ASSOCIATED RADIO AMATEURS OF LONG BEACH, INC., W6RO

 

General Membership Meeting on July 6, 2001                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

The meeting is held at Signal Hill Community Center and called to order by President John Rogers KF6TTR at 7:10 p.m.  45 persons signed the attendance book.

 

The Flag Salute is led by Rick Silva WA6ES.

 

Visitors welcomed:            Richard Duffy K6JZK, of Cypress; Harry Milligan NT6O and Martin LaRocque N6NTH, of Long Beach; Reggie Stevens K6RTH of Baldwin Park; Jim McChristy W6IVA of Long Beach; Michael French K6RT with daughters Stephanie and Sarah, of Lakewood; and Kurt Geitner K6RRA of Seal Beach.

 

Secretary’s Report:            Secretary Tom Gibbons W9EYB reports that the minutes for the June 1 General Membership Meeting and for the June 4 Board of Directors meeting are at the head table.  He explains the $5.00 dues increase and change in Family Membership dues approved at the May 7 director meeting.  Also the director vacancy by the resignation of elected director Jerry Sulentich KE6SI.  Suggestions for an appointed replacement director are needed. 

                                    A quorum of 6 is needed for each Board of Directors meeting.  If unable to attend, each director is urged to contact Tom directly in advance of the meeting date.  Director Carol Apt KF6THS will be absent from the July and August Board of Director meetings.

                                   

Treasurer’s Report:            Treasurer Lisa Gibbons KF6QNG reports account balances as of June 30:  Cash $150.42, Checking $1,991.56, Savings $2,787.35, Scholarship Fund CD $2,030.91 and the Scholarship Savings Transfer Fund $5.00.  The CD was renewed by the treasurer,  less funds withdrawn for current year purposes as instructed by the Board of Directors on June 4.  Field Day 2001 was a financial success, income $892.35 and expenses $713.54, for a profit of $178.81.  This is something new for our club!  The ticket sales  for Field Day drawing prizes, payments by guests for meals and ARRL-VEC testing net proceeds helped to bring this profit.

 

                                    President John Rogers KF6TTR announced receipt of the final $400.00 HAMCON 1999 net profit distribution check, payable to the ARALB.  He delivers the check to the treasurer.  The small net profits balance will be paid to the Los Angeles Area Council of Clubs for operating expenses.

 

New member:               Robert Tucker WA6MBL, of Long Beach.

 

Humor:                         By Joe Provenza W6UPN.

 

Health & Welfare:            None.

 

Announcements:            - New Extra Class members are Ray Rittenhouse KF6WZN and Donna BarkerW6DJB.

- The Friday club net now is 7:30 p.m. on 145.520 MHz simplex.  Hear club news.

- The Thursday ARES nets:  6:30 p.m. on 449.780 MHz repeater (131.8 PL) and 223.800 MHz repeater (156.7 PL), also at 6:45 p.m. on the 1.2 GHz repeater.  The 7 p.m. net on 145.520 MHz simplex for Los Angeles County ARES Southeast Section. Hear the weekly amateur radio news report starting at 6:45 p.m.

 

 

 

- 10 J-poles were earlier made for the Long Beach school district, planned for each Long Beach school.  The J-pole antenna project planned for Field Day 2001 was postponed, to be rescheduled soon through Long Beach ARES/RACES.

 

Old business                  (Refer to the monthly Board of Directors meeting minutes for business matters.)

 

Reports:

 

Testing Committee            Testing Chair Tom Gibbons W9EYB reports that ARALB monthly amateur radio testing, all classes, through the Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group (GLAARG)  is scheduled for Saturday, July 21, 9 a.m. at the California State University campus police station, 1331 Palo Verde Ave. (between university parking lots #9 and #11), Long Beach.  Enter university Lot #9 from Palo Verde Ave. (at its intersection southbound with Anaheim Road).  Follow the Testing signs from Lot #9.  Pre-registration is recommended through Don Boyce (562-420-9480).  Talk-in on the 449.780 MHz repeater (131.8 Hz tone).  Field Day 2001 testing was conducted using the ARRL-VEC procedure with 11 persons tested.

 

Training Committee:            No report.

 

W6RO Club Station:            Report by the W6RO Wireless Room Station Manager Nate Brightman K6OSC.

                                    Carnival Cruise Line will soon start construction of a 1,000 foot pier and extensive facilities to be used for cruise ship passenger loading and unloading, administrative and logistical support.  This will increase traffic at the Queen Mary liner substantially.  The security desk and sign-in are now on board through the crew entrance.  Increased security will require showing your current Amateur Radio license in order to sign in for Wireless Room duty.  ARALB member?  Become a Wireless Room operator,too!

 

W6RO QSL Cards:            No report.

 

Club Mug Sales:            You can still order ARALB mugs customized with your name and call sign.  They come in two sizes, small and large.  Two colors are available, Cobalt blue and black.  Contact John Rogers KF6TTR or Carol Apt KF6THS.

 

Long Beach ARES:            Joe Provenza reports the need for amateur radio operators to join and participate in Long Beach ARES and RACES.  Training is a continuing obligation.  Keep current!

 

Field Day 2001              Konstantinos “Dino” Kitsios KF6ECO, chair, reports a very successful event. W6RO operated Class 8A emergency power, LAX Section.  Total contacts were XXXX.  The help and cooperation of members and others are appreciated.  Long Beach Emergency Services K6CHE provided the HAM-1 communications trailer.  The Long Beach Unified School District provided emergency generators and lighting, the Long Beach Fire Department donated use of a mobile barbecue and grill, and the Greater Long Beach Red Cross Chapter donated use of a mobile field kitchen and barbecue grill.  Member Dick Boone KF6HKA again offered excellent food service!  Over 90 volunteer operators and visitors came to the Field Day site, including Long Beach city VIPs.  

 

American Red Cross            The Greater Long Beach Chapter need for Amateur Radio Operators continues, says Rick Silva WA6ES.  Radio operators are needed for routine nets and station operation, especially for disaster and emergency support.  Many local community emergency

 

 

responses are supported.  There are several Amateur Radio transceivers at the Long Beach Chapter.  Telephone the Long Beach Chapter for information and to volunteer.

 

Historian                       No report.

 

Oscillator Newsletter:            Editor Carina Lister KF6ZYY received applause from the members present for the attractive format and interesting articles.  The mailed July issue coversheet is colorful  

with exploding fireworks in the margins.  More and more members are asking for the monthly newsletter by e-mail attachment, which is encouraged by the Board of Directors.  Carina reminds of the 15th of month deadline for articles and other information for the coming issue.  Her contact information is in each newsletter.

 

New business:

                                   

Orange County Fair:            Chuck Williams KN6DB distributes the staff registration forms, tickets and parking passes to current ARALB volunteers.  More help is needed to staff our Amateur Radio Booth at the Fair:  All day Sundays, July 15 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  and Friday, July 27, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Contact Chuck at 562-431-3488 to volunteer or with

Questions to help you volunteer.  This is an authorized ARALB event and will “sell” our club to the public.  The Fair grounds frequency is 146.520 MHz simplex.  ARALB members are urged to monitor 145.520 MHz simplex while on duty and check-in to the club net on July 27.

 

ARRL Southwest             This important, annual event is the weekend of September 7-9 in the Riverside

Division Convention            Convention Center.  This is a wonderful opportunity to sell our club to the many persons attending.  Advance tickets are available now, or may be purchased at the door.  Check the arrl.org website under “conventions” for details and contact information.  Plan to go!

 

Meeting Program            Members Fred Wagner KQ6Q and Dennis Kidder WA6NIA offer an interesting explanation and demonstration of the PSK-31 digital operating mode, with many questions.  Fred and Dennis closed with simple ways to get on the air with PSK-31 on a  small budget.  The president presents a Certificate of Appreciation to them for this useful, interesting program.

 

The member egg drawing, now $20, is won by member Bill Elliott KF6KOI.  He is not present.  The prize fund next month increases to $25.

 

No further business is presented.  Motion to adjourn made, second.  No discussion.  The motion is approved.  Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

 

 

The next General Membership Meeting is Friday, August 3, 2001, 7:00 p.m. in the Signal Hill Community Center.  The program is by member Rick Silva WA6ES on DX long-range communications.  Worldwide contacts and QSL card confirmations will be interesting.  Call W6RO for talk-in on 145.520 MHz simplex before 7 p.m. 

 

The next Board of Directors meeting is Monday, July 9, 7:00 p.m. at the home of Ray Rittenhouse KF6WZN, 11707 Gonsalves St., Cerritos (562-860-5472).  Members are welcome.  Refreshments are served.  Call W6RO for talk-in on 145.520 MHz simplex before 7 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                    Thomas R. Gibbons, W9EYB

                                                                                    Secretary