Business Meeting May 18, 2023

Don Dewar KD9NJR President called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Attendees:

ZOOM Attendees:

Secretary’s Report:

Cliff Sowka K9QD:  April Business Meeting Minutes as published in the Radio Hill Gazette (RHG).  Robert Kocourek W9RKK moved to approve, Ed Lishka AC9SD seconded.  Motion Adopted.

Treasurer’s Report: 

Chris Brewer AC9GN reported current finances.

• Zelle facility is operational.
• Payments are to be addressed: TREASURER@N9RJV.ORG.

Month:                                                                 April 2023

Checkbook Balance 03/31/23                      $6,179.60

INCOME MEMO                                                $   410.00

04/06/23 Zelle                                                   $    35.00

04/07/23 Collected dues                               $  245.00

04/07/23 From petty cash                            $    20.00

04/14/23 Collected dues                               $    20.00

04/17/23 Collected dues                               $    25.00

04/21/23 Collected dues                               $    65.00

DISBURSEMENTS MEMO                               $   126.61

ACH 04/10/23 AT&T DSL                               $     62.82

Check 04/26/23) replacement stamps     $     63.79

04/31/23 Account Balance                           $6,462.99

04/31/23 Bank Statement                            $6,462.99

Checks Outstanding                                        $       0.00

Adjusted balance                                             $6,462.99

Checkbook balance 04/31/23                      $6,462.99

Petty cash 04/31/23                                        $    110.00

Funds Available                                                $6,572.99

108 members on roster

Darryl Jenks KB9RHR moved to approve and Leo Ribordy N9NBH seconded.  Motion Adopted.

Public Service

Rob Glowacki N9MVO Chair reported our successful support of the MS Walk.  Ed Lishka AC9SD thanked Rob for his excellent handling of Net Control and the overall organizational outcome.  Ten (10) SARC members participated in the event:

Ed                           AC9SD
Darryl                    KB9RHR
Dennis                  KD9HIK
John                       KD9KSH
Howard                KD9WSV
Bob                        N9JAX
Rob                        N9MVO
Scott                      N9SLA
Bill                          W9WEM
Doug                     W9YFC

Rob explained the club already has 9 Safety Vests available to loan-out during the July 1^st Hoffman Estates July 4^th parade.  Danny Meyers K9LDM displayed examples of Safety Vests he found on Amazon with cost ranging from $10 to $12.

EMCOMM:

John Zietlow K9WIC Chairman reported:

This Saturday, May 20^th is EmComm Saturday at the Hoffman Estates PD.   Due to the conflict with the Dayton (Xenia) Hamvention,  I am cancelling the event.

Next Month’s meeting on June 17^thshould include a roundtable discussion by other EmComm coordinators.

June 5-6 will be a State-wide exercise.  The scenario will be a downstate earthquake.  We anticipate the MABAS resources in Wheeling will receive requests from downstate or Springfield via HF radio.  The current focus is on the hours of 0900-1100 both days. Last time, the hams were available the entire 48 hours with virtually no action.  This time we will generate our own action if necessary.

There will be more to follow when I know more.

We will be trying to install a temporary HF antenna at the HE PD to support this exercise.  I may be making an urgent request for volunteers next week.

73,

John K9WIC

Repeaters:

Rob N9MVO benched our 440 Machine’s Duplexer for alignment.  When later installed at the site, he found exciter power of 5W was something less than advertised.  When set to 20W, the linear performed something more than 60W.  System operational.

Construction Project (CP): 

Cliff Sowka K9QD CP Chair reported we’re on summer hiatus with CP’s planned return the last Saturday of September.

VE Testing:

John Schofield AC9JS VE Session Manager reports VE Tests Results for May 6, 2023

Participating Volunteer Examiners (VEs):

All of the license upgrades were in the FCC ULS System by Monday, May 8.  Most of the new licenses were in the FCC ULS System by Tuesday, May 9.

Next examination date: June 3, 2023

Don’t forget, the General exam will be changing effective July 1.

John explained FCC License Renewal is now rather cumbersome.  It may be possible to post the three Renewal Steps required by the FCC System on our club’s Website to help simplify and understand the process.

Nets:

Don Dewar KD9NJR reports our Nets are well attended.  We need members to volunteer for Net Control operation.  Tech Net is easy since there is neither a formal script nor Newsline to manage.

Radio Hill Gazette RHG:

Mike K9KMV No Report.

Special Events:

No Report

Membership:

Scott DeSantis KB9VRW Chairman is currently in Xenia this week and has already canvassed several Amateur Radio vendors to obtain marketing trinkets for our recruitment efforts.

Publicity: 

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK reports our Field Day participation is posted @ ARRL.

Social: 

We need Chair

Surely our planned Picnic this summer is one important event needing Leadership.   John Douglas KD9KSH has organized several successful events during his tenure and this new opportunity will be a wonderful challenge for a new leader.  If we repeat John’s successful Picnic @ Bartlett last year, it’s imperative that planning begins shortly.

Education:

Leo Ribordy N9NBH will schedule a Technician Course for the fall.  He will need ~8 instructors to present and our submission to the Library needs to be ready soon to meet their fall publication.

Programs: 

Don Dewar KD9NJR:  Our June Business Meeting will focus on final Field Day planning.

Old Business:

Previous Tower / antenna offered for the effort of dismantling has apparently died due to lack of interest.

New Business: 

Our website’s Calendar has an apparent posting error for SARC-in-the-Park; there is uncertainty if the event is held on Second and Fourth Saturdays of a month.  The Calendar requires editing and will be discussed during the June Board of Director’s meeting.

Leo Ribordy N9NBH moved to Adjourn and Robert Kocourek W9RKKseconded.

Adjourn 8:15PM

Field Day:

Called to Order 8:17PM

Danny KD9HIL FD Chair updated status for June 23^rd, 24th and 25^th.

List of the things we have in place.  Also some things missing: tower climbers for one.

There are two categories of messaging bonus points we have missed.  We can discuss all this in detail at Thursday’s meeting.

• Field Day placed on SARC calendar: 4-20-23:      (for June 24-25)
• Insurance documents received from Treasurer (Chris AC9GN) 4-11
• Site application submitted 4-13
• Received permit (water tower): 5-9

PUBLICITY Dennis KD9HIK

TAKE INVENTORY of supplies and equipment at site.

Do we need to do it this year?

STATION RESERVATION SCHEDULES  request made on 5-9. 

          Expected around Memorial Day

STATIONS / TENT CAPTAINS

CW Bob: W9DXR

Single Side Band: Daryl KB9RHR

VHF/UHF: Scott KB9VRW

GOTA: Don  KD9NJR

GENERATORS will be supplied by

Rob N9MVO  and

Daryl KB9RHR

PALLETS under generators:  1st  2nd

FURNITURE TRANSPORT

(tables and chairs from/to Tennis Club)

Leo N9NBH and Pat KD9PWI with a few others to help load

TOWER CLIMBERS

Setup (Friday)

Da Teng K9CDT, from Chicago Mountaineering Club

Tear Down

Prospective (work schedule permitting):

Keith KJ4ADV

Taras (will be on call, will come if not called in – climbed last year on Sunday)

SAFETY OFFICER

Dennis KD9HIK

FOOD / MEALS

FRIDAY setup   will have water/snacks available.

SATURDAY

Hotdogs

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK and Paul Burkett KD9FMN will provide grills

SUNDAY breakfast coordinator:

Cliff K9QD:  If only 5 or so plan to attend, will simply get McMuffins at McD’s (24-hour)

ICE / ICE CHESTS / WATER

FRIDAY, ESPECIALLY FOR TOWER CLIMBERS

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

OTHER DRINKS / SNACKS

everybody, each day

PUBLIC INFORMATION TABLE

Bob Zuttermeister W9GEW will host the welcome table

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY

Scott DeSantis KB9VRW will present Radiogram, WINLINK, ICS 213 procedure.

MESSAGE ORIGINATION to ARRL Section Manager

standard ARRL radiogram  (this is 100 bonus points)

MESSAGE HANDLING

(another 100 bonus points in total)

W1AW BULLETIN

TEARDOWN / CLEANUP

vacuum cleaner

cleaning supplies

REVIEW SITE AND LOCK

SUBMIT FD RESULTS TO ARRL

NOTES FOR NEXT YEAR

suggestions, items to restock

Adjourn:  8:40PM

Submitted May 22, 2023

Cliff Sowka  K9QD Secretary

Board of Directors Meeting June 7, 2023

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

Attendees

Secretary’s Report

Cliff Sowka K9QD:  May BOD Minutes were read into the record because they hadn’t been posted to our website for openly accessible review.  Ed Lishka AC9SD moved to approve the May BOD Minutes, Danny Kafka KD9HIL seconded. Motion Carried.

Treasurer’s Report:

Chris Brewer AC9GN unable to attend in person but provided the following report:

Month: May 2023

Checkbook Balance 04/31/23                                      $6,462.99

INCOME MEMO                                                                $   144.36

05/01/23 Collected dues                                              $     25.00

05/04/23 Amazon Smile                                                $       5.28

05/05/23 Collected dues                                               $     50.00

05/08/23 Zelle dues                                                        $     30.00

05/22/23 Amazon Smile                                                $     14.08

05/26/23 Zelle dues                                                        $     20.00

DISBURSEMENTS MEMO                                               $   199.13

ACH 05/09/23 AT&T DSL                                               $     62.82

Check 05/22/23 Zoom hardware                               $   136.31

05/31/23 Account Balance                                           $6,408.22

05/31/23 Bank Statement                                            $6,408.22

Checks Outstanding                                                        $       0.00

Adjusted balance                                                             $6,408.22

Checkbook balance 05/31/23                                      $6,408.22

Petty cash 05/31/23                                                        $   110.00

Funds Available                                                                $6,518.22

110 members on roster

Public Service 

Rob Glowacki N9MVO not present.

EMCOMM

John Zietlow K9WIC not present.

Repeaters

Rob Glowacki N9MVO, Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ not present.

Construction Project (CP)

Cliff Sowka K9QD reports CP remains on summer hiatus.  Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK has been able to enlist SPD’s completion of our roof-top antenna farm.  There remains only one issue that we’re aware of at the moment:  there is one roof-top PL259 connector that doesn’t want to seat correctly.  It’s possible the shell is deformed or maybe there is a solder whisker holding the outside collar back.  The fix may be easy.

Since our reel of LMR400 was cut before the second pull up to the roof was completed, the remaining spoil isn’t long enough to route a continuous second conductor from the lightning suppressors to our work area.

Cliff K9QD moved to appropriate $150 budget headroom for possible ~50ft LMR400 purchase at Sunday’s Hamfest and also buy two bulkhead-mount barrels for the termination on the I-BEAM connector panel in the work area as Rob Glowacki N9MVO suggests.  Bill Reiss KW9WR seconded.  Motion adopted.

VE Testing

John Schofield AC9JS provided the following report: June 3, 2023

Participating Volunteer Examiners (VEs):

For the people that were upgrading their license, the new information was in the FCC ULS system by Monday, June 5, evening.

For some people that were having a license issued for the first time, the information was in the FCC ULS system by Tuesday, June 6, morning.

The remainder of the people, getting a license for the first time, were in the FCC ULS system by Tuesday, June 7, morning.

The question pool for the General exam will be changing on July 1, 2023.

John noted that many candidates discovered our VE Session Offerings via our website as well as ARRL post.

Next examination date: July 1, 2023

John Schofield

Session Manager

AC9JS

Nets 

Don Dewar KD9NJR Chairman reports strong attendance continues and surely wishes more members would step forward to host our Nets:  please let Don know if you’re willing to take a session.

Radio Hill Gazette RHG 

Mike K9KMV No Report.

Membership

Scott DeSantis KB9VRW Membership Committee Chairman not present.

Publicity

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chairman reported our Field Day plans are posted on ARRL’s website and we may be able to gain publication exposure with the Daily Herald.

Social  

Need Chairperson.  Maybe we can save the $300 Cabin Rental (cost last year) by possible use of Medinah’s facility for our SARC Picnic this summer.

Education

Leo N9NBH not present.  There is newly-scheduled construction at the Hassel Road Library facility and therefore our planned Fall Sessions will not be held this year.

Programs 

Don Dewar KD9NJR is working on an historical SARC Club formation presentation at a future Business Meeting and we will plan the June Business Meeting agenda to concentrate on Field Day planning.

Old Business

None

New Business

Jim Campbell KB9RGU has become our Fox Hunt Chairman.  There will be a Fox Hunt demonstration during SARC-in-the-Park this coming Saturday.

Don Dewar KD9NJR discussed the possible use of QR Code on the back of our name badges:  could provide a discrete approach to an alternate Red Envelope medical alert.

Field Day Planning

Danny Kafka KD9HIL has submitted our FD Permit Application to the Park District.  It’s possible we have at least one Tower Climber available unless the person is called away on business travel.  Danny reports:

So far I have no commitments for:

TOWER CLIMBERS:  for our antenna setup. I know we do have some younger, fitter members in our group, especially some new members. Please volunteer for this essential job.

To quote one of last year’s climbers: “Honestly it’s a super easy climb as it’s on a ladder designed for humans… you just need someone with no fear of heights.”

Meals:

Food for FRIDAY set up if we’re going to have something other than snack items.

SATURDAY Dinner:

A small committee to plan a Saturday meal if we are going to have one.

We have not yet discussed message handling.

Progress to date:

Application for site has been APPROVED

Tent Captains: 

CW:                        Bob W9DXR

SSB:                       Daryl KB9RHR

VHF/UHF:            Scott KB9VRW

GOTA:                   Don KD9NJR

 Generators will be supplied by:

Rob N9MVO and Daryl KB9RHR

Safety officer: Dennis KD9HIK

Furniture transport by

Leo N9NBH and Pat KD9PWI

With a few others to help load

Sunday breakfast: 

Cliff K9QD reports Frank Giampa N9QPD Memorial Buttermilk Pancakes will be on the menu.  Service begins at the crack of dawn and over 7:00AM.  7:01AM is too late cuz he must leave FD ~7:30AM Sunday morning.

HEADCOUNT:  Danny will be sending a SARC-All survey to ascertain headcounts to help us plan the two organized food offerings.

TriFold for our welcome table needs updating.

Education event during Field Day:  Cliff can’t remember who, but someone had a great idea for this effort and volunteered to present as well.  Hopefully his memory will return soon.

Adjourn 8:05 PM.

Submitted June 8, 2023.    Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary

Business Meeting June 15, 2023

Don Dewar KD9NJR President called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.

Attendees:

ZOOM Attendees:

Don Dewar KD9NJR requested we truncate tonight’s meeting to allow extended Field Day discussion.  Leo Ribordy N9NBH moved and Robert Kocourek W9RKK seconded.  Motion Adopted.

Additionally, Don declared SARC will honor Burt Schultz AB9CV Silent Key during our Field Day event.

Secretary’s Report:

Cliff Sowka K9QD:  April Business Meeting Minutes as published in the Radio Hill Gazette (RHG).  Darryl Jenks KB9RHR moved to approve, Danny Kafka KD9HIL seconded.  Motion Adopted.

Treasurer’s Report: 

Chris Brewer AC9GN reported current finances.

Month: May 2023

Checkbook Balance 04/31/23                                      $6,462.99

INCOME MEMO                                                                $   144.36

05/01/23 Collected dues                                              $     25.00

05/04/23 Amazon Smile                                                $       5.28

05/05/23 Collected dues                                               $     50.00

05/08/23 Zelle dues                                                        $     30.00

05/22/23 Amazon Smile                                                $     14.08

05/26/23 Zelle dues                                                        $     20.00

DISBURSEMENTS MEMO                                               $   199.13

ACH 05/09/23 AT&T DSL                                               $     62.82

Check 05/22/23 Zoom hardware                               $   136.31

05/31/23 Account Balance                                           $6,408.22

05/31/23 Bank Statement                                            $6,408.22

Checks Outstanding                                                        $       0.00

Adjusted balance                                                             $6,408.22

Checkbook balance 05/31/23                                      $6,408.22

Petty cash 05/31/23                                                        $   110.00

Funds Available                                                                $6,518.22

110 members on roster

Darryl Jenks KB9RHR moved to approve and Robert Kocourek W9RKK seconded.  Motion Adopted.

Public Service

Rob Glowacki N9MVO: truncated for Field Day

EMCOMM:

John Zietlow K9WIC: truncated for Field Day

Repeaters:

Rob N9MVO and Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ: truncated for Field Day

Construction Project (CP): 

Cliff Sowka K9QD: truncated for Field Day

VE Testing:

John Schofield AC9JS: truncated for Field Day

Nets:

Don Dewar KD9NJR: truncated for Field Day

Radio Hill Gazette RHG:  

Mike K9KMV: truncated for Field Day

Special Events:

No Report

Membership:

Scott DeSantis KB9VRW: truncated for Field Day

Publicity: 

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK: truncated for Field Day

Social:

  We need Chair

Education:

Leo Ribordy N9NBH: truncated for Field Day

Programs: 

Don Dewar KD9NJR:  truncated for Field Day

Old Business:

truncated for Field Day

New Business:

  truncated for Field Day

Field Day:

Danny KD9HIL FD Chair updated status for June 23^rd, 24th and 25^th.

List of the things we have in place.  Also some things missing: tower climbers for one.

There are two categories of messaging bonus points we have missed.  We can discuss all this in detail at Thursday’s meeting.

• Field Day placed on SARC calendar: 4-20-23:      (for June 24-25)
• Insurance documents received from Treasurer (Chris AC9GN) 4-11
• Site application submitted 4-13
• Received permit (water tower): 5-9

PUBLICITY Dennis KD9HIK has our event posted to ARRL

TAKE INVENTORY of supplies and equipment at site.

STATION RESERVATION SCHEDULES

STATIONS / TENT CAPTAINS

CW Bob: W9DXR

Single Side Band: Daryl KB9RHR

VHF/UHF: Scott KB9VRW

GOTA: Don  KD9NJR doesn’t use club call; Control Operator’s call.

GENERATORS will be supplied by

Rob N9MVO  and

Daryl KB9RHR

PALLETS under generators:  1st  2nd

FURNITURE TRANSPORT

(tables and chairs from/to Tennis Club)

Leo N9NBH and Pat KD9PWI with a few others to help load

TOWER CLIMBERS

Setup (Friday) will be 4:00PM Gates Open

Rick KY0Q and Paul KD9FMN w/ Da Teng K9CDT, from Chicago Mountaineering Club

Tear Down

Prospective (work schedule permitting):

Keith KJ4ADV

Taras (will be on call, will come if not called in – climbed last year on Sunday)

SAFETY OFFICER

Dennis KD9HIK

FOOD / MEALS:  Team votes for Italian Beef (30) Saturday and McD’s (8) Sunday morning.  Saturday set for 5PM and Sunday set for 5AM.

FRIDAY setup will have water/snacks available.  Cliff K9QD bring coffee pot for all three days.

SATURDAY

Prepared Beef same as during Bartlett Cottage

SUNDAY breakfast coordinator:

Cliff K9QD:  only8:  simply get McMuffins at McD’s (24-hour)

ICE / ICE CHESTS / WATER

FRIDAY, ESPECIALLY FOR TOWER CLIMBERS

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

OTHER DRINKS / SNACKS

everybody, each day

PUBLIC INFORMATION TABLE

Bob Zuttermeister W9GEW will host the welcome table.  Special recognition at Check-In and Bob will bring his engraver.

Net Check-In awards

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY

Scott DeSantis KB9VRW will present Radiogram, WINLINK, ICS 213 procedure.

MESSAGE ORIGINATION to ARRL Section Manager

standard ARRL radiogram  (this is 100 bonus points)

Logging N3 software

MESSAGE HANDLING

(another 100 bonus points in total)

W1AW BULLETIN

TEARDOWN / CLEANUP

vacuum cleaner

cleaning supplies

REVIEW SITE AND LOCK

SUBMIT FD RESULTS TO ARRL

NOTES FOR NEXT YEAR

suggestions, items to restock

Adjourn:

8:27PM

Submitted June 16, 2023

Cliff Sowka  K9QD Secretary