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SOUTH FLORIDA FM ASSOCIATION JAN. 9, 2006 MINUTES OF MEETING PRESIDENT: RONNIE HAIK KG4DBI DIRECTORS: MAIL YOUR DUES TO: Meeting was called to order at 20:00 with 31 present. Ronnie welcomed all to the SFFMA meeting and wished everyone a Happy New Year. This is our first meeting of the year. The meeting was being broadcast live on the air tonight from the EOC. There is no testing being conducted 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 but there will be a small presentation tonight about the camping trip last weekend. The November minutes were posted on the web. A motion to accept the minutes was made by Chris and seconded by Ray. Repeater update: Ray spoke about the 146.760. Working well. A little basey. Carl spoke about the 444.200. Working well. Not a lot of people on it. John spoke about the 147.000. It is having a receiver problem. There is going to be a crew next weekend to work on it. It works occasionally. Robert spoke about the 220.000. It is working the best that it can. He announced that the Canadians lost their 220 band for not using it. He encouraged more people to get on the band. Philipe suggested to put an ecolink on it and it was stated that that was not a good idea. Old Business: Ronnie announced that we had no meeting in December. We had the Holiday Dinner on December 10 at 7 PM at the EOC. There were under 40 people present. It was a very nice dinner. He thanked everyone who helped. Ronnie announced that we had elections at the November meeting. The following Officers were elected to next year's term: President - Ronnie For Director - Sam was elected for another term and the Trustees of the Repeaters were elected for another term. Ronnie reminded everyone that dues are officially due Jan 1, 2006. Give your dues to Ronnie or Caesar tonight or send them to the PO Box. 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. Philipe spoke about the Jr. Orange Bowl Parade that happened last month. He
thanked everyone that helped. He apologized for the "incident" that
happened and that those people will be banned from any future events. He stated
that the children enjoyed it. The Kayak race took place on November 19. Chris gave a short report. It was at the same place as last year at the Miami Rowing Club. Ronnie announced that there was also a free flea in Coral Gables that same weekend and Ray announced that there was also the NASCAR race as well. New Business: Carl announced that he needs volunteers for the Miami Topical Marathon for Sunday, February 5. Yes we need to get up early, but you are finished by 12 Noon. We also need volunteers for the Hamboree. If you are interested, get in touch with Carl to help out. Carl also announced that at the ARPSC meeting it was discussed that the same people are involved in the ARPSC, SFFMA and Dade Radio Club. He said that we need to look to the future and since it is always the same people, and that we might want to combine all of the clubs into one and have one meeting per month. He wants all of us to think about it and we will discuss it at the next meeting. We need to do something to make us strong again. Jeff questioned how it will affect our By-Laws. Sam suggested that the Club appoint a committee of 2 or 3 members tonight to look at the By-Laws and make a recommendation for the next meeting. Ronnie said that he wants to hold off until after the Hamfest. He said that he and Jeff would get together and meet and see what they can come up with by the next meeting on February 13, 2006. While we are on the subject, Robert spoke about the Hamboree. We need volunteers for Thursday for setting up tables and for Sunday for tearing down the tables. Right now there is well over ½ sold and over 19,000 flyers went out on Friday. He has tickets here tonight to purchase if anyone is interested. Steve is handling the table sales. Robert also spoke about the vendors that have registered so far. Ronnie introduced Jeff Beal from the Broward/Palm Beach County area and his assistant Hugh. They both spoke. They are trying to coordinate the 3 counties together and put together a training program. In the future, FEMA will require credentials to cross county lines in an emergency. John then spoke about the 147.000 again. He needs another crystal for the receiver. Also with regard to our replacing the cabinet with an aluminum one since the old one rusted out. We have discussed before to purchase one. It is not critical right now. However, someone has volunteered to buy the cabinet for us. They will purchase the one that we want and will donate it to our organization or we can purchase it ourselves. Jeff announced that there are funding grants available on the ARRL website since the hurricane for equipment damaged by the storm. It was discussed if we should accept the donation or purchase it ourselves. Carl said to put together a committee to get it done. Ronnie said it was great for a company to donate something to us and this way we can use our money for something else as long as no strings were attached. Philipe made a motion to accept the donation, seconded by Randy and Joanne added the stipulation that there will be no conditions attached if we accept the donation. It was discussed that it would be better if the company donates it to our organization instead of giving us the funds to purchase it ourselves so that no money exchanges hands. Ray made sure that it was the cabinet that we wanted and that it will fit into the elevator. Ronnie opened the floor for any other questions or concerns. There were none. Ronnie then announced that there was a small group of members that went camping this past weekend and that Jeff had a picture presentation to show us. He also asked if anyone was interested in having a guest speaker at the meeting to let him know. John Hall advised that he could set up a tour of Homeland Security with the Coast Guard at the Coast Guard Station on Miami Beach called Hawkeye. They are also looking for radio operators. You need to join the Coast Guard for this. With regard to the tour, he said to pick out a date and he will make the arrangements. Ronnie said that we would look into it after the Hamfest. We all enjoyed Jeff's picture presentation of the camping in Big Cypress. With no other business, Ronnie thanked everyone for coming. Refreshments were served in the cafeteria. The meeting was adjourned at 20:35. Joanne Carbana
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