Ed DU1DPE asked all attendees if there were other topics that they want included in the Agenda. It was agreed that additional announcements (JOTA/JOTI, BPL) will be discussed in the Other Matters portion of the Meeting. The agenda was approved.

a.

Ed DU1DPE reported that the last board meeting was held at Davao City last August 15. Present at the board meeting were Joey DU1BP, Butch DU1RP, Panny DU1EQ, Alex DV1LCA, KC DU1KC, Ramon DU1UGZ, Ed DU1DPE and Jet 4F7MHZ. The board also had a chance to meet the group SCAN 9 at Tagum City.  Ed said that minutes of the board meeting will be posted at the PARA website soon.

Hosts of the convention decided to move the venue from Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC) to Hotel Dominique (HD) due to the following reasons....

1.

2.

3.

4.

b.

DU1VGC Abet of COMPASS reported that their group is preparing for some forthcoming activities not only on amateur radio but also scouting activities. On September 20, 6 groups will be assisting GSP-SHARES and the Manila Council Cab Scouts. On September 26-27 they will also be involved in a training course of elementary and high school scouts (Area 1 Rover Circle 25). On October 3 which is the scouting month they will also have activities in time for the celebration of the 86th anniversary of the Manila Council. Their net call continues every Saturday 8PM at 145.560MHz. There being no announcement yet for the JOTA/JOTI activity this month, still they will be ready for it. On December 30, 2009-January 3, 2010, an international activity Asia Pacific Jamboree, their members have applied to be part of the International Service Team. COMPASS also co-hosts the IGEB/PARA hamvention with FLARE in June 2010.

DV3AK Alex of ACER reported that there’s not much activity of their group except for their daily evening net on 144.620MHz 8-9PM and they intend to join contests like the upcoming PARA Environmental HF Contest.

DU1XX Mike of PARL Inc announced on PARL’s UHF repeater. Upcoming activities for the club include participation in the JOTA/JOTI at Don Bosco Makati. He may also operate at DU1BP’s QTH for the CQWW SSB Contest.

DV1ED Ed of SCAN I reported on the August 8 orientation seminar held at the New Era University and the special exam is scheduled on September 26. Last September 1-7, SCAN I members supported the group assigned to assist during the wake of Eraño Manalo. Their upcoming event is a meeting with all their licensed DU1 members in preparation for the JOTA and visitors from Canada to operate at the DX1EVM shack for the CQWW SSB Contest. In November, their club will support the PARA Anniversary activity. He further stated that they are now 80% organized all over the Philippines. Their net continues every Mondays-Saturdays 8-9PM at 145.460MHz but they start early at 7:30PM every Sunday.

DV1UK Ryan of FLARE thanked those supporting their evening net conducted everyday by DV1HDG at 144.400MHz 8-9PM. He reported that web development for the 2010 IGEB/PARA Hamvention is now underway and the URL will be announced soon.

DU1BP Joey of MAGELLAN invited those interested to join him in his QTH for the CQWW SSB Contest on October 26-27 are welcome. He also announced that the October 3 NTC regional examination’s venue is going to be at Bulbok, Batangas and not Laguna anymore. Magellan will also join the JOTA/JOTI.

c.

1.

This contest will be for 24 hours on September 19, 2009 and the rules can be found on the Local News & Info of the PARA website. He encourages those who are new to contesting not to be afraid to join and submit logs, after which a contest survey will be done to improve on the contest rules for succeeding years.

2.

DU1DPE reminded on the date as November 7, 2009 from 6:00AM (2200Z) and rules will be posted soon. This is on FM mode from 144-145.99MHz with categories as Single Operator or Multi-Operator Fixed Station and Single Operator or Multi-Operator Field Station.

3.

DU1DPE reported that the venue of the convention is moved to Hotel Dominique also in Tagaytay City, its along Aguinaldo Highway before the Tagaytay rotunda. The date is the same, June 4 and 5. It was also decided by the host that a 3rd day be added in the convention for optional tours. Convention website is now online, http://tagaytay2010.org

a.

DU1VGC Abet has no update on the program and looking forward to the meeting to be set by BSP with PARA and reported on the decline of number of participants for the past three years. Announcements will be made once a program would be finalized.

b.

DU1BP Joey announced on the 1st PARA President’s Cup to be held on November 20, 2009 as a fund-raising project for the organization to be held at the Intramuros Golf & Country Club, Manila and the following day is going to be the fellowship.

DU1RP Butch added that the venue was moved from Malarayat, Batangas to Manila for economic reasons. He reported that he will be making the rules for the tournament to be disseminated by the end of September. The ticket will be sold at P2,000 to include long-sleeved shirts, lunch and a bottled water. The Committee for the activities will be headed by the DU1BP. Details and other information will be posted at the PARA website.

DU1UGZ Ramon suggested that tickets and solicitation letters for the major sponsors and holes should be ready by the end of the month.

DU1DPE is requesting for the next district meeting to be held on November 21, 2009, Saturday, at this same venue.

DU1UGZ Ramon recognized the assistance extended by SCAN International through DV1ED Ed during the flooding in the area of the PARA office.

DU1IVT Thelma suggested that the BPL issue should continue to be announced, for hams to write the authorities concerned on the opposition.

DU1DPE Ed thanked all those who attended and hoped to meet everyone again in November 2009 for the next District 1 meet.

Ed DU1DPE asked all attendees if there were other issues that they want included in the Agenda. It was agreed that additional announcements will be discussed in the Other Matters portion of the Meeting. The agenda was approved.

DU1DPE reported that almost all the districts were represented from DU1 to DU9 during the April 17-19, 2009 Hamvention; DU1EQ Panny and 4F1BYN Max gave talks on NTS Traffic Handling and SDR (Software Defined Radio), respectively; a representative of OCD Region VIII gave the opening speech on the first day of the Hamvention; guest of honor on the second fellowship night was the Mayor of Tacloban City, Alfred Romualdez, with his wife First Councilwoman Cristina Gonzales; also present in that dinner thrown by the Mayor was DU1JMG. Overall, the attendance was way over 100 and the members of host club ACCESS 5 were all very warm and accommodating which also made the affair a big success.

During the most recent Board meeting, FLARE bid to host next year’s International Grand Eyeball and the PARA Hamvention which was approved and formalized during the Tacloban Hamvention. The dates would be June 4-5, 2010 at Tagaytay International Convention Center. DU1DPE announced that their co-host is COMPASS but definitely needs the help of DU1 members in terms of attendance or possibly other needs. More information shall be discussed in the coming meetings.

Additional shelves were constructed by DU1GE Greg and DU1KIP Louie, with Dolly reporting also that P3,500 was spent including the meals. DU1DPE reminded everyone that the money came from the solicited amount from last March District meet (P4,210) contributed by DU1 club representatives present then.

“A committee has been formed to publish a new Handbook for Philippine radio Amateurs. This will be separate from the existing Review Manual. The inaugural meeting of this committee was held on 24th April. The new Handbook will be built along similar lines to the ARRL Handbook and other national society handbooks, but will have a definite Filipino slant. The project is a medium to long term one but we already have a skeletal outline. The committee would like to solicit comments from members as to the contents they would like to see in the new Handbook. Please send your comments and suggestions to webmaster.” (webmaster@para. org.ph)

2009 IGEB @ Las Vegas, July 10-12, 2009

DU1VGC talked on his observation on how small the PARA office is now, which used to be the mountaineering equipment room of BSP, if it would be possible for the Board to request for transfer to any other bigger room even outside of the building as he believes there are still available spaces on the other side.

DU1RP reported that during their last courtesy meeting with BSP SecGen Pangilinan, the latter was a bit embarrassed and apologetic with the room provided for PARA while the construction of the new building is about to start any time. He stated that PARA’s recognition is to be worked out first before the Board can actually make another request such as a bigger room.

Souvenir Program District 1 Advertisement

DU1DPE showed the whole page ads of District 1 worth P1,500, passing around a copy of the Tacloban hamvention souvenir program.

DU1VGC Abet of COMPASS reported on their scheduled big scouting activity on December 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010, a bit of a sacrifice to be away from their families for the New Year celebration. Members are applying as IST (Int’l. Service Team) who will be staff of the national BSP HQ to be given topics/skills they can teach wherein radio communications will probably be their main task. Their club will be directly involved with FLARE as hosts in the 2010 IGEB in Tagaytay while waiting for their Chairman’s call for a meeting for tasking. Evening nets continue every Saturday at 145.560MHz 8:00-9:00PM.

DV1ED Ed of SCAN I, speaking on behalf of their EXECOM, relayed SCAN’s appreciation on the meeting last Hamvention with the PARA Board. Realignment of SCAN with PARA from DU1 to DU9 has been programmed. They have directed all members in the commercial bands to transfer and practice amateur radio. They have a scheduled entry level examination in DU3 this month. A ham seminar on July 4, 2009 has been scheduled also with the help of PARA at the New Era University with an expected participation of more than 100 members. He further reported on a new development that 145.460MHz will now be officially the calling frequency of the club on FM, with their Echolink transferred to 145.360MHz. He reiterated that SCAN I is 100% pro-PARA.

DU1LC Nards of ACER reported his attendance at the Tacloban Hamvention with co-member DV3AK Alex and on their March 2009 orientation seminar followed by a special examination last April 5. Out of the 63 examinees composed mainly of hams-to-be, only 12 failed including those for Class A and B. He has instructed all those who will seek PARA secretariat’s assistance in processing the new RSL to go direct to the PARA office and in turn he requested the secretariat not to issue PARA ID and not to process the papers of those who will not pay their PARA annual dues. His purpose was to avoid individuals who may have another agenda in acquiring an amateur license and turn away from their commitment in joining the club for growth as amateurs. Their evening net continues Monday through Saturday 8-9:00PM at 144.620MHz.

At this point, a discussion ensued as to the legal basis of varying RSL validity of 1, 2 or 3 years by NTC. DU1LC has approached NTC NCR requesting for the minimum validity to be issued to their members. DU1XX Mike stated that the maximum validity of 3 years has a legal basis. DU1IVT Thelma wanted to be clarified only as to who decides, if it’s the licensee or the authority for 1-3 years depending on the birthday, so she asked permission from the District 1 Director and the representatives on requesting the PARA Secretary General to write NTC RRLD for clarification so that she will also know as well what to lecture in orientation seminars. It was agreed that a letter be sent for clarification.

(Update: On May 18, 2009 DU1UGZ wrote NTC RRLD. Reply of NTC and other correspondence will be posted by the PARA webmaster once available.)

DV1SJL Chito representing MMM updated the meet on their swap meet every Friday evening after their net at 8-9:00PM. Due to budget constraint, their club members were not able to make it to the Tacloban Hamvention and look forward to 2010 Hamvention in Tagaytay since they are mostly from Laguna which is just next to it. He reported on their summer outing last May 2 and have also invited some ham friends. They are now 14 in the group and he hopes to increase their membership soon. It was unfortunate that some members were not able to attend with them for today’s activities which PRS hosted.

DU1XX Mike of PARL suggested that activities earlier  that day should be on a regular basis and clubs just need to ask his help. He further volunteered to help in similar future activities and more lecture schedules relating to contesting and DXing. Mike announced that in 2012, PARL will be turning 50 and he is now trying to gather more information since 1964 on PARL’s history. The club’s immediate past activity was the CQWW WPX SSB Contest at DU1EV’s QTH using the callsign DU1GE in multi-two category. It was participated by some members and other hams from outside of PARL, having worked 976 stations in all. He reported on the open invitation to all clubs for a DXing activity at DU1LR’s place in Magdalena, Laguna where there is complete antenna set up. PARL will again join the CQWW WPX CW contest this last weekend of May in La Union and is also open to other hams if they wish to join the PARL operators. PARL, spearheaded by him, will also be initiating ham seminars for high school students of DBTC Mandaluyong and there are now talks with the school administration which may also direct their faculty members to attend the seminar. DU1XX suggested that for the Hamvention in 2010, it is worthwhile to have a fundraising activity to at least subsidize expenses of  DU1 club members who will attend.

DV1UK Ryan of FLARE reported on their hosting of the Hamvention and IGEB next year, enjoining everyone to support it and attend. They still have continuous meetings on the two-in-one activity. FLARE does not have nets at the moment due to busy schedules of the members but they continue to operate their Echolink on 144.400MHz. DV1SJL Chito reminded him that illegal operators are now using their working frequency while DV3AK also had the same observation about PARA 2m calling frequency.

DV1VHR Bong of PRS apologized for not having pushed through with the antenna making activity due to technical problems and DU1KIP Ka Louie could not make it also. All materials which they have prepared are still intact and available anytime for a similar activity. He also shared DU1EV Eddie’s advice regarding their application for a club call sign. PRS had a summer outing last May 2-3, 2009 at a beach resort in Calaca, Batangas owned by the family of DW1KWM Alaric, one of their members. They currently have 27 regular members and have also put up a website (www.dx1prs.net46. net) hoping to get the same club call sign but if not, they are willing to change the URL to a different one.

Ed DU1DPE suggested that member clubs use the PARA District 1 Yahoo group for any amateur-related concern for healthy discussion.

The following activities were suggested by the club representatives, aside from regular activities by individual clubs:

September – VHF Round Up Contest (most likely all districts for long haul purposes), most suitable date will be discussed next time, while DU1DPE will bring up the matter to the PARA Board

December – District 1 Christmas Party (same venue suggested by the group and to be decided next time, PRS as host)

The next District 1 meeting is scheduled for July 5, 2009 Sunday at the New Era University to be hosted by SCAN International (as confirmed by DV1ED Ed).

DU1IVT announced the special examination scheduled for July 18, 2009 Saturday hosted by Cavite ACE at Christian Values School, KM 18 Aguinaldo Highway, Bacoor, Cavite. Those interested to upgrade and those who have attended PARA assisted seminars by affiliates are welcome and may contact any Cavite ACE member at 144.720MHz or contact number of DU1EG posted on the PARA website Local News.

In the absence of DU1EQ Panny as the net coordinator of District 1, DU1VGC listed down the following volunteers to conduct the PARA District 1 2m Net every Saturday 8:00PM at 144.740MHz:

Ed, DU1DPE requested earlier that Alvin DU1NIJ open and preside the meeting for him due to an urgent matter to attend to. The meeting started at 2:30PM. (DU1DPE arrived at 3:35PM)

Alvin DU1NIJ asked all attendees on the copy of the Agenda given, if there were other issues that they want included. Additional announcement to be made was agreed upon to be discussed on Other Matters portion.

There are 6 newly elected directors during the Cebu convention last May 2008, three are to have a 1-year term while the three a 2-year term. The PARA Anniversary last November 2008 had a very good support and attendance of hams from District 1 and some nearby districts. The new list of officers was read, as follows:

It was a well-attended affair and reporting the excess fund of Two Thousand One Hundred Seventy Three Pesos. Also acknowledged was the donation made by IZ3LCE Paolo for the affair in the amount of Twelve Thousand Pesos used to cover for the food bills Dencio’s Restaurant in Capitol Hills, Q.C.

Rosy DV1EKD of GSP-SHARES thanked all those who supported the 2009 INFEX and DX Contest. She will make sure next year that the activity will be scheduled on a Saturday. Being a student club which follows their fiscal year, she requested on the annual due for GSP-SHARES to be turned in by June. She is appreciative of the future plan of DU4DF of DX4CN to give orientation seminar to the girl scouts in their area in DU4.

Mike DU1XX of PARL Inc proposes for a Train-the-Trainors for purposes of standardizing the seminars conducted by clubs. Plans are set for April 25 and he suggested that the Trustees of the clubs and 3 Class A members join the said activity. He volunteered to scout for a venue for this training. PARL continues its 2-meter rag chew every Saturday 8pm on 144.800MHz and it will join the upcoming CQWW WPX Contest. The group also has a scheduled summer DXing activity in Magdalena, Laguna at DU1LR’s QTH.

Abet DV1VGC of COMPASS said that their radio club continues to support the scouting activities in their area and Manila and give communication assistance to their community church, Sto. Niño de Tondo, recently last January during their fiesta. They are now preparing for the Lenten season for communication assistance also for the parish on April 10, 11 & 12, 2009. COMPASS will join a scouting summer camp for the Manila Council to be held in Baguio City on April 14-18, 2009. They are also preparing for a big event, Asia Pacific Region Jamboree in Laguna at the BSP campsite. DU1XX offered help on hardware needs for the activity. The Philippines is host with other Pacific nations on December 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010. Their net call continues every Saturday 8pm on 145.560MHz.

Bong DV1VHR of PRS reported on their club activities such as committee assignments, regular GMMs, current number of licensed members at 23 and hopes their club could soon apply for a DX callsign at NTC. A U.S. ham, Noni K6WAA, through Panny DU1EQ, donated to their club an FT90R for fund-raising purposes as well as several Yaesu Amateur World Maps and Yaesu caps. He thanked ACER’s help as well in helping clear their interferences on 145.330 MHz. He then invited the group to their house for the next District meet.

Tony DV1UOY of MMM reported on the current status of their active members, where 2 have left the country last year and now they have 13 active members. They continue to conduct orientation seminars with the assistance of PARA, followed by special examinations. Their evening net continues Monday to Saturday on 145.100MHz with limited net controls. They also conduct a swap meet on the air every Friday after their evening net, which has now become successful. Tony suggested if it is possible, as suggested to him by Director Lito Leynes of NTC Region IV, for members to have a reduced or wallet size RSL. DU1DPE promised to take it up with the PARA Board.

Lito DU1PA representing ACER in the absence of their club president DU1LC, read on the notes sent through him. He reported on the high passing rate of their attendees/associate members for the past year. They now have more than 45 active paid members. They continue to conduct their evening net Monday through Saturday 8:00pm on 144.620MHz. ACER is also active on Echolink through the station and equipment of DV3BTE Bart. Their members also recently had an antenna-making activity with DU1JI, DU1AV and DU1LC. Their most recent activity held was the February 22, 2009 orientation where there are 45 prospective hams to hurdle the April 5, 2009 special examination scheduled at BSP, through PARA’s assistance. He further reported on their next election of officers by April. Some members will also attend the Tacloban hamvention in April and some might travel via land. They hold quarterly GMMs welcoming new members. ACER also eyes to have their club HF unit soon for their plans on DXing and contesting activities, at the Trustee’s QTH and club station, DU1JI. Lito reported on the passing away of one of their members, DV1TBW last January 1, 2009. ACER’s main thrust is to conduct more seminars to invite more illegal operators in NCR to become legal. He pledged to putting put ACER’s advertisement in the Tacloban hamvention souvenir program.

DU1DPE representing FLARE (for DV1UK) reported on their new set of officers with Ryan DV1UK still the president and that they do not have much on-air activities lately but held a series of meetings in preparation for FLARE’s hosting of the International Grand Eyeball IGEB on June 5-6, 2010 in Tagaytay City, tentatively at Tagaytay International Convention Center. Their net control for 2m is still being arranged.

Ed DU1DPE suggested that PARA District 1 place an advertisement in the Tacloban hamvention souvenir program just like last year. With the excess fund from the 2008 Christmas party, it was agreed that P1,500 be paid to support ACCESS 5 on the souvenir program.

DU1KIP and DU1GE requested financial assistance from those present to buy some materials for the HQ’s additional shelves. Passing the hat, the district was able to put up P4,213 in all.

The next District 1 meeting is scheduled for May 17, 2009 at the location of the Floresca Family (upon DV1VHR Doc Bong’s invitation). Details of the activities are to be set in the coming weeks and shall be announced through the PARA District 1 Yahoo group aside from announcements on air.