Dade Radio Club Meeting Minutes

June 10, 2019

Officers:
President: Julio Herrera (KK4KMO)
Vice President: Lloyd Kurtzman (N4LJK)
Corporate Secretary: Joanne Carbana (KG4GKU) (Not Present)
Public Information Officer: Dani Burrus (KJ4YVN)
Treasurer: Lee Abrams (WB2CUW) (Not Present)
Corresponding Secretary: Lloyd Kurtzman (N4LJK)

Board of Directors:
Miguel Garate (KJ4YVN) (Not Present)
Jason Swift (WB0ATS)
Ray Vaughan (KD4BBM)
Bob Hernandez (KM4JAT) (Not Present)

Website: http:/www.daderadioclub.org

Minutes completed by: Dani Burrus (KK4ZMF)

Julio called meeting to order at 19:47.

Julio presided over the meeting and welcomed everyone. The meeting was not broadcast live on the air tonight from the EOC. There is testing being conducted. Everyone took turns and stated their name and call sign. 

Reading of the Minutes – Julio reported that the minutes are on the website. 

Secretary – Joanne is not present, nothing to report. 

Corresponding Secretary – Mail was picked up and “there were checks”.

Treasurer’s Report – Lee Abrams is not present. 

Website – Website has been updated. 

Club Elmer – Miguel is not present, nothing to report.

PIO – Dani has nothing to report.

Field Day 2019 – Field Day will be held June 22nd from 9:00 to 17:00 and June 23rd from 6:00 to 13:00 at South Dade Agricultural Center, 18710 SW 288st, Homestead FL 33030. Skywarn training will be held during Field Day. 

ARRL Technician Enhancement Proposal – As a tech you only have HF rights on 10 meters. They want to enhance tech rights. 

Misc. – Jason spoke about FT8. FT8 is an excellent mode for HF DXing and for situations like multi-hop Es on 6 meters, where deep QSB may make fast and reliable completion of QSOs desirable. It’s a “one frequency party line” so you would need to establish your own frequency. 

Repeater Update:
147.000 – Jason has no update. Jason, Ray and Merritt have some follow-up items they need to address.
146.760 – Ray stated there is no change. Please use it!
444.200 – Merritt stated there is no change. 
D-Star – A new amp is being install because the Homestead area cannot hear the repeater. 

Officer Elections – Elections were missed this year as they were supposed to happen in February. Erik Alexander KN4LPP has been elected to fill the vacancy of Director. All other Officers and Directors, remain the same. 

Emergency Committee Chair – Reminder its Hurricane Season.

Net Manager – Brandon reported that the 146.700 is not working properly and this repeater has been removed and 146.760 will take its place on the First and Fifth (if applicable) Monday of each month. 

Presentation – Harry Pillot KN4DHY, gave a presentation on a Slot Antenna which he made for his personal vehicle. A slot antenna consists of a metal surface, usually a flat plate, with a hole or slot cut out. When the plate is driven as an antenna by a driving frequency, the slot radiates electromagnetic waves in a way similar to a dipole antenna. The shape and size of the slot, as well as the driving frequency, determine the radiation distribution pattern. He is currently only able to received, but not transmit. He is looking for assistance. 

Testing – 2 upgrades: 1 general and 1 extra. Congrats! 

Old Business – Merritt has posted the Hambulance for sale asking $2000 for it. 

New Business – None reported.

Julio made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Brandon. The DRC meeting was adjourned at 20:40. Dinner at Chuy’s!