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SOUTH FLROIDA FM ASSOCIATION APRIL 12, 2004 MINUTES OF MEETING PRESIDENT: RONNIE HAIK KG4DBI DIRECTORS: MAIL YOUR DUES TO: Meeting was called to order at 19:48 with 46 present. Ronnie welcomed all to the SFFMA meeting. The meeting was being broadcast live on the air tonight from the EOC. The microphone was passed around the room and everyone stated their name and call sign. Ronnie announced that we have three guest speakers tonight: Philine Heart from Citizen's Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County to discuss the CHAMP program (Citizen Ham Mobile Patrol) and Patricia Thornberg from Miami-Dade Police Citizens Volunteer Program. Mark Pafford from the Alzheimer's Association. Philine Heart was introduced to the membership and spoke about the CHAMP program. She gave out handouts to those present. Patricia Thornberg spoke next and discussed how the program works with the police department and homeland security. Both took questions from those present. Anyone interested in any of these programs, please let us know. Repeater update: Ray spoke about the 146.76. There was a receiver problem. It has been changed out and back. It's back up to speed. John spoke about the 147.000. It was used for the March of Dimes last weekend and is working fine. Jason spoke about the 147.150. It is still under construction at the Biltmore and the ETA is May 31. Robert spoke about the 224.200. The ID chip has been ordered but delayed. Ronnie then introduced Mark Pafford from the Alzheimer's Association to speak to the members present. He was very informative. Ray gave a short background about the program. Evelyn brought up the fact that we could help to locate people that were lost and wondering around. Mark spoke about Project Safe Return. He handed out information and answered questions from those present. Sam made a motion to accept last month's minutes, seconded by Lloyd, and the minutes for March were accepted. Old Business: Randy spoke about the March of Dimes walk-a-thon that was held on April 3. It was a great success. All communicators did an outstanding job. Wendy did an outstanding job. He thanked everyone who participated. Ronnie showed the club members banners that the club purchased for use at functions so people will know whom we are. We have 2 of each banner. Sam spoke about the Boy Scouts Youth Expo at the Homestead Miami Raceway. Ronnie advised that he got a call from the Red Cross to assist with the bush
fires over the last weekend, which was the same weekend as the walk-a-thon and
the Boy Scouts. Pictures of this event were shown to those present. Ernesto took
check-in's on the 147.000 and assisted emergency management. Eddie Rodriguez for the American Red Cross thanks everyone that helped with the fires. Freddy extended the invitation for anyone to attend CPR/First Aid classes. The flyer with the dates and times is available on the web site. The classes are free to us. Bob made an announcement if there was anyone there for testing. No one was present for testing at tonight's meeting. New Business: Ernesto spoke about the Bike-A-Thon on April 24 and 25. He is still looking for more volunteers. If you are interested, see Ernesto tonight or go to the web site www.KG4LXH.us or www.KG4LXH.com, and click the MS 150 button to sign-up on line. If you have signed up and do not know where you are to report to, please see Ernesto tonight. There are 75 turns on Saturday and 60+ turns on Sunday. The goal is for 1700 riders. We are ahead of last year. We have the campground again. Parking this year in the campground has changed. Parking is going to be were the staging busses were last year. It is going to start at the Miami-Dade South Campus. They are going to go out near the gym. Annie brought up having music for the event through the radio station on the campus. A PA system will be set up at the campus. Ray advised everyone to get their APRS trackers going and that we need more. We will be using 4 repeaters, including 2 in Key Largo - 147.345 and 444.050. James announced the names of our new members: Welcome to Kent Gilpin KJ4WW; Bryan Hembhrg N4EBC; Lissette Matos KI4DYH. Steve from the membership committee handed out proposed changes regarding membership and it will be posted on the web. We will vote on the changes at the next meeting. Anyone interested in joining, please see Steve. Ronnie announced that the Dade Radio Club meets ½ hour before the SFFMA meeting and everyone is welcome. Ray suggested that testing begin at 7:30 PM so that those taking a test will have enough time. Joanne brought everyone up-to-date on CERT. There is going to be a CERT Disaster Exercise on May 1 in Homestead. Ronnie will have amateur radio operators at the event. With no other business, Ronnie announced that refreshments were in the cafeteria. He thanked everyone for coming. The meeting was adjourned at 21:34. Joanne Carbana |
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