WATS HappeningsOfficial
Newsletter of the
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The Future of WATS?? by John Chamberlain, AC5CV
Discussions
at the September meetings (Directors and Members) ended up focusing on the future
of WATS. We have very few members who participate in WATS activities or monthly
meetings. With annual elections of Officers and Directors just around the
corner, it was prudent for the present Board of Directors to look ahead and
wonder: “What is going to happen to WATS?”
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Meeting Notice |
As very honestly presented in an email sent to all members Friday,
September 20, 2002, our President John Gafford N5XAK bravely examined the dilemma
facing us. It seems that we must face the reality that WATS, as an
organization, may have served its purpose and fulfilled its usefulness in
McLennan County.
I believe it can be said by most of the members who
have passed through our roster: we have learned a lot about ATV. Most of us
have invested in new equipment and have learned how to send and receive ATV
pictures from home and mobile stations, as well as from remote transmitters
(Skycam, weather radar, RC cars, and even helium balloons and kites!) Recently,
we’ve also enjoyed a related aspect of images via radio: SSTV. While this was
never considered as the primary thrust for WATS, it has certainly brought a lot
of excitement and enthusiasm to many WATS members—even something to talk about
on our weekly ATV Roundtables. SSTV is a great way to bring new hams to ATV!
The current thinking is that it is time to dissolve WATS,
donating our assets to a non-profit organization, as required by our charter
with the State of Texas. [Among other reasons, this prevents any person(s) from
profiting from the Club’s dissolution.] It would seem that HOTARC is a natural
candidate to be a recipient of this benevolence.
However, nothing firm has been decided yet.
It is definitely time to hear from ALL
the members of WATS—not just the few who regularly attend the meetings. If you
have some thoughts on this issue, please consider attending the October WATS meeting
or, at the very least, respond to the September-20 email from N5XAK.
President’s Column
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Agenda for WATS Meetings Directors’ Meeting 1.
Approval of
the 2.
Approval of
the 3.
Old Matters:
4.
New Matters Members’ Meeting 1.
Approval of
the 2.
Treasurer's
Report as approved in Board Meeting 3.
Old Matters:
4.
New Matters |
Fellow ATV'ers:
Following the
September meeting, I sent each of you an e-mail regarding the 
deliberations of
your Board and the future of WATS. As outlined in that letter we have made a
tentative approach to the management of HOTARC to search their interest in
absorbing WATS and its assets into that organization. Our Articles of
Incorporation specify that if WATS is dissolved, its assets must be donated to
a non-profit organization such as HOTARC, and I can think of no better place to
put them.
This item, the
future of WATS will be the only item presented to the Board at our October
meeting. As stated in my e-mail, if you are interested in the fate of WATS, I
strongly encourage you to attend the membership meeting on October 17th. It has
been fun, and we who have participated have learned a lot. But it is time to
face facts. Please help me resolve the future of this aspect of our hobby in as
gentle a way as possible.
Your Prez,
John N5XAK
Waco Amateur Television Society
(WATS)
Minutes of the Board Meeting
Thursday, September 19, 2002
John Gafford, N5XAK called the meeting, held at the CORD offices, to order at 7:06 pm. Attending were
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· John Gafford, N5XAK (President) · John Chamberlain, AC5CV (Secretary/Treasurer) |
· Horace Bushnell, W5TAH · Norris Martin, KB5SLI |
The Minutes of the August Director’s meeting as published in the September Happenings were approved following a motion by W5TAH, second by AC5CV, and unanimous vote.
The August Treasurer’s Report as published in the September Happenings was approved following a motion by AC5CV, second by W5TAH, and unanimous vote.
Old Business
· N5XAK gave thanks to AC5CV for taking care of the Skycam electrical work while he was out of town.
· W5TAH reported on ATV experiments around the Brazos River bottoms using the Skycam transmitter as a signal generator. He reported poor reception west of Waco Drive bridge and east of Interstate 35. Hence his recommendation is not to pursue a microwave cross-band repeater for this area. There was no objection from the other Directors.00
New Business
· N5XAK announced that, since we’ve not been satisfied with the ATV signal quality in past WWWC event coverage, WATS was not planning to pursue ATV coverage of the event this year. AC5CV would communicate this to HOTARC (in light of their past year’s contributions to WATS from this event).
· AC5CV raised the issue of the future of WATS in light of reduced membership, upcoming election of officers, and other changing realities. AC5CV and N5XAK both indicated they were not planning to serve as Officers (or Directors) next year. N5XAK raised the issue of how WATS might be dissolved. W5TAH agreed to investigate further (studying bylaws and charter) and recommended we should discuss thoroughly with the members.
N5XAK heard a motion by AC5CV to adjourn at 7:35 pm.
Submitted by
John Chamberlain, AC5CV
WATS Secretary/Treasurer
Waco Amateur Television Society
(WATS)
Minutes of the Meeting of Members
Thursday, September 19, 2002
John Gafford, N5XAK called the meeting, held at the CORD offices, to order at 7:37 pm. Attending were
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· John Gafford, N5XAK (President) · John Chamberlain, AC5CV (Secretary/Treasurer) · Horace Bushnell, W5TAH |
· Norris Martin, KB5SLI · David Bush, KC5UOZ · Justin Martin, KC5KQL (visitor) |
The Minutes of the August Member’s Meeting as published in the September Happenings were approved following a motion by KC5UOZ, second by KB5SLI, and unanimous vote.
Old Business
· Thanks to AC5CV for supervising the rewiring of the Skycam to conform to wishes of the Fire Marshall. Electrician Bud Morgan completed the work in an excellent fashion for $115.
· W5TAH reported that, as a result of live tests using the Skycam, he did not recommend that WATS pursue a microwave cross-band repeater for this area. The Directors concurred. KC5UOZ offered, as a suggestion, that we might consider a different location for the present repeater.
New Business
· N5XAK briefly reported the discussions of the Directors concerning reorganization or dissolution of WATS. Research and discussions would continue in the coming weeks.
N5XAK heard a motion by W5TAHto adjourn approximately 7:48 pm. There was no special program.
Submitted by
John Chamberlain, AC5CV
WATS Secretary/Treasurer
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Financial Report September 2002 |
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John
Chamberlain, AC5CV |
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WATS Happenings is the official newsletter of the Waco Amateur Television Society (WATS), Inc., a non-profit organization, chartered by the State of Texas with registered offices at 3804 N 21A Street, Waco, TX. Use of information contained herein is permissible, provided credit is given to the source. John Chamberlain, AC5CV, acting Editor/Publisher.
2002 WATS Officers and Directors |
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President: John Gafford N5XAK, jgafford@clearsource.net Secretary/Treasurer: John Chamberlain AC5CV, AC5CV@arrl.net Director (thru 2004): Horace Bushnell W5TAH, W5TAH@aol.com Director (thru 2003): Norris Martin KB5SLI, nmartin@tstc.edu Director (thru 2002): Marshall Mabry KD5IQ, MabryM@aol.com |
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