S.A.R.A. Minutes from meeting on 10/13/2004
Saratoga City Hall
The minutes were respectfully submitted by Don Anastasia, Secretary, and Christina Sand, Acting Secretary.

In attendance were:

• Don Anastasia, AA6W
• Rob Vance, N6ROB
• Joe Talaich, N6IWJ
• Richard Crouch, N6RC
• Christina Sand, KG6ORH
• John Glass, NU6P
• Tom Carney, K6EU
• Glenn Thomas, WB6W (visitor - outgoing Section Manager)
• Judy Thomas, KF6MBH (visitor)
• Kit Blanke, WA6PWW (visitor - incoming Section Manager)

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by John Glass.

Old Business:

• Minutes: There were no prior minutes available for review or approval.
• Halloween Caper: The Halloween Caper will be held, once again, on October 31, 2004. Rob Vance is scheduling the shifts and information will be posted about the Halloween Caper on the club's website.
• Tour of Fire Station: John reported that the fire station was not yet ready for the public, so we were not yet able to have our meeting there this evening and a tour. We will try again next month. Stay tuned to the club's website for details.

New Business:

• Treasurer's Report: Christina reported the current bank account balance.
• Expenses: Rob Vance purchased new tri-band UHF/VHF antenna that will be installed in the club's station in Saratoga's new firehouse. Rob incurred $227.27 in expenses. It was unanimously agreed that the club should reimburse Rob for the expense.
• Donation: It was unanimously agreed that the club should make a donation of $100 to the new fire station. A brick with the club's name on it will be placed in the plaza in front of the fire station.
• California QSO Party Richard Crouch, N6RC provided the club members with a report on the California QSO Party. Dick operated the contest from Glen County in California, with Kevin Rowett, N6RCE. Both gentlemen towed a 50 foot tower (with trailer) up to the hills of Glen County. Using auxiliary generators both Richard and Kevin were able to communicate with approximately 1,015 people over the 24 hour contest period. Richard indicated he has plans to design and make some picture QSL (confirmation) cards for their contesting efforts.
• ARRL: Glenn Thomas personally delivered the club's ARRL affiliation certificate at this evening's meeting. John, NU6P, handed the certificate around to all of the club members and guests present for viewing Glen also introduced Kit Blanke to the club and informed us that Kit will be taking over the position of Section Manager. Kit discussed BPL (Bandwidth over Power Lines) trials considered up in north peninsula. Kit recommended monitoring HF noise levels (noise floors) when operating on HF frequencies at home and possibly recording or logging of relative ‘S’ levels of any noise found or reported, on various frequencies. He also requested that if any of us are listening up there and have any problems with interference, that we contact the section representative immediately. Kit also discussed and advocated technology in classroom (amateur radio) and discussed opportunities of exposing Amateur radio to schools.
• Pacificon: Kit reminded everyone that Pacificon will be happening on October 14-16, 2004 in San Ramon.
• Jamboree on the Air: Dick Crouch informed everyone that Jamboree on the Air will be held on the same weekend and at the same place as Pacificon this year. Anyone wearing their scouting uniform will be admitted to Pacificon free of charge.
• Training Exercise: Don Anastasia reported that there was an emergency communications training exercise. The event was successful and everyone learned a lot.
• Speaker: Christina Sand gave a report about her participation with the American Red Cross during the Hurricane Ivan disaster relief operation. She drove an Emergency Response Vehicle ("ERV")across the country to Little Rock, AR, where she was assigned to proceed to the Disaster Operation Center in Alabama. After checking in at the Disaster Operation Center in Montgomery, Christina was assigned to Kitchen #9 in Andalusia, Alabama, approximately 80 miles north of Pensacola, Florida. She drove the ERV back and forth from the kitchen delivering two meals a day - lunch and dinner - to the city of Evergreen. She served approximately 3,000 meals in 2.5 days to victims of Hurricane Ivan. Christina is also a captain of a Disaster Action Team with the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Christina is actually on call for several days each month to respond to local emergencies.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.