The Secretary's ReportMinutes from the September 25th ExecutiveBoard meeting and the October 2nd Club Meeting
Respectfully submitted by Jim Denhup, N1NYG |  |
The Secretary's ReportMinutes from the September 25th ExecutiveBoard meeting and the October 2nd Club Meeting
Respectfully submitted by Jim Denhup, N1NYG | |
Old Business:
The Heedles/ Seagroves motion to accept the published Secretary's' Report was passed.
Jim Heedles, WW1Y, noted in his Treasurer's Report that the club's finances were approximately the same as mentioned in the NARC monthly meeting. The Sherman/Garon motion to accept the Treasurer's Report was passed.
Chris Garon, KA1SIE, noted in his report to the board that upcoming programs include:
November: Dr. David Herrick will discus wideband HF techniques. NARC officer nominations
December: Awards and NARC elections
January 96: Projects Night
No Membership Report at this meeting.
No Training Report at this meeting.
In his Activities Report, Stu Sherman, N1STY announced that the radio demonstration at the Boy Scout Jamboree held on September 23, 1995 was very well received with over 100 scouts participating. The October 14 Star Party is coming up at the `Hollis Hilton'. Preparations for the Christmas party on December 9 must start soon.
New Business: The 1996 Budget preparations are underway. There are no current plans to fund any capital equipment. The board meeting was adjourned by the passing of a Garon/Heedles motion at approximately 8:26.
Program Director Chris Garon, KA1SIE, introduced our guest speaker Bob Coburn, W1JJO, editor of the "OFFICIAL" scanner guides, who presented the highlights from his extensive experience with the public safety and business services' communication bands. It is amazing how the rise in communication technology has increased the demand for frequency bandwidth. The following examples were presented by Bob:
1) Manchester public safety services is converting their equipment to use the 800 MHz trunk system. This will enable one antenna to spread the digital communication messages among five to seven channels. All city services will migrate to this trunk system. Even though it will use only one antenna, the services will have greater range, stronger signals , and increased security than they experience now with many more frequencies in use.
2)The State Police are testing the ASTRO digital system.
3)The scanners of the near future will also have to go digital. The problem of how to receive these digital signals without violating patents and copyright laws poses a significant problem. There is also the problem of encryption. The federal government prefers using DES, the Digital Encryption Standard, while local government agencies will probably migrate to DVP, Digital Voice Protection, due to cost constraints.
4) TANDY is proposing a new unlicensed radio service called CB II (Citizen Band Part B) that will allow the use of hand held 1/2 Watt UHF transceivers with the range of a few blocks. While the users will be unlicensed, the transceivers will have to pass FCC type acceptance approval. A decision by the FCC is due by the first of the year.
Bob introduced Steve Donnell who writes technical columns for US Scanner News, Radio Communication Monitor, and National Scanning. Steve discussed the technical merits of expanding the bandwidth and effectiveness of scanners. It was great learning how the world of communication scanners has evolved!!! Thanks Bob and Steve!
Club Business:
The treasurer's report, given by Jim Heedles, WW1Y, described the latest changes to the club's financial statement including the September 30, 1995 treasury balance of $742.69. All Field Day expenses have now been received and show expenses $90 over budget. We are falling behind in our membership income with approximately 25 members late in their renewals ( a $500 shortage). The Swiech /Vormelker motion to accept the treasurer's report was approved.
There was no membership report at this meeting.
The Stu Sherman, N1STY, Activities Report listed the usual Thursday night Pizza Party and the Saturday breakfast. In addition, the radio demonstration at the Boy Scout Jamboree held on September 23, 1995 was very well received with over 100 scouts participating. The October 14 Star Party is coming up at the `Hollis Hilton' and a sign up sheet to attend the Haystack Observatory was passed around.
Chris Garon, KA1SIE, in his program report reminded us of the upcoming November and December programs.
The club members passed the Haber/Heedles motion to adjourn to coffee and donuts at approximately 8:25 PM.