[FCARC] Meeting notes for October 2012

[Craig Szczublewski]

A summary of the FCARC meeting notes for October 15th, 2012:

The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm with 22 members and guests in 
attendance. Minutes from the previous meeting were read, along with the 
treasurer's report with both being accepted.

Committee reports followed the Address:

Education: The tech class in September completed with a testing session on the 
last day.  We had two new technicians, one new general, and two new extras pass 
the exams.  This test session also marks the last session Dave Nelson (KA8KDS) 
will server as the ARRL VE Liaison.  Tom Servoss (KC8UOM) has taken over that 
responsibility, and all relevant contact information has been updated to reflect 
this.  We thank Dave Nelson for his years of service in this position and also 
thank Tom for taking over the position.  Testing returns to Archbold Police 
Station for October.

Repeater Committee:  Andy drawn up the necessary forms to submit for the 
insurance claim on the backup repeater, we should have this done by the end of 
October.  We have also completed our move of equipment from the old repeater 
building to the new building the weekend of October 6th.  Outside of an 
unexpected power outage on October 10th, the repeater system has been performing 
admirably.  Lindsay (K8LI) reports that we will schedule to replace the 
controller with the new CAT controller this coming Sunday, October 21st, so 
expect some repeater downtime.  Lindsay will also check the alignment on the amp 
at this time, which only appears to be putting out about 45 watts with 25 in.

Memorial Committee/Silent Keys: No report.

Special Events: We had great attendance for the Lockport 5k/10k race on October 
6th, some of the best attendance we have seen in years. Thanks to all who came 
out to assist.  This is a great promotion of Amateur Radio and the services we 
can offer to the communities within the county.

We have had an inquiry to offer communications support for the Kellen Keiser 
Memorial Run.  We presented the information at the club meeting and had great 
interest in participating.  I have e-mailed the coordinator and confirmed we are 
able to assist.  We are planning on being at the Fayette Schools parking lot 
around 8:00am-8:15am to setup the base station and get our route assignments. 
This will be very similar to the Lockport race.  The Fayette race starts at the 
school and goes out around Harrison Lake State Park then back.  It is a 5K and 
half-marathon, so it will probably run a bit longer then Lockport.  If you were 
not at the club meeting but are still interested in helping out, please contact 
myself via e-mail.

We have not had a formal request for the Festival of Light parade in Archbold, 
but will be checking with the Archbold Police Dept to see if they will require 
our services.  Further updates as events warrant.

We are also checking with the Fulton County Sheriffs to see if they will need 
assistance with 2012 Pumpkin Patrol this Halloween.  The Pumpkin Patrol has 
amateurs operators stationed near the 26 Turnpike overpasses in Fulton County as 
a way to discourage people from tossing pumpkins onto the turnpike.  We operate 
from our vehicles and the night is usually pretty quite and a good time to heat 
up the PA decks on our radios with chit chat.  Please contact myself or Bryan 
Patterson of you are interested in helping.  We'll try to get you positioned at 
an overpass close to your QTH so it's a short drive.  Direct questions via email 
to myself.

Membership: We have 59 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: No report.

Hamfest Committee: No news, next years Hamfest is back in Tedrow on June 1st.

Field Day Committee: No news

We had a special guest from Defiance, Terry Habegger (W8UY), who is the new 
regional EC, replacing Gary Clemons.  Terry is making rounds around the 10 
counties he represents, getting more interest in the Emergency Coordinator 
program.  He outlined many of the new changes Ohio has regarding EC and EOC 
operations.  It has been a few years since we have had an official EC in Fulton 
County, and with the November elections, we expect a number of changes in the 
Fulton County EOC.  Jim McBride expressed interest in becoming the Fulton County 
EC rep, with Caleb Gustwiller inquiring about becoming an assistant.  If anyone 
is interested in participating in the EC program, contact Bryan or myself. 
Terry can also be contacted at w8uy at arrl.net.

Upcoming and Special Events:
November 10th: Kellen Keiser Memorial Run in Fayette, 8:00am
December 17th: Christmas Dinner at the Barn in Archbold, 6:00pm

Upcoming Hamfests:
10/21/2012 Kalamazoo, MI
11/17/2012 Ft Wayne, IN

Next Meeting:  The next regular club meeting will be November 19th at the County 
Administration Building, 152 S. Fulton St, Wauseon (we swear it will be indoors 
this time).  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

I probably missed a lot, so plan on attending the next meeting...
...73 for now!

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Craig Szczublewski - KD8KBU