S.A.R.A. Minutes from meeting on 2/11/2004
Saratoga City Hall
Minutes respectfully submitted by Don Anastasia (AA6W), S.A.R.A. club secretary.

In attendance were:

• Don Anastasia AA6W
• John Glass NU6P
• Joe Talaich N6IWJ
• Greg Reynolds KG6HDI
• Rob Vance N6ROB
• Christina Sand KG6ORH
• Don Hayden KO6HH
• Don Farwell W6GYD
• Larry Goodwin KG6ENF
• Mike McRoberts KD6FTR
• Robert Burmeister KC6SSK (Visitor)
• Scott Petersen KG6SPF (Visitor)
• Robert Wilds K6ZV (Visitor)
• Jack Stransky KG6RZA (Visitor)
• Lloyd Evans KE6UKT (Visitor)

Meeting started at about 7:30 pm.

Old Business:

• Announcement by Don (KO6HH): SCARRA repeater frequencies have been changed to 146.985 out/146.385.

• Announcement by John (NU6P): Rob (N6ROB) has made a donation to the 'QSL' net organization for continued use of the Club SARA e-mail address through this domain.

• With no more old business, Greg (KG6HDI) announced the evening's SARA (club) guest speaker: Mike McRoberts (KD6FTR), Deputy Sherriff with the Santa Clara County Sherriff.
  • Mike presented a slide presentation for the club members.
  • Mike discussed the current (main, and secondary) frequencies that the Sherriff uses for day to day operations. Control - 1 frequency is still 156.210 mhz. Secondary frequency is now using digital communications methods, and cannot be monitored on a conventional scanner.
  • Mike also displayed slides of a modern communications command vehicle, which is a fully equipped mobile communications van, with modern communications radios on-board, and can be set-up with the ability to take incoming 9-1-1 phone calls if necessary.
  • Mike pointed out that, in the event of an earthquake, all current pay-telephones will typically have dial tone upon lifting of the handset. If cell phones or personal land line telephones fail in an emergency situation, you should try a pay phone.
  • Question about telephone numbers - 299-2311 in 408 area code, can be dialed as a non-emergency number, with the Santa Clara County Sherriff.
  • Don (AA6W) also provided a CHP non-emergency number of 1-707-551-4100, to be dialed in a non-emergency, or from a cellular phone.
  • Robert (KC6SSK) - asked Mike about the benefits of the new digital communication channel for the sherriff. Apparently - the system seems to work ok, it takes some getting used to, according to Mike - it does sound pretty well and has a little bit of digital (cellphone), like sound. Apparently, the radio coverage is slightly less with digital, in certain parts of the bay-area.
  • Don (AA6W) asked Mike about any way the amateurs, can improve upon their communication skills during emergencies, and public service events, and the use of County Responder ID cards. Mike - indicated that he would probably be informed from his superiors (or dispatcher), if in fact, amateurs would be responding, to a situation, or emergency, and could act appropriately, if presented with a valid county responder ID card if necessary.
  • Rob (N6ROB) asked about more modern mapping (on a CD-ROM), with site-maps for various locations, for use in public service. Mike - was familiar (aware) with these CD's.
• John (NU6P) graciously offered to grant Mike a gratis one year membership to the SARA club and all present agreed.

With no further business - the meeting was adjourned around 8:55 pm