Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club Minutes For February 2007

The February meeting was called order at 7:06 PM by the President Charlie Chapman (KB8SFR). New members of the board were introduced. The meeting was attended by 13 members and 3 members of the Board.

Members of the KARC are invited to help set up an amateur station for the Kalamazoo AirZoo's Wind talkers Exhibit. It is planned for March 27^th. Contact Charlie if you are interested for more information.

A Presentation was put on by Shane Feek (KC8BRO) of Centreville and Tim Smith KC8CIE on WinDRM or Win Digital Radio Mondiale. This a digital radio mode that provides digital voice on the HF bands and will also allow concurrent text transfer as well. The mode will also allow file transfer and provide error correction.

Digital Radio Mondiale is digital method currently being use in Europe for broadcast radio and has been adapted to Amateur radio use. It requires the use of a windows 2000 or Windows XP computer and two sound cards. The mode will work with FM, AM and SSB. Shane demonstrated data transfer and voice transfer over a 2meter FM radio.

For more information look up http://n1su.com/windrm/ Shane adds that www.geeks.com as a source for parts.

Repairs to the repeater were discussed. The SMART club has generously loaned the club the use of it's spare amplifier. Additionally, Jerb (K8WPI) has found the parts needed to repair the amplifier and they were turned over to the technical committee.

Public Service Events coming up include April 28^th MS Walk and May 5^th the March of Dimes Walk. Both events will need amateur radio operators.

A motion was made to accept the minutes of the previous meeting by Jerb (K8WPI) and supported by Don (WD8IDJ)

The treasurer reported on the Clubs current balances and how the funds were devided into accouts for maintenance, education and general funds.

JerB (K8WPI) stated he was grateful for the copy of Chirps and Clicks and glad to see it going again. He notes a trend in declining membership. This led to discussion on recruiting new members.

A motion was made to close the meeting by Jerb (K8WPI) it was seconded and passed. The meeting closed at 8:05PM.

Respectfully submitted by John Mathieson (KC8ZTJ) Secretary for the KARC