May 12, 2025

Secretary Chan Patrick could not attend. Susan Ward KO4TEN substitute secretary compiled this report.

7 pm meeting opened by club president Michael Elkins W1ELK

Prayer led by Susan Ward

Darris Goforth led Pledge of Allegiance to US Flag

New ham visitor John Boyd asked to introduce himself

Visitor Bill Warner K6ENF ? asked to introduce himself

Last month Secretary Report read by Michael Elkins; Motion by Dale Williams, second by Jim, report accepted by club vote

Treasurer Alicia Parham read this month’s Treasurer Report; no corrections; motion to accept by Dale W. , second by Jim; report accepted by club vote

Vice president Bobby Murphy spoke:

Emergency Day at EK Baker Elementary School begins 8 am Thurs. May 15, 2025. Club trailer will be onsite. Hams requested to help  take the trailer to school, man the trailer and  monitor the 147.060 and 146.820 to conduct comms with the kids.

EchoLink is down for a remake using Lennox with raspberry pi. Should be up in 1-2 weeks.

Two new packet nodes in Vonore and ? Should be up in 1-2 weeks, then packet comms will be open from Knoxville to Cleveland, Chattanooga is coming on soon.

Hamfest: Suggestion to move McMinn ARC  hamfest to McMinn Co High School beginning 2026.
Bobby has negotiated with the vice-principal only expense is to pay a custodian during Saturday hamfest hours $30 per hour. May use non-school hours, preferably not during school year.May use parking lot for tailgaters.
Motion by Susan Ward, second by Joe KQ4POG as follows: Change price of admission to $10, all vendors and tailgaters $10, $2 each for extra prize tickets. Also Bobby will present our request to the school  vice principal along with our requested date. Bobby will research the best date so not to coincide with other area hamfests.   Motion passed by club vote.
Motion by Judy Baker KO4WEU, second by David Baker KG4OJL as follows: Move the location of our hamfest  possiblyto McMinn County High School, also change the date to not coincide with other local hamfests. Motion passed by club vote.
Volunteers needed for working our hamfest 2025. Sign upsheet passed around meeting.
Vendors : Wireman is strong maybe
Bill Van Nuyes, maybe
Michael Elkins will contact food truck man

Club president acknowledged Kenny Kerksey KN4KFI ? graduates high school this year. Kenny Kerksey  thanked Kenny Witt for influence leading to radio and good things in his life.

Harry Kern KI4JVE asked about a possible need for notification about the change of frequency used for SkyWarn.  After discussion, motion was passed to change the Alternate SkyWarnfrequency notice on club website and any other place applicable to 441.800. We will use the 441.800 for SkyWarn Net until 146.820 is fixed.  Motion Passed by club vote.

Kenny Witt ACS Coordinator reported on earthquake during the past ACS training meeting at the EOC on Saturday May 10. Amateur radio operator response was immediate and impressed LAXNORTHEAST operators in Las Angeles. Also Kenny W. Passed out M & M baggies for M&M drill on Tues May 13 during the East TN Simplex Net.

Caleb KQ4QCJ offered the club CW keyer and cable. Alicia KO4ZEC  bought for $20 Club donation.

Through an email to club, Alicia will also receive a free CW radio kit

Mike opened the meeting with prayer.

Darris led the pledge of allegiance.

President report: Mike reported that Willard w4hzd had passed away. He was the testing coordinator here in our area.

Discussion was made about the club trailer wrap and it was decided to go with the stick-on decal instead of the full wrap. Motion was made and passed to get the stick-on decal and also purchase a decal removal tool.

Vice president Bobby talked about Packet and Echolink.

Also talked about the hamfest food and to keep it simple. Joe is going to do the food and will need some helpers. Our hamfest is sanctioned by ARRL the third Saturday in July. Bobby also requested that people get involved in the rainnet on Thursday nights at 8:00 p.m. on the 147.820 repeater.

Secretary report, can be reviewed on our website. Secretary report, motion was made, to accept and passed.

Treasury report was made and motion to accept past.

Harry mentioned that some of the skywarn links were down on the website.

There were prayer request made for some of the members family. 

Don invited us to the first Baptist Church in Athens. They have a new preacher.

Kenny explained about ACS, Who what where when and why.

Motion was made to adjourn