Everglades Amateur Radio Club

So, you got your “ticket" because your friend said it was a good idea and you had nothing better to do that day.  Then, since you didn’t know if you were actually going to like this ham radio stuff, you decided to dip your toe in the water and buy the cheapest radio you could find on Amazon… the Baofeng UV-5R.  Ok, great! Now what? 

Well, I am sure you want to hear some people chat and, eventually, build up the courage to say hello yourself and maybe even have a conversation with others.   Ok, so go outside, punch in the VHF calling frequency, throw out your callsign, let everyone know that you are monitoring and sit back and basque in the glory brought forth by the throngs of people that have been waiting for this particular moment in time. The moment of your arrival on the air waves. Wait… no one came back to you after going hoarse calling CQ on simplex? Ok, ok… maybe you need to expand your possibilities by using a repeater.  

Here we go… punch in the repeater frequency of the nearest repeater, set the offset and PL Tone, throw out your callsign and wait for the comeback.

 Oh, I see. You don’t know half of the things I just told you to do? No worries, that is what we are here for… to help each other out.  

Let’s take it back to the basics.  Get a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, sit back in your comfortable computer chair and watch Ham Radio Crash Course’s video on everything you need to do with your new Baofeng UV-5R (or whatever your new radio of choice happens to be).  

Josh, KI6NAZ, will show you...

•  What a Baofeng is (and what it is not)
•  How to program your radio manually
• How to download and install CHIRP to program your radio using your computer
• Fun things to do with your radio like send pictures using SSTV or how to use APRS

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from our radio family to yours. As we wrap up 2022, we wish you the best to come in 2023.  May you make lots of QSO’s and not let the "magic smoke" out of any of your gear.

73 de W4SVI

For Club Member Review.
Send recommended amendments to:
staylor168@yahoo.com

CONSTITUTION

We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits of an association of persons commonly interested in Amateur Radio, constitute ourselves the:

EVERGLADES AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
of FLORIDA, U.S.A.

and enact this constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternal-ism and individual operating efficiency, and to so conduct club programs and activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community.

Article I
Membership

All persons interested in Amateur Radio communications shall be eligible for membership. Membership shall be by application and or election upon such terms as the club shall provide in its By-Laws. Membership may not be denied because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status or any other reason that would be biased or prejudicial.


Article II
Officers

Section. 1.
Offices

The officers of this club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Section. 2.
Election

The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of one year by ballot of the members present, provided there be a quorum, at the annual meeting or by electronic balloting for certified club members only.

Section 3.
Term limits

An individual may not hold the same office for more than two terms and my not serve more than three consecutive terms as an officer. An individual may not hold more than one office during the same term.

Section. 4.
Vacancies

Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by special elections at the first regular meeting following the withdrawal or resignation.

Section 5.
Eligibility

In order to hold an office an individual must be a member in good standing for at least one year and hold a valid Amateur Radio license.



Section 6.
Resignation

Any officer may resign his/her position in writing at which time all records and assets of the club will be turned over to the President or Vice President.



Section 7.
Removal of Officers

Officers may be removed from office for cause, upon written petition of six (6) or more members presented to the President or Vice President. After investigation the petition will be presented to the membership at the next regular meeting of the club and a voted on by the membership. Removal of an officer requires a three-fourths vote of the full membership. Voting will be done via electronic ballots by certified members only.





Article III
Duties of Officers

Section. 1.
President

The President shall preside at all meetings, and conduct them according to the rules adopted. He/she shall enforce due observance of this Constitution and By-Laws; decide all questions of order; sign all official documents adopted by the club, and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of President.

Section. 2.
Vice President

The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence. In addition, he/she shall assist with the coordination of organized club activities, plan and recommend contests for operating benefits, and advance club interest and activity as approved by the club.
These tasks will always be a collaborative effort of all club officers and or selected members.
He/she shall maintain close liaison with the local ARRL's local ARES ® Emergency Coordinator to further club participation in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.


Section. 3.
Secretary

The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a roll of members, submit membership applications, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each meeting, and mail written meeting notices to each member. At the expiration of his/her term he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the club to his/her successor.


Section. 4.
Treasurer

The Treasurer shall receive and receipt for all monies paid to the club; keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended; pay no bills without proper authorization (by the club or its officers constituting a business committee). At the end of each quarter he/she shall submit an itemized statement of disbursements and receipts. At the end of his/her term he/she shall turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the club to his/her successor.



Article IV
Meetings

The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings. At meetings, a minimum of one-third of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.



Article V
Dues

The club, by majority vote of those present at any regular meeting, may levy upon the general membership such dues or assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the organization. Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall be cause for expulsion from the club within the discretion of the membership.



Article VI
Membership Assistance

The club, through designated interference, Public Relations, and Operating Committees will provide technical advice to members concerning equipment design and operation to assist in frequency observance, clean signals, uniform practice, and absence of spurious radiation's from club member-stations. The club shall also maintain a program to foster and guide public relations.




Article VII
Club Call Sign

The President shall assign trusteeship of the club call sign. The trustee shall: Be a member of the club in good standing Meet FCC requirements. Not had his/her Radio Amateur licensed revoked or sanctioned at any time.



Article VIII
Dissolution of The Club

Section 1.
Termination of Operations

In the event that the Board of Director votes that the Club should be dissolved the motion for dissolution must receive more than two thirds vote of the full membership to pass. Section 2. Disposition of Assets The Board of Directors shall handle the disbursement of all assets of the club. No member or group of members shall receive benefit from the assets. All equipment will be sold and net proceeds donated to a non-profit organisation. All remaining cash will be donated to a non-profit organisation.



Article IX
Amendments

This constitution or By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the total membership. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on at the next following regular meeting, provided all members have been noticed by mail of the intent to amend the constitution and/or By-Laws at said meeting.