GREAT SOUTHERN DX ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES                        JANUARY 18, 2014

Members in Attendance:

Ray Rocker, WQ5L (Treasurer)

Mike Streeter, WM5DX (Vice President)

George Bethea, K5JZ (Member at Large)

Chris Swift, K5MOZ

Terry Foskey, N5TF

Bobby Allen, KF5BA

Bill Breeden, NA5DX

Victor West, N5YY

Terry Hull, AE5RI (President)

Terry AE5RI called the meeting to order at 8:12am, led the pledge of allegiance, and led a prayer.

Ray WQ5L read the minutes from the November and December general membership meetings. After a correction to a date in the November minutes was noted, George K5JZ motioned to accept, seconded by Terry N5TF. Motion passed.

Ray WQ5L presented the Treasurer's report. The Club's cash assets stand at $4034.76. Ray also noted that this figure is roughly $700 higher than at the beginning of 2013, even though the AL-80B amplifier raffle only broke even. George K5JZ motioned to accept, seconded by Chris K5MOZ. Motion passed.

New ideas for fund raising were solicited. Terry AE5RI suggested raffle of smaller-ticket items.

Vic N5YY reported that the MDXA DX Dinner Committee has been formed and stands ready to work with GSDXA on a combined effort if the Club so desires.

Ray WQ5L presented the 2014 budget. The changes versus the 2013 budget are increases in the "Operating Events - Equipment" line from $600 to $900 and in the "USPS Box Rental" line from $50 to $60. Terry AE5RI explained that the increase to the Equipment budget is primarily for procurement of tilt-over tower bases for the Hooterville Field Day site. Terry also stated that he has one tilt-over base which he will donate. Chris K5MOZ motioned to accept the budget, seconded by George K5JZ. Motion passed.

Terry AE5RI mentioned that a master list of club-owned equipment needs to be created and maintained.

Terry AE5RI brought up the idea of establishing a GDX Net on two meters. Concerns were raised about the repeater being weak or unreadable at times. Action item to ask Ed and Cecil to look into that problem. There was some interest in a net on Friday evenings once the repeater is more reliable.

Possible operating events for 2014 were laid out. We intend to participate in CQ 160 Phone, Field Day, and CQWW. Chris K5MOZ is interested in a rover operation during the June VHF contest. Mike WM5DX is interested in hosting a RTTY contest at his station, most likely the Polish RTTY contest at the end of April, which is a 24-hour contest.

Mike WM5DX updated his investigation into a Chandeleur Islands operation. He received a letter from the Breton NWR office indicating that such an operation is unlikely to be permitted due to erosion of the bird habitats in the islands.

Ray WQ5L gave an update on the ARRL Centennial event. Anyone wishing to host W1AW/5 during the week of April 16-22 should see http://tinyurl.com/w1aw5ms for instructions. Ed KA5VFU has signed up as a host. Since this event is in progress on our April meeting date, and we typically have a picnic in the spring, perhaps a combination picnic and W1AW/5 operating event should be considered.

Ray WQ5L reported that K5GDX achieved the highest score in Mississippi in the 2013 June VHF QSO Party.

Ray WQ5L relayed a request for monetary support by the VK9MT Mellish Reef operation planned for March. After some discussion, Chris K5MOZ motioned to task the Board to check the need ranking of this entity in the DX Magazine's survey of the Central time zone, and to eyeball other announced operations which we may wish to support in 2014, and make an appropriate decision on this question. Terry N5TF seconded, motion passed.

Terry AE5RI reminded all that dues for 2014 remain at $40 and are due now.

Motion to adjourn at 9:08am was made by Vic N5YY and seconded by Chris K5MOZ. Motion passed.