Minutes of the 
Mid-MO Amateur Radio Club, Inc.
Jefferson City, MO

Meeting of:  December 10, 2009

Called to order by: Vice-President, Rick Bennett - KCØPET

In attendance: AKØLW – Larry Williams, K9ZTV – Kent Trimble, KAØI – Kevin Hunter, KAØZIY – Ron Brizendine, KBØQHZ – Joe Betros, KCØPET – Rick Bennett, KCØLZG – Owen Toalson, KDØDDY – Nancie McAnaugh, KDØDSJ – Randall Rolle, KDØFAS – Roger Conway, KDØGRM – Stephen Hick, KDØGRZ – Larry Vonn Williams, KDØITI – Jonny Johnson, KDØJLD – Vladimir Zlydnev, KDØY – Dave Martin, KIØY – Mark Eberle, KMØS – Mike Thayer, NØJBF – Rich Kreiser, NØKSF – Jack Boswell, NØQOI – Richard Stump, NØSS – Tom Hammond, NØTKN – Jim Biggerstaff, NØZH – Mike Dolson, W3AMB – Andrey Bezmelnitsyn, WA2KBZ – Karl Schulte, WAØTIC – Dan Yeager, WBØAQV – Greg Abbott, WBØKXP – Gene Wilson, WBØPZR – Andy Adams, Darrell Chute, Jacob Williams, Paul Williams

Previous Meeting Minutes (presented & approved as corrected):

Secretary-Treasurer’s Report:  

Current Bank Balance:	$7,252.07

Old business


2-Meter net report: Mike Dolson, NØZH Net Manager.  There have been four full months of reporting since Mike filled the role of Net Manager.  For the month of November there were a total of 86 check-ins over four sessions.  Thanks to all who volunteer to call the nets.  More folks are encouraged to volunteer as Net Control so we aren’t always relying on the same individuals.  

	Nov 18	NØSS	32	
	Nov 25	NØZH	18
	Dec 2	KDØGRM	18
	Dec 9	KDØDDY	19


2-Meter net controllers:
	Dec 16	KAØI	
	Dec 23	KDØDDY
	Dec 30	WA2KBZ	
	Jan 6	KCØPET
	Jan 13	NØSS

Please contact Mike at n0zh@arrl.net or by phone at (573) 491-0119, if you will not be able to call the net you are scheduled for so other arrangements can be made.


2-Meter Repeater report:  Tim, KAØOUV, and Tom, NØSS went out and did some cleaning at the repeater.  Tim inadvertently reset the squelch so Tom went back to fix.  The autopatch is back up and running at this time.  The burbling and loss of sensitivity problems remain.  

The autopatch is available to all current members of the club.  Speed dial options are available.  If interested in more information, contact Tom.


Digipeater report:  No report.


Missouri Emergency Packet Network (MEPN):  Jim, NØTKN, reported that the system is currently on the air and working well.  There are still some connection problems getting into St. Louis probably due to the high noise floor.  There is interest in moving the system out west with a possible node in Macon.

Currently, a sponsor is being sought for the Callaway node.  The Callaway Amateur Radio League in Fulton is considering sponsorship.


Emergency Coordinator's report:  Joe, KBØQHZ reported that things have been quiet with little activity.  There is still no news on the new requirements for the EMCOMM instructors.


VE Liaison’s report:  No report.  Please remember to give some notice if you wish to test after the monthly meetings.


CW Classes:  Tom, NØSS, reports that the advanced class is working deeper on traffic handling.  There are simulations of calling a CW net and passing traffic.  Tom has made a set of handouts for all members of the three classes.  This class meets before breakfast at 6:45am every Saturday morning at Mel’s Country Café.

Kent, K9ZTV, reports that the intermediate class is going well. This class meets after breakfast from 9-10am at Mel’s.

The new beginning class has two to four students.  They are currently working on numbers.  This class meets at 10am after breakfast and the slow speed class.
Training Committee:  Mike, KMØS, reported there are 8 people who are confirmed to take the Extra upgrade course.  Training materials will be targeted to be distributed to the students by the end of the year.  There are also between 8-16 people interested in a Technician class to be held later in the spring.

The Extra class will be roughly 8 to 10 weeks meeting on Thursday nights with the exception of club meeting nights.  The time will be from 6:30 or 7:00pm and will last from two to two and a half hours.  The price for training materials is $35.  Please confirm to Mike via email at km0s@arrl.net if you are interested in taking the class.


Club Shirts/Jackets/Patches:  No update.  


Officer Nominations:  Nominations for club officers were as follows:

President:  Mike Miller, WAØZOG
Vice-President: Rick Bennett, KCØPET
Secretary-Treasurer: Mark Eberle, KIØY
Board Member: Nancie McAnaugh, KDØDDY

Tom, NØSS, moved that the slate of nominees be accepted by acclamation.  The motion passed unanimously.


New business

None


Announcements:

Larry, AKØLW, mentioned that the club’s website could use some updating.  The website is updated when the webmaster is notified of changes that need to be made.  Rick volunteered to discuss the issue with the officers and board members about what can be done to improve the site.  

Larry, AKØLW, also noted that the weekly net preamble is quite lengthy and wonders if it should be shortened.  A short discussion followed regarding various net styles.  It was suggested that comments on how the net is handled including any revisions to the preamble be forwarded to Mike, NØZH.  More discussion will follow once the comments are gathered.

Karl, WA2KBZ, suggested that anyone interested in the Mirage 100W amplifier for 432Mhz to look for the version with the blue buttons which were made in California rather than the later versions made by MFJ which aren’t of as good quality.

Dave West, WBØATD, has donated some late model QST magazines for those interested.

Jack, NØKSF, stated that if anyone is in need of meters for projects to contact him.  He currently has over one hundred in his possession and would gladly share.

Hamfests:

Springfield, MO – January 9th

Winterfest (Collinsville, IL) – January 30th

Presentation:  

Kent, K9ZTV, gave a presentation on Straight Key Night.  Thanks to Mike, WAØZOG, for helping download the video.







































Respectfully submitted: Mark Eberle (KIØY), Secretary-Treasurer.

Visit the MMARC web page at: http://www.mmccs.com/mmarc