Saratoga Amateur Radio Association

Minutes of the monthly meeting of March 13, 2002.

The meeting was called to order by President Rob Vance, N6ROB at 7:30 PM with 14 people present.

The minutes of our February 13 meeting were read and approved.

Treasurers’ report: as of March 8, we had a balance of $781.73, with 27 members.

Rob has updated the e-mail reflector with all new members.

Upcoming Meetings:

April 10, Rick Tavan, N6XI will give us a presentation on contesting, and tell us all about the Northern California Contest Club.

May 8, Ted Dunbar, KF6WPO with the Coast Guard will tell us all about the emergency communications which they handle.

Don, AA6W outlined some activities that he hopes the club will be involved with this year. They include: the 4th of July Celebrate Saratoga event, Field Day, the city parade, and the Halloween Caper. He passed around a form for people to fill out so that the club has a record of what equipment and operating capabilities each member has. Don gave a copy of the ARRL operating guide to everyone who wanted one.

Rob announced that there will be a Board meeting on March 14 at city hall, starting at 7:30 PM.

Spence, AD6YS, passed around a net control sign up sheet.

Greg KG6HDI wanted to know if the club has a logo and membership cards. Since we don't have either, he offered to design a logo, and create a membership card.

Our speakers for the evening were Larry Carr, KE6AGJ, Chief Radio Officer for the Office of Emergency Services in Santa Clara County, and Paula Reeve, KD6QQC, Analyst for the City of Saratoga. Larry gave us a brief history of ARES and RACES. He said that an earthquake is the biggest disaster to be mentally prepared for. When an emergency occurs, several nets will go in to operation, and hams in our area should tune to the WB6ADZ repeater on 146.115. A pictorial tour of the county Emergency Operation Center was shown.

Larry and Paula explained the DSW program, and looked up people to see if they are on the current list. Paula will set up a time for people who need to have their picture taken to obtain an emergency response ID card. She will try to schedule this on one of our upcoming meeting nights.

There being no further business before the association, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:10 PM.

Submitted by John Glass, NU6P, SARA Secretary for 2002.