At Boston Bowl Rochford Tower Lane

Boston

 

Present:

G0POM, G4DDI, G4DYV, G4SJV, G4OID, M1ERY, G8SFU, G4FJO, 2E1FRQ,G8BEH, G0NWU, G4NHL, G6ADG.

Apologies:

G7HNM, G0BTT, G8LXI, G3NNQ, G6CZV, G0PXB, G1PAT.

The minutes of the last AGM were read and accepted . proposed by G3NHF seconded by G8BEH.

Chairman’s Report:

During a traumatic year G8LXI had stood down as Repeater Keeper and his place taken by Dave G8SFU. The technical team were thanked for their excellent efforts during a difficult period. Also thanked was Barry G4DYV for his assistance on the work on SO. G0PXB, Chris was thanked for his efforts on the rally organisation. G3NNQ,Dennis & G4FJO, Geoff, together with the rest committee were also thanked for their work. Also mentioned was the aggravation re the fact that someone had complained that we did not have planning permission for the aerial for GB3FR. This was resolved and this is all in order.

Repeater Keeper’s Report:

Since taking over the maintenance of the Fenland repeaters during 2000, there have been no technical problems or interruptions of service with GB3FR. A minor problem occurred with the backup battery system, which resulted in the batteries being overcharged and partly dried out. This was corrected and a rejuvenation process carried out on the batteries with successful results.

We have had several major problems with the aerial system on GB3SO, beginning with a loss of signal strength and sensitivity during October 2000. Investigation revealed that this was due to water getting into the Rx feeder, and a high SWR on the transmit aerial. The latter was attributed to the Jbeam stacked dipole developing cracks in the insulators, allowing water ingress. The Rx feeder problem was traced to there being a puncture hole in the feeder outside the building. A decision was made to replace the feeders, but this couldn’t be done immediately because of security issues on the site, and the fact that a lot of other work was being carried out as well.

Then we received a report alleging that GB3SO was causing interference to other services run by NTL so as a precaution GB3SO was closed down during the middle of November.

Meanwhile, the access and security issues were resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, and feeder replacement was carried out by G4DYV and G4DDI. GB3SO was returned to full service on 1^st December 2000. In the meantime investigations revealed that the interference report was fraudulent and had not been issued by NTL. This situation is still being monitored.

During February and March 2001 a falling off of receive sensitivity was again noticed, and was found to be caused by water again entering the Rx feeder. This time the point of entry was further up the mast, which will require the attention of aerial contractors so in the meantime a temporary aerial has been connected. The present setup is adequate but not the best that can be achieved from the site, so hopefully further work will be carried out to bring GB3SO back up to the performance of which it is capable.

 This was accepted Proposed by G4NHL, seconded by M1ERY.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 The balance sheet, (appended, click here ) was presented and accepted, proposed by G8SFU and seconded by G0POM.

The committee then stood down and the new committee elected as follows:

POST	ELECTED	PROPOSED	SECONDED
Chairman	G0POM	G8BEH	M1ERY
Treasurer	G3NNQ	G8SFU	G0POM
Repeater Keeper	G8SFU	G0POM	M1ERY
Secretary	G4FJO	G8BEH	G4NHL
Vice Chairman	G0PXB	G4NHL	G8BEH
Ordinary Members	G3NHF	G0POM	G3NHF
	G4DDI	G0POM	G3NHF
	M1ERY	G0POM	G3NHF
	G8BEH	G0POM	G3NHF

     

Subscriptions:

It was proposed that the subscriptions remain at £5 Proposed G4OID, seconded G4NHL.

Meeting closed at 20.40 hrs.