November 2005 Meeting Minutes

Iroquois County Amateur Radio Club
Minutes for Month of November 2, 2005

President Steve Called Meeting to Order at 7:15pm at Red Cross office in
Watseka.

Old Business
Report of Minutes of Last Meeting were read and approved.
Report of Financial Condition of Club was read and approved.
Sam collected dues for for the 2005-2006 year from

Carl K9CS
Chris W9LIZ (new member this year)
Roy KA9MZJ
Kyle KC9COR
Sam W9QKF

The group decided to grant Jerry WB9Z a dues free membership for a year to
show our appreciation to him for the very large contribution of materials,
labor, tower space, and other items. Thank you Jerry. Several others have
also given freely of their time and talent to keep the repeaters going.

Mike is trying to get a Sigma antenna donated to the club. Much discussion
upon having the club be incorporated as a non-profit 503-C club. Mike
brought in a nice ham radio pamphlet for group to look at.
Mike reported that the Glenn Raymond Science Club project was under way.
The league was offering a choice 1×1 call and Troy selected W9G. Mike will
apply and see if that will be issued to our club for the event.

Benny reported that we have a battery back up for the Cingular site. We
also have a roll of 720 feet of 1 ¼ “ coax on the ground ready for the new
antennas. Still no paper work completion. Benny still pushing hard for all
the Oks.

Benny reported that Bill Nutter has a used ambulance that might make a good
communications truck.

New Business

Mike was the lucky winner of the door prize—a repeater directory.

Kyle reported that he had mailed out about 30 letters to hams to ask if they
were interested in using the repeater or joining the club. Some of the
letters were returned that were undeliverable. We hope to meet some nice
hams in the future as the result of this mailing.

For the program Sam played a tape of the building of a 1000 foot tv tower
using a helicopter.

As part of our disaster training we watched a 30 min. video on disaster
working and shelter operation.

Benny provided us some cookies for refreshments. Justin brought in a big
bag of candy.

Steve dismissed us around 9:00pm.

Sam — Sec Tres

Members present

Steve K9TA
Carl K9CS
Chris W9LIZ
Sam W9QKF
Benny KC9GWD
Justin KC9GNH
Mike KC9HHT
Tim KC9FON
Jerry WB9Z
Roy KA9MZJ
Kyle KC9COR

Sam Ripple
W9QKF KAE7607

November 2005 Agenda Item – Club Growth

Ham radio friends:

Last week I threw out on the table some ideas that I felt would help our club grow and prosper, including contacting inactive amateurs in our area who might be interested in joining our group and becoming active once again, or at least active on 2 meters and on the 147.030 repeater. I’m not usually one to make such suggestions if I’m not willing to put forth the effort required to carry them out. So…with that in mind, I’m throwing out an offer that I would like to have discussed at the November meeting, even if I am not there. I’m putting this out in advance so that everyone has time to think about and discuss what I am proposing. While discussing it on this forum is fine, I think the proper place and time to make a decision would be at the regular business meeting.

First of all, I’m somewhat of an outsider, and I don’t mean to step on anyone’s toes. I made the suggestion that this group consider establishing an ‘area of concentration’ in which it would serve and solicit membership. While I suggested the four county area of Iroquois and Ford in Illinois, and Newton and Benton in Indiana, that was only my opinion. Others may have their own, maybe larger, maybe smaller. Obviously, we would never turn away someone from outside this area that wants to work with us. I would like for the discussion to be held on this topic so we’re all aware of what area we are planning on serving through our activities. I only suggested these four counties because there are really no groups serving these counties as such. (although I did find a listing on QRZ.com for the Iroquois Ford Amateur Radio Society in Loda which I know nothing about) To the north is Kankakee/Merrillville/Valparaiso. To the south is Danville/Lafayette/Champaign. So I think there is a need for something here in the middle.

Once this is done, and if the group decides on including Newton or Benton or both, here is what I am willing to do. I have compiled a listing of all licensed amateurs in Newton and Benton Counties from QRZ.com. There are 16 in Newton County and 18 in Benton County. I would be willing to mail to those amateurs a letter inviting them to become members in this club and to invite them to use the club’s repeater. I think it would mean more having this letter come from an Indiana member to show that this club truly does not consider the state line as a barrier.(providing that’s what this group decides) I would expect that those in far northern Newton and far southern Benton would probably align more with the larger areas of Merrillville and Lafayette, but there are 10 hams in the Fowler, Boswell, Ambia area and 8 in the Brook, Kentland, Goodland, Morocco area.

I’m not going to be offended if this group wishes to not pursue my suggestions. I’m just throwing out ideas I feel worthy of discussion followed by my willingness to help see them through. While I may not be able to help much at times, this is something I’m willing to do with the group’s blessing. So…please give this some thought between now and the November meeting.

And one other idea to think about…and one I’m willing to help with as well. Would there be any interest in some sort of get-together including our significant others for the holidays? Whether it be at a restaurant or even a carry in? I thought this would be a nice social event to possibly start as a club tradition…but I’m sure everyone’s calendars are filling up fast!

I think that’s enough to think about for now. Thanks for your consideration of my suggestions.

Kyle
KC9COR