General Meeting Minutes

General Meeting - September 2, 2025

Meeting Type: General Membership Meeting
Date: 2025-09-02
Time: 19:00 - 20:05
Location: 2370 N Polk Ext, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
Meeting Called to Order: 7:00 PM by Austin KF7SIW

Attendance

Members Present: 1
Officers Present: Austin, Nick, Erin
Guests: 0

Opening

Community Nexus Organization

Meeting Time Structure

  • Decision Made: Non-DSARC related Community Nexus meetings will start at 6:30 PM, before the regular 7:00 PM DSARC meeting time
  • Purpose: Accommodate other community organization discussions while keeping DSARC business separate
  • Implementation: Effective immediately for future meetings

Discord Server Setup

  • Decision Made: Create a new Discord server specifically for Community Nexus
  • Structure: Separate channels for each subgroup within Community Nexus
  • DSARC Discord: Will remain unchanged and separate from Community Nexus server
  • Action Item: Austin to set up the new Community Nexus Discord server

Event Reports

Jet Boat Races - Previous Weekend

Reported by: Austin

Event Summary:

  • Improved organization compared to previous years
  • Good radio coverage achieved with Lewiston Hill repeater
  • Coverage Statistics:
    • Receive coverage: Approximately 90% of the race course
    • Transmit coverage: Approximately 75% of the race course

World Jet Boat Championship 2026

Dates: May 8-16, 2026
Locations: Payette River, Riggins, Clearwater, Lewiston, and St. Maries
Requirement: Communications support needed for all race locations

Communications Technology Planning

Winter Training Proposal

  • Proposed by: Austin
  • Objective: Organize mock race communications exercises during winter months
  • Purpose: Prepare more club members for supporting the World Championship races in May
  • Status: Proposal accepted, planning to begin

DMR Equipment Evaluation

Equipment Under Consideration:

  • Redivis brand portable DMR repeaters
  • Cost: Approximately $500 each
  • Advantages: Digital capabilities, potential improved coverage in canyon environments

Acquisition Strategy:

  • Austin to contact Redivis about potential equipment partnership
  • Explore possibility of obtaining equipment for free in exchange for reviews or promotional content

Comparison Analysis:

  • Evaluating existing Motorola equipment versus new DMR repeaters
  • Factors being considered:
    • Heat tolerance for outdoor operations
    • Power requirements
    • Linking capabilities between sites

Field Testing Plans

DMR Coverage Testing:

  • Equipment: Anytone 578 radios in cross-band mode
  • Locations: Multiple sites along the Snake River
  • Objective: Create comprehensive propagation maps
  • Method: Test DMR communications effectiveness in canyon environments

DPRS Integration:

  • System: Digital Position Reporting System
  • Interval: 30-second reporting intervals
  • Purpose: Track coverage areas during boat testing
  • Advantage: Will clearly show locations where signal is lost

Previous DMR Performance Data:

  • Aaron reported DMR provided 40% greater distance than VHF on simplex mode
  • Suggests potential advantages in canyon environments for boat race communications

Boat Testing Logistics

  • Commitment: Austin to find boat captain willing to participate in river testing
  • Timeline: September or early October 2025
  • Purpose: Test communications equipment along actual race routes

Technical Planning

Test Matrix Development

  • Requirement: Prepare comprehensive comparison matrix
  • Comparison: DMR versus analog radio performance
  • Scope: Boat race communications specific testing
  • Timeline: Complete before scheduled boat test

Upcoming Events and Activities

This Week

  • Friday: Tower project scheduled
  • Preparation: [Details to be provided]

Community Engagement

  • Event: Palouse Days
  • Date: September 13th
  • Participation: Community Nexus will have a table
  • Coordination: [Details as available]

IMTUF Next

  • Timeline: Following weeks after Palouse Days
  • Status: Planning in progress

Action Items

  • Austin - Create new Community Nexus Discord server with separate channels for different groups, ensuring DSARC Discord remains separate
  • Austin - Develop event page front-end view for event sign-ups
  • Austin - Review Palousafest sign-up list and send emails to listed participants
  • Group - Prepare test matrix comparing DMR vs analog radio performance for boat race communications before scheduled boat test
  • Austin - Schedule boat ride for testing DMR radio coverage on Snake River in September or early October
  • Austin - Contact Redivis regarding potential equipment partnership for DMR repeaters
  • Nick - Set up Discord events for upcoming meetings and activities
  • Austin - Find boat captain willing to participate in river communications testing

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM.

Minutes prepared by: Austin KF7SIW
Minutes status: Draft - Pending approval at next meeting