Virtual Meeting

Community Recreation Center Remains Closed

May 20, 2021

Geoff Stevens KA9QGH President called the virtual meeting to order at 7:00 PM

Attendees:

Secretary’s Report:

Cliff Sowka K9QD informed April’s Minutes were not recorded during his absence as no scribe was appointed as informed in the April Edition of the Radio Hill Gazette (RHG).

Treasurer’s Report:

John Zietlow K9WIC provided the following report

Public Service:

Rob Glowacki N9MVO nothing to report other than this weekend’s EMCOMM event in support of the ChicagoLand Marathon.

EMCOMM:

John Zietlow K9WIC updated plans for the ChicagoLand Marathon that will be held May 23^rd in Busse Woods.  SARC Radio Volunteer assignments will be changing somewhat because the event organizers have made several course changes due to the Golf Road construction.  Arrival time of 5:30AM remains the appropriate plan as previous road closures for the event appear to remain intact.  Bill Clark will return this year for temporary assignment.

John will host a ZOOM update 7:30PM Friday May 21 to review the changes and new assignments.

Repeaters:

Rob N9MVO nothing to update.

Construction Project:

Don’s KD9NJR organization of Saturday morning CP meetings will be on hiatus until the fall sessions resume.  Possibility of CP continuance through the summer months isn’t currently supported according to a cursory survey at the most recent Maxfield’s (20 attendees) breakfast.  Adjustment/Repair of the Fusion machine at Plum Grove may require our use of the basement for access to various test equipment that may be needed but the facility will not be utilized for CP until the fall.

Any left-over remnants of the recent Surplus Equipment Sale that currently remain on the tables will be placed on the floor over in a corner so that we’ll be able to move needed furnishings to the Field Day event next month.  We’re hopeful the Park District doesn’t deem the equipment as trash and dispose before members can take their equipment home.

VE Exams

No exams were held in May

Radio Hill Gazette  RHG

Mike Griffiths K9KMV no report.

Membership:

Darryl KD9RHR requires some HT Programming assistance for new member Michael Musica <call> with activating his new radio.  The owner’s manual isn’t very helpful.  Michael will send a broadcast over SARC-ALL to find someone with expertise to get the rig programmed.

Social:

John Douglas KD9KSH no report

Education:

Leo N9NBH reports our training schedule will be on hiatus for the duration since his recent inquiries to the Library are going unanswered at the moment.

NETS:

Steve Karson AC9EM reports our Nets are active and well attended.  Leo N9NBH has been hosting for years and would like to have more members willing to join the team to host Nets at times he is unable to be present.  A basic script is available on the N9RJV.ORG website.

Publicity:

Dennis KD9HIK has been periodically checking for re-opening of the CRC.  The club’s Liability Insurance coverage might be requested once things open again:  Dennis will receive a copy of our general policy so that any clerical requests arising at the CRC can be handled easily.

Resumption of SARC-in-the-PARK events on the front lawn of the CRC are likely to require permission but it appears there is no ‘approving’ staff available at the moment.  Moving the events to Busse Woods may be possible but Forest Rangers have confronted us in the past requiring presentation of permits and otherwise objecting to our antennas causing possibly unsafe conditions.

The Village shot a video of SARC radio activities that was planned for broadcast on the local cable a few years ago.  Recent Village funding shortfall has curtailed those plans and the video captured may never be presented.

Prrogams:

No report.  Need Chairperson

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Danny Kafka KD9HIL has FIELD DAY planning underway.

RECEIVED:  Village Ok’d Danny’s Permit for the Plum Grove Water Tower June 25 26 27

1. Friday June 25^th Antenna Set-up and Tower Climb 4PM (need membership head-count)

• Friday night: Motion approved provides up to $300 for Lou Malnatis ~ 6PM

2. Saturday June 26^th Open 8AM. Danny working to obtain commitments for grill(s) tents, generator, Truck/Suburban to move tables and chairs from the Tennis Club basement
3. Saturday Night Dinner: Have budgeted ~$500 in addition to the $300 Friday Pizza meaning we can have decent groceries this year (need head-count and desired menu).
4. Sunday morning breakfast: only 5 members indicated they will be present.  This means we’re not likely to have Frank Giampa’s N9QPD Memorial Buttermilk Pancakes nor Charles Fregeau’s N5HSR Memorial Hotel Bacon, Saauuuusage, and even have to forego fresh orange juice.  Probably just going to order a few Egg-Muffins and be done with it unless head-count increases.
5. Sunday tear-down: Need Truck/Suburban once again to take furniture back to CP basement.

Cliff K9QD moved for additional funding of (up to) $300 budget for Friday night set-up.  Seconded by Danny.  So Moved.

Ask an Elmer

None, except the HT programming assistance for new member Michael Musica <call>.

Motion to Adjourn:

Meeting ended 8:23 PM

Cliff Sowka K9QD Secretary

Board of Directors Meeting May 5, 2021

With the help of Geoff KA9QGH’s ZOOM-enabled call combined with Russell Schmidt KC9NUV’s diligent note taking during Cliff K9QD’s unplanned absence, Burt Schultz AB9CV called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.

Attendees:

Secretary’s Report:

Cliff Sowka K9QD: not present.

Treasurer’s Report:

John Zietlow K9WIC provides the following report for May 1, 2021:

Bank Balance 1-Apr             $6,519.44

INCOME

26-Apr                                   $1,101.00

DISBURSEMENTS        $62.82

Available Funds                    $7,482.62

Petty Cash                                $169.20

114 members on roster

Ed Lishka AC9SD motioned for approval and Danny Kafka KD9HIL seconded.  So moved.

Public Service:

Rob Glowacki N9MVO no report.

EMCOMM:

John Zietlow K9WIC reported there was a Simulated Test last Saturday, not sure who participated.

Danny KD9HIL attempted to participate and we believe Darrell KB9RHR may have attended as well.

Reminder about upcoming EMCOMM event:

• ChicagoLand Marathon May 23^rd. John has confirmed the trusted (Village security badge) radio operators for the Village of Schaumburg are available to support the event.  He will be recruiting up to ~24 or more ham operators to staff the venue.

Repeaters:

Terry Jarnholm AE9TJ and Rob Glowacki N9MVO of SARC’s Repeater Committee continue to maintain and upgrade our machines.

Leo N9NBH previously provided a brief report to SARC-ALL regarding Fusion diagnostic work at the Plum Grove tower:

“Thank you to the hams that helped work on the Fusion repeater this morning.  Rob-Roberto-Barry-Cliff-Danielle-Charlene. The issues that we were seeing with the repeater have been solved.  It turns out that the Fusion is working properly.  The power amp was what was causing the issues with the repeater.  How we left the repeater is the power amp is by-passed and we set the power out of the repeater at 20 Watts.  The repeater is on auto so you can use either analog or digital mode”.

Construction Project:

VE Testing:

Ed Lishka AC9SD informed the VE Team received no candidate requests this month.

Participating Volunteer Examiners (VEs):

Nets:

No report.

Radio Hill Gazette RHG:

Mike K9KMV No Report.

Recurring Calendar:

None.

Field Day:

Danny KD9HIL reviewed details such as who has Keys (Rob and Kent).  Need climbers for water tank.  Geoff KA9QGH and Russ KC9NUV are willing to climb.

Insurance is ready. Permit is applied-for but not approved yet.

Rob N9MVO and Bob Zuttermeister W9GEW have tents, Dirk 1 and Kevin have generators. Need table and chairs from Tennis club basement so we’ll need a club member with a pick up.

Radios: Bob Zuttermeister W9GEW; need someone for SSB tent, Dirk 1 and Bob McIntire W9DXR will handle CW tent.  John Douglas KD9KSH will coordinate the food and Cliff will help with breakfast. We need to wear masks when in tents with groups.

Do we want to invite outsiders?  John K9WIC said the Village will usually decide our permit application within 45 days.  John also has the name of Bill Clark’s replacement and the club will invite this person.

Membership:

Darryl Jenks’ KB9RHR efforts are well appreciated and the Board thanks him for doing a good job.

Publicity:

Dennis C. Calvey KD9HIK Publicity Chair has left a message for CRC room availability and waiting on use of the Bocci Ball court.

Social:

John KD9KSH.  No Report.

Education:

Leo N9NBH.  No Report.

Programs:

 No Report. Chairperson needed eventually

Old Business:

Ed AC9SD wants to know if Construction will continue or transition to SARC in the Park.  Per John Douglas KD9KSH Construction Project is finished for the summer.

SARC in the park will begin. Barry K9FMB asked about repairing the power supply [RF power amplifier?] issues found during Fusion deployment.

New Business:

Mike K9KQX provided WiresX on 440 installation update. Has an older FTM 100 are we willing to buy his equipment for linking zoom spot?  BOD requested to know how much: about $250 only can get them used, not made any more.   Alternative would be to purchase a new FTM 300DR for about $459.

Ed AC9SD motioned we buy a FTM 300 DR and Jim Campbell KB9RGU seconded.  All in favor; so moved.

Mike K9KQX already donated a computer and a hma 200 radio.  We plan to explore upgrading repeater’s current internet access and potentially upgrading away from current DSL service.   Kent W9KAO will looking into it a few weeks from now.

Adjourn:

Geoff KA9QGH and Danny KD9HIL motioned to end the meeting 8:27PM.

Submitted May 6, 2021 as dutifully plagiarized from Russ KC9NUV’s notes.  Cliff Sowka Secretary