[FCARC] September Meeting Minutes

[Craig Szczublewski]

The meeting was called to order at 7:40 pm by Bryan Patterson (KB8ELG) with
12 members in attendance, introductions were made and the pledge of
allegiance was given by all.

*Members in Distress*: It was reported that KA8KDS has returned home where
he continues to recuperate.

*Treasurers Report*: No changes from last month

*Bills to Present*: KD8KBU presented two bills for OSPOTA related supplies
and food, totaling $155.19.  A motion was made by KG8FM to pay the bills
and seconded by KC8HDG, all were in favor.

*Education/VE Committee*: KD8ZKE indicated two new techs passed on the 9/19
special testing session.

*Hamfest Committee*: The December Hamfest is set for December 4th at
Ruihley Park Pavilion in Archbold, OH. KE8ITJ will be working with the
emergency prep group to see if they want to have any presentations at the
event or set up a table with more information.

*Repeater Committee*: We returned to the discussion on extending repeater
operations into DMR space.  We are investigating the possibility of using a
UHF backhaul to a club member's QTH to provide the needed internet service
to accomplish this. We also discussed the need to perform a maintenance
check at the backup repeater site.  There have been several amateurs trying
to reach the 440 service repeater without any luck.

*Old Business*:

   - OSPOTA was reviewed and all club members who attended stated they were
   very satisfied with the event. The club contacted 39 different parks and
   conducted 98 total QSOs.

*New Business*:

   - September 25 will be the CQ More Light “Masonic Lodges on the Air”
   event being coordinated by several club members.  We plan on activating the
   Masonic Lodge in Delta OH under the club call sign, but other club members,
   especially masons who belong to other lodges, should try to activate their
   community, Masonic Lodge.  More info at http://cqmorelight.com/
   - KE8ITJ showed off his proposed club logo design for t-shirts and other
   apparel.  He will be doing some research on vendors but felt a $14-$15
   price range should be expected.  We should have firm numbers for the next
   meeting, and we hope to be able to place an order before the end of the
   year.

*Good of Amateur Radio*:

   - WD8KRS indicated he has been in contact with N8EUY and KC8UJC who are
   both well out in Arizona.
   - KD8PUD inquired about providing newly passed technicians at the VE
   sessions with complimentary one-year memberships to the club.  The club had
   approved this a few years ago, but we never made any official document.  He
   offered to draft something up which could be printing and handed out with a
   little bit of information on the club.

*Upcoming Hamfests*:

   - 10/18/21 Kalamazoo, MI
   - 11/13/21 Ft Wayne, IN
   - 12/4/21 FCARC WinterFest / Archbold OH

*Club Nets*:

   - Weeknights at 10:30pm Bud's Midnight Madness Net -- 147.195+
   - Wed at 8pm FCARC ES Net -- 147.195+
   - Thu at 8pm 6M Net -- 1st Wed 50.400 AM, 3rd Wed 50.125 USB, all others
   52.525 FM Simplex
   - Sun at 8pm on 2nd and 4th Sunday is the Preparedness Net – 147.195+
   - Sun at 8pm on 1st and 3rd Sunday is the DMR Net on Brandmeister
   3171544 (K8BXQ)

*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 9 am the last Saturday of each month
at the Masonic Lodge (Fulton No. 248) in Delta, contact John Myers (KD8ZKE)
if interested, you can find his email address 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.

The next regular club meeting will be Monday, October 18 at 7:30 pm at the
Delta 109 Restaurant.  Dinner is 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

KB8ELG closed the meeting at 8:29 pm.

-- 
Craig Szczublewski