THE LIVE WIRE

        Notice:  Our next meeting of BRARS will be Monday, Feb. 2 at Greenville Technical College, Room CE-350 (Auditorium).  Please attend! Some important revisions to Club Bylaws will be discussed and voted on.
 

        Also remember it's Dues Time Again! Dead-line is Feb. 28.  Please make your check to BRARS, Inc. and give it to John Chism, ND4N.
 

        Minutes from the Nov. and Dec. 1997 and the Jan. 1998 BRARS meetings, prepared by John Chism are attached.
 

        Editors Comment!
        Last month we wrote about the Harvard University amateur radio club that used the names of three members (  Hyman, Almy, and Murray  ) as the station call sign; later reduced to HAM.  Albert Hyman used the controversial Wireless Regulations Bill as the topic of his thesis at Harvard.  His instructor had him send a copy of his thesis to Senator David Walls, a member of the senate committee hearing the bill.  The bill, if passed would have been "the end" of amateur radio.  Big commercial radio stations wanted the amateurs off the air so that they would not have to share the frequencies with the "trouble makers". (sound familiar?) Hymen was invited to be a witness at the hearings and was but on he stand to plea for fair treatment to amateurs.  The little known station named HAM became the symbol of all amateur radio stations that were crying out to be saved from the menace and greed of the big commercial stations.
        As we know today, Congress refused to implement a bill that would put amateurs off the air and instead put in place a system to reserve certain frequencies for amateur use, thanks to a little station named HAM.

• Meeting was called to order by VE1BMI, Bill and introductions of members and guests.
• Audit was reviewed.  No problems were found by the Auditors.  Motion made and carried to accept the audit as presented.
• WA4ULE, Carlisle Rogers reported that the meeting room at Greenville Tech had been secured for 1998 at no cost. However, some renovations are planned at Tech during 1998 an the rom may not be available for some period after June.  More on this as the time approaches. NOTE that if Tech is shut down due to bad weather, the meeting room will also be closed.
• WA4ULE, Carlisle Rogers has volunteered to be the Newsletter Editor.
• The rather lengthy procedures per Section 1, Paragraph i of the Bylaws for removing 2 members of the club from membership were completed at this club meeting.  The sealed ballots for expulsion of both members were opened and counted by a team selected from the audience.  Counting team was WA4EFT Jeff Borke, K4JQY Charlie Thompson,  and KF4PWF Jimmy Chambers. NOTE that there are currently a total of 154 Club members so the majority needed to carry the question would be 78.

• The question was carried  with the general membership voting to terminate the memberships of the 2 members in question.
• Adjourned at 9:25 PM

• Meeting called to order by VE1BMI, Bill and introductions of Members and Guests. (31 Members, 2 Guests)
• Elections were held and the new board was elected:

• Question was raised by Richard Howell as to whether routine club business has been reinstated but new applications would be addresses by the new board.
• WB4ZBZ Gene said that the Hamfest was proceeding for May 9, 1998. To be a 1-day event held at same place as last 8 years.
• WA4EZK, Edsel brought up the interference problems that have been occurring on out repeaters. This was discussed at some length and the new board will address the problems.
• KF4CES, Lamar Hess requested a copy of the inventory.  Bill said that he did not have one with him but would provide one.
• WB4ZBZ, Gene announced that SKYWARN will move from 146.61 to 146.79 in attempt to get better coverage in northwest Georgia.
• Next Meeting to be January 5 at the Greenville Tech Meeting Room.
• Adjourned at 8:27 PM

                John E. Chism,  ND4N
                Secretary, BRARS, Inc.

• Meeting was called to order by KA4END, Buddy and introductions of members and guests.  (24 Members, 3 Guests)
• Buddy welcomed all into new year.
• No Applications pending.  (See announcement elsewhere in his newsletter)
• WB4ZBZ, Gene, the Hamfest Chairman presented status of 1998 Hamfest preparations.  It will be on Saturday May, 9 (One Day) at same place as last 8 years.
• VE1BMI, Bill had a copy of the 1996 inventory for KF4CES, Lamar who was not present.
• K4NK, Les, gave a presentation on the ARRL, which was well received by all.
• Next meeting February 2 at the Greenville Tech Meeting Room.

NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS:

Two proposed revisions to the By-Laws will be discussed and voted on at the next ( 2/2/98) club meeting

The board is proposing to amend the Club bylaws as follows:

Add two additional paragraphs to the Bylaws Of The Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society, Inc.  under Section 1, Membership, as follows:
 

 (j.)        Persons who have been removed from the membership may not, even as a guest, participate in any club functions, attend meetings, or use club equipment.

 (k.)       Applicants for a new membership must be sponsored by two existing members who have been members in good standing of the Society for a minimum of two (2) years.   The two sponsoring members shall sign the new applicant's Society Application Form in the places provided.  The Society Application Form shall be revised to provide a place for the two sponsors to sign.  All new Members will be subject to a one (1) year probation.
 

REMINDER:

It's renewal time again. Dues are due 1 January with a grace period till February 28.  Dues are $20.00 for full membership, $15.00 for full membership if over 65 Years of age, $10.00 for family membership.
Make checks payable to "BRARS, Inc." and send to:
Attention: Secretary, BRARS, Inc.,  PO BOX 6751, Greenville   SC  29606.

Send corrections of Address, Name, Call or recent phone number changes to attention of the Secretary.

REMEMBER:  From the Bylaws, Section 1, Membership:
(e.)  Membership renewals received after March 1 will be handled as a new membership application.

So, Don't Delay!!!!!
 

            John E. Chism, ND4N
            Secretary, BRARS, Inc.

Any comments, suggestions, articles, etc. regarding the newsletter should be sent to livewire@brars.org

The Livewire Editor is Dr. Carl Rogers, WA4ULE and this webpage is maintained by Jonathan Nalley, KE4ZVU who is a member of the 

Send your comments or inquiries to: brars@brars.org

©1998 Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society, Inc.