January 20, 2010

Present: Ed, KC2SUJ; Henry, KC2SUL; Judy, KC2SUM; Bob, WA2AFF; Jeff, KB2ZTX; Fred, KA2HPG; Mark, WB2PKO; Brien, KA2AON; Nellie, XYL KA2AON; John, N2MKH; Dave, WD4EKB and John, K2QQY. 

Agenda:  Set and confirm dates for various activities for the coming year.

A list of ideas were presented and discussed for activities that we would like to do this year.  A request to have the van at both the spring and fall Boy Scout Camporee's was made, participation in field operations from EOC's or fire stations, entering the van in parades, touring the 911 center, a nuclear facility tour, and maintenance of van and repeater site.  Dates were set for as many events as we had information for and they appear on the above schedule so that you can pencil them in on your calendar. 

Comments.  For the Camporee's, we will make the van fully functional for demonstrating amateur radio.  Groups of Scouts will visit where we will be able to give a talk about what we are and what we do in communications.  The field exercises at the remote EOC's are aimed at proving our ability to provide communications to the local officials that would be in need of our service during an emergency.  An interest in holding a field day event was voted on and that will be another chance to make sure everything on the van is in good working order. 

To prepare for these events we will start checking out the van in May to be sure it is ready to roll at any time.  We also have some maintenance to do at the repeater site like mowing, finish painting and finishing the installation of the grounding circuit. 

Since the meeting the following subjects have come up for adding to our list.

Ron Greenleaf, Hannibal Town Supervisor, has asked if we are still interested in installing an antenna on their water tower for use during emergencies.  A  positive reply was given.  Our first step is to inspect the location and needs for the installation.  As soon as we can get a couple of agile members to climb the 100 feet inside the tower we will make arrangements with Ron for access.  Antenna, coax and other supplies will be obtained as needed.

During a meeting with Emergency Management, I reviewed the suggestions for the year and asked about how best to make other agencies, police, fire, etc. aware of the capabilities of the van and our commitment to its operation.  It was suggested that we present the van to the agencies that would most likely be interested such as fire and hazmat groups.  From there word may spread. 

Possibly we could make a presentation to the Hazmat Team during one of their training meetings on a Sunday morning and also see about being present during a battalion meeting to make the fire service aware of the van.  We have good support from the Fire Coordinators office and now need to get to the folks in the field.  From here we can fine tune our presentation for others

During a meeting it was suggested that we might put the van on display at the County Fair in Sandy Creek.  The Fair will run from June 30 to July 4.  This would require having the van operating during the "peak" times so that people would get a taste of what we do.  If we do this, then the participation in the Oswego July 4^th parade would be for another year.