Minutes of The 43rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the
Leicestershire Repeater Group held
Thursday 10th May 2018 at 8.00pm at
Leicester Radio Society HQ, Gilroes Cottage, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QJ.
The Chairman welcomed all those present and took the attendance list.
Attendance: 2E0WZV, 2E0XAY, G0ATR, G0DMB, G1UOZ, G3TQF, G4AFJ, M0CJW, M0VSE, M1GPO.
Apologies: G8GXF, M1NAS, M1EXO, M6JEN.
Minutes of 2017 AGM which had been circulated previously were taken as read. It was proposed by M0CJW and seconded by 2E0WZV that the minutes be adopted as a true record of the meeting. Agreed by all.
Treasurer’s Report:
M0VSE reported that the end of year accounts had been inspected by M1EXO in double quick time. Members should note that the balance sheet was in profit mainly due to a refund of overcharging for electricity. Also the cost of the new muti-mode digital repeater had been without cost to the Group thanks to M0VSE.
Members should note that a considerable amount of repairs and maintenance took place during the year all of which were carried out FOC by our band of willing helpers. He asked members to adopt the accounts for 2017-18 and seconded by G4AFJ. All agreed.
Membership Report:
M0VSE reported that we were losing members and in order to secure the long term future of the Group we needed to actively recruit new licensees and regular users of the repeaters. It was hoped that the advent of the new digital modes repeaters (CF & LE) would increase activity and thus membership. The situation at the end of our year (31-3-2017) was as follows 32 members - life 5, 13 full, 7 concessions, 3 donations only and 4 family members. Note should be made that life member Dave, G8OBP, had finally succumbed to cancer after a long battle with the disease. His contribution to the group over many years was second to none being instrumental in maintaining the TV repeater, GB3GV, over many, many years.
Engineering Manager’s Report:
M1NAS had decided, after many years of excellent assistance, to stand down as Engineering Manager. He was prepared to remain on committtee to help and advise. The Chairman thanked him for his assistance over many years and said that he would be a hard act to follow.
M1NAS continued by saying that all repeaters were working well although due to abuse both GB3CF and GB3LE had been switched off just after the Easter holidays for a cooling off period. On their return both repeaters had only been accesible in digital modes as the abuse only came on when they were in analogue mode. Whilst GB3CF was a multi-digital mode repeater having been built from scratch by M0VSE, GB3LE was only Fusion digital using the Yaesu Fusiion Repeater. In the Forum after the AGM there would be a short presentation on the new CF by M0VSE.
Beacon Co-ordinator's Report:
At present only the 13cm beacon GB3LES was operational.
GB3LEX (3cm) had suffered a PA fault and was undergoing soak testing of the replacement PA module.
GB3LEU beacon had been producing spurious transmissions so had been taken off air for investigation by G3TQF. The exciter seemed to be working with no spurii noted on extended soak testing. Further investigations had shown that once the PA was added the alc loop became unstable indicating a possible rf pickup problem.
GB3LEF was still awaiting repair/rebuild. The Chairman thanked him for his assistance over many years right from the start of the Group in 1975.
Site Manager’s Report:
G4AFJ gave the report as M6BYL was not present. He had made several trips to site during the growing season and had cut back the vegetation thus easing the task of the various working parties.
Chairman’s Report:
The year had been frustrating in that there were problems with some units. although LRG were financially sound. Loss of membership was a concern but it was hoped that this would pickup with the advent of the digital repeaters. The main concern over the past few months had been abuse and as usual DF teams had been out and about gathering and collating info to pass to Ofcom via RSGB's AROS (Amateur Radio Observation Service). Switching off the repeaters for a period of time is seen as a useful tool in combatting problems of long term abuse. Some users of the repeaters had to be warned not to rise to the bait. As usual little feedback from Ofcom is customary in such situations and it takes some time for Ofcom to act as Amateur Rado is low in their order of priorities. The final word on abuse as all members know is not to respond on air at all but to feedback your observations to the Chairman.
The Chairman thanked all members and donors for their support during the year and hoped that they would continue to support the Group. In conclusion he thanked the outgoing members of the committee for their help during the year.
Election of Officers and Committee
Chairman: G4AFJ proposed by M1GPO, seconded by M0CJW, all agreed.
Secretary: no proposal
Treasurer and membership secretary: M0VSE proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by 2E0WZV, all agreed.
Engineering Manager: M0VSE proposed by M1NAS, seconded by 2E0WZV, all agreed.
Site Manager: M6BYL proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by M1GPO, all agreed.
Committee (three members)
M1NAS, proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by M0VSE, all agreed.
2E0WZV, proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by M1GPO, all agreed.
M0CJW, proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by M0VSE, all agreed.
M1GPO, proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by 2E0WZV, all agreed.
So M1GPO would be co-opted by the new committee as the closest key holder to site.
Beacon Co-ordinator: G3TQF would be co-opted by the new committee.
Vote of thanks to M1EXO, Accounts Examiner. G4AFJ said that as described above M1EXO had managed to inspect the accounts in a very short time and he was extremely grateful to her. Proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by M0VSE, all agreed.
Formal closure of A.G.M.
The Chairman closed the AGM by thanking all for their attendance and support.
Open Forum
Presentation on the new digital GB3CF by M0VSE who gave a powerpoint presentation with handout detailing the new digital modes for GB3CF. C4FM Fusion, D-Star, NXDN etc. After questions the Chairman thanked M0VSE for the presentation and his great effort in a very short space of time for producing the new digital CF.
The Chairman asked if there were any other matters that the members wished to discuss further but there were none so the meeting was closed.