Walton Radio Association

Minutes of the November Meeting

November 1, 2009

The meeting was called to order at the Walton Fire Department building, Walton, NY at 2:00 P.M. by President KB2RLH. Those in attendance were as follows: KB2RLH, K2EZK, W2TKB, N2WDV, AB2IC, KC2IKQ, NX2J, W2CD, W2RRK, AA2RM, KJ2F, K2NK and WB2JOW.

Reports

The minutes of the October meeting were read and approved.

The treasurer reported a balance of $3,188.92. The banking statement was reviewed by the Secretary. The treasurer’s report was approved as read.

Nets: CW –16 check-ins for October 2009. FM –17 check-ins for October 2009.

Old Business

The subject of the tower and antenna removal from the Woodlawn Road site was discussed at some length by the group. Various vendors have been contacted regarding removal of this tower. Thus far, only one vendor has offered to remove the tower for an estimated amount of $800.00. Information was provided to the group that Pete, KC2CQS, could lower the tower at no cost to the WRA. A motion was made, seconded and approved to allow KC2CQS to lower the tower, following the execution of a waver of liability with the WRA. Additionally, the owners of the Woodlawn Road site would like the dc power line removed from the property.

W2TKB has offered a length of steel mast material for use at the new repeater site for improving the radiating system there. It was suggested by K2EZK that one of the collapsible field day masts be tried as an antenna mount at the new location on a trial basis in advance of installing a more permanent mast for the mounting of the antenna. A motion was made, seconded and approved allowing for the purchase of a new antenna for the repeater if the existing tower mounted antenna is damaged during the lowering of the Woodlawn Road tower.

A discussion of the possible use of solar power at the new repeater site as an alternative to commercially available power followed. A similar system had been tried with very limited success at the Woodlawn Road site in the past. NX2J suggested that the WRA consider the use of one of the Delaware County tower sites if the new location does not prove successful.

N2WDV thanked all who participated in this year’s Harvest Festival. The set up was good and all groups worked well together for a successful exercise. The WX was cold and public participation was less this year than in previous years. A total of 34 “contacts” were made on the local CW channel at the site. In this case, participant’s names were communicated via CW. Operating HF and VHF stations were featured at the Harvest Festival.

New Business

W2RRK stated that RACES equipment may be installed at Delaware County sites, which may offer more options for the location of the repeater in the future. It was reported that the Andes site is privately owned but may still be available for use by the WRA.

It was reported that the W2QP donation had not yet been received.

The next meeting is planned for 2:00 PM on December 6, 2009 at the Walton Fire Department. The refreshments will be provided by W2TKB and KJ2F. A gift exchange not to exceed $5.00 in value will be included with this meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:47 PM, with refreshments provided by W2CD.

AB2IC provided those present with an interesting presentation of his travels to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska during late July and August, 2009. Both he and his wife enjoyed their trip, seeing many interesting sites and photographing the same while utilizing several different methods of transportation en route to and returning from Alaska.

Respectfully submitted, WB2JOW Secretary