Today’s the day, field day! As in previous years OUARC will be operating with the SCARS folks in Reaves Park.

Typically OUARC is asked to assist with the overnight shift but you are welcome to stop by at any time! It officially starts in about 20 minutes at 8am and goes through 1pm tomorrow (Sunday).

I hope you all can make it out as OUARC will be providing fewer people this year since several of the clubs members (myself included) are out of town.

73s, Zac, KE5KJA

Here are the brief meeting minutes of the brief March meeting.

The status of the UHF repeater was discussed. Nothing has been heard from Smokey regarding its status lately. Talk of possible locations for a future OUARC repeater (hopefully the UHF one) were discussed. These locations include tower space on one of the dorm towers and one of the engineering buildings.

Robin handled the UOSA budget interview, hopefully our budget for next year will be approved.

The current state of the balloon project was discussed. Aaron noted the recent slashdot article on another fellow who succeeded at a similar project and gained national news attention. Useful ideas could be borrowed from his project. Aaron was given the go ahead to start acquiring parts.

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 24th, at either the NWC Obs deck or the Cross Center Shack. The plan is to have an antenna or balloon building party.

73, Zac, KE5KJA

I believe it was noted that the 27th was good for most everyone and hopefully still is so how about we have a meeting tonight. 7:30 PM at Which Wich.

Sorry for the late notice about the official meeting time… I’ve been a bit preoccupied.

73s, Zac

Tonight was suppose to be the tentatively scheduled OUARC meeting for March. However, it has been suggested and I am in favor of putting it off until later in the month.

So what dates would work for you all? The weekends of the 13th and the 20th are out as they are part of spring break so this leaves the 27th/28th if we wish to keep the meeting on a Saturday/Sunday.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks, Zac, KE5KJA

Here are the important notes from tonight’s meeting of the OUARC.

Budget for 2010/2011: We discussed what items should be included in the budget request for the upcoming year of OUARC. Suggestions included coaxial cable, rope, office supplies, SD memory cards and other supplies for a follow-up to this year’s planned high-altitude APRS balloon project, a battery charger, and a low-end laptop for the radio cabinet on the observation deck of the NWC. The budget will be compiled from these suggestions — any concerns or suggestions regarding the budget for the 2010/2011 academic year should be directed to our treasurer Robin Tanamachi.

APRS high-altitude balloon project: Options for temperature and moisture sensors on the high-altitude balloon were discussed. The idea to include a camera seems quite feasible, considering that an older camera that will support the needed firmware to support automated image capture can likely be obtained on e-bay for ~$20-$50. It was suggested that contacts at the NWC might be helpful in obtaining the actual weather balloon needed to lift the transmitter and instrument pack. Concerns or questions about the high-altitude balloon project should be directed to our “balloon officer”, Aaron Botnick.

Club Equipment: The club’s HF antenna for use with the NWC observation deck cabinet has not yet been hooked up; the club repeater situation has not changed since our last meeting.

Leadership / Officers: The position of OUARC Secretary has recently been vacated — if any student member is interested in joining the club leadership and filling this position for the remainder of the 2009-2010 schoolyear, a special election can be held at the next meeting. The main duties of the secretary include attending club meetings, taking down notes/minutes, and relaying those minutes to the club via the OUARC listserv, in a format similar to the notes you are now reading. Anyone interested in the secretary position should contact our president Zac.

Next meeting: The next meeting of the OUARC is tentatively scheduled for Saturday Mar. 6th. Zac will e-mail additional details to the list regarding time and location at a later time.

Sorry for the late notice, but lets have the monthly OUARC meeting @ 7pm today (February 13th) at the Chipotle on Campus Corner! Hopefully everyone can make it and this should allow us to discuss the budget before its due.

See you tonight! Zac

It has been suggested that we meet this coming Saturday because of various conflicts with people being busy next weekend. Additionally, if we meet this coming weekend budget recommendations can be suggested before it is due for the year.

So that said, what time works best for people? A lunch time meeting has been suggested, so perhaps noon or 1? Or we could stick with the usual 7pm start time. I’m going to stick with the Chipotle location… mostly because its easy.

Zac

Its that time of the year again to think about requesting funding from UOSA. For the past 2 years we’ve been decently successful in getting funding for radio equipment and supplies… so that leads to the question is there anything you all think we should ask for this year?

Also, currently we have the meeting scheduled for February 20th, 7pm @ Chipotle. How many of you will be able to make it? There was some talk of people being out of town that weekend and that perhaps another weekend would be better?

Thanks, Zac, KE5KJA

The response I got was that this Saturday is better for people so OUARC’s first Spring 2010 meeting will be held at 7pm at Pepes.

I don’t believe there are any conflicts, sporting or otherwise but if there are let me know soon and we might be able to reschedule.

73s, Zac

I hope your new year is off to a great start! Its that time again as the semester rolls around to think about having meetings for OUARC.

November’s Saturday meeting seemed to be a success… do we want to continue to have meetings on Saturdays? The 23rd and 30th of this month are both possibilities since I believe everyone will be back in town then. Also suggestions for venues are welcome; I personally am a fan of just having them at Pepe’s because the food is good and it is close to campus.

Let me know your opinions and when you all are available!

73s, Zac KE5KJA