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12/8/07 Meeting Minutes
Jeff called the meeting called to order at 16:10
Present: John KC0UHY, Bruce N0VOW, Jeff KC0MKS, Loren KA0TMW, Tim
KB0OPC, Randy KC0RTX, Paul KC0WDQ, Lloyd KC0SJB & Rowena, Mary (KD0ANJ) & Bob
(KC0WCO), Diane KC0TIU, Jean KC0ZEX
Introductions
Board Member Reports:
President Report: Nothing new to report
Vice President Report: Nothing new to report
Secretary Report: Diane read minutes from the previous meeting. Loren
moved to accept the minutes as read, Randy seconded, motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
The treasurer was absent from the meeting.
From the minutes of the last meeting, BARC has 34 members. Annual dues are
$15/person, $20/family; can be paid at any point during the year, though people
often pay at the pre-race meeting.
A formal written request to use the LSAC1 repeater system will be made to Randy
N0BZZ and Pat KB0QYC. A written request will also be sent to BWARC asking to
use their repeater system as a contingency for communication along the Gunflint
Trail. Jeff has already received written agreement from BAARC (Brainerd Area
Amateur Radio Club) about the overlap of the BARC Nets and the BAARC Nets on
LSAC1.
In the past, BARC has sent a monetary gift to LSAC and Dick KC0FTN, in return
for using the repeaters during the race. The amount given will be voted on by
the membership at the critique meeting.
Net Control:
Randy KC0RTX reported a busy season, but still lots of openings in Net Control
as it is covered by 2 people 24 hours/day during the length of the race.
Net Control is located once again at Billy's (on the corner of the West Tischer
and Jean Duluth roads).
Randy has revamped the spreadsheet to make entry more straight-forward, with
at-a-glance information on teams' times and locations.
Beaver Bay check points have been eliminated from this year's race due to the
dangerous nature of the spur from the main trail down to the checkpoint and
back up; an additional checkpoint has been added at Devil's Track/The Landing
Road Crossing: Volunteers are still needed for Road Crossings at several
points along the race; please contact Tim Davich to volunteer
Checkpoints: Finland needs coverage on both the up and down legs of the
race, with the checkpoint located on Kramer Road(Hwy 3); Minimal shelter
available at this location.
The group broke into a discussion regarding what information is communicated
with Net Control at both Checkpoints and Road Crossings and how that
information is obtained. Highlights of the discussion:
Checkpoints: Ham operators report official arrival and departure times
(hours, minutes and seconds), bib numbers and number of dogs on a team as
obtained from Beargrease volunteers
Road Crossings:
Ham operators will track Bib numbers and times, but report only Bib numbers to
Net Control; in addition, they assist in protecting the teams from any vehicle
traffic at the crossing
An important point noted by Jean: Outside assistance requested by a musher is
grounds for disqualification from the race. As a result of that rule, mushers
will generally not ask ham operators for assistance unless they are already in
distress and planning to scratch from the race.
New Business
Jeff distributed a copy of the BARC Bylaws with the proposed amendment
included. The amendment's purpose is to provide direction for the membership
with regard to officer election procedures in years when a race is canceled.
The group reviewed the amendment, there was no discussion. Voting for the
proposed amendment will be at the next meeting.
Jeff invited attendance at BARC board meetings; there may be occasional closed
session portions, but open as a general rule.
Trail Center/The Landing – About 30 miles up the Gunflint; on Poplar Lake;
Jayne & Rick from BWARC will be arranging populating check-points, road
crossings, while still reporting to the Road Crossings and Checkpoints
coordinators.
New this year, there will be a Sweep following the last team down the trail,
will help volunteers to be sure all teams are off the trail and enable them to
move on to their next assigned spot or leave.
Turn around point – Poplar Lake Trail Center with a possible loop further up
Gunflint to Round Lake, turn around and come back down past Poplar Lake. This
has not been officially decided at this point in time; Jeff will investigate
further.
A training session will be conducted about three (3) hours prior to pre-race
meeting for those new to volunteering with BARC; the pre-race meeting will be
held the day prior to the start of the race. The location is yet to be
determined.
Web site: Please visit www.beargreasearc.com Brendan had worked on the
site and welcomes constructive comments, suggestions, etc.
Maps of the race route are available online, however members would like to see
a better map. Jeff will investigate with the US Forest Service to see what is
available for the area.
Armbands will be used to identify volunteers this year rather than buttons;
hopefully more visible and durable.
Paul – Reported on merchandise: For T-shirts for this year's race, be certain
to provide your coordinator with your T-shirt size; posters are available from
Paul; there is a limited edition 25th Anniversary ball cap for sale, $18.00
Lincoln Park Clubhouse at 25th & 5th Ave West is available for meetings, holds
about 25-30 people, nice facility, may be considered for use next year. Unsure
of any cost associated with use of the facility.
Satellite phones have been used in the past by race officials, but have had
poor service and opted not to use them at all this year. This will give ham
volunteers an even greater chance to be of service during the race to relay
health/welfare and other traffic. Accuracy of information was stressed,
particularly at Checkpoints/Road Crossings/Net Control. More experienced
members reported successful information relay over the past several years, with
an increase in accuracy after Ham volunteers began assisting with the race.
Start line is within the Ordean Stadium this year.
Jeff is looking for pre-race meeting location suggestions, with a separate
meeting room available. Several suggestions were brought forth, including Old
Country Buffet, the Pizza Hut on London Road, Sammy's Pizza in the west end.
Jeff will investigate.
Old Business
Echo Link: It will be up during the race with about 14 sign-on limit,
listen only, no communication.
Meeting closed at 17:36
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