BILLERICA AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY MEETING 10/7/15
Matthews Memorial Church, Chelmsford MA
The meeting was called to order at 1909 presided over by VP Tom Walsh K1TW.
There were 17 members present. The meeting opened with members introducing themselves. There were two new members: Charlie, W1CEP and Steve, KB1WWK who were both looking for info about getting on the air.
ELECTIONS:
Mike, K1TWF, discussed elections. Presently there are no candidates for either President or Vice President.
K1TW said BARS is looking to build a team approach rather than putting full responsibility on one President. The concept is to develop a team method of administrating the club as a cooperative effort with help from experienced officers. So team members are being recruited. The team, so far, consists of Tom K1TW, Mike K1TWF, Paul K1YUB, Bruce W1LUS, Andy KA1GTT, and others are now under consideration. The club is seeking volunteers for President and Vice President to complete the team.
W1HH YAHOO GROUP:
Niece, KA1ULN has agreed to moderate the W1HH Yahoo group. Per Yahoo Group rules, we must first hold a poll to name Niece as the new moderator. So watch for this. Then we can finally re-activate the list and add new members.
BARS is a General Interest Club; Not a Contest Club
It was mentioned that perceptions may be that the BARS is a contest club although the goal is to be a general interest club. Our meetings and topics in recent years re-inforce our general interest approach.
GET ON THE AIR PROJECT:
A number of ideas are being considered. 1/ go to remote sites for QRP and County Hunting, 2/ helping people set up their antenna. 3/ a weekly BARS net on 147.12 Billerica repeater.
NEAR-FEST PLANS:
At NearFest BARS uses two ten by twenty shelters. The dates are 10/16 and 10.17/2015. BARS members can bring equipment to sell at the BARS table. BARS have a potluck dinner on Friday night. Members may bring musical instruments. IMPORTANT: BRING A CHAIR ETC.
NEW HAM PROJECT:
BARS runs extremely successful VE sessions every second Thursday. K1YUB put together a very nice club oriented flyer to be given out at our VE sessions intended to help guide new hams into the hobby. The flyer was reviewed and accepted. Also it was suggested that we publish a club brochure.
WEEKLY NET, COMING SOON?:
A net on the Billerica repeater 147.12 net is being planned but a net control needs to be recruited. Net control will use the club call, W1HH and we will refer to it as the BARS N1IW Memorial Net. Please volunteer to be a net net control. If we get four volunteers, then we can share the duties.
NOVEMBER MEETING:
Jim, N1HTS volunteered to run the November meeting. Thanks Jim. We will hold elections at this meeting.
End of business meeting @1951
SPEAKER:
KB3OCF, Ian Mackenzie, spoke about an Amateur Radio high altitude balloon launching from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2011. The talk generated many questions and was well received. The balloon reached an altitude of 96k ft.
Submitted by
Paul Graveline, K1YUB
Club Secretary
10/8/15
