Garett N9HXR called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. In attendance physically were Joshua KD9MXV, Sam KD9BRW, Joe KE9CMR, Sam Witmer, Edison O, and Books our PS1 Affiliate. In attendance remotely were Josh K9TEA, Caelan Costigan, Don KC9ZMY, Tom KD9YOV and Simon KE9CLZ.
First order of business was approval of the minutes from the last meeting. Garett asked if there were any corrections. None were voiced, so Sam KD9BRW made a motion to accept and Joshua KD9MXV seconded the motion. Minutes stand as read. Next item on the agenda was the Change to the by-laws that would allow the executive board to change the meeting date as per section 17. Garett N9HXR placed a poll on Discord and hand vote of the in-person people. The change was approved. Joshua KD9MXV abstained because he did not like the wording. He is to work on that for a future clarification. Next, Garett N9HXR announced that we are now a boosted club with Pumping Station 1. This means we can get help from PS1 for some of our projects.
Vice President Joshua KD9MXV reported on his experience at the Illinois Repeater Association (ILRA) meeting and learned that they had cleared up a large portion of their backlog. He also talked about how GPS company NexNav have petitioned the FCC to take over some 902-928mhz (33cm) band frequencies for use with land-based GPS. They are purposely using outdated data to try to misrepresent the activity on these frequencies. The docket number is 24-240. Please go to the FCC and file your grievance with this. Simon KD9CLZ has offered to help write an official opposition to the petition for rule making, as he does technical writing as part of his profession. Garett N9HXR mentioned that Yaesu has their repeater promotion going again. It’s $950 for the DR-2X without the LAN card, and $1300 for the one with the LAN. This would be a 2m or 70cm repeater.
Sam KD9BRW announced that we had received our Club Call sign and that we requested a vanity sign and had received WC9CRS.
Joe KE9CMR stated that, although leery, would accept anything members sent him, Pictures, articles, Ideas, whatever for use in the newsletter. If anyone is interested in helping publish the Newsletter, please let us know. Our treasurer Brian is going to be tied up with work and traveling a lot so we’re without a treasurer. We can’t open an account, collect dues, or pay bills without one. If anyone would consider taking this important office on, please contact one of the officers or board members. We need to fill this role as soon as possible, hopefully we can vote on someone by the next meeting. Also, on the subject of Brian, He was looking into the U-505 activation event but we don’t know how far he got. Garett N9HXR called the Museum of Science and Industry and the private events office offered a room that would hold eight hundred people but that is obviously not what we’re looking for. He explained that we were looking for something on or near the sub and told him to talk to the Education Department. They told him that their programs were aimed at elementary school or high school kids. So, he sent her a blurb about the group that does the battleship New Jersey activation and how it’s worldwide phenomenon with museums and ships all over the world for them to consider. We also need to start searching for places to place a repeater. Multiple places were made mention of. Garett asked if there were any other items to discuss, but there were no responses. He next asked for a motion for adjournment, which was supplied by Sam KD9BRW and seconded
by Joshua KD9MXV. Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm. Reminder for Thursday night net KA9HHH at 7:00pm and Digital net on TGIF talk group 65535, YSF Reflector 65535, Allstarlink Node 630121, and Echolink node N9HXR-R (320720) on Sundays at 7:00pm.
Respectfully,
Joseph Murphy Jr KE9CMR
Recording Secretary