Fulton County Amateur Radio Club

Monthly Meeting Minutes

March 16th, 2026

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

Attending: Bryan (KB8ELG), Jan (No call), Ryan (KC8HDG), Dene’ (N5XDM), Jason (KC8PCU), Carl (AA8YY), Wes (KE8VFR), Gretchen (KE8OKA), Cass (KD8MNG), Jake (KD8PFH), Dinah (KF8FDS), David (KE8WRF), Justin (KF8AIG), Daneen (KF8FKR), Chris (KF8FAS), Norm (KB8BYA), Cindy (KB8TYN), Bob (WB8ZOI), Fred (KE8UJA), Kim (KE8UJA’s significant other), and Kim (KE8ITJ)

1) Pledge of Allegiance

2) Guest Acknowledgement: None

3)         Members in Distress/Silent Key: Prayers and well wishes to Hunter (son of KE8ITJ) for his continued return to health.

4) 50/50 Drawing: Fred (KE8UJA) Winner! (again!)

5)         VP’s Notes: Dene’ (N5XDM) discussed the FCC’s revision to the amateur bands (revised 01.16.26). Also, that any changes to an amateur’s address or email must be updated within the FRN system within 10 days of change.

Further discussion revealed that the club’s FRN number was still in Ed’s name. More efforts will be made to place it in repeater custodian’s name (N5XDM)

6) Department Reports and Discussion

A) Repeater Committee- During this meeting KB8ELG suggested we move the previously scheduled repeater work day from Saturday March 21, 2026 to April 18, 2026 after breakfast (1030-1100). Moved by necessity of accommodating the recently scheduled Emergency Service deployment.

B)   Treasurer’s Report- Treasurer's Report: reported by Jan Tropf.  Motion to approve finance report and the paying of bills made by KB8TYN/KC8PCU:  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. KE8OKA volunteered to be the indoor “concierge/ambassador” for the fest

5) Old Business     

Raffle tickets for both the Yaesu FT-710 “Field” and Sig Sauer P365XL were sold at the TMRA Hamfest.

6) New Business

A) As mentioned above, raffle tickets for both the Yaesu FT-710 “Field” and Sig Sauer P365XL are available for sale! Point of contact will be AA8YY for ticket distribution. Raffle tickets were made available to club members at this meeting. A discrepancy was discovered with the ticket stubs in that the ticket numbering is identical for both raffles. Those wishing to sell tickets should mark “R” for Radio or “G” for gun while the stub is still attached to the purchaser’s portion of the ticket.

B) Emergency Service Deployment (03/21/26) We will meet at the EMA office at 9:00am (0900) and will be conducting this “drill” on 2M Simplex. The “drill” scenario will be stated upon arrival but will likely be a mock flood/power outage or a rail accident involving hazardous materials.

C.) The decision to participate in the Wauseon Cruise Nights was arrived at enthusiastically amongst the membership.

D) New “promotional material” for the club discussed. Format, content, and size were the topics entertained.

E) OSPOTA activities and deployment discussed. The possibility of youth outreach to campers in Harrison Lake with small electronic soldering projects.

7) Good of the Club

A) Remove KE8OKA from the list of “Bank Signatories”. KC8HDG was previously added.

B) Renewed discussions of KE8ITJ “nifty” laser engraved metal cards becoming the new membership cards. No motion made.

C) Posting of the Club’s calendar at the tail end of the meeting minutes and eventually to the website and Facebook pages.

D) KC8HDG’s “Mission Statement” was read aloud and will be published at the end of the meeting minutes.

8) Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by KB8TYN and seconded by KF8AIG and all were in favor.  KB8ELG closed the meeting at 8:20pm

Next Meeting scheduled for April 20, 2026

FCARC Schedule of Events:

Emergency Deployment Practice

March 21 EMA/Fulton County Visitor’s Center

Time: 9:00 am

Operation Homecoming (Wauseon)

April 30 to May 2

Time:TBD

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: [email protected]