[FCARC] Meeting Minutes January 19, 2026 https://k8bxq.org/node/185

[Gretchen Arno]

Fulton County Amateur Radio Club

Monthly Meeting Minutes

January 19th, 2026

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

Attending: Bryan (KB8ELG), Jan (No call), Ryan (KC8HDG), Jason (KC8PCU), Carl (AA8YY), Gretchen (KE8OKA), Lee (KE8BHW), Wes (KE8VFR), Dee (KF8FKR), Chris (KF8FAS).

Attending remotely: Kim (KE8ITJ) via Teams




1) Pledge of Allegiance

2) Guest Acknowledgement: Doc Roth (KE8FDO)

3)  Members in Distress/Silent Key- Ed and Cathy Roth are both struggling with a respiratory illness. A “Get Well Soon” card will be sent to them by the secretary on behalf of the club.

4) Department Reports and Discussion

A)  Winter Field Day Committee- After some discussion amongst the membership in attendance, the venue for WFD has been changed due to weather concerns. Through the graciousness of John Meyers (KD8ZKE), this event will be held in his barn located at the following:

13180 County Rd 14-2,
Wauseon, OH 43567

DO NOT GO TO YORK PARK! WE WILL NOT BE THERE!

Antennae setup may tentatively begin Friday evening. Please bring your own form of hydration and snacks. We may opt to order pizza for an evening meal. Also, let us be good guests and treat John’s place with the utmost respect and cleanliness.




B)   Repeater Committee- Our current Henry Amplifier is under the weather and needs serviced or replaced. A technician at Henry suggested a few diagnostic steps to take prior to shipping it back for refurbishment. The current amp is 10+ years old and would likely become unserviceable in the near future due to obsolescent components. A new Henry Amplifier will cost in the vicinity of $2,200. During a club trustee meeting this past Saturday (1/17/26) it was suggested by the treasurer to look into fraternal organizations that participate in gaming activities. Said organizations generally need to spend down some of their proceeds by giving to non-profit organizations. At which time, our president suggested appointing a liaison from our club that is affiliated with two local Legion organizations. For this purpose, Doc Roth was invited to our meeting by the president. Doc accepted this new role within the club.




C)   Treasurer’s Report- Treasurer's Report: reported by Jan Tropf.  Motion to approve finance report and the paying of bills made by KC8PCU/KE8VFR:  Approved.

5) Old Business     

The December 11th Field Deployment Exercise was a success with fourteen participating stations.

The “Newsline” net is increasing in popularity. Carl will be using the K8BXQ call going forward.         

6) New Business

A Yaesu FT-710 “Field” was selected to be the raffle prize for the upcoming Summer Hamfest. Motion to approve the purchase of said radio for $999.99 made by KE8BHW/KE8OKA:  Approved.

Discussions about getting a large quantity of “renewable” raffle ticket with a QR code depicting the item for raffle regardless of ticket numerical sequence.

Ticket price for the FT-710 will be sold for $10 each and limited to 250 tickets.

Pre selling these tickets prior to the event was deemed necessary.

Discussion was also raised about selling these raffle tickets at preceding hamfests and possibly gun shows.

The idea of doing a firearms raffle is also being entertained as a club fundraiser. Making the selection of said prize actually being worth owning.

January 2, 2027 was the date selected for the club Christmas Party so the Rotary Building could be reserved.

7) Good of the Club

Doc donated an 8amp power supply to the club in memory of his late brother Brian. Doc also agreed to be the Liaison for Veteran organizations.

8) Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by KE8BHW and seconded by KE8VFR and all were in favor.  KB8ELG closed the meeting at 8:21pm

Next Meeting scheduled for February 16, 2026










For your additional reading pleasure:

FCARC Committee meeting 1/17/26

Attending: Jason C, Gretchen A, Jan T, Carl D, Wes B, Lee S, Bryan P, Dene’ H, Ryan A (transcribing)

Committees and Representatives assigned:

Trustees: Lee, Wes, Jason

Hamfest: Bryan, Ryan, Jason (setup), Lee (signage)

Field Day: Bryan, Gretchen (Ryan and Wes to work Harrison Lake booking for OSPOTA)

Event Coordinator: Jason (Cruise Nights, 5K/10K runs, and Parades)

Repeater: Bryan, Dene’, Ryan (Hospital Liaison) and possibly Adam

Repeater Amp Resolution Discussion

 Field diagnosis being the first step to determine if current Henry amp is rebuildable.

 Research replacements for current (projected cost $2,100-2,500)

Discussion for soliciting donations or grants from 501’s, government agencies, or Fraternal Organization with a “gaming” classification.

Hamfest Door Prizes and Raffle items

 Longer duration on “big ticket” raffle items/Pre-sale tickets months in advance

 Need not be present to win

 Drop shipping prize to the winner

 Yaesu FT-710 as possible prize

 Develop a list of current door prize donors




Club Nets:

AR Newsline on K8BXQ repeater 147.195+on Wednesdays at 7:30PM and Sundays 6:30PM.

Sunday at 8:00pm on the 1st Sunday is the Simplex Net-- 146.46

Sunday at 7:00pm on the 2nd and 4th Sunday is the Fulton County Preparedness Net – 147.195+

Sunday at 7:00pm on the 3rd Sunday is the Emergency Services Net—147.195+

Sunday at 7:00pm on the 5th Sunday is the DMR Net on Brandmeister 3171544 (K8BXQ).

Weeknights at 10:30pm Bud's Midnight Madness Net -- 147.195+

Wednesday at 8:00pm Wednesday Night Net

Thursday at 8pm 6M Net -- 1st Thursday 50.400 AM, 3rd Thursday 50.125 USB, all others 52.525 FM Simplex

VE Testing: The club gives testing at 10:00 am the last Saturday of each month at the Wauseon Administration Building Firemen's Training Room, 230 Clinton Street, Wauseon, OH 43567. Contact John Myers KD8ZKE if interested. His contact information can be found on the k8bxq.org website under the VE Testing section.


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




2026 Calendar of Club Events (assembled by KC8PCU)

Chicken Festival- July 9,10,11. Parade July 11, 11:00 am

Crosley (Wauseon)- Parade July 9, 6 pm

FCARC Summer Fest (Delta)- June 6, Time: TBD

FCARC Winter Fest (Delta)- December 5, Time: TBD

Wauseon homecoming- Dates: TBD, Parade: TBD




National Threshers Reunion (Wauseon)- June 25 to 28

 Parade June 27 Time 10 am *pending verification*




Summer field day (Delta)- June 27 to 28 Times TBD




Wauseon Cruise Night

 Times: Show 6 to 9 pm (we usually meet @5 pm @chamber office)

 May 19

 June 16

 July 21

 August 18

 September 15




Christmas Dinner- January 2, 2027, Time and place: TBD




OSPOTA (Harrison Lake)- September 12, Time: TBD




Operation Homecoming (Wauseon)- April 30 to May 2, Time: TBD

Memorial Day Parade (Wauseon)- Time: 9 am meeting 

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