Jefferson County Radio Amateur Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 523, Brownville, NY 13615

Monthly Meeting – July 11, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 7:33 PM by President, Steve Gunn, WA2VQD.  Twelve members and two guests were present.  The flag salute was given.

The minutes of the June 6, 2005 meeting were read by Steve, WA2VQD.  A motion to accept the minutes was made by Harry, KC2KYX and seconded by Don, KB2VMR.  The minutes were approved as read.

The treasurer's report for June 2005 was given by Mal, KC2CUJ.  A motion to accept the treasurer's report was made by Paul, KC2GWT and seconded by Bernie, N2VDN.  The treasurer's report was approved as read.

Ric Letson, NB2E, Activities Director, was not available to report on Field Day activities.  A few members gave informal comments about the weekend.

Old Business

Don Scee, KB2VMR, installed the new water heater that was donated by Lowe's of Watertown.  Ruth Duffany, our newest Associate member, spent a great deal of time cleaning the kitchen while Don was working on the plumbing.  Thank you Don and Ruth.

Don, KB2VMR, and Sam, KC2JNL, worked on the mower that was donated by Earl Timmerman's daughter.  It needs a new battery and possibly work done on the charging system.  They got it running though, and Sam was able to cut the grass.

Steve installed fresh batteries and programmed in a new code into the door lock.   The code may be given out to members should they desire access to the clubhouse.

At the last meeting, Nelson, KB2SVQ, had asked for volunteers to help clean out the silo and to possibly recycle some of the aluminum, etc.  Please contact Nelson if you would be willing to help out.

The club picnic will be Saturday, August 13, 2005.  As decided and voted on at the last meeting, this will be a pot-luck picnic.  If you wish, you may bring whatever meat you want to cook.  Grills will be provided.  Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service, etc.

Steve reminded the club that dues were due July 1st.  Only a small number of members have paid so far.  It was suggested that people mail a check soon as the club operates on a very limited budget.

Reimbursements have been made to both Paul, KC2GWT and Steve, WA2VQD, for monies spent on the installation of the repeater on Hilltop Towers.  Paul purchased the repeater controller and programming software which he donated saving the club more than a thousand dollars. 

New Business

Steve, WA2VQD, brought up the fact that our secretary, Dondra, has been absent from all meetings since last November.  He has not heard from her, but knows that she is busy with school and multiple jobs.  Perhaps we need to find a new secretary.  Steve has been taking care of typing up the minutes and has been getting volunteers to take notes based on the agenda which he types prior to each meeting.

Jim, K2PNA, expressed concern over the fact that there are papers, books, and other club records lying around in piles and should be organized and filed.  Considerable discussion followed regarding the apathy of club members which led Steve, WA2VQD, to express his concerns.  Since he took over as club president he has been asking for help with things that must be repaired.  Sure, a few minor things have been done, but major things, like the back door, the rotten well cover, the old cover over the septic tank, etc. continue to sit there, waiting for attention.  Each year, we seem to collect more junk and nothing is ever taken away.

Steve wondered if maintaining the clubhouse might just be too much for the membership to handle any longer.  We can't really afford to hire someone to replace the door, cover the well, and take care of the other major repairs needed from time to time.  Apparently, there are not enough members willing to devote the time and energy needed to maintain our physical plant.  Steve pointed out that most amateur radio groups do not have the overhead of their own building and meet at restaurants, etc. for their monthly meetings.  He asked if the club should possibly consider selling the property, freeing the membership of the burden and expense.

Discussion followed Steve's comments.  Jim, K2PNA, was concerned that if the property were to be sold, the money would have to go to the state.  Steve added that if a not-for-profit organization disbands, then any monies left in the treasury must be surrendered.  But he wasn't sure what would happen if the club sold the building.  Steve concluded the discussion by saying that he was not asking the members to make a decision at this time, but reiterated that things need to change for the better if the club is to survive and still keep the Lloyd Road property.

The repeater, which had been sent out for repair, arrived back from the factory today and has been placed back into service at Hilltop Towers.  The power amplifier board was replaced.  Because the Vertex repeater is a commercial product, it was still under its three-year warranty.  The factory also indicated that the repeater was badly out of alignment.  The club's only expense was $46.09 for shipping it out to the factory.  Paul, KC2GWT, said that the part installed will be under a new three-year warranty.

Cliff, KB2UQV, said that a lot of work and money has gone into having our own repeater.  He asked that members use the club's machine before keying up other repeaters.  If we are going to justify the annual liability insurance required to keep it at Hilltop Towers, we need to use it.

A motion to adjourn was made by Paul, KC2GWT, and seconded by Jim, K2PNA.

Respectfully submitted,

Steve Gunn, WA2VQD, President

(Notes taken by Ruth, N2VDK)