Jefferson County
Radio Amateur Club, Inc.
The meeting was called to order at
The flag salute was given. A moment of silence was then observed in
memory of two “Silent Key” members: Charlie
Hasner, KC2BIY, and Earl Timmerman, KA2IWO.
The minutes of the
The treasurer’s report for December 2004 was given by Mal,
KC2CUJ. He also presented the financial
information for the period Jan 1st through
Clubhouse Opening:
The clubhouse opening, Saturday, April 30th,
was well attended and carried out very nicely.
The grass was cut, the water pump reconnected, some needed repairs were
made, lots of cleaning and sorting of junk was
done. A four outlet electrical cable
setup was installed capable of handling 30 amps for use during field day
activities.
Repeater:
Steve updated the members on the status of the club’s
repeater. The Monday evening net will
now be held each week at
The programming software and cables have been
purchased and Steve has used them to update the programming of the controller.
There was winter damage to the antenna mount on the
silo. The repeater was moved temporarily
to Steve’s home until the new permanent site was made available. The KC2ELX repeater is now located on
In addition to Paul, KC2GWT, the repeater installation
team included, Cliff Moorhead, KB2UQV, Nelson LaBarge
Jr., KB2SVQ, Sam Surace, KC2JNL, and Steve Gunn,
WA2VQD.
Steve, WA2VQD, has signed a 5-year renewable rent free
contract with the Watertown Housing Authority to use their rooftop and
building. We did need to secure an extra
$500,000 liability insurance policy at an approximate annual cost of $180. A new 15 foot, Diamond antenna with a 7.8 db
gain and Mirage preamplifier were also purchased. The board of officers and trustees approved
spending approximately $500.00 to cover the expense of the repeater move and
the first year’s liability insurance. It
was suggested that we try to replace these funds annually by holding fund
raisers.
At present, the repeater does not require the
Fund Raising and Donations Committee:
Steve requested volunteers to work on a standing
committee. The purpose would be to hold
fund raising events and to solicit donations and/or discounts from merchants
for supplies our club needs and also prizes for raffle ticket sales. Steve recalled how our past member, Helen
Scee, would go after area businesses to procure things needed by the club.
At the April meeting, the trustees approved the
purchase of a new replacement water heater.
Instead of buying it, Steve wrote a letter to Mrs. Cadie Huber, Manager
of Lowe’s of
The picnic tables are in very bad shape and have
outlived their useful life. Perhaps a
fund-raising committee could secure new tables for the club.
Cliff asked about getting food from Sam’s Club to hold
a spaghetti dinner. It was also
mentioned by Jim that Price Chopper gives cups and paper products, etc. if you
take in a club letterhead signed by the president.
Steve read the letter he used to contact Lowe’s. This could be modified and used by the
committee members when contacting areas businesses. Ernie mentioned that service organization
likes the Elks club must give 35% of the money to non-profit groups as Bingo
games bring in a lot of money. Steve
added that the Eagle’s Club gave a sizable donation to his church and also lets
them use their facility for their annual chicken BBQ.
Sales Tax
Exemption:
Steve, WA2VQD, contacted the
Spring Dinner:
The spring dinner buffet will be held at Tomacy’s Restaurant in
Field Days:
Field days will be held this year at the clubhouse,
June 25 - 26.
Summer Picnic:
The JCRAC summer picnic has been scheduled for
Saturday, August 13th.
Estate of
Claude
Steve received a letter from Walter M. Jeram, Jr., Attorney at Law,
Musicians:
Jim, K2PNA, asked at the last
Trustees meeting if there was any objection to the use of the club's facilities
on Tuesday evenings again this year. Several people get together and
enjoy the camaraderie through music and song from
Other New Business:
There was a great deal of informal discussion before
the meeting adjourned and included the following comments, concerns, and
information:
·
Nelson, KB2SVQ,
discussed painting the interior of the clubhouse, a nice light powder blue,
latex semi-gloss. Nelson will supply the
paint. He also donated two brand new
coffee makers for the kitchen.
·
·
Jim, K2PNA, donated
antennas to the club and they are missing.
He also has a base for a pivoted tower.
·
Cliff volunteered
to help take down the antennas at Earl’s home.
·
Nelson, KB2SVQ is
donating a copper “J” pole for the club’s use.
·
The tube tester
is missing from the club as well as a lot of other items.
·
Someone needs to
call Ric Letson, NB2E, and
ask if he knows where the antennas are.
·
The silo needs to
be checked to see what is junk and what’s worth saving.
·
Glenn Thompson,
WA2TOJ, will donate a 2 meter antenna to the club.
·
Fred, KC2KBQ,
wondered if thank you notes were going to be sent out to Lowe’s and to the
estate of Claude Burt. Steve said he was
planning on sending them out and also to Bruce Goeway
of the Watertown Housing Authority.
·
It was mentioned
that Ron, WB2LCE, has an antenna for the club (20 meter beam?)
·
Jeanie, KC2HRU,
read a thank you note from the Hasner family to the club.
·
Cliff would like
to use 75 feet of RG58 that’s not being used.
He would like to put up a new antenna for Wendell for 2 meters.
·
Someone
apparently stole the propane gas regulator from the heating system and replaced
it with a cheap gas grill type of regulator.
·
There was
considerable discussion about the apparent lack of security. This has been brought up before and needs to
be formally addressed at another meeting.
Motion to adjourn was made by Tom, W1LTQ, and seconded
by Jeanie, KC2HRU. Motion carried and
the meeting adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Gunn, WA2VQD, President
(Notes taken by Jeanie Moorhead, KC2HRU)