Club Leader Meeting 2025-09-02

Leadership

• Calvin Jutting (KN0CTJ) - President
• Jason Knapton (KE0EJS) - Vice President
• Jason Loehr (KDØMUB) - Treasurer & Secratary
• Ben Jutting (K0BJJ) - Marketing & Communications

Business

Membership

• Discussed starting formal membership.
• A signup form will be posted on the website and discord soon.
• No dues will be charged initially; long-term dues projected at $10-20 annually.
• Focus on transparency and ensuring dues benefit members statewide.
• Short-term expenses may include hamfest tables, flyers, and signage.

Repeater Contest

• Announced August contest winner: Jim (W6GRE). Close competition with Clint (KOGR) and others.
• Emphasized importance of logging contacts to increase participation.
• Discussion on linking repeaters via All-Star and EchoLink; current rule remains RF into a repeater required.
• Consideration for expanding contest rules to allow more access for rural operators.
• Flyers to be distributed at upcoming hamfests for promotion.

Encouraging New Hams

• Agreed outreach to new Technician licensees is critical to build activity on VHF/UHF.
• Discord and repeater challenge seen as positive entry points.
• Club intends to fill gaps where local clubs may not be as welcoming.
• Luncheon meetups and informal gatherings encouraged for mentoring and networking.

Hamfests and Events

• General support for attending and supporting lowa hamfests.
• Discussed possibility of assisting struggling events such as Boone (3900 Club).
• Consideration of hosting a statewide KOIRO get-together, possibly POTA style with camping and operating.
• Encouragement to use Discord’s For Sale/Trade channel in addition to physical flea markets.

Repeaters

• Members discussed inactive or underused repeaters in lowa.
• Proposal to track “inactive repeaters” alongside the active list to share with the lowa Repeater Council.
• Guidance provided for members interested in setting up repeaters, including cost, coordination process, and options to adopt existing repeaters.

Closing Thoughts

• Members expressed appreciation for the community, with recognition of the value of Discord in connecting hams across the state.
• Acknowledged rapid growth: over 350 members, representing ~5% of lowa hams.
• Reinforced vision of KOIRO as a welcoming, statewide resource for all radio operators (Amateur, GMRS, CB, etc.).

Action Items

• Publish membership signup form on KOIRO website.
• Leadership to revisit dues structure and transparency guidelines.
• Continue to promote Repeater Contest and explore rule adjustments for inclusivity.
• Distribute flyers at Sioux City hamfest and others.
• Create Discord channel to track inactive repeaters.
• Explore opportunities to assist struggling hamfests and plan for a statewide KOIRO get-together.

Attendance

alex_wrjg958
James - WB0FFE
JerryP
Jim - W6GRE / WSFL398
Joe KF0UNW
John KC0RAM
johnny2k - Waterloo
KDØMUB - Jason
KE0VPA - John
Matt N3AR
N0GIK-Matt-Ade1, IA

Minutes Prepared by: KD0MUB, Jason Loehr