Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum | K3NEM

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ARCNEM
K3NEM -- W3HEM -- W3GR
Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum
MINUTES
of the
13 May 2010
Monthly Meeting

1. ATTENDEES

Jim Nowotarski N3GOO
Tim Titus W1RT
Tom Dalton KB3NHQ
Bob Gardenghi K3FQP
Bill Corley NG3O
Ulis Fleming K3LU
Fred Heath AI3Z
Nick Yokanovich K3NY
Chip Weems W4PBG
Bill Thompson WT3B
Rol Anders K3RA
Ted Bauer WA3AER
Jim Laughter W4EE
Chuck Angel AA3FB
Gary Mauler WB3CGE

2. MINUTES
Last month’s meeting minutes approved.

3. REPORTS
(a) Treasurer's Report - Fred AI3Z
Treasurer’s Report read and accepted. Current balance (5/14/10) is $1249.54. 2 new members.

(b) Station Equipment and Operation Reports
i. Northrop Grumman Family Net, Weds 3pm ET – Chip W4PBG / Bob K3FQP
Family net reports NG participation down; 4 non-NG participants last week.
Noise level reported low for net.
Propagation to Europe very good after net.

ii. Power Line Noise Report – Rol K3RA
Noise level reported to be up today. Rol gave a report on new happenings with BGE.
Paul Frye, BGE, is the new focal point for communications w/FCC, ARRL, PSC, and K3NEM ARC
Work last weekend on poles incomplete. Situation at bank corner down to an occasional ‘POP!’
Road surveys by Rol and Jim N. suggest that poles along the roads fanning off Andover Rd. are producing buzzing noises. Due South (likely our East gate area) also appears to be a source.
Rol requested BGE work schedule visibility, but no response received. Our latest request is that the primary offenders be subdued by the time of our D-Day special event (6/5-6/6).
Overall, the situation is improved. Will it stay that way?

iii. Equipment issues
By acclamation, purchase of a new ATV preamp was approved. Expenditure approx. $200. Fred is following up on the purchase, likely of the Icom preamp. The club wants to get the ATV station back into operation without further delay.

(c) QSL Report – Nick K3NY, Tim W1TRT
QSL cards from Samoa and Brunei just received.

(d) Training Report -- Rol Anders, K3RA
Rol’s Tech class has 30 attendees. Test on 6/8.

(e) FAR Report - No report. We still need a FAR Representative.

4. OLD BUSINESS
(a) Exhibit space for new rotating exhibit of our special/historic equipment
Rol and Jim still plan to talk to Mike about setting up an area. No update.

(b) Station appearance cleanup
Tom Christovich, Jim Nowotarski, and Ted Bauer are pricing ideas to improve layout/appearance of station, and will present back to club. No report. Clutter needs to be removed from in/under/around operating desk!
Suggested that club acquire 2 “atomic” clocks. Need to determine IF they can receive WWVB update in the building first.

(c) Gary Mauler's trailer
The club had discussed converting an old, approximately 20ft trailer owned by Gary Mauler into a mobile communications vehicle. Ulis will photograph Gary’s trailer when he scouts site for Field Day antenna erection.

(d) Storage area moving
The club storage space move is likely to occur at the end of June; and we are likely to have less storage space than now.
Discussion about what we can/should sell to benefit the club and reduce space needs.
What do we keep for display, loan, repairs, etc.?
List to be developed and items for sale publicized to club members before “going public.”
Rohn tower sections and tri-bander on wall are first candidates.
We have recently received a MFJ noise receiver and 3 antenna analyzers.
Further discussion on accepting Chip’s offer of his satellite station.

(e) Field Day planning
Ulis agreed to bring generator and fuel.

5. NEW BUSINESS
W2W will operate for D-Day, 6/5-6/6. Volunteers lined up.

6. NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Upcoming hamfests: MD FM (5/30); Manassas (6/13); BRATS (7/18)

Technical presentations - Suggest or volunteer by contacting John Paul!

Next regular meeting: June 10 2010 at 6:00 p.m. local time.

Respectfully submitted, Laurie KB3ORF (from notes via Ted Bauer WA3AER, thanks!)

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