The meeting was attended by 18 members and guests.
N5NYM ALLEN ALPINE
W5NPR BILL ALPINE
KG5LMG MARVIN FT DAVIS
K5WSA BILL FT DAVIS
JUDY FT DAVIS
KE5WCP STEPHEN FT DAVIS
KD5KBU JIM FT DAVIS
KE5OG BILL ALPINE
WA5ROE BOB ALPINE
KE5KNQ ROB ALPINE
KA5PVB CHUCK ALPINE
WA5MHO DEAN ALPINE
KX5SP STEVE ALPINE
KATHLENE ALPINE
AF5QS CLINT FT DAVIS
LINDA ALPINE
K5AHI BOB ALPINE
KG2KQP BOB ALPINE
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by President, Allen Moore N5NYM.
Minutes of the December 12, 2017 meeting were read and approved. Motion to approve by Chuck KA5PVB and second by Bill W5WSA.
Angie N5MVV was not present and no Treasurer’s Report was presented.
OLD BUSINESS:
Jim KD5KBU, net control for the event, reported on the UltraRun at Big Bend State Park. He reported that the emergency repeater was moved to its operating site at the Park the day of this meeting. All stations on the race route were manned by San Antonio hams. All went well.
Allen N5NYM reported that the Border to Badlands UlraRun was scheduled for February 24th and volunteers were needed. This is the first time that BBARC has been requested to assist. Only one Ham from Austin was coming to work the event.
Allen N5NYM gave a reminder that the dues were payable on January 1st.
NEW BUSINESS:
Allen N5NYM reported that the radio equipment owned by Barb KM5VM had been donated to the BBARC and was available for purchase. Allen presented a list of the equipment available.
It was discussed that fund raising activities were needed to raise money for needed maintenance on the BBARC communication van. Allen discussed the need for a fund raising event committee and asked for volunteers. Chuck KA5PVB moved to approve a one time $15 per member accessment to help with needed maintenance expenses, second by Bill K5OG, motion approved.
Bill KE5OG reported that an ARRL ham license class had been scheduled and would begin on March 5th. Efforts to notify anyone interested in this class was requested.
Bill KE5OG discussed recent efforts by the ARRL Board of Directors to censor comments by a director critical of the ARRL, with the possibility of removal from the Board and membership in the ARRL dissolved. It was discussed that this could be interpreted as a gag order and should not be allowed. After discussion, Judy moved for a letter from BBARC to be sent objecting to the action of the ARRL Board of Directors, second by Chuck KA5PVB, motion approved.
Bob WA5ROE discussed recent changes in the ARES and that it had been suggested that Disctrict 5, which had included all Texas counties west of the Pecos River, be changed. The change would separate the counties of El Paso, Culberson and Hudspeth from the old District 5, and designate those counties as District 6. The reminder of the counties would continue to be designated as District 5. The suggested changes would take effect in 2018.
It was reported that the February 13th meeting would be the K3LR/Tim Duffy DX Engineering presentation via Skype and would be held at the SRSU Turner Range Animal Science Building Room 130.
Allen N5NYM reported that the SKYWARN and the BBARC Annual Banquet schedules were pending.
The business meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.
Steve KX5SP reported on his recent involvement in the Puerto Rico Hurricane Maria Recovery. He stated that he had been involved in 70 plus emergency relief efforts and that this was the most severe he had been involved with. He stated that all power was down on arrival and even after some repairs were made, every day from a power stand point was a new day. Emergency supplies which began arriving almost immediately, could not be distributed due to severe road damage. He was on site for approximately 3 weeks. His presentation was most interesting and he is to be commended for his service to the area.
Respectably Submitted:
Bill Roberts W5NPR
Secretary