[Waverley ARS] Minutes - March 2007

[Brad Crowe]

The Minutes of the WARS March 2007 formal meeting are attachment.

73 Brad VK2CEC

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WAVERLEY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY Inc.

MINUTES:  Bi-Monthly Formal Meeting: 	March 21 2007
CHAIR:  Eric VK2VE
MEETING OPENED:  19:39
ATTENDANCE:  As per the Attendance Book.

APOLOGIES:    Richard VK2XRC, Saxon VK2FXEN, John VK2MKD.  The chair informed the meeting that club Secretary Jim VK2JA was unable to attend and for tonight Brad VK2CEC would take the Minutes.

VISITORS:  Bernard Davidson (interested in obtaining amateur radio operators license - see below), Henrik VK2FHHS (very newly licensed) and lives reasonably locally.  It was noted new member Jason VK2FJWK was also in attendance.

ACCEPTANCE of minutes from January 2007 meeting.  Acceptance moved by Bob VK2SOB, Seconded by Grant VK2TU. All were in favour.  A vote of commendation to Jim VK2JA for the very good job he does in maintaining the Minutes, their preparation and distribution.  Moved by Grant VK2TU and seconded by Alan VK2TUI.

CORRESPONDENCE IN:   Nil.

CORRESPONDENCE OUT:  Nil.

        Discussion ensued about the location of the Post Office box key.

TREASURERS REPORT:  Current bank balance was $3,383.  The Treasurer informed the meeting that we have paid our annual rent and that it was the same as last year.  

Apparently we did not pay for the hall for last year?s auction, although this had been done in prior years, but we should do so this year.

The meeting was informed that the cost of our WIA insurance cover depends upon the number of our members who are also members of the WIA.  Our information was that we had 16 of 57 but the WIA informed us we have 26 members who are also WIA members.  The premium cost is about $170.  

The meeting noted that quite a few members have not paid their 2007 subs and the Treasurer will send these an invoice soon.  It was noted that the Treasurer will accept membership payments tonight and informed the meeting that his preference is to be paid by EFT or cash.  (EFT payments should have payers callsign in the reference, and should also e-mail the Treasurer with advice of the payment).  

It was noted that the ACMA gives no information on paying for periods in excess of 1 year on their renewal advice though costs are quoted for up to 5 years on the web site.  Members have found that using Bpay to pay for longer periods results in a licence period commensurate with the payment. We have requested that the WIA take this up with the ACMA.  It appears that our recent 5 year repeater license cheque payment went astray and as a result VK2FDGW had informed members that the ACMA web site showed the repeater call sign as unlicenced.  VK2RF informed the meeting that as soon as this was known he made immediate payment by credit card.

ACCEPTANCE of Treasurers Report: Moved by Raffy VK2RF, Seconded by Bob VK2SOB.
All were in favour.

GENERAL BUSINESS: 

1. Daniel VK2DFGW gave a report on the John Moyle Field day, which was held at Rodney Reserve Dover Heights, informing the meeting that he made 13 contacts under VK2BV call sign from the club premises (where we moved to after the rain set in).  Saxon VK2FXEN got on the air with his FT897 for the first time in 1.5 years.  It was noted that VK2CEC made simplex contact on 2m with Jack VK2TRF from Rodney Reserve to where Jack was operating during his efforts to set another ATV distance record.  Member Binu VK2BNG was heard operating from the Blue Mountains.

2. Simon VK2UA asked if there was progress on internet access via the Rose Bay RSL.  It was noted that a proposal had been submitted to the RSL sub-branch by Allan VK2FALN. 

3. Simon VK2UA suggested that the club visit the Kurrajong Radio Museum one Sunday indicating that visitors should consider allocating at least 2 hours for their visit. VK2FALN suggests that we should combine this with a club bbq in the mountains and that he would be pleased to work with Simon in organise the event.  Discussion ensued about a suitable date with no date set.

4. Discussion occurred about the date of the 2007 AGM.  It was decided that the May meeting (Wednesday May 16 2007) would include the AGM.

5. It was noted that the annual auction would be held on June 23 and we will ask the Rovers about setting up on the prior Friday night.  It was discussed that Friday night may not be early enough.  Simon VK2UA said he would begin publicity for the auction.

6. Foundation License courses and examinations were mentioned and the meeting noted that Simon VK2UA has posted provisional dates until the end of 2007 on the club web site within the calendar section.

7. Application for WIA funding of projects was discussed.  Discussion included the Electronic Examination System (EES) proposal.  The meeting was informed that Alan VK2TUI and Mathias VK2FMBH had volunteered to collaborate on this software project.  Alan VK2TUI discussed interfacing the application to the ACMA computer. A proposal would be drafted by Raffy, VK2RF, and would be discussed with the WIA at the Parkes AGM.  Daniel VK2FDGW mentioned the Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) ?moon bounce? project for consideration.  Also Brad VK2CEC mentioned the remote base for ongoing consideration. 

8. It was noted that the WIA is holding its AGM in Parkes, NSW this year and their AGM would include a technical tour of the Parkes Radio Telescope facility.  Discussion about transport ensued.

9. It was noted that ARNSW?s AGM would be held on April 15 and that this meeting would not include an election for positions neither are there any notices of motions.  Simon VK2UA raised the issue of ARNSW not emailing minutes of meetings to members requesting them and it was suggested that this be raised at the ARNSW AGM.

10. Discussion ensued about the availability of OTC transmitters at the Telecom site near La Perouse.  It was noted that these weighed about a quarter tonne each and may not be easy to move or locate.  It was noted that stripping these and selling the components may be a useful source of fundraising for other projects, however it was suggested that the club take no further action. 


MEETING CLOSED:  20:29
		The meeting was declared closed by President Eric VK2VE with closing comment that following the meeting Eddie VK2BEH would be screening a short video from YouTube that promoted Amateur Radio and following that, visitor Bernard Davidson would give a short talk about rockets and the amateur rocketry organisation that he is involved with which launches rockets at Woomera, SA.  During his talk, Bernard described reasons for his interest in obtaining an Amateur Radio License which included APRS (for rocket location and speed telemetry) and direction finding of the returned rockets.

Minutes:  Brad Crowe VK2CEC (in absence of Secretary)