October 2024 Meeting Minutes

Date :  OCTOBER 8th, 2024

Time: 7 PM-9 pm

Location:    ON-LINE

Purpose:   Monthly meeting:  Virtual group meeting,  continued planning for activities, education

INVITED:     MEMBERS AND GUESTS:    12 members

Host:  Benton County Radio Operators

Facilitator:    PRESIDENT   moderating:   Paul Blomgren

AGENDA

1.

OFFICERS REPORTS

Treasurer Report:   Not available at this time. 

Secretary Report:     Secretary Susan Walker, Minutes voted and accepted unanimously.

 2.

OLD BUSINESS

Repeater Report:    Steve Warner:  The Centerton repeater is working fine.  No problems were reported.  The Centerton generator is burning oil and needs a tune-up.  The Mt. Whitney repeater is fine yet the location needs some work.  It is receiving by not sending; SWR is high and the link radio is not working.  The UPS went bad during an outage.  The generator takes 3 minutes to work during an outage.  There is a need for surge protection.  Will Rogers reports the audio is good thanks to all the work Steve has put in. 

3.

NEW

BUSINESS

Net report:   Net lineup was reviewed.  Net Controls: 1.  Van Allen; 2.  Susan Walker; 3.  Steve Werner.

A NET CONTROLER is sought for the 4TH and 5TH Thursdays.   Group members are attempting to loan a radio to Neil Poff to help Neil to fill in the open slots.              

Net Controllers, please publicize that BCRO meetings are virtual via the BCRO website.    

 

Testing:   Testing continues the 3rd Saturday of the month at Cross Church in Springdale.  Preregister is made through Darryl Wagoner.  Email:  darryl@waggoner.me          Individuals passed in September and more are testing in October.

 

Website:  Currently, Van Allen is assisting with website and doing a great job.  Web ideas continue to be discussed.  Platforms are discussed.  

 

STORM SPOTTER TRAINING 2024:   URL  https://www.weather.gov/tsa/spotter_training

 

ELECTIONS: 

Harold Sobotka will take nominations through the November meeting. Voting will occur after the November meeting. Members will be sent an online voting link. Election results will be reported at the December meeting.

 

Nominees:    Paul Blomgren for President; John Henley, Jr. VP; Susan Walker Secretary.  There is a need for a Treasure. 

 

EDUCTIONAL PRESENTATION:  What I learned About Prepping After the Tornado 

by Daryl Waggoner.  

Have a backup for everything.  Batteries would not charge well, battery on generator did not work.  Battery recommendations: Lithium-iron phosphate with Bluetooth.  Brand recommendation: Ampere time and Battle Born. Put heating units on new batteries to prevent damage from charging at below freezing temperatures.  Batteries may wear out after two years and need replacement. Need at least two Mono Crystalline solar panels. Plan for meals, H2O, storage, water filters or water purification. 

 

Military lesson:  1=0; 2=1; 3=2……. What will go wrong, WILL.

 

 

 

On-line meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month available via BCRO website.