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)
- KR4U – Dave (Board Member)
- KO4CEE – Alex (Repeater Trustee)
- AAØO – Pat (President Emeritus)
- N2ESP – Bob (President Emeritus)
- KZØJ – Nic (Board Member)
All members introduced themselves
First Time Attendees:
- Doug Chase (KE4LPQ)
- Ken Gunther (no call)
Recognition – Chris (KA4UPC) got the ARRL Worked All States (WAS)Lou, KB4DSL & Dave (KR4U) worked Bouvet. Joe (W4GGJ) worked Saudi Arabia & Malaysia. Lou (KB4DSL) worked Congo. Bruce (K2BHS) worked St. Lucia. POTA Activations: Joe (W4GGJ) activated Alafia River State Park and Sawgrass Lake Park.
Upper Pinellas ARC (UPARC) will be having a UPARC at the Park event on 4/18/26 at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, FL. The event will begin at 08:00.
The minutes from the March 2026 meeting were posted on the website. The minutes were approved as distributed.
Vice President, Carol, AB4YI reported that the Wally Watt (for the club station) is on order at this time. She further reported receipt of the necessary permits.
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. The club currently has a total of 112 members. There were no new members this month.
Club Secretary/Newsletter Editor, Bruce, K2BHS reported that the March 2026 Meeting Minutes are available, as previously mentioned. He also reported that the latest newsletter is out and should be posted. He further asked for article submissions and/or volunteers to assist.
Repeater Trustee, Alex, KO4CEE reported that all three repeaters are working and operational. He also gave the Net Manager’s report for both nets for March. The totals were as follows:
- QNI: 608 total check-ins (578 for the 2-meter net & 30 for the 220/440 net)
- QTC: 27 messages passed (26 for the 2-meter net & 1 for the 220/440 net)
- QND: 978 minutes (16.3 hours) (930 minutes (15.5 hours) for the 2-meter net & 48 minutes (0.8 hours) for the 220/440 net)
- There was a total of 35 (31 for the 2-meter net & 4 for the 220/440 net) sessions for February.
- Net Controllers with the most check-ins: 1st – KN4LUZ (Billy) (24 check-ins), 2nd – KC4SXO (Bob) (23 check-ins), 3rd – WZ4GW (Bill) (22 check-ins)
Pat, AAØO reported on VE Testing for March 2026 – There is one new Technician. Next session is on 4/21/26.
Paul, KA4IOX – Events/Activities Coordinator, was not present at the meeting.
Tom, NY4I – Mentioned the upcoming Florida QSO Party, scheduled for 4/25/26 – 4/26/26
Tom, NY4I also mentioned that:
- Ed, N1TV contacted the club, looking for assistance to set up his station – looking for volunteers
- He will not be at the May 2026 Meeting.
New Business:
The program for May 2026 will be Mobile Installations. This year, it will not be a contest, but rather a show-and-tell. Everyone is welcome to showcase their mobile installations.
Ron, N2SKH won the 50/50 with a total jackpot of $21. Ron donated his winnings back to the club. Congratulations Ron and thank you!
The Meeting was adjourned at 21:05
73’s
Respectfully Submitted,
Bruce H. Solov, K2BHS