The meeting was called to order at 19:30
The club officers and board members in attendance were:
- NY4I – Tom (President)
- AB4YI – Carol (Vice President)
- W7WMS – Will (Treasurer)
- K2BHS – Bruce (Secretary/Newsletter Editor)
- KI4UIP – John (Board Member)
- AA2MF – Richie (Past President)
- KA4IOX – Paul (Events Coordinator)
- N2ESP – Bob (President Emeritus)
- AAØO – Pat (President Emeritus)
- KZØJ – Nic (Board Member)
All members introduced themselves
This month’s 50/50 included Gift Certificates to the ARRL for $25 & $50
Recognition – Rare DX (Olev – N4OHI worked Saudi Arabia). Pat – AAØO multiple awards including ARRL DX CW. Dave – KR4U won the DXCC Honor Roll Award. There were multiple members who had POTA activations: (Bruce – K2BHS (2x) & Orin – KG1S (2x) with Sawgrass Lakes, Olev – N4OHI with Honeymoon Island).
The minutes from the November 2025 meeting were posted on the website and have been approved as distributed.
Vice President, Carol, AB4YI had nothing to report at this meeting
Club Treasurer, Will, W7WMS gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. He reported the balances for the month. He also reported membership stats for this month (currently 156 members).
The club welcomed new members. The new members are:
- Robert Murphy, W4GRR
- Vincent Risalvato, KD4YJB
- Nathan Walker, KR4HML
- Kyle Snodgrass, KR4HBP
- Jason Knobloch, KQ4YIZ
A motion was made by Bruce – K2BHS to approve the new members. Paul – KA4IOX seconded. The motion passed.
Bruce, K2BHS reported that the minutes for the November 2025 meeting are on the website.
Dave – KR4U gave additional info on the club’s move from DMI to the Wyoming Antelope Club
Dee – N4GD reported that the repeaters are operational and functioning at this time.
Pat, AAØO reported on VE Testing for November 2025 – It was reported that there is one new Technician. Next session is on 12/16/25.
Paul, KA4IOX – Events/Activities Coordinator, reported on the SSB Sweepstakes. There were three operators (KO4CEE, AAØO & N4GRC) which produced a total of 266 QSOs and 26 multipliers yielding a total of 16,492 points.
Ed, NZ1Q gave the Net Manager’s report for both nets for November. The totals were as follows:
- QNI: 768 total check-ins
- QTC: 30 messages passed
- QND: 1130 minutes (18.83 hours)
- There was a total of 34 sessions for November.
Ed, NZ1Q reported that there will be an antenna work party on Sunday, 12/14/25 @ 0700. The work will include cleaning the store room, removing all the cables, taking down the tower and moving the tower in the late morning.
Tom – NY4I reported that a POD was donated to the club for a six month term. The tower will be stored separately.
Presentation: Pictures of DMI & Montserrat & Reverse Beacon by Pat, AAØO.
Upcoming Programs:
- January 2026 – Winter Field Day
New Business:
- New Meeting Location Presentation
- Bylaws Changes/Updates
Bylaws Changes & Updates:
#1 (Article III) Clarification of the maximum allowed votes per family (Family Memberships). Timothy – KR4ESB motioned and Will – W7WMS seconded. Paul – KA4IOX requested discussion. The motion was subsequently withdrawn (not passed).
#2 (Article III) Expelled members cannot hold a board position. Orin – KG1S motioned and Ed – NZ1Q seconded. The motion was passed.
#3 (Article IV) Notices may be given by electronic means; keep email valid. Passed by unanimous consent.
#4 (Article IV) Meetings-adds president/majority vote, board meetings can be held electronically (e.g. Zoom). Bruce – K2BHS motioned and Ed – NZ1Q seconded. The motion was passed.
#5 (Article VI) Added Vice President, Contest Coordinator & VE Team Lead as board members. Timothy – KR4ESB motioned and Ed – NZ1Q seconded. The motion was passed.
#6 (Article VI) Limits on Board Spending: Maximum limit of $2500 between monthly meetings. Orin – KG1S suggested that the cap was too low, but there was further explanation for the change. Bruce – K2BHS motioned and Ed – NZ1Q seconded. The motion was passed.
#7 (Article VI) Secretary’s Minutes for all meetings to be posted to the club website. Passed by unanimous consent.
#8 (Article VII) Formation of a committee. A minimum committee is composed of a chair & 2 members. Marty – W4AFP motioned and Orin – KG1S seconded. The motion was passed.
#9 (Article VII) Separate WA4AKH (repeater) & W4GAC (club station), each with its own trustee. Passed by unanimous consent.
#10 (Article VII) An Ad-Hoc committee of the membership shall be appointed by the president to annually audit SPARC’s financial records. Passed by unanimous consent.
#11 (Article VIII) Results of the election including the vote tally, shall be announced at the meeting. Passed by unanimous consent.
#12 (Article IX) President Emeritus: there are no requirements for this title. It is an honorary title that may be bestowed on a Past President of SPARC. Passed by unanimous consent.
#13 (Article XI) Notifications of changes/amendments may be made physically and/or electronically. Bruce – K2BHS motioned and Ed – NZ1Q seconded. The motion was passed.
#14 (Article III) Membership: No membership committee. Passed by unanimous consent.
#15 (Article III) Membership runs from January 1st to December 31st of the current year. Membership dues must be paid no later than January 31st. Passed by unanimous consent.
#16 (Article III) Expulsion (correction of typographical error). Passed by unanimous consent.
#17 (Article VI) A quorum of the EXECUTIVE BOARD shall be five members thereof. Passed by unanimous consent.
#18 (Article VI) The President shall be the executive officer of SPARC (correction of typographical error). Passed by unanimous consent.
#19 (Article VI) The President shall appoint all committee chairs necessary to the club. Passed by unanimous consent.
#20 (Article VI) Treasurer (correction of typographical error). Passed by unanimous consent.
#21 (Article VI) Additions to the duties of the Treasurer. Passed by unanimous consent.
#22 (Article VI) Treasurer (correction of typographical error). Passed by unanimous consent.
#23 (Article VI) Treasurer’s duties: file state and federal forms as required. Passed by unanimous consent.
#24 (Article VII) Committee Chair’s duties (correction of typographical errors). Passed by unanimous consent.
#25 (Article VII) An Ad-Hoc committee shall be appointed to audit SPARC’s financial records. Passed by unanimous consent.
#26 (Article VIII) Nomination Committee (correction of typographical errors). Passed by unanimous consent.
After the presentation was made for the move, a motion was made to move to the club to the Wyoming Antelope Club as the new clubhouse. Orin – KG1S motioned and Glenn – KR4BOG seconded. The motion was passed.
The January 2026 meeting will be held on 1/2/26 at the Wyoming Antelope Club in Pinellas Park.
A motion was made to spend up to $300 for food and drinks for the Antenna Work Party scheduled for 12/14/25. Bruce – K2BHS motioned and Felax – KI4TWQ seconded. The motion was passed.
The 50/50 was a total jackpot of $48 and two ARRL Gift Certificates ($50/$25) up for grabs as well. There were multiple winners: Lawrence – WAØQHF won the $50 ARRL gift certificate, Olev – N4OHI won the $25, ARRL gift certificate, Nic – KZØJ won $24 cash and Bruce – K2BHS won $24 cash. Congratulations to all the winners!
The Meeting was adjourned at 21:20
73’s
Respectfully Submitted,
Bruce H. Solov, K2BHS