Oakland County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp (ARPSC)

            Weekly Net Thursday at 8 pm on 146.900 MHz/100pl

                        Hospital Radio Net on the last Thursday of each month

                                    Web Site: http://www.arpsc.com

 General Membership Meeting Minutes for 5 December 2007 :

             On 5 December 2007 at 7:00 pm , Joel Goldberg, W8HIU, Emergency Coordinator (EC) for the Oakland County ARPSC, called the meeting to order in the Oakland County Executive Office Building Auditorium.  The order of business included:

 (I). Guest Speaker – Pat Patterson, Federal Communication Commission (FCC), Detroit Office:

             Pat has been a compliance specialist for the FCC since 1980, and has volunteered to assist in related emergencies.  His earliest work began with CB enforcement and has expanded to include any different aspects of communication interference, as found with police, fire, cable, aviation, land mobile communications, etc.  He executes on-site investigations, inspections, responds to safety issues, investigates and resolves interference.   Pat described some recent experiences which involved what amateur radio hams know as fox hunt searches.  His equipment to find interference sources includes doppler instruments, remote dial sites to triangulate, and algorithms to triangulate signal arrival time differences.    

             Amateurs who experience interference can go to the ARRL or directly to the FCC to file complaints. They can phone to 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) or email to fccinfo@fcc.gov.  The FCC website is http://www.fcc.gov which gives more information.

 (II). Comments from the Emergency Coordinator – Joel Goldberg, W8HIU:

             Joel introduced members of the Oakland County ARPSC Executive Board.  His newest board member is Gary Rogerson, N8NTC who will direct our digital programs, such as packet.  This should free Randy Love, WF5X to concentrate on other duties.   Jim Poehlman, K8ABZ and Marsha Fleming, N8FE are developing a calling tree.  This should speed member activation during an emergency.

             From January through November 2007, our ARPSC members have given over 4,200 hour volunteer hours.  If paid at an hourly rate of $18/hour, this would amount to $80,000.  This information is given to Rory Locke, KC8SZR, who passes it on to the ARRL. 

             We have been in the process of revising our bylaws for our ARPSC.  New proposed by-laws have been posted on our http://www.arpsc.com website for members to review before this meeting.  Changes include (1) to whom our ARPSC is responsible and (2) separation of Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) title from specialty officers.  An AEC is now defined as an officer who in the event of the EC's absence, can perform, possess, and exercise the powers of the EC. 

             Barry Kaufman, WD8JWM made the following motion to the members:

             I move to approve the changes in the Oakland County ARPSC Bylaws, contingent upon and subject to final approval by the Oakland County Corporate Council's office.  Any minor changes by this Office would be automatically made in the version now up for consideration and will be included in this vote approval.              

             This motion was seconded and passed by the members. 

              (III). Comments by Bill Bond, W8WRB on District II Michigan Section ARPSC:

             District II now has two websites, one of which is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/miarpscd2/. 

 (IV). Comments from Rory Locke, KC8SZR, Net Manager/Reports. 

             Future training will conform to the bylaws.  More net operators are needed; if interested please see Rory.  Joel Goldberg added that nets from the EOC need two operators.

 (V). Comments from Randy Love, WF5X, AEC and Repeaters:

             Our 444.325/107.2pl W8OAK repeater is fully operational now, beginning 14 November.  Randy tested its range and found it useable from 12 Mile Road /Gratiot in the south to Holly in the north. 

             Randy wants a separate transceiver with a different pl tone for slow scan TV and other digital modes.  Our computers at the EOC have small problem in that they don't have full network function. 

             On Skywarn Recognition Day, 30 November 2007 , there were 27 confirmed contacts for a score of 37 points.  Transmissions were fine Friday night and Saturday morning, but signals faded out later in the day.  Joel Goldberg added that the most commonly used bands were 20 and 40 meters.   Two transceivers were used with a G5RV and other antennas.  Next year, anyone interested in participating, please do come and join the group.

 (VI). Comments on Training Classes:

             The next training class is on Saturday, 15 December 2007 , from 8 am to noon at the EOC.   This class will be IS-700, National Incident Management System (NIMS) – An Introduction.  Please call Loretta in the EOC office for reservations at 248-858-5300.  Any liensed ham can take IS-700. 

             Query: Will there be an IS-800 Class?  Answer: No plans exist yet.

 (VII). Comments from Alan Craddock, KA8PEH, Club Liaison:

             Alan notes he is also a liaison for the City of Southfield Emergency Management and will be reporting what happens here to Southfield .

 (VIII). Comments from Gary Rogerson, N8NTC, Digital Communications and Packet:

             Gary passed a questionnaire to members on their interest in packet, packet capabilities, equipment, and skills.   He also would like to know which members have connected to the digipeater in the county.

 (IX). Comments from Bill Bond, W8WRB, Hospital Radios:

             Last week's Hospital Net ( 29 November 2007 ) had everyone checking in.  Jim Pepper checked in from home for Pontiac St. Joseph Hospital when no one was available to go to the hospital.  There is a possibility that the Hospital Net may be moved to 7:30 pm or even go to a different night.  Bill will keep everyone posted on any changes.

 (X). Comments from Murray Scott, KE8UM:

             One radio at the EOC is in the process of being repaired.  Next, Murray will look at one of tape decks.

 (XI). Comments from Gary Sklar, K8IKW, Public Information with others:

  (XII). Other Information:

             Steve Iannucci, ER&P, noted that Jim Walden, N8DHZ has been ill and in and out of the hospital.  At this time, he is home. 

             The Oakland County Executive Office Building Auditorium is an excellent facility and it is possible that future Skywarn Classes may be held here.  The regular ARPSC monthly meetings will continue in the EOC. 

             Joel Goldberg stated the Oakland County 's ARPSC is in the process of returning the 145.25 MHz frequency to OCARS.

             Certificates of Service awards were handed to Larry Hornsby, KB8POD, Barry Kaufman, WD8JWM, Randy Love, WF5X, and Joel Goldberg, W8HIU.

             The newest Oakland County ARPSC member is Barbara Steencken, KC8SWF who is active in Sno-drift activities.  Welcome Barbara!

 Respectfully submitted,

James R. Murphy, N8SML
Secretary, Oakland County , ARPSC
6 December 2007