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APRIL 2018 BAARC SECRETARY’S REPORT

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THURSDAY-APRIL 26, 2018 – 4:00 PM – BAARC BOARD MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT

President: Steve Mott NØCRM
Vice President: John Luce WØWY
Treasurer: Doug Bergsnev WØDWB
Secretary: Ron Finger KØGOP
Past Presidents: Charles Lane W5CCL, Al Doree WØRC
Director At Large: Lyle Amundson KØLFV
Director of Emergency Communications: Dave Schuldheisz KØISZ
Repeater Trustee: Mitch Ahrenstorff ADØHJ
Community Events Coordinator: Mark Cross KEØLFQ

Attendees: Steve NØCRM, John WØWY, Lyle KØLFV, Doug WØDWB, Ron KØGOP, Al WØRC, Shirley KØDCW, Charles W5CCL, Roger WØWUG, Mark KEØLFQ and Mitch ADØHJ. The President opened the Board Meeting at 4 PM.

Secretary’s Report: 

  • Membership roster: 72 members with 9 unpaid for 2018. The Club roster can be found on the Club website under the“Resources/Members Only”  Current paid members can request an individual password for access via the “Contact Us” form.
  • Minutes: The March 2018 meeting minutes were posted to the“Baarcer” area of the Club website.
  • Correspondence: None.
  • Documents: Updated Club membership roster and Gmail contacts database.
  • Web Banner Art: New Banner Art for April Satellite Program
  • Community & Special Events Coordinator position updated in BAARC Bylaws. Fire department and Crow Wing County Fair Board plaques completed for engraving.
  • Membership ID’s: 1 New Club ID badge made.
  • Motion to accept: John WØWY, SecondAl WØRC,  

Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer presented the Treasurer’s report showing all month’s account transactions and balances to date.

  • Motion to accept: Al WØRC, SecondJohn WØWY, Passed

Membership Meeting Programs: The President reviewed recent and future Club programs and events. May 24 meeting: BAARC Spring Dinner.

Upcoming Events: The following events were discussed:

Brainerd Jaycees Run for the Lakes Marathon

  • Saturday, April 28, 2018
  • John WØWY will arrange for use of CWC Sherriff’s Trailer

Breezy Point Airport Fly-In May 5th, 2018

  • Mark KEØLFQ will chair the event
  • Will present sign-up sheet at April meeting

BAARC Spring Dinner May 24, 2018

  • Nisswa Legion – Prairie Bay to do catering.
  • Still need a program speaker

Digital & Emergency Communications: 

HRA – High Rise site:

  • Verizon Communications will be moving its equipment to the roof
  • We need to determine what Club antennas we wish to retain and add
  • John WØWY discussed the proposed plan
  • Schedule Saturday May 19th 1000 for Club work session

Other Repeater Sites:

  • Gull Lake:
    • Discussed options for coax and connectors.
  • Crosby:
    • 444.925 DARC room setup for a persistent connection.
  • Crow Wing Power:
    • Computer/controller back online.
  • Cross Lake:
    • No new items.

Old Business:

Add second 2m antenna to CWC Sheriff’s Trailer

  • John Bowen has approved; will use their installer.
  • Al WØRC has purchased antenna for their installation.

Possible Portable Repeater Site at future Remer Fire Station

  • Progress Update
  • Al and John discussed the possibility of obtaining permission to install an antenna, coax and power at the new Fire Station site in Remer, MN.
  • This would allow for setting up a temporary portable Club repeater for use during Club-staffed events like the Mid-MN 150 Sled Dog Race and SKYWARN.
  • Brainerd Fire Chief Tim Holmes will contact the Remer FD as an introduction.

Purchase Upgrade for Yaesu Fusion DR Repeater #5 for $300

Motion to accept: Lyle KØLFV, Second Al WØRC, Passed. 

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM.

THURSDAY-APRIL 26, 2018 – 7:00 PM – BAARC MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT

The President opened the Club membership business meeting at 7 PM with 36 members and guests present. Paul KEØPBR gave an informative program on Amateur Radio Satellite Communication. Ron KØGOP, Secretary

MARCH 2018 BAARC SECRETARY’S REPORT

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THURSDAY-MARCH 29, 2018 – 4:00 PM – BAARC BOARD MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT

President: Steve Mott NØCRM
Vice President: John Luce WØWY
Treasurer: Doug Bergsnev WØDWB
Secretary: Ron Finger KØGOP
Past Presidents: Charles Lane W5CCL, Al Doree WØRC
Director At Large: Lyle Amundson KØLFV
Director of Emergency Communications: Dave Schuldheisz KØISZ
Repeater Trustee: Mitch Ahrenstorff ADØHJ
Community Events Coordinator: Mark Cross KEØLFQ

Attendees: Steve NØCRM, John WØWY, Lyle KØLFV, Doug WØDWB, Ron KØGOP, Al WØRC, Shirley KØDCW, Dave KØISZ, Charles W5CCL, Roger WØWUG, Mark KEØLFQ and Mitch ADØHJ. The President opened the Board Meeting at 4 PM.

Secretary’s Report: 

  • Membership roster: 71 members with 11 unpaid for 2018. The Club roster can be found on the Club website under the“Resources/Members Only”  Current paid members can request an individual password for access via the “Contact Us” form.
  • Minutes: The February 2018 meeting minutes were posted to the“Baarcer” area of the Club website.
  • Correspondence: None
  • Documents: Updated Club membership roster and Gmail contacts database. Final Draft of Community & Special Events Coordinator position. Fire department and Crow Wing County Fair Board plaques drafted for review.
  • Membership ID’s: 3 New Club ID badges made. Will develop 1-year “Complimentary Membership” card for new Hams.
  • Motion to accept: Charles W5CCL, SecondAl WØRC,  

Treasurer’s Report: The President presented the Treasurer’s report that was forwarded to the board showing all month’s account transactions and balances to date.

  • Motion to accept: John WØWY, SecondAl WØRC, Passed

Membership Meeting Programs: The President reviewed recent and future Club programs and events. April 26 meeting: Paul KEØPBR will present a program on Satellite UHF/VHF Communications.

Upcoming Events: The following events were discussed:

CQ WPX SSB Contest March 24-25, 2018

BAARC Hamfest April 7, 2018

  • $400.00 usage fee for Brainerd Armory

Brainerd Jaycees Run for the Lakes Marathon

  • Saturday, April 28, 2018
  • John WØWY will arrange for use of CWC Sherriff’s Trailer

BAARC Spring Dinner May 24, 2018

  • Nisswa Legion – Prairie Bay to do catering.
  • Still need a program speaker

Digital & Emergency Communications: 

Duluth SKYWARN meeting:

  • Duluth Skywarn meeting update
  • Severe weather awareness information
  • Al, John, Terry, and emergency coordinators met in Duluth
  • Schedule of April 12 test watch
  • 1:30PM Test Net Weather Net 147.225
  • Updated Form to give to club members

Old Business: 

Repeater Sites:

  • Gull Lake:
    • No new items; waiting for WX.
  • Crosby:
    • 444.925 DARC room setup for a persistent connection.
  • Crow Wing Power:
    • Computer/controller down.
  • Cross Lake:
    • No new items.
  • High-rise Site:
    • No new items.

Roger WØWUG expressed connectivity lapses in the Brainerd area on the 147.225 repeater location in Crosby. Near-future plans to link Club repeaters were discussed as a solution.

New Business:

Club Fundraising

  • Becky KDØHDH has identified possible fundraising opportunities and is willing to help develop those with the Club.

American Red Cross

  • Following a request at the February Board Meeting by Ken Vertin KEØLOX, an ARC volunteer from Crosslake, no further correspondence or developments have occurred. Mr. Vertin had discussed the current MOU between the ARC and ARRL, and various scenarios of possible involvement.

Active 911

  • The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Emergency Management Department has allowed us to use their Active 911 E-Paging Alert System to alert us of Skywarn events or other needs.
  • Need to reestablish and review our Club status using this system.
  • John Bowen to resolve.

Upgrade Club IC-746 HF Transceiver to a second TS-590S

  • Completed by Lyle KØLFV

Community Events Coordinator position description

  • Position title will be modified to “Community Events Coordinator”, from previous “Community and Special Events Coordinator”
  • The BAARC Amended Bylaws 2001 should be amended again to reflect this title change along with the following position description:
    • The Community Events Coordinator will oversee Club support of regularly scheduled community events over the calendar year. These Club events may be organized and led by other Club members; the Coordinator will prepare and ensure that “someone” is prepared to chair a specific event and that they have the support they need to run that event, smoothly and orderly, for the Club and host.
    • A secondary responsibility for this position is to seek out new avenues to promote our Club and the Amateur Radio hobby through different opportunities within the Brainerd area community.
  • Motion to accept: Steve NØCRM, SecondDoug WØDWB, Passed

Add second 2m antenna to CWC Sheriff’s Trailer

  • John Bowen has approved; will use their installer
  • Need to provide an NMO mount w/ 20’ of coax, Lyle will order

Purchase suitcase rack for donated Tektronix test equipment

  • Ron KØGOP donating TM500 test equipment modules to Club for member use.
  • TM515 is suitcase-style system for safe transport and field use. A new unit is available on ebay for $160, will make lower offer first.
  • Motion to purchase: Dave KØISZ, SecondCharles W5CCL, Passed

Possible Portable Repeater Site at future Remer Fire Station

  • Al and John discussed the possibility of obtaining permission to install an antenna, coax and power at the new Fire Station site in Remer, MN.
  • This would allow for setting up a temporary portable Club repeater for use during Club-staffed events like the Mid-MN 150 Sled Dog Race and SKYWARN.
  • Brainerd Fire Chief Tim Holmes will contact the Remer FD as an introduction.

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 5:10 PM.

THURSDAY-MARCH 29, 2018 – 7:00 PM – BAARC MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD FIRE DEPARTMENT

The President opened the Club membership business meeting at 7 PM with 36 members and guests present. Crow Wing County Emergency Management Director, John Bowen gave a presentation on the new facilities nearing completion at the CWC EOC, and the Public Safety use of tactical drones. Several officers and deputies were present for outdoor demonstrations and tours of the EOC. Ron KØGOP, Secretary

 

FEBRUARY CLUB MEETING PROGRAM: Civil Air Patrol – MN Wing’s missions for Super Bowl LII

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Ron Finger KØGOP gave a presentation on Civil Air Patrol – MN Wing’s missions for Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. CAP worked with the Department of Homeland Security, the ANG 148th Tactical Fighter Wing in Duluth, and other agencies in a week of comms-intensive intercept missions over Minnesota skies. CAP aircraft flew both as “targets of interest” (TOIs), as well as “High-Birds”, high altitude airborne VHF repeaters providing long-range communications between the exercise aircraft and mission base. CAP TOIs simulate unresponsive or wandering aircraft, and provide training for Air Force pilots as they intercept, make radio contact and guide it out of restricted airspace. Civil Air Patrol is the Total Force partner and Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, providing search and rescue, disaster relief, and homeland security. Ron has been a CAP member since January 2010, and serves as Squadron Communications Officer and Assistant Director of Communications for Minnesota Wing.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 179th Fighter Squadron, a subordinate unit of the 148th Fighter Wing out of Duluth, Minn.

Two F-16 Fighting Hornets from 148th Fighter Wing out of Duluth, Minn., prepare to fly in formation behind the boom of a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 128th Air Refueling Wing after being mid-air refueled.

Maintainers from the 179th Fighter Squadron, a subordinate unit of the 148th Fighter Wing out of Duluth, Minn., prepare to launch F-16s for a mission.

Maintainers from the 179th Fighter Squadron, a subordinate unit of the 148th Fighter Wing out of Duluth, Minn., review technical data prior to preparing an aircrew for a mission.

FEBRUARY 2018 BAARC SECRETARY’S REPORT

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THURSDAY-February 22, 2018 – 4:00 PM – BAARC BOARD MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD Chamber of Commerce

President: Steve Mott NØCRM
Vice President: John Luce WØWY
Treasurer: Doug Bergsnev WØDWB
Secretary: Ron Finger KØGOP
Past Presidents: Charles Lane W5CCL, Al Doree WØRC
Director At Large: Lyle Amundson KØLFV
Director of Emergency Communications: Dave Schuldheisz KØISZ
Repeater Trustee: Mitch Ahrenstorff ADØHJ
Community & Special Events Coordinator: TBD

Attendees: Steve NØCRM, John WØWY, Ron KØGOP, Al WØRC, and Mitch ADØHJ. The President opened the Board Meeting at 4 PM.

Secretary’s Report: 

  • Membership roster: 65 members with 21 unpaid for 2018. The Club roster can be found on the Club website under the“Resources/Members Only”  Current paid members can request an individual password for access via the “Contact Us” form.
  • Minutes: The January 2018 meeting minutes were posted to the“Baarcer” area. There were no business meetings for December.
  • Correspondence: Thank you letter sent to Bob Feuer WØZPE for recent donations made to the Club.
  • Documents: Updated Club membership roster and Gmail contacts database.
    • Draft of Community & Special Events Coordinator Will refine and submit to Board for approval.
  • Membership ID’s: Will develop 1-year “Complimentary Membership” card for new Hams.
  • Motion to accept: Al WØRC, SecondJohn WØWY,  

Treasurer’s Report: The President presented the Treasurer’s report that was forwarded to the board showing all month’s account transactions and balances to date.

  • Motion to accept: John WØWY, SecondAl WØRC, Passed

Membership Meeting Programs: The President reviewed recent and future Club programs and events. Moved to the March 29 meeting: a half-hour program on the New CWC EOC, with tours of the 911 Center to follow. John will follow up on this with John Bowen. April 26 meeting: Paul KEØPBR will present a program on Satellite UHF/VHF Communications.

Upcoming Events: The following events were discussed:

CQ WPX SSB Contest March 24-25, 2018

BAARC Hamfest April 7, 2018

  • $400.00 usage fee for Brainerd Armory
  • Plus extra janitor fee? Was waived in past, Al WØRC will check on this as we get closer.

Brainerd Jaycees Run for the Lakes Marathon

  • Saturday, April 28, 2018
  • John WØWY will arrange for use of CWC Sherriff’s Trailer. Al WØRC noted that the CO detector triggered several times during the Dog Sled Race. The trailer generator was installed and run inside it’s on-board compartment by the Sherriff’s Department. John will advise them of this anomaly.

Digital & Emergency Communications: 

ARES Connect Update:

  • John has applied and will bring more information to the Club after we have been registered.

Duluth SKYWARN meeting:

  • Last year’s meeting was held on March 11, but no word on this year’s; John will contact the NWS-Duluth for 2018 meeting date.

Old Business: 

Repeater Sites:

  • Gull Lake:
    • Mitch ADØHJ presented a detailed upgrade plan, adding APRS to the VHF Repeater and providing for future expansion. Mitch was able to find a duplexer at the St. Cloud Hamfest this year and purchased it at a discounted price due to his active involvement with their club members.
    • Motion to Purchase the Club duplexer for $300: John WØWY, Second Al WØRC, Passed.
  • Crosby:
    • No new items.
  • Crow Wing Power:
    • No new items.
  • Cross Lake:
    • No new items.
  • High-rise Site:
    • No new items.

New Business:

American Red Cross

  • Ken Vertin KEØLOX, an ARC volunteer from Crosslake requested a short meeting with the Board to discuss the possibility of Club operator support for future exercises and relief efforts. Mr. Vertin discussed the current MOU between the ARC and ARRL, and various scenarios of possible involvement

Active 911

  • The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Emergency Management Department has allowed us to use their Active 911 E-Paging Alert System to alert us of Skywarn events or other needs.
  • Need to reestablish and review our Club status using this system.
  • John will ask Mark KEØLFQ to contact John Bowen to resolve.

Upgrade Club IC-746 HF Transceiver to a second TS-590S

  • One of our Club objectives that was agreed upon with our Board and Technology Group was to standardize our infrastructure and equipment as to achieve a higher level of performance and operating skills.
  • Over this past year we have scheduled more HF Special Event activities using our current HF equipment and was found that our Kenwood TS-590S HF Transceiver performed much better than our ICOM IC-746; it has been recommended by our Technology Team that we upgrade our IC-746 HF Transceiver to another Kenwood TS-590S Transceiver.
  • The cost of this upgrade would not exceed $275.00. Selling our IC-746 and purchasing another used Kenwood TS-590S would provide 2 identical HF Rigs and meet the goal of standardizing our HF equipment, thereby requiring familiarization of just one HF radio model.
  • Current Club HF Transceiver inventory:
    • Kenwood TS-480SAT HF Transceiver: in operation as our HF Remote Base.
    • Kenwood TS-590S HF Transceiver
    • ICOM IC-746 PRO HF Transceiver
    • Yaesu FT-991 HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver
  • Proposal made by email to the Board by Lyle KØLFV, and voted for approval. Passed.

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 5:10 PM.

THURSDAY-February 22, 2018 – 7:00 PM – BAARC MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES – BRAINERD Chamber of Commerce

The President opened the Club membership business meeting at 7 PM with 27 members and guests present. Ron KØGOP gave a presentation on Civil Air Patrol – MN Wing’s missions for Super Bowl VII in Minneapolis. CAP worked with the Department of Homeland Security, the ANG 148th Tactical Fighter Wing in Duluth, and other agencies in a week of comms-intensive intercept missions over Minnesota skies.

–Respectfully submitted by Ron KØGOP, Secretary