[FCARC] July Meeting Notes

[Craig Szczublewski]

The meeting was called to order at 7:37pm by Bryan Patterson (KB8ELG) with
9 members in attendance.

The Finance Report was read with motion to approve by Jim McBride (K8JPD)
seconded by John Myers (WD8ZKE).

Bills to Present: Shelter House Rental for OSPOTA by Craig Szczublewski
(KD8KBU).  A motion to pay the bill was made by Jason Clingaman (KC8PCU)
and seconded by Bob Rosebrock (WB8ZOI).

Silent Key/Members in Distress: none.

Income Reported:  Bryan Patterson (KB8ELG) received several pieces of
correspondence related to donations made to the club in the name of Edgar
Zysset (N8HB).  Bryan indicated "thank you" cards would be sent out.

Event Reviews:

Swanton Fireworks (7/1) organized by David Claar (W8TUX), several members
were able to assist Swanton officials during their holiday fireworks
display on July 1.  The club received a thank you card from the village
administrator.

Delta Chicken Fest (7/7 and 7/9) organized by Bryan Patterson (KB8ELG), we
assisted with two events at the Delta Chicken Festival, one on 7/7 for the
Friday night Fireworks, and on Sunday for the Grand Parade.  Village
officials thanked us again for our support and service for traffic control
and safety.

Field Day 2017 was a success (several emails have been sent out about this)
but we did have one casualty.  The club TS-450 experienced a fairly
catastrophic failure of the the finals and the auto-tuner.  We had a long
open discussion on how to proceed with this rig, and it was decided by
members present that the club investigate a new HF rig rather then invest
the time and money in repairing the TS-450.  Bring your suggestions on a
rig to the next meeting for further discussion. Our target is sub-$1,000
with HF/6m at a minimum.  Portability is a must, auto-tuner would be a nice
option, but not necessary.

On the topic of Field Day, I had opportunity to field test a EFHW-8010
end-fed wire antenna from myantennas.com.  I was impressed with the
performance and found it to be less then 1.4:1 on all bands I worked.  A
motion was made to purchase one for the club's field kit by Jim McBride
(K8JPD) and seconded by Bob Rosebrock (WB8ZOI).  Bryan Patterson (KB8ELG)
will handle the acquisition.

We had a lot of discussion on Field Day, and how to make it more attractive
to hard-core contestors, yet still provide a great forum for education and
social activities.  Look for more discussions like this in the coming
months.

Upcoming Events:

The Fayette Bull Thistle Festival fireworks are August 5th at Harrison Lake
State Park.  We have been asked again to help pitch in with parking and
traffic control.  If you can assist, please plan on being at Harrison Lake
by 4pm.  If you have a FRS/GMRS capable radio, bring it along as several
groups help with parking and not all are HAMs.  If you have a safety cone
flashlight, bring that along, as well as a safety vest, although we will
have spares vests as always.  Please contact Bryan Patterson (
kb8elg at hotmail.com) if you can help.

Maker Faire Detroit is July 29 at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI.  A
few of us are planning on going up on that Saturday.  If you purchase your
tickets online in-advance (and I recommend you do), use promo code MK0717
to knock of 25% of the ticket cost.  As of right now, I know myself,
KB8ELG, and KC8PCU are planning on going, I have room for one more.

Upcoming Hamfests:
08/12/2017 Angola, IN
09/10/2017 Findlay, OH
09/17/2017 Adrian, MI
10/15/2017 Kalamazoo, OH
10/29/2017 Madison Heights, MI
11/11/2017 Ft Wayne, IN
12/02/2017 Delta, OH

Further details can be found at the ARRL Website:

    http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/search

Club Nets:
Weeknights at 10:30pm Bud's Midnight Madness Net -- 147.195+
Wed at 8pm FCARC Club/ES Net -- 147.195+
Wed at 9pm 6M Net -- 1st Wed 50.400 AM, 3rd Wed 50.125 USB, All others
52.525 FM Simplex

Latest Club Information:
On the web: http://www.k8bxq.org/
On Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Fulton-County-Amateur-Radio-Club-206939596063938/
E-Mail list: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/fcarc

VE Testing:
The club gives testing at 9am the last Saturday of each month at the
George's Radio Service in Wauseon, contact Tom Servoss (KC8UOM) if
interested, you can find his phone number on the www.k8bxq.org website
under the VE Testing section.

Saturday morning breakfast at the Delta 109 at 9:00 AM, in downtown Delta,
OH.

-- 
Craig Szczublewski