SOUTH FLORIDA FM ASSOCIATION JUNE 12, 2006 MINUTES OF MEETING

PRESIDENT: RONNIE HAIK KG4DBI

VICE PRESIDENT: ERNESTO DIAZ KG4LXH

SECRETARY: JOANNE CARBANA KG4GKU

TREASURER: CAESAR CARBANA KG4BZA

DIRECTORS:

ANDY PICHS N3PI 01-07

SAM HARTE KQ4MR 00-09

JEFF GARNETT KG4CNM 05-08

WEB SITE: http:/www.sffma.net

MAIL YOUR DUES TO:

SOUTH FLORIDA FM ASSOCIATION

POB 430028

MIAMI, FL 33243

Meeting was called to order at 19:45 with 28 present. Tonight we are having a joint meeting with the SFMMA and the Dade Radio Club.

Ronnie welcomed everyone to the joint SFFMA and DRC meeting. The SFFMA will have its meeting first and then the DRC will have its 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. We have no guest speaker tonight.

The May minutes were posted on the web. A motion to accept the minutes was made by Robert and seconded by Sam.

Repeater update:

John spoke about the 147.000. It is on the air, but not very loud. It is only transmitting ¼ watt. He has the new cabinet donated by Florida Rock Industries. It will take a while. Will refurbish the equipment before putting it back into the new cabinet. He suggested a letter be written on SFFMA letterhead to Florida Rock thanking them for their generous donation of a new cabinet. Ronnie will get with John. It was also suggested by Carl that another letter be written on ARPSC letterhead advising Florida Rock that their donation was a great service to SFFMA and the community. The antenna status is in question. Per Carl they were replaced a few years ago after Andrew. Merritt spoke about his inspection of the antennas and Ray provided a slide presentation at the same time. The slides were narrated by John and Merritt.

Robert reported on the 220.000. It is working and he is still talking to himself.

Ray spoke about the 146.760. Working fine and the 315 in the Hammocks is in need of antenna repair. Also the 142.74 need antenna repair.

Carl advised that the 444.200 is working super.

Old Business:

Ronnie spoke about Field Day. It will take place June 24 and 25th this year. He spoke with Nilo Hernandez and they are also coordinating with the American Radio Club. Last year we had 3 clubs together and it was a lot of fun. Field Day will start early on Saturday, June 24. Philipe advised at the ARPSC meeting last month they were ordering the food and obtaining the permits. It will be the same menu. Nilo has requested some help with the funds and it was discussed that $100.00 be donated by each club.

Last Saturday Harry and Evelyn taught an Emergency Level 1 ARRL class. There were 6-8 people there. Evelyn had purchased the books. Anyone is welcome to borrow one to read up on the class. The classes will also take place on June 17 and the last class is June 24 from 9 am to 1 pm. They will start another session in August.

Ronnie reminded everyone that dues are officially due Jan 1, 2006. Caesar advised that we have 14 paid members, not including the honorary or lifetime members. 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, and are considered honorary members for the rest of the year. Ray suggested that the membership list be posted on the website. Joanne will provide it to him with the minutes to post.

Ernesto spoke about the MS 150 Break Away Bike-A-Thon. It took place on May 6 & 7. Ernesto thanked everyone that helped. MS has $1.6 mil in the bank so far. There were over 2100 riders that signed up. We actually had 1985 riders. The original goal was 1700 riders and we broke that. They approached Ernesto to be chairman next year. He will accept. He advised that he needs someone new to coordinate the MS 150 next year. They will have all of his files, etc. Anyone interested, please see Ernesto.

Also the Loren Capastein Charity (the rider hit last year) will take place this month. Ronnie is participating. It is a total of 62 miles. Email Ronnie if you are interested.

Joanne spoke about CERT. If you are interested, please see her for the telephone number to contact Rosilyn at the OEM to take classes and become certified or you can go to the website, MiamiDade.gov for more info. Due to the hurricanes last year, attendance is up for people wanting to take classes.

Ronnie asked if there was any more Old Business. There was none and we went on to New Business:

New Business:

Don spoke about Skywarn. They are having a beginners class next Saturday, June 17. They are going to emphasize on spotters in hurricanes. It will be 9AM at the Coral Gables Police Dept. He also advised that he received an award from NOAA for Skywarn and also went to Washington and received a tour.

Steve announced that he went to the Value Jet site the day before the memorial. There were 2 different groups. The weeds were 2 feet high. We need to spray the weeds. Robert saw about 15 kids this weekend walking out there too. Don said that he has been there at night and the police come by and check it out. Ray requested that any photos be sent to him and he will post them on the website so that the families will know that the maintenance is being taken care of.

Ronnie inquired as to the testing status. It was unknown.

Ronnie opened the floor to any other new business. There was none.

With no other business, Ronnie thanked everyone for coming and turned the meeting over to the Dade Radio Club.

The meeting was adjourned at 20:28.

Joanne Carbana

KG4GKU