[FCARC] Meeting Minutes April 20 2026 https://k8bxq.org/node/188

Tue Apr 21 10:14:32 EDT 2026

Fulton County Amateur Radio Club

Monthly Meeting Minutes

April 20th, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 7:15pm.

Attending: Bryan (KB8ELG), Jan (No call), Ryan (KC8HDG), Dene’ (N5XDM), Carl (AA8YY), Wes (KE8VFR), Gretchen (KE8OKA), Jake (KD8PFH), Dinah (KF8FDS), John (KD8ZKE), Justin (KF8AIG), Norm (KB8BYA), Cindy (KB8TYN), Bob (WB8ZOI), Fred (KE8UJA), Lee (KE8BHW), John (WN0NE), and Kim (KE8ITJ)

1)         Pledge of Allegiance

2)         Guest Acknowledgement: None

3)         Members in Distress/Silent Key: Jan (No Call) is needing assistance running ethernet cable in her home.

4)         50/50 Drawing: Kim (KE8ITJ) Winner!

5)         VP’s Notes: Dene’ (N5XDM) discussed several QST articles. The first being a new to a buyer B Tech HT operating out of band and in the “auto relay” mode being located and confiscated in Allegheny County, PA. The second mention was the expansion of ARRL grant program from $3,000 to $5,000. Targets for said grants include station upgrades and examination sites. Writing grant proposals to “the League” are in our vice president’s future. In addition, Dene’ has a friend that is liquidating his radio collection. An email of said inventory will be posted for club members and possibly selling the remaining items at our hamfest.

6)         Department Reports and Discussion

A) Repeater Committee- The scheduled repeater site cleanup and diagnostic work on April 18, 2026 did not occur due to weather. A new date has been selected for this Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 10:30 (after breakfast)

B)   Treasurer’s Report- Treasurer's Report: reported by Jan Tropf.  Motion to approve finance report and the paying of bills made by KB8TYN/KE8OKA:  Approved.

C)   Summer Hamfest Preparation (06/06/26)- KB8ELG mentioned that ¾ of the indoor tables are sold. Greater emphasis to be given to parking for outdoor vendors and over night parking/camping. Previously, KE8ITJ and KE8VFR were assigned to Admission and table sales. KC8HDG will be the outdoor coordinator. N5XDM will be manning the “talk in” radio.KE8OKA volunteered to be the indoor “concierge/ambassador” for the fest at the last meeting. We will be hosting two lecturers at the Hamfest as well this year. Stan (W8SRD) will be presenting on “Winlink” and Dinah (KF8FDS) will talk about “Home Storm Preparedness”.

5)         Old Business

Raffle tickets for both the Yaesu FT-710 “Field” and Sig Sauer P365XL are both still available. In total, approximately 93-radio tickets and 20-gun tickets remain. KB8ELG will be selling both at Hamvention in Xenia. Hopefully, retaining a few of each for sale at our June 6th club hamfest. All unsold tickets are to be returned by the next club meeting to be held on May 18th. We are at profit level on the firearm raffle and at 65% of break even on the radio. Lee (KE8BHW) will be selling those and running door prize drawings at the Fest.

6)         New Business

A) Hamfest promotions and door prizes were not discussed but should be on everyone’s mind.

B) Delegations of responsibilities for the hamfest (see above)

C.) Fox Hunt will be May 9th, 2026. Meetup will be at York Park at 10:30am (after breakfast)

D) Wauseon Cruise Nights begins May 19th. Deployment details will be discussed the night before at our May meeting.

E) Operation Homecoming has been cancelled.

7)         Good of the Club

A) KE8OKA inquired about our clubs Jet Pack and utilization at the repeater shack. Though not being fully utilized presently, when the repeater is deemed healthy, the Jet Pack will be utilized for Echo link and DMR repeater usage. Discussion was brought up about putting the device in “vacation mode” while not in use. The apparatus, in its current state, cost the club nothing regardless of status.

B) Lee (KE8BHW) suggested a community service project assisting the general public of unwanted scrap metal.

C) KC8HDG’s “Mission Statement” had no discussion

D) Norm (KB8BYA) and Cindy (KB8TYN) have reserved a campsite for OSPOTA at Lot 52 and have offered us thoughtful usage of their area during Ohio State Parks On The Air.

8)         Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by KB8TYN and seconded by KE8VFR and all were in favor.  KB8ELG closed the meeting at 8:20pm

Next Meeting scheduled for May 18, 2026

FCARC Schedule of Events:

Operation Homecoming (Wauseon)

April 30 to May 2

CANCELLED

Fox Hunt

May 9 York Park

Time: After breakfast (10:30)

Wauseon Cruise Night (every third Tuesday thereafter)

May 19 Downtown Wauseon

Time: 6pm

Memorial Day Parade (Wauseon)

May 25, 2026

Time: 9 am

FCARC Summer HamFest (Delta)

June 6 Delta Legion Post 373

Time: 6am set up

Wauseon Cruise Night

June 16 Downtown Wauseon

Time: 6pm

National Threshers Reunion

June 25 to 28 Fulton County Fairgrounds

National Threshers Reunion Parade

June 27 Fairgrounds to downtown Wauseon

Time: 10 am *pending verification*

Summer field day (Delta)

June 27 to 28 York Park

Times TBD

Crosley Parade

July 9 Wauseon

Time: 6 pm

Chicken Festival

July 9,10,11 Delta

July 11 Parade

Time: 11:00 am

Wauseon Cruise Night

July 21 Downtown Wauseon

Time: 6pm

OSPOTA

September 12 Harrison Lake, Fayette

Time: TBD

Wauseon Cruise Night

September 15 Downtown Wauseon

Time: 6pm

FCARC WinterFest

Delta Legion Post 373

December 5,

Time: 6am setup

Christmas Dinner

January 2,2027 Rotary Shelter House Wauseon

Time: 6pm

Proposed Club Mission Statement:

The Mission of the Fulton County Amateur Radio Club (FCARC) is to:
-Recruit through training and assistance to help committed and prospective Ham Radio operators carry on the tradition of amateur radio. In times of need, when called upon, we will assist and protect the citizens in the communities in which we live. FCARC is dedicated to community service and providing education to the general public about the history, operation, functions and benefits of the Amateur Radio Service.

-Educate the public at large through the demonstration, instruction, dissemination of information, and inspiration. We seek to advance the value of the Amateur Radio service. Providing comprehensive testing and instructional classes to the general public on a free of charge basis. All to be executed as defined by the Federal Communications Commission’s rules and regulations. Experimentation and technological training for the advancement of the radio art.

-Provide emergency communications services to the public interest, convenience, and necessity. All to be executed as defined by the Federal Communication Commission in rules and regulations governing the Amateur Radio service.
FCARC members adhere to the Amateur Radio creed and are considerate, friendly, loyal, innovative,balanced, and patriotic.

Ryan M. Arno
Engineering & Operations Manager
A+ Engineering & Fabrication, Inc.
Phone: (419)832-0748 Ext. 273
Fax: (419)832-1821
Cell: (419)260-0597
Email: rarno at aplusengineering.com<mailto:rarno at aplusengineering.com>
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