters

 

Rob Glowacki N9MVO, Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ not present.

 

Construction Project (CP)

 

Cliff Sowka K9QD reported attendance increased for the gathering and several attenuator projects were completed and successfully brought to life.  Lots of solder smoke and copious food offering.

 

VE Testing

 

John Schofield AC9JS not present.

 

Nets 

 

Don Dewar KD9NJR Chairman reports good attendance continues.  The New Ham Net attendance has also increased to nine (9) participants during the recent session.

 

Radio Hill Gazette RHG 

 

Mike K9KMV No Report.

 

Membership

 

Scott DeSantis KB9VRW No report

 

Publicity

 

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chairman provides the following:

 

  • Tennis Plus Antenna Project:  Contacted Fred Gonzini (Manager of Facility Operations Trades, Schaumburg Park District).  He said that the antenna cable was pulled to the roof top and connected to the existing antenna, but didn’t know how. I went through our intended installation ( Two separate coax’s, new VHF/UHF, new HF Long wire antennas) and asked if we could get permission to go on the roof top to  solder on connectors preferred over crimp on for exterior use) and other work.  Fred said that he would check with his supervisor and get back to me.  Haven’t heard back yet.
  • Some traffic on FaceBook web site.
  • No publicity sent out for any Public Service Events or EMCOMM events – waiting for confirmation of times & dates.

 

Social  

 

Need Chairperson.

 

Education

 

Leo N9NBH not present.

 

Programs 

 

Don Dewar KD9NJR received compliments for his February presentation and reported he has several ideas for upcoming events.

 

Old Business

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK previously moved to support $25 funding each to two organizations: AR Newsline and HAMQSL.com.

 

  • Danny Kafka KD9HIL seconded and the Motion carried.
  • We’ll need to send funds to these two entities.

 

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK previously moved to have SARC officially support HR 9670 Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act.  Ed Lishka AC9SD seconded and the Motion carried.

 

  • An Officer of SARC will need to author communication to Congress indicating our support.

 

New Business

 

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK offers the following:

 

  • SARC (to the best of my knowledge) does not have a Public Information Officer (PIO) listed with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).  Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK will be our PIO.
  • No conversations (to the best of my knowledge) with the Village of Schaumburg regarding Public Service events or EMCOMM coordination.
  • Dennis will attend an informal Coffee with Counsel Event to increase SARC’s visibility within the Village’s management teams.

 

Don Dewar KD9NJR offers the following:

 

For several months we have been discussing and avoiding passing a club operating budget. I am unsure why this is a problem. We cannot responsibly spend without direction.

 

  • I have attached* a small spreadsheet of the budget I am proposing for the Board’s review and input.

 

  • I have eliminated the holiday party, construction project and field day line items from the operating budget. Rather than budgeting these items we should review our club membership and the amount of available funds after the operating expenses. We must be responsible to the members by paying the bills. We should put priority on essential expenses then disperse the balance for the other activities.

 

  • The Construction project committee should have access to the funds that are generated directly form the CP team. Hamfest sales, SK auctions, fundraising, and any other form of income besides members’ dues. Supply costs for the members should still be approved by the Board, but not taken from the operating budget.

 

  • I believe that our club has spoken loudly about Zoom coverage of the business meeting and program afterwards. Many of our members have expressed concerns about dropping the Zoom meetings entirely. The attendance on the Zoom portion of our meeting outnumbered the in-person attendees.

 

  • NOTE: Al Salazar KD9FIA has donated an HK notebook to the club for our use.

 

  • As the new President of the club I do not have personal Zoom Pro access so I have to resort to the free version of the program. In my first attempt, the 40-minute time limit confused many of the members who now had to join a second meeting. It was difficult to get everyone into the meeting before it started and was very distracting to me while running a presentation. It also disrupted the others in the remote meeting.

 

  • I have had several offers to purchase the Zoom subscription for our club. I thanked them for the offers, but I can’t with a good conscious accept these offers while we waste the Club’s money on “Hotel Bacon”. Zoom is needed for the club to have productive meetings and should be a budgeted Item. I have reached out to the Zoom administrators, and I am awaiting a decision on the possible discount for nonprofit clubs.

 

  • Danny KD9HIL moved to purchase Zoom account for SARC. Dennis C. Calvey seconded.  Motion Carried.

 

  • The matter of merging two committees into one puzzles me. The Public Service committee and the EmComm Committee are two very different services of the club. Public service is a way for our club to help the community with our presence for communication purposes. EmComm is to help Emergency Agencies by providing trained EmComm operators. The chairmen of these committees need two very different skill sets.  This makes no more sense than combining the repeater committee with the net committee. The net committee has no need to know how the repeater works but only how to utilize it in an orderly fashion, and the repeater committee can tell you how the repeater is programed to operate, but may not be able to keep a net organized.

 

I would propose, among many other changes, that the EmComm committee be added to the bylaws of the club as its own committee. The construction committee should be added as well. The CP is the most utilized program by the club members, and should be recognized by a committee. I believe this change to the bylaws must be voted on by the general membership at a future date, there are several areas in the Clubs constitution and Bylaws that need revisions, and this may be the time to address all the issues.

 

  • The Data line issue has stalled again, due to the password problem. Our member who receives the bill by mail should be able to update the password. We need to complete this deal that Dennis has negotiated with the vendor before the offer expires or is withdrawn.

SARC Constitution Updates Needed:

 

Article II Section 2 Board of Directors – edits proposed.

Article III Section 2 Officers – edits proposed.

Article VII Section 1 TVI-QRM Committee – edits proposed.

Amendment of Article VII required.

 

SARC Bylaws Updates Needed:

 

Section VIII Candidate proposals at Annual Meetings

Section XI Budget Approval

Article VI Membership Book maintained

Article VII Committee Appointments

Article VIII Fiscal Year Change needs update

 

These are just my opinions but, hopefully it will help us to look at the issues and figure out the best method to solve them.  Don KD9NJR

 

Adjourn 8:30 PM.

 

Submitted Mar 2, 2023.    Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary

 

*Proposed Budget