San Benito County ARES

Meeting Minutes

February 11, 2010

Members present:

• Ron Ross - KD6ZXG
• Catherine Kirk - KJ6AMY
• Jack Kirk - KJ6AMZ
• Mark Conrad - KJ6CYT
• Heatherly Takeuchi - N6HKT
• Brent Hawks - KG6KPD
• Tim Takeuchi - W6TST
• Phil Howell - KG6VKB

Introductions

• First time visitor Phil was welcomed to the meeting.

Reports

• County OES report – Ron/KD6ZXG

There are two grants coming up with the OES from Homeland Security. The next cycle starts this summer and Jim Clark (OES Manager) says we may be able to get some equipment. We should put together a “Wish List”.

• We still need a place to store our equipment that has 24/7 access. Ron has requested space in a public building that may be available.

Suggestion was made of a trailer (like KR6ML) or a van would be nice. Ron mentioned that County is going to have a command van that will have a ham radio in it.

• ARES/RACES report – Tim/W6TST

He wanted to have the ACS report finished and up on the web, but it is close.

The changes to the District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) for SBC and the Hollister EC have been approved and finalized. We still needed ECs/AECs for south county area and San Juan Bautista/Aromas.

Tim is getting connected with the Silicon Valley EC community, which is building. They are setting up education classes for hams in “Mutual Aid Communication”.

• Technical Committee report – Ron, Tim

For the Linking Project is almost complete. The auto patch is still not working on the South County Repeater and it also needs a new fan.

Ron has the MaxTracs programming software; it will only run on an older PC with Win 95/DOS on it.

Tim tried out the new headsets; they have great audio.

• Education report – Heatherly/N6HKT

This item will be handled under other agenda items.

Current Business

1. Backup Repeater – possible location on Park Hill

We may be able to place our backup repeater on Hill Street, a private home on the south side of Park Hill. The elevation is almost equal with the tower on top of the SO. Other possible sites include the top of the four-story doctor’s office by HHH and the Briggs Parking garage. Ron mentioned that a perfect location is not necessary since the repeater could be moved again. Also, having the backup repeater with a slightly different coverage will give us more options.

2. “Pelican” Case Radio

We still need a couple more pieces (maybe with next grant money). Also, a plan for putting the case together and some hams who want to work on it. Brent and Phil want to work on it.

3. Equipment Room possibilities

This item was mostly covered under other agenda items. San Benito Dry Wall was mentioned as a possibility. The owner gives space to a Boy Scout Troop and may do the same for us.

4. ARES/EC Forms

More ARES forms were made available for those hams who want to sign up.

5. Up coming Events
• Ham Fest (March 20-21)
• Radiofest.org
• Sea Otter Classic (April 17-18)
• Email Bob Spencer/W6HMC at bspencer@seaotterclassic.com
• Big Sur Marathon (April 25)
• Email Bob Spencer/W6HMC at chiefdoc7@sbcglobal.net
• Scout-o-Rama (May?)
• ARRL Field Day (June 26-27)
• Check at ARRL.org for opportunities
• Condor Classic (October 9 tentative)
• Coordinator needed for this coming year
• American Red Cross (ARC) Evacuation Drill (November)
6. Education
• Bay Area Educational Amateur Radio Society Classes (April 3)
• Ham Fest (March 20-21)
• TBA – $1 to get into Fest
• Their website will be updated with classes and exam times.

New Business

Jim’s last day is April 1st. Maybe we should have a good-bye get together for him. Maybe a breakfast at Ding-a-Ling on Saturday March 6th would work. Heatherly will call Jim and find out if the date is good for him.

Next Meeting/Event

Our monthly meetings will now meet on the second Thursday evening of each month. March 11th, 2010 at 19:00 at BKP.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Heatherly Takeuchi/N6HKT.