DADE RADIO CLUB FEBRUARY 11, 2008 MINUTES OF MEETING
PRESIDENT: JEFF GARNETT (KGRCNM) (NOT PRESENT)
VICE PRESIDENT: ROBERT CRUZ (KE4MCL)
SECRETARY: CHRIS JENSEN (KG4SYV)
ASST SECRETARY: JOANNE CARBANA (KG4GKU)
TREASURER: ESTHER SANCHEZ (KI40TX)
WEB SITE: http:/www.daderadioclub.org
Meeting was called to order at 19:50 with 22 present.
Jeff was not present tonight due to an illness and Robert presided over the meeting. Robert welcomed everyone to the meeting. The meeting was broadcast live on the air tonight from the EOC via radio only, not video casting.
The minutes for the January meeting were not posted on the web. They will be posted and voted on at the next meeting.
Old Business: (was put on hold until Chris came back into the room)
New Business:
The Orlando Hamfest was discussed. It opened Thursday to set-up; opened to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. However, around 2 PM on Saturday, everyone disappeared. Sunday was a waste. Robert and several others from the club passed out flyers for our Hamfest in October 2008. A lot of people were glad that we are having the show and that it is still going on. The most popular question was if the tailgating was going to get bigger. A lot of people support the tailgate vendors.
Ray spoke about D-Star. He said that an ICOM rep said that an amateur radio club in Japan said that amateur radio should go to D-Star not P-25 radio. There was further discussion on the subject by the members.
Old Business:
There was to be a discussion as to the dues of the Club. Since Jeff is not here, it will be tabled until the next meeting.
The Boy Scout event on March 14 and 15, 2008 is covered. We will have a meeting before that date. We will have a station set-up.
There was a discussion of the ride back from the Orlando Hamfest on US 27 and the US Sugar Ethanol plant being constructed. Robert spoke how he stopped and looked at the lake and what a big impact. The lake is really low and you don’t realize it until you actually see it.
Eddie from the Red Cross announced that Friday, February 15, from 1 – 3 PM new Red Cross ID’s were going to be made at the Red Cross facility. You need to call George and make an appointment.
Repeater update:
Merritt spoke about the 147.000. Still working. Nothing new. Waiting for photos for the antenna change.
Ray reported on the 146.760. It’s working well. We are using it now. It failed an elevator inspection but it’s fine now. No complaints.
Frank spoke about the 865. It is only open during daily business hours. He is going to contact George to schedule a time to check it out.
Robert spoke about the 220.000. It needs a home. Same problem with access.
There is no digi on the 147.000 and it needs to be done before the breakaway. Need to set up a time and a day to do it.
Robert asked if there was any further old business. There was none.
Back to New Business
Robert spoke about our Hamfest in October. It will be one day only, October 25. The contract is signed. It will be at the Monti Schriners Building at 14th and the river. We have a 600 parking space lot to use and another one with about 60 spots. There is an indoor area. A covered area outside. We will be getting 1000 chairs and 100 rectangular tables with the price, which will save the Club approximately $800.00. The total price is about $4,000.00. Only 1 show. Friday is set-up. We might have to rent about 50 – 100 tables. The place will set up for us, we only have to tip the guy. $.25 per chair and $.75 per table, but we should give him about $100 - $150.00. This is going to be a local, tri-county show. Robert is making a list of questions such as if there will be access via boat, do we need a dock master, etc. It was suggested that we invite the Coast Guard and possibly have a Miami-Dade Fire Boat. According to the contract, we need 1 or 2 policemen (FHP is OK) and we need a City of Miami Fireman @ $41.00 per hour. The Hamfest will be open from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. We can probably be there Saturday until about 10:00 PM to put things away. There is room for 4 RV’s but no hookups/facilities. If people want to camp-out, there are no facilities. Food was discussed. We are not going to provide food since you need to have a license. Either CAP or the Boy Scouts can take care of the food and keep the money. We will need people for the main gates, to watch for thieves and to sell tickets. We will all work in shifts so we only need a small number of volunteers. Normally the Hamfest costs $4,500.00 per day. It was also suggested that we offer the Shriners a table as well. Robert advised that if anyone has any suggestions for him to ask the Shriners, to let him know. Hollis asked if there were going to be any seminars. The answer was no since we don’t have the room. We are going to be having HAM testing onsite. Advertising costs a lot of money. For the Hamfest costs the last time was $6500.00 for mailing alone. Our goal is to break even or make some money. Prices of the tables will be discussed in the future. It was suggested $30.00 per table. Steve requested any videos that anyone has of past Hamfests. He is going to make a commercial on UTube. If anyone donates a prize, we can give them away. Our goal is to have next year’s Hamfest after the Orlando Hamfest.
Ray advised that the Fire Department Expo will take place at Tropical Park on a Saturday in March and he will have the info at the next meeting.
Steve announced that a company has HF radio kits on the highend available for $2700.00. Several other companies were mentioned.
Steve showed a new “toy” that the bought at the Orlando Hamfest – a green laser pen for $40.00. They go for $100.00 on the net.
With no other business, Robert thanked everyone for coming. A Motion to close the meeting was made by Philipe, seconded by Esther.
The DRC meeting was adjourned at 20:56.
Joanne Carbana
KG4GKU
