|
|
|
SOUTH FLORIDA FM ASSOCIATION APRIL 10, 2006 MINUTES OF MEETING PRESIDENT: RONNIE HAIK KG4DBI DIRECTORS: MAIL YOUR DUES TO: Meeting was called to order at 19:55 with 21 present. Ronnie welcomed all to the SFFMA meeting. The meeting was being broadcast live on the air tonight from the EOC. Testing is being conducted tonight in another room. We have quite a few people again tonight. The microphone was then passed around the room and everyone stated their name and call sign. Ronnie welcomed everyone again. Ronnie announced that we do not have a guest speaker tonight. The March minutes were posted on the web. A motion to accept the minutes was made by Art and seconded by Caesar. Repeater update: John spoke about the 147.000. The new cabinet is in progress. Work will be started on it after the Bike-A-Thon. He needs a new controller for the repeater. A motion was made by Randy and seconded by Caesar to authorize John to purchase the new controller. No objections, the motion passed. Robert reported on the 220.000. He is still talking to himself. After the strike is over at UM, he will go with Ray to get it back on frequency. John advised that we should give a donation to the Florida Repeater Foundation. Ray advised that the membership is $10.00 per year and suggested that we not give too much so it doesn't look like we are asking for any favors. We have 4 or 5 repeater licenses. Chris made a motion to donate $50.00 to the Florida Repeater Foundation, seconded by John. No objections, the motion passed. Ray spoke about the 146.760. We are using it on-the-air tonight. The auto patch codes did not change. The Treasurer has the current roster list. If Caesar shows that you are paid, you can get the code. He is avoiding the site due to the strike at UM. He suggested that we use it at least once in case of an emergency we will know how it works. Carl was not present. There is no report on the 444.200. Old Business: Ronnie reminded everyone that dues are officially due Jan 1, 2006. We are going to be using the same PO Box as the Dade Radio Club. He will get the address and advise everyone if you want to mail in your dues. In the meantime, you can give your dues to Ronnie or Caesar tonight. Dues are $30.00 per year and $5.00 for each family member. If you are a new ham, you can become a non-voting member for 1 year free. Ernesto is working on ID's. Ernesto was not present tonight. He is out-of-town the next couple of days. Andy spoke about the Break Away Bike-A-Thon. It is going to take place May 6 & 7 this year. It's the same weekend as the Air Show. As of last Tuesday, last year we had 1600 riders and we have 1740 so far this year. There will be a cut-off of 2000 riders. We don't have enough volunteers. We need 48-50 per day. We lost 2 our of volunteers, Ronnie and Brian, as they are going to be riders this year. Some volunteers are going to the Air Show. We won't have the cadets from the Civil Air Patrol this year. We need someone with a pick-up truck to give out the lunches. If you are interested go to Ernesto's website, KGRLXH.com, go to the MS link and fill out the MS Volunteer form. If you do fill out the form and show up, you can be arrested. They are being really strict this year so we don't have any problems as in the past. Andy will visit with other clubs to try to get more volunteers. If you volunteer, you get a free tee shirt. It was discussed how it is a waste to have 3 or more communicators at the different rest stops when someone there has a cell phone. Also that police officers are at the rest stops and could be put to better use directing traffic. Some volunteers have been at intersections with police officers and they feel like they are "just occupying space" and that it is a waste. Using interop was also discussed. Ray advised that he will not be at the Break Away. He needs to attend a meeting in Washington. If someone will volunteer to help set up the misters, Saturday is up in the air and there are no misters for Sunday. Some volunteers was on corners were they did not need to use their radios. It was brought up that some of the areas that we are at, cell phones do not work and our radios do. Andy also advised that Lysette also needs volunteers for the March of Dimes Marathon, which will take place April 29th at Crandon Park. It is the weekend before the Break Away. If interested, see Lysette or contact her at KI4DYH.com or at 305-898-9118. She needs volunteers. Ray spoke about the Motorola Free Flea at the park in Oakland Park. It was about 1/3 of its normal size, but he got some great deals. Ronnie spoke about bringing both the SFFMA and the Dade Radio Club together as 1 club. Robert advised that he sent out an email. He suggested that we keep both clubs separate but meet together at the same time. The books, money and members would be separate. The Hamboree would still belong to the Dade Radio Club. Both clubs would benefit from the guest speakers. Voting regarding the business of each club would be done separately. Jeff said he felt it would take away volunteers. We would have 2 presidents, 2 secretaries, 2 treasurers. The Dade Radio Club is loosing its treasurer. Ronnie agreed with Robert. The Dade Radio Club is having problems. The two clubs will start meeting the same night and we can re-visit the subject at the end of the year. It was also suggested that ARPSC also be brought in to the group. We will try it out at the next meeting on May 8th at 7:30 PM. Robert advised that the Dade Radio Club is short on volunteers. They need to replace the secretary and treasurer. If they cannot, it will put the brakes on the Hamfest. Ronnie suggested that they pay the person to do the Treasurer's job that is in the position now. Ronnie asked if there was any more Old Business. There was none and we went on to New Business: New Business: Jeff advised that UM is having a Free Flea this weekend, Saturday, April 15th. Ester Sanchez passed her exam and is a new HAM operator. Congratulations! Again, Ronnie reminded everyone of the March of Dimes on April 29th. Joanne advised that CERT is up and going again. If you are interested in becoming a CERT member, to either contact her or Rosilyn at the OEM. You can go to their website, MiamiDade.gov for more info. There are 51 days to the start of hurricane season. Ronnie announced that every year the American Red Cross sends us a guest speaker about getting ready for hurricanes. At next month's meeting, we will have a guest speaker from the American Red Cross here for that purpose. Ronnie announced that we received a Certificate and Plaque for recognition to all of our members for their volunteer work during the 2005 Hurricane Season from the American Red Cross. Ronnie spoke about Field Day. It will take place June 24 and 25th this year.
He will call Mike announced that this is the 2nd time he has been to our meetings and he has enjoyed the club. We are doing a great job. Ronnie opened the floor to any other new business. There was none. With no other business, Ronnie thanked everyone for coming. Refreshments were served in the cafeteria. The meeting was adjourned at 20:40. Joanne Carbana
|
|
