7/15/24: The meeting was called to order at the Wauseon Municipal Building Firemen's Training Room, 230 Clinton Street, Wauseon, OH 43567 at 7:30 pm by Bryan Patterson (KB8ELG). 19 members and guests were in attendance, introductions were made and the Pledge of Allegiance was given by all. 

Silent Key: none

Members in Distress: N5XDM health issues

Corrections to Minutes from Previous Meeting: none

Treasurer's Report: reported by KE8ITJ. Checks cleared from last meeting. Approved 

Summer Field Day 6/22-23/24 at Woodlot. Start time 2:00 PM (1800 UTC Saturday-2059 UTC Sunday). Successful event. Next year will be held at York Township Park. Club officers met with York Township trustees. Permission given, noted in their monthly meeting minutes.

Discussion about having a FCARC table at various events to spark interest and conversation, and acquiring an 8’ FCARC tablecloth. Jan Tropf has offered to pay for the tablecloth out of gratitude for assisting Wauseon Police Department with various events. KB8ELG, KC8ZOB and KE8OKA ok’d 4x6’ flag and 8’ tablecloth from 3Cord. 

“You’re Invited” cards, business card size, and “Please Do Not Disturb” signs for requesting stations during contesting. KE8OKA is working with Spray Signs to create. 

Parade assistance: 

• Saturday June 22 Parade in Wauseon. Went well
• Saturday June 29 Threshers Parade. Went well
• Saturday June 29 Swanton Fireworks. Went well
• Thursday July 11 Crosley Parade 6:00 PM. Went well
• Saturday July 13 Delta Chicken Fest.  ~10:00 AM. Went well. Will need at least 8 volunteers next year.

Ham and Coffee (field HF) was held Saturday July 13 at York Township Park. Successful in QSO’s, skills (including FT8 and CW), using new antennas and radios. The next Ham and Coffee (field HF) will be held at Harrison Lake State Park Marzolf Shelter House 0900-1200. 

70th Birthday of FCARC will be celebrated 9/7/24 at Harrison Lake State Park, North Shelter House during OSPOTA. Will set up a FCARC radio for operators who prefer to use club equipment, which can be scheduled. KC8HDG will be Rangemaster. Main meal time–6:00 PM? Pettisville Chicken? Potluck sides? New caterer in Wauseon? 

KB8ELG proposed acquiring tri-band beam/multiplexer. Per significant costs required including costs for pre-filters, KE8BHW suggested to invest in a trailer for our pneumatic mast instead. 

Lifetime memberships. KG8FM submitted a proposition for Lifetime Membership Clause to be added to by-laws. If a member is 62 years old and/or on Social Security= lifetime membership. This is the third of three meetings for which this has been proposed. Votes casted by full members (member with dues paid + ARRL member). Anonymous paper ballots tallied by KC8PCU and Jan Tropf. Yes: 4 votes. No: 8 votes. Proposed bylaws amendment voted down. 

New bylaw proposal by KC8HDG, read but rescinded by KC8HDG to lead to further discussion. Should our dues increase? Average dues in OH ~$40/year. KE8BHW cited dues from seven clubs around OH/MI ranging from $10/yr to $50/yr. Should we keep dues at $15 + donation? Increase to $20/year? Rates have not increased in ~25 years. We currently have no equipment insurance but only liability insurance. ~33% of FCARC bank account is from donated/sold equipment. 

KB8ELG– bylaws need full revision. KC8HDG, KE8BHW, and KE8ITJ to print out and review for next meeting, making it relevant to current society.

2024 Christmas Party will be held at Blue Ribbon Diner Saturday December 14, at 6:00PM

Tour of Dyer McDermott Building will happen prior to next month’s meeting 8/19/24 at 6:30PM. 

Club Nets:

• AR Newsline on K8BXQ repeater 147.195+on Wednesdays and Sundays 7:00-7:30PM.
• Sunday at 8:00pm on the 1st Sunday is the Simplex Net-- 146.46
• Sunday at 8:00pm on the 2nd and 4th Sunday is the Fulton County Preparedness Net – 147.195+
• Sunday at 8:00pm on the 3rd Sunday is the Emergency Services Net—147.195+
• Sunday at 8:00pm 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

 

Latest Club Information:

• On the web: https://k8bxq.org/
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fulton-County-Amateur-Radio-Club-2069395960639…
• E-Mail list: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/fcarc
   

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 Sandra Schwind KE8UTX if interested. Her email address 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.

The next regular club meeting will be 8/19/24 7:30PM at the Wauseon Municipal Building Firemen's Training Room, 230 Clinton Street, Wauseon, OH 43567.

A motion to adjourn was made by KE8BHW and seconded by KC8HDG all were in favor.  KB8ELG closed the meeting at 9:13pm