SARA MEETING MINUTES - February 14, 2007 (approved March 14,
2007)
Call to Order: Call to Order: Meeting
was held in the County Annex Building, 198 Neel Avenue, in Socorro, and called
to order at 7:30 pm by President Vern Leavitt. Birthday cake and ice cream was
served in honor of Agnes Halls KA5KIE, age 93 on January 31. She extinguished
all candles in one breath, so we expect she gets her wish.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the 10 January 2007 minutes were
approved after addition of the treasurer's report: SARA balance $3375.12 and
TARA balance $280.08.
Treasurer’s report: SARA balance is $3410.12 and TARA balance
is $280.08 for total bank balance of $3690.20.
ARES/LEPC report:
Tom Frawley KA0YYP reported on his draft of a services agreement between
SARA and Socorro County to be revised by the County attorney for future
adoption by the County Commission and SARA.
John Spargo KC5NTW reported that the January closure of I25 resulted in
"practice" ARES operation at the County EOC in this building.
Subsequently the State Police drafted a detailed response plan for future
closures and presented it at the recent LEPC meeting for inclusion in the
county emergency plan. A consultant to the LEPC will soon draft standard
operating procedures and also review the E-plan for compliance with state
requirements.
Old Business: Jim Oty WA5GWH reported that Bob WB5QZD Spark's 444.275
MHz repeater on M-mountain consists of a Standard UP71 25-50W repeater plus
Microcom 10W repeater with antenna and 45 ft of coax in the SEC building, but it
has no controller. Bob offers it for sale to SARA at $600. Discussion resulted
in no decision on purchase.
New Business:
Jim Oty reported that NM HB241 to ban radio communication use while mobile
in motion is tabled and therefore probably dead this session. He and many
other NM hams contacted state legislators stating hams opposition this
poorly written bill. Noted that the Albuquerque ban on cell phone use could
be a model for future state action.
Dave Johnson KB5YIW announced that Socorro Striders & Riders requested
radio communication support during the Tour of Socorro mountain bike races
April 21 and 22. Several members volunteered, but Dave needs several more,
especially a total of 8 for the Sunday Quebradas race.
Kalman Oravecz AB5J reported that the next SARA VE session will probably
be held March 31 (amended to read "April 28" at the March
meeting).
Moved, seconded and approved that any non-ham who passes their SARA VE
license exam will be given free one year membership in SARA.
Adjournment: On motion, second and approval, meeting adjourned at 8:30
pm.
Acting SARA Secretary (in absence of Bear Albrecht W5VZB) Bill Brundage NM5WB
