• Meeting Location: 605 Metropolis Street, Metropolis, Illinois
  • Meeting Conducted by: James “Jay” Smock – President
  • Meeting Called to Order @: 1744 hrs
  • Pledge of Allegiance was Led by: Andrew “Drew” Byrne
  • Members Present: (10)
    • Jay Smock – President  N9VN
    • Lloyd Baker – Vice President  KC9DRB
    • Geoff Williams – Secretary  KD9VCY
    • Ronnie Stone – Treasurer  K4INS
    • Eddy Sobkowiak, Sr. – AC900
    • Aidan Carnes – POTA Czar  W9ADN
    • Brian Horn – KD9OIH
    • Drew Byrne – KQ4MQX
    • Lori Klingensmith – N6BWZ
    • Calvin Esau – KD9YRV
  • Guests Present: (4)
    • Steve Parmly – W4WWS
    • Shelley Byrne
    • Lisa Derry
    • Diana Stone
  • Minutes of the Last Meeting:
    • The minutes of the November 15, 2023 meeting were submitted and read by Geoff Williams – Club Secretary.
    • A motion was made to accept the minutes as read. The motion was seconded. A vote was made and passed.
  • Radio Merit Badge:
    •  Lloyd Baker reported that he has put together a class for area Scouts whereby they can earn the Boy Scouts of America Radio Merit Badge.
      • Location: Trinity Church, 605 Metropolis Street, Metropolis, Illinois.
      • Date: March 23rd, 2024.
      • Times: 1000 hrs to 1600 hrs.
      • Paticipants are asked to bring their own lunch, pen/pencil, and notebook/pad.
  • Treasurer’s Report:
    • The Treasurer’s report was given by Ronnie Stone – Treasurer via the mass E-mail account on 01-19-2024.
      • The club currently has a balance of $312.00 in the Bantara Bank checking account.
  • Treasurer’s Report continued…On-hand cash is $205.00, held by Jay Smock.A total of $80.00 was collected by the treasurer in the form of dues payments; to be deposited into the checking account.Total funds available are $597.00.
  • Library Report:
    • Aidan Carnes reported that the Technician’s License test book is out on-loan to a Johnson County Sheriff’s Office deputy. He may possibly be ready for testing by the next stated meeting.
  • Donations:
    • Aidan Carnes donated a 2m HT and an electric griddle to the club.
  • Winter Field Day – January 27, 2024
    • A short discussion was had regarding whether or not the membership would still like to participate in the forthcoming ARRL Winter Field Day. The general consensus was that after the recent round of exceptionally cold and snowy weather the membership would rather travel to Collinsville, IL to take in The St. Louis & Suburban Radio Club Winterfest at the (indoor) Gateway Center.
      • Location: Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville, IL  62234
      • Date: Saturday, January 27, 2024
      • Times: 0800 -1300 hrs.
      • Admission: Advanced sales $12.00 p/person 13 yrs and older – Under 12 are FREE with paid adult if purchased in advance. Scouts (under 18yoa) in uniform are FREE when accompanied by a paying adult. Cost at the door is $14.00.
      • There will be raffles and door prizes.
  • WinLink Class: Presented by Jay Smock and Steve Parmley
    • Several members brought their laptops and were successful in loading the software and sending test messages.
    • Aidan and Drew were able to participate in the Wednesday night WinLink. Net control was conducted by Steve Parmley.
    • Several members hung around after the meeting to continue working with WinLink.
  • The Meeting was adjourned @: 1945 hrs.

Minutes submitted by: Geoff Williams – Secretary