Meeting Minutes March 2007

Meeting opened at 7:30 pm by Steve, N9UDO, club president. Minutes of the Feb 6 meeting were read and accepted. Motion by Tom N9PQJ, Seconded by Chris, KC9IZG. Treasurers Report: Maybe next month. Old Business: D-Star - Steve, N9UDO and Brad, KC9VMC are setting up a D-Star repeater on Brads tower. Steve has committed to purchase the 2 meter repeater side of the system. He needs about $2000.00 to be able to pull it off. We also need a controller at about 1100-1200 bucks. Brad also mentioned there might be a private sponsor for the 440 and 1.2Ghz sides also. Don, K9JYX, motioned to the technical committee $2000.00 to go ahead with the combining system needed. Also the controller is also included in this. KC9IZG seconded. Passed. N9PQJ mentioned if they come up short, he would kick in the balance. Thanks Tom!! A lively discussion ensued on D-Star capabilities. This weekend is the Wisconsin QSO Party. Due to the Daylight Savings Time Change, the contest will run from 1pm to 8pm on the 11th. New Business: There was a truck parked out front. This is a used ambulance that KB9VMC purchased for Pointon Communications. They are still kicking around different uses, but the primary use will be for Pointon to loan out to county governments as a short term use in event of communications failure. He wanted to know if the club would be interested in supplying a radio for amateur use. He is also looking for suggestions concerning the unit. If you have any ideas, contact him direct. On April 20, Joe WB9SBD will be launching an amateur radio balloon. This unit will have a cross-band repeater, GPS capabilities. Beacon will be on 144.39 APRS freq. Tom, N9PQJ brought to the group some topics for thought from Bill, KA9QFJ. One of them is Lifetime Memberships. The thought is if you pay 20 years membership dues, then you would be Lifetime member. This would be about $400.00 or so as a cost. Please let N9UDO and other officers of the club know what you think. Next item was the possibility of a scholarship under the guise of K9ZZ in memory of Jim Rommelfanger or under Yellow Thunder Amateur Radio Club. Please let us know what you think on this also. Motion by K9JYX to adjourn. Seconded by KC9IZG. Meeting adjourned at 8:47pm. There was no buck night drawing as there was no roster to use present. Respectfully submitted, Rick, N9ROY, Secretary Members and guests present: Steve Schulze, N9UDO - Baraboo Brad Pointon, KB9VMC - Baraboo Don Evenson, K9JYX - Baraboo Rick Plouffe, N9ROY - Wisconsin Dells Chris Martin - KC9IZG - Merrimac Joe Mayenschein - WB9SBD - La Valle Tom Harrison, N9PQJ - Reedsburg