Oakland County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp (ARPSC)

W8OAK Repeaters – 146.900 MHz/100pl & 444.325 MHz/107.2pl

   Weekly 2 meter net 8 pm every Thursday

   Hospital Radio Net – Usually 7:30 pm last Thursday of Month
         Note change: Dec. Hospital Net now 23 December at 7:30 pm

   Packet 144.950 MHz/1200 baud, connects made with Oakxxx or

         Callsign-# to OAKBBS (W8OAK-3) with nodes at

         OAKNOD (N8NM-1 Pontiac – most coverage),

         OAKEOC (W8OAK-7 at EOC) or K8DTX-7 (White Lake)

         APRS – 144.390 MHz

   Web Site: http://www.arpsc.com

Meeting Minutes for 2 December 2009

            On 2 December 2009 at 7 pm, Michael Smith – N8GUZ, Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) for the Oakland County ARPSC, called the meeting to order in the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  The order of business included:

 (I). Report from the Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC), Michael Smith – N8GUZ:

             This afternoon, Larry Hornsby – KB8POD, EC underwent a partial knee replacement and his wife reports he is doing well.  Larry, good luck on your recovery!         

             The ARRL will begin using a new Technician question pool for testing on 1 July 2010.    New Technician study guides will soon reflect the new Element 2 question pool.   The FCC will be revising vanity call signs.  Vanity call information can be found at http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=amateur

             Michigan PRB-1 has now become State of Michigan House Bill #5556.   The Michigan ARRL PRB-1 Committee is asking for your support.  Their website is http://www.prb1michigan.org.  House Bill #5556 delineates rules for local municipalities to follow in regulating ham antenna structures.    

             Larry Hornsby – KB8POD, EC requests our Oakland County ARPSC affiliate with the national ARRL.  To be eligible, at least 51% of the voting members must be members of the ARRL.   Larry asks Membership Management to find our percentage. 

             The next dinner meeting will be on Wednesday, 3 February 2010.   There will be a presentation "Telegraphy – Unwired, Wired, and Wireless." 

             If you haven't received your ARES card, please check with Jim Poehlman – K8ABZ – Membership.  Jim Richards – AB8JR still has several J-pole antennas for sale.  More documents have been taken to the back room for library filing.       

 (II). Report from Steve Iannucci, Homeland Security Division – Oakland County:

             Our new secretary for Oakland County Homeland Security is Lynn Lindon, who will be in the office only 2-3 days per week   Lynn will continue to handle calls and filings for the ARPSC.  

 (III). Report from Bill Bond – W8WRB, Assistant District 2 Michigan Section ARPSC Emergency Coordinator:

             Extra Classes will begin Tuesday, 19 January 2009 from 7 – 9 pm and will be held at the Southfield EOC.  This is in the basement Parks and Recreation Building.  If interested, please contact John Fleming at john@fleming_photo.com or Bill Bond at w8wrb@wowway.com.        

 (IV). AEC-Management Team Reports:

             (1) Report from Lloyd Suter – N2NGQ, Administration:

             To get the most recent information on H1NI flu, go to the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov.   The recent upsurge in H1N1 flu is now on a downward trend.   Nearly all nationwide pediatric flu deaths were from H1N1 flu as noted:

             22 October to 21 November 2009: pediatric deaths 35 

            Since 30 August 2009: pediatric deaths 172

            Since 26 April 2009: pediatric deaths 198

             CDC currently states people at high risk for developing flu-related complications include certain medical conditions, "children younger than 5," "adults 65 years of age and older," and "pregnant women."   Maury Davidson – K8SJD added that a subset of population in North and South Carolina is showing resistance to the antiviral Tamiflu. 

             Oakland County Health Department has the following H1N1 flu vaccination clinics scheduled: (1). 3 December 2009 at Huron Valley Lakeland High School, White Lake Township 3 – 8 pm, (2) 10 December 2009 at Royal Oak High School, Royal Oak at 3 – 8 pm. 

             Query: When might a 2nd N1H1 peak occur?  Answer: Not known, but everyone should watch for this.  Should the H1N1 flu turn into a pandemic, it is recommended that everyone have two weeks stock of foods, other essential supplies, and listen radio and TV for recommendations.

             (2). Report from (AEC) Rory Lock – KC8SZR, Net Operations:

             Since it is only 2 December, the November monthly service report (volunteer hours) for our county ARPSC is not yet completed.  Net controls need to send in their November reports to Rory by the end of this week   

             (3). Report on Repeaters and Computers from Jerry Begel – W9NPI:

             Randy Love – WF5X to Jerry Begel – W9NPI:  The repeater audio problem has been resolved.

            (4). Report from (AEC) Michael Smith – N8GUZ, Training:

            Several training classes are being organized and details will be available soon.             

(V). Specialty Officer/Coordinator Reports:

            (1). Report from Jim Poehlman – K8ABZ, Membership:

            Larry Hornsby – KB8POD wants to know which members actively belong to the ARRL.  This question will be on the yearly application and renewal forms beginning January 2010.  In January, members and applicants will need to fill this out on our website at http://www.arpsc.com.   If one cannot use the online form, Jim will send you a printed form.  Once you have filled out the new form online, push the submit button and you are done.  Results go to Jim and application copies to Steve Iannucci for county review and a Sheriff's background check.   Once the applicant is cleared by the county, Steve will let him/her know. 

            Query:  Is there a background check every year?  Answer: No, only once for each applicant.   Extra information required by the county stays with them; we don't want it.          

            (2). Report from Jerry Begel – N9NPI, Hospital Communication Teams:

            Eleven hospitals reported into the Thanksgiving Night Hospital Net, with the remaining expected at the next regular weekly net.   Genesis Hospital needs an Oakland County team and various hospitals need additional volunteers.   Jerry will be working to recruit new members (1) with presentations to area clubs, (2) and by reviewing area database for hams.   Volunteers are especially needed at Genesis, Huron Valley – Sinai, and Clarkston.  Efforts continue to be made to place these radios in better environments.

            There is a western barrier or blind spot to the ham and EMS antennas at Troy-Beaumont which limit communications.  The hospital has been asked to resolve this.   By April, Huron Valley – Sinai will have installed an Icom IC-2820 radio in its Board Room which is a better location.  The older IC-2720 radio will remain in its old location.           

            (3). Report for Murray Scott – KE8UM, Logistics:

            Rory Locke – KC8SZR reported to Murray that one antenna or cable needs replacement.  Rory will talk to Steve Murphy – N8NM about this.  Bill Bond – W8WRB states there are plans for digital repeater; our first one in Oakland County.  However at this time, use of the digital mode found on our IC-2820 radios is not a primary concern.  

            (4). Report from Maurice Davidson – K8SJD, News from National Weather Service (NWS):

            At their November meeting, NWS in White Lake reported 53 severe weather warnings in 2009 as compared to 139 in 2008, and (2) no tornados in Oakland County for the first time since 1981.  Warning time to residents increased to 23.1 minutes.  The NWS has a toll free number to report bad weather to them.   This year, NWS estimated that 2800 Skywarn spotters participated nationally.         

            (5). Report from Gary Sklar – K8IKW and others, Events and Dates:

6 December 2009 - L'Anse Creuse Amateur Radio Club Swap: http://www.n8lc.org

19 December 2009 to 3 January 2010 - Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party.  Details are found at http://arlhs.com.

17 January 2010 - Hazel Park Amateur Radio Club Swap: http://www.hparc.org 

            (6). Report from Mike Nebel – N3BEL, Sirens:

            The 2009 Siren season is now complete, with 221/231 covered for the county.  120 different hams assisted with an average of 46.5 sirens checked each month.   2010 siren testing begins again in March. 

            (7). Report from Joe Miller – KJ8O, Special Events:

            Saturday, 5 December 2009 will be Skywarn Recognition Day, beginning at 9 am at the EOC.  This day was developed in 1999 by the NWS and the ARRL to celebrate contributions Skywarn volunteers make to the NWS.  During this day, Skywarn operators  contact other radio operators across the world.  If interested, please contact Joe Miller – KJ8O.  

            (8). Report from Gary Bouwkamp – N8HMP, W8OAK Web Master:

            Individual results of 2009 siren coverage are now posted on our website.   

Respectfully submitted,

James R. Murphy, N8SML

Secretary, Oakland County, ARPSC

3 December 2009

Minutes checked, corrected, and approved by Michael Smith – N8GUZ