SD State Link Minutes - Sioux Falls meeting on 04/16/2005

Dick Neish W0SIR - chair.

Introductions - 24 attendees.

Site-by site status as follows:

Garden City -There is a possible problem with the UHF link towards

Humboldt. The VHF is up and running and receiving Humboldt OK, but Humboldt is not transmitting Garden City transmissions. Dick will contact Jim Smith on this

Humboldt -There is a very slight problem in occasional noise but nothing

serious.

Turkey Ridge -Much work has been done by the Prairie Dog Club, the site is up and running GREAT.

Wessington Springs - This site is doing fine. The mobile MICORs have been swapped out for base station type equipment, working fine. Some

question as to the P/L being in operation.

Pierre - This site is working in good shape as far as user reports indicate.

Reliance - New site has been located and some new antennas (model?)

have been purchased. Antennas and feedline, and radios and power

supplies need to be installed.There is some question as to the model of the tower (BX25?) , and if there are correct brackets for the installation of the new antennas. Feedline hangers are required. The RF/control/power supplies are currently at Brian's (N0LCL) place

for final checkout prior to reinstallation. There was discussion as to possible difficulties that may be encountered with access to the new site (4WD, etc) which is estimated to be one half mile west of the old site.

Much coordination will be necessary for the reinstallation effort.

THE reinstallation date is set for May 7 with a backup date of May 21. Mon. AM. Dick, W0SIR, contacted Brian

N0LCL, who indicated he will not be able to make May 7th, but will make every effort to have the equipment "checked-out" and give it the

final "BLESSING". Some one will have to pick it up prior to going

West.. ed.

Reliance power - Eldon has made arrangements with the land owner

for power. Eldon estimates the costs to be about $20 per month, or

$250 for the site per year, and wants to make a year's payment to

show good faith to the land owner when we go back on the air.

(See "funding" below)

Murdo - No known problems. Last site visit date unknown.

Philip - Possible intermittent between Philip and Terry but not confirmed. NHARC to pursue through to resolution. Last site visit - January 2005.

Terry Peak - No known problems. Last site visit - Summer 2004.

Rapid City UHF extension - Not reinstalled yet - commitments by Don

(AA0F) and John (WB6GHA) and Ben (KB9LFZ) to get this done.

Link Funding - We need to do two things: create a process for funding

the on-going expenses incurred (electricity, insurance, site-specific costs, AND create a fund pool for equipment replacement, especially

for antennas and feedline. Don also suggests a war fund be created

for the expenses of site relocation if and when that is necessary

(Reliance is a good example.)

Step One will be gathering and documenting operating costs

from each site/group so we have real and complete operating costs

for the entire system to insure that we aren't missing anything when

developing yearly operating costs.

Step Two will be development of a fund for replacement costs for

equipment.

The SD Amateur Repeater Council is a registered 501(C)3

organization, and has a bank account to facilitate donations

by check.

Dick and Rich have discussed a number of fund raising ideas, and

additional excellent ideas came forward from the floor. A working

committee needs to be formed to explore the ideas presented, and

start implementation.

As each organization's costs may be different, one single blanket

solution for everybody may not be feasible. Funding through the

sponsoring organizations and individuals needs to be pursued.

The "funding committee" needs to be created and put to work

soon.

Communications - Dick has set up a remailer, and messages to

him (neish@itctel.com) can be reflected to each person/group

that let's him know that they are interested in link issues.

Creation of a web site for link information or status, and especially

contact information for possible donations we discussed. Ed Gray

(W0SD) offered hosting for this web page that needs to be created

by some willing volunteer/organization. Web site designers please

contact Dick (neish@itctel.com) or Howard (snowmanhow@yahoo.com)

A "link newsletter" was discussed and the idea was well received.

Distribution via the as yet to be developed web page, or via

e-mail, or paper distribution is possible, or a combination of

delivery methods to meet the user's needs. Contents could include

status, contact and donation information, and just about anything

else related to the link and it's operation.

Future growth plans - The Clear Lake node was discussed, and

may be a possibility as soon as the rest of the system becomes

operation again.

Notes by John WB6GHA with additions by Dick W0SIR.

Again, many thanks to all for the great meeting we had. A lot of POSITIVE effort and enthusiasm has been exihibited. CUL

Dick, W0SIR

SD Rptr Coordinator