[FCARC] Meeting notes for March 2012

[Craig Szczublewski]

A summary of the FCARC meeting notes for March 19th, 2012:

The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm with 21 members and 1 guest in 
attendance.  Minutes from the previous meeting as well as the treasurer's report 
were read and accepted.

Committee reports follow:

Education: The VE Team held testing at the Delta Public Library in conjunction 
with the Technician Class.  We also had two drop in participants.  We issued 
passing grades for 1 new extra class license and 1 new technician.  Testing 
returns to the Archbold Police Station for March 31st.  Dave Nelson (KA8KDS) 
reported we have one person scheduled for technician, so walk-ins re welcome. 
Make sure to bring a copy of your license if you are upgrading.

KB8ELG is still planning on a second class this year, probably a week or two 
after the Fulton County Fair.

Repeater Committee:  We have two projects planned for the 31st of March, finish 
the electrical in the new shack, and install the new CAT controller.  If you are 
interested in assisting be sure to catch myself or KB8ELG on the 147.195 machine 
as that date draws closer.  Other discussions included possibly replacing the 
Kenwood repeater with a newer model and rotating the current machine to the 
backup site.  The backup repeater does suffer some coverage issues, especially 
on HTs aronud the county.  We are investigating ways to improve the service area 
that machine covers.

Memorial Committee: No news to report, although we do want to wish KC8UJC a 
speedy recovery.

EC Report: The new EC for Ohio is overhauling and restructing ARES in Ohio.  We 
are looking forward to working with him and getting back on track with ARES.  A 
reminder to all HAMs that we are in lightning season (a little early this year). 
  Please raise your hand if you need help coming up with a good grounding system 
for your antennas.  It's also a good idea to dust of the weather radio and 
perhaps upgrade if you have an older model not capable of NOAA S.A.M.E. codes.

Membership: We have 49 paid and lifetime members.  Thanks to all who continue to 
support our club, it helps with the costs of running the club and allowing us to 
maintain and upgrade our repeater.

T-Shirt Committee: KB8ELG is hoping to get some samples for one of the upcoming 
meetings.  We also discussed a bulk buy for those who prefer not to order over 
the Internet.

Hamfest Committee: The Hamfest will be June 2nd at the Tedrow Woodlot. KB8ELG 
has been talking to some of the larger vendors like Tower Electronics and what 
they would be looking for to attend our Hamfest.  We had a lengthy discussion on 
possible relocation of the hamfest for next year.  We are looking at locations 
that would include indoor facilities, allowing us to attract bigger vendors.

Old Business: We have the 60ft pneumatic mast which is currently located at 
KC8UOM's QTH for assembly to the trailer he donated for this purpose.  We have 
acquired a new air compressor and are planning a work day for this coming Sunday 
at 8:00am to get the fabrication started.  If anyone with fabrication and metal 
working skills wants to lend a hand, please contact me or KB8ELG.

New Business: Six HT600's were purchased, along with a gang charger, by KB8ELG 
for next to nothing.  Some replacement antennas and dial knobs will be purchased 
as well.  We are intending on using these for club events as primary or standby 
radios.  They will be six channel pre-programmed with common frequencies and a 
NOAA/NWS weather broadcast frequency.

Upcoming Events: Lucas County Skywarn will be on March 24th at 10:00am at St. 
Lukes Hospital.
There is an Open House at the Findlay Radio Club being held Saturday March 31 at 
1333 west Sandusky St in Findlay, OH. It will be from 8 AM til 8 PM - Drop by 
any time and meet club members, see the club house and equipment, antennas, etc.

Good of Amateur Radio: Andy Slawinski has been interviewed routinely on WMTR 
96.1 and has been talking quite a bit about the resurgence of Amateur Radio and 
plugging the Fulton County Club.  We thank him for putting in a good mention for us.
Ben Murray (KD8JBS) is making an effort to revive the Williams County Amateur 
Radio club.  They meet the 3rd Sunday of the month, at the Williams County EMA 
at 7:00pm.

Upcoming Hamfests:

03/18/2012 TMRA Hamfest: Toledo, OH
04/07/2012 ARGYL Hamfest: Lowell, MI
04/14/2012 Milford Swap and Shop: Highland, MI
05/18/2012-05/20/2012 DAYTON!!!!
06/02/2012 FCARC Hamfest: Tedrow, OH

Next Meeting:  The next regular club meeting will be April 16th at the County 
Administration Building (same as the Drivers License Bureau), 152 S. Fulton St, 
Wauseon.  The club meeting will be at 7:30pm.

Club Nets:

Weeknights at 10:30pm Bud's Midnight Madness Net -- 147.195+
Wed at 8pm Informal Two Meter & ARES Net -- 147.195+
Wed at 9pm 6M Net -- 50.400 AM on the first Wednesday of the month
Wed at 9pm 6M Net -- 52.525 FM Simplex

73 for now!
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Craig Szczublewski - KD8KBU