Meeting Minutes February 2007

The monthly meeting of the Yellow Thunder ARC opened at 7:30pm with call to order by President, Steve Schulze, N9UDO. Tom, N9PQJ, moved to accept the January minutes as published. Second by Gary, W9ULK. Passed. Bill, N9KXX was absent so no treasurer’s report was given. Old Business: Swapfest flyers for 2007 were printed and distributed at the Waukesha and Wheaton hamfests. Tower electronics promised to be at our event this year barring any unforeseen medical emergencies. Steve showed the group the new ARCOM controller that will be going in the 147.315 repeater. The old controller is being traded to Len, N9QIP for use in the Wisconsin Interstate Network. Steve told the group the many features this controller has. It can handle wave files and can be programmed with a laptop. It has versatility to do many more functions. Following the Sullivan weather survey, YTARC was asked to release the YTARC repeater for use as a backbone for severe weather reporting for the Sullivan Weather Office. The BARS repeater will no longer be used as the backbone. Our severe weather net will move to the 145.310 KB9VMC repeater which also has good coverage. With the new controller we can have the 147.315 repeater do a voice message a to where the weather net will be operating. Steve read a letter from Tom Kucharski thanking YTARC for their cooperation. Steve then read the memorandum of understanding with the Sullivan committee allowing them to use the club’s repeater. Don, K9JYX moved to accept and sign the MOU with a second from Chris, KC9IZG. Carried. Tom will be at the March 13 ARES/RACES meeting to give backbone training. New Business: Steve finally got the annual club mailing and dues notice out with the help from Don, K9JYX doing the stuffing of 55 envelopes. Brad, KB9VMC and Steve, N9UDO went to the Wheaton hamfest to see a presentation of D-Star given by Mark Thompson, WB9QZB, a former Baraboo Resident. This is an open frame system developed by Icom that can be used by any manufacturer. This is the digital standard for amateur radio. D-Star repeaters and systems can do some amazing things. Steve explained how the system operates and what equipment is involved. There are several systems now operating around the country. Steve said that if you do a search for D-Star you will find a lot of information. Steve and Brad are asking the club if they would be willing to back the first system in the state. Steve is buying the VHF D-Star repeater and Brad will supply the Antenna and tower space for it. Steve asked if the club would be willing to pay for the set of duplexers to hook up to the existing combining system and antennas. Brad stated that he is out of space on the tower for any more free users. But he would work with us by using his combining system and an antenna that is already in place. The cost is around $2,000. Pete suggested that we apply for a grant through ARES/RACES for the money. Open for further discussion. In other new business, Steve announced the annual QSO party coming up on March 11 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm local time. This is also the first day of the new daylight savings time. Tom, N9PQJ moved to adjourn with a second by Gary, W9ULK. Meeting adjourned at 9:13pm. Buck night was waved as there was no member list to draw from. Next meeting it will be two bucks. Respectfully Submitted Donald A. Evenson, K9JYX Present: Don Evenson, K9JYX Gary Sorenson, W9ULK Steve Schulze, N9UDO Chris Martin, KC9IZG Pete Sweeney, WD9JIB Tom Harrison, N9PQJ