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CCARS Meeting Minutes for Sunday February 5, 2012

CCARS President Glenn (W4ULB) called the meeting to order at 3:20 pm.

In attendance:
KK4AVB, Bill
KJ4ZMM, Bob
KE4KAK, Shane
KI4HEQ, Ron
KI4ODA, Adell
N4TIS, Chuck
AK4LN, Frank
W1KFR, Bill
K4QHR, Pete
AA4XS, Andy
KE4JTI, Toby
KF4YLQ, Israel
W6NY, Thurston
W6JF, Jim
WA4GWB, George

Treasurer's report:
Starting balance: $361.44
Ending balance: $361.44
Operational balance on 2/5/2012: $613.44
Cash on hand: $2.00

Old business:

Membership dues were collected for at least one member today. This is a reminder that membership dues are due in January for the year. If you have not paid your membership dues, please contact the Treasurer.

New Business:

CCARS Vice President Andy (AA4XS) discussed the difficulty of obtaining access to the Camden County EOC for holding the monthly meeting. With the increased difficulty of obtaining access to the EOC, a motion was made to hold the CCARS monthly meeting at the Fire and Rescue Station on Gross Road in Kingsland. The motion was put to a vote by the membership in attendance and passed unanimously. The date and time of the monthly CCARS meeting will remain the same (first Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM).

CCARS Vice President Andy (AA4XS) stated the new date and time for the monthly Ham Radio Testing session would be the second Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM. The monthly testing session will be held at the Fire and Rescue Station on Gross Road.

The ARRL 2012 Field Day is June 23 and 24. For the field day, the club has rented a cabin at Crooked River State Park on Friday and Saturday. The cabin sleeps 8 people and has a full kitchen. More details to follow…

There has been dwindling participation in the CCARS Sunday night net. CCARS President Glenn (W4ULB) made the recommendation to reduce the formality of the net and make it a “fun net” verses a directed net. The motion was put to a vote by the membership in attendance and passed unanimously. The time of the net remains 8:00 PM every Sunday night on the 147.270 repeater.
George (WA4GWB) informed the club that our ECOLINK is down. The clubs ECOLINK radio and the computer that runs ECOLINK are currently located at the EOC. With the limited access to the EOC, coordinating repairs is difficult. The radio being used for the clubs ECOLINK belongs to Glenn (W4ULB). Glen volunteered to move the ECOLINK radio to his Ham Shack and move the frequency to 147.270.

The next Rail Watch in Folkston, GA will be held on the first weekend in April. The club plans to participate again this year. More details to follow…

The next eating meeting is planned for the second quarter of 2012. The club is currently soliciting recommendations for a restaurant to have the meeting.

The Orlando HamCation is coming this weekend (February 10, 11, and 12). Hope to see you there!

As indicated by the Treasures Report, the clubs bank account is very low. Anyone with ideas and recommendations for a possible club fundraiser, please contact Glen (W4ULB).

George (WA4GWB) informed club members that our friend and club member Rob (N3EAY) is not doing well. Rob is currently at the Palms Gardens of Jacksonville nursing home. The address is 5725 Spring Park Road. Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with Rob today.

The local hospital in Saint Marys, part of the South East Georgia Health System, contacted the club seeking advice and guidance on installing a ham station in the hospital for emergency use. Glen (W4ULB) and several members meet with hospital staff to discuss options.

While it was not discussed during the meeting, a review of previous meeting minutes indicates that whenever there is a nearby Ham Fest, please be on the lookout for inexpensive items that can be used as door prizes.

Glenn closed the meeting at 4:25 pm.

The raffle was won by Andy (AA4XS).

Jim (W6JF) won the 50/50.

Glenn (W4ULB) brought in his toaster oven that was converted to a surface mount soldering oven, complete with dual thermocouple and temperature meter.