MEETING TO ORDER:
The President, Jeff Darby KE0CAZ, called the meeting to order at 7:30 AM. Introductions of attendees were made by name and call-sign. A total of 17 club members and 2 guests were present.
SECRETARY-TREASURER REPORT:
The Secretary-Treasurer Report was given by Marty Peters KE0PEZ. He reported the checking account balance. The amounts of club revenue and disbursements since the April meeting were $32.45 and $207.50, respectively. The major disbursement during April was $200 paid to renew the club liability insurance policy. A refund check for $32.45 was received from Risk Strategies for the items that were removed from the club equipment policy. Dues payments are always welcome; give them to Jeff, Larry, or Marty at breakfast or send them to our post office box (SFTARC, P.O. Box 3144, Olathe, KS. 66063).
Ensor volunteers [Marty Peters - KE0PEZ]
The Ensor Park & Museum opened for visitors on May 4. Chief tour guide Larry Woodworth W0HXS was joined by volunteers Steve Duffy W0STD and Marty Peters KE0PEZ of the JCRAC. While we were out in the peg barn viewing the lathes, drill press, and other artifacts from Olathe High School, we got quite a surprise looking at an old case hand-crafted by Marshall Ensor and used for assigning student duties. It contained sliding panels of name plates of students who were in the woodworking classes and the electronics club way back in the 50s and 60s. Marty randomly slid out a panel to demonstrate the case, and...what, the???....there was a name tag inscribed "Martin Peters."
The Museum will be open from 1-5 PM each Saturday and Sunday afternoon in May, June, September, and October. The JCRAC is providing volunteer docents in May. Our club will provide the docents in June and September. The sign-up sheet was passed around, and it is now nearly full. If you are interested in finding out more about the museum or if you would like to volunteer, please contact one of the club officers.
Club Newsletter [Greg Wolfe – KI0KK]
Newsletter inputs are due by 7PM Wednesday, May 8th. Greg urged club members to take the opportunity to contribute descriptions of their projects for the benefit of readers.
Club 501c7 process [Marty Peters - KE0PEZ]
The IRS is now considering our application to reinstate our tax-exempt status. We received a letter from them stating that they will be contacting us if they have any questions about the application. Once we regain the tax-exempt status, it will be easy to retain the status by annually filing Form N-990 online.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve POTA (Parks On The Air) event
The POTA event at the Tallgrass Prairie went very well. Club members had a great chance to operate with the new IC-7300. Six operators made 64 SSB contacts, mostly on 40 meters. There were 3 CW contacts. The Tallgrass staff was very pleased with the event and treated the operators with great hospiality.
Council Grove event
To commemorate the opening of the Santa Fe Trail, hams along the Trail will operate on June 8. Our club will set up a station on private property in Council Grove. If interested in traveling to Council Grove to participate, please contact Larry Hall
Indiana QSO Party
Marc Snell let us know about a chance to contact hams in Indiana on Saturday, May 4. Del reported that several members of our club operated from the Edgerton antenna farm and made 20 contacts.
Field-day planning
Marty confirmed with Larry Woodworth that SFTARC has permission to set up equipment and antennas at the Ensor Park & Museum for 2019 Field Day. The City of Olathe will be asked to park the city vehicle off to the side where it will not block our club equipment trailer. We will be testing antennas in advance of the event.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Larry spoke about an ARRL proposal for upgrading tech privileges.
The World Scout Jamboree will be held July 22- Aug 2.
The annual Armed Forces Day Crossband Test will be held on May 11.
A group of 8 hams from our club will leave Wednesday morning to travel to Dayton. They will tour the Air Force Museum on Thursday.
Del moved that we approve up to $60 to buy a case for the Heil headset. The motion was seconded and passed by a unanimous voice vote.
The 440 repeater (Kenwood TKR-850) owned by Rob Maberry was damaged by lightning on April 12. Marty is gathering details of the incident and will file an insurance claim.
An audio system is being constructed to link multiple headsets. The cost of components needed to complete the system is estimated to be no more than $60. There was a motion to approve up to $100 to buy components. Motion was seconded and passed by a unanimous voice vote.
The Mo-Kan Council would like to set up an Elmer table at the Warrensburg Hamfest, to be held July 20, 2019, at the Johnson Co [MO] Fairgrounds. If you would like to volunteer at the Elmer Table, please contact a club officer.
WW1USA will operate on July 6, 2019, at the WWI Memorial. Our club will set up our club trailer. The Raytown club is planning to bring a 10 kw generator.
There was a report given about Carol Perry's lecture at the Ararat Shrine Hamfest. She spoke about her experiences with STEM. She taught over 1,000 students over her career, and she told stories of her former students who had gone on to excel in careers in science and technology.
Del reported that the Edgerton property is gradually filling with antennas. There is a spot for an R-9 vertical.
Rich Briton is stepping down from his position in the SATERN organization. It was moved and seconded to recognize his contributions to emergency communications by nominating him for Kansas Amateur of the Year. Motion passed by voice vote. Joe Krout, George McCarville, Jim Andera, and Jeff Darby will prepare the nomination.
Greg will contact Rod Callan to find out the venue of the 2019 annual meeting of the Kansas Section of the ARRL.
ADJOURN:
After a motion, a second, and a unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned.
