meeting minutes

Meeting Attendance:

UCARC Meeting on April 4th, 2023

UCARC Meeting of March 7th, 2023

In attendance:

Ed Liddle, KE8ANU
Chuck Kelly
Ron Rice,NX8Y
Paul Fowler, N8IG
Chris Hallock, W8RNO
AJ Loferski, KJ4SYN
Armand Arabian, KC8DAG
MikeHuffman, W8MDC
Frank Reed, KD8UFE
Roger Shaull, W8KSH

The meeting opened with the treasurers report.  $200 less in dues were collected so far this year compared to last year.  With a large bill and a large upcoming project, funds are getting low.

Next topic was the beam antenna.  It has been re-assembled and was set up on sawhorses and tuned.  Concern was raised about the elements twisting in the wind when installed on the tower.  Joe brought in prototypes of homemade aluminum brackets that would bolt to the element clamps and bolt through the boom, preventing the elements from twisting.  Joe also demonstrated an air choke he made on his printer for RG8 coax.

Work continues on dealing with the noise issue.  Dean contacted the power company to come out and investigate.  They came out and shut power off to the building, and the noise remained.  This confirmed the source of the noise was external.  Power company is going to investigate further.

The next topic of discussion was events the club wanted to participate in for the year.  Hamfests were considered a good source for fundraising, but volunteers were few as most were events were located farther away.  Other events discussed were field day, POTA, and participating in the Marysville Memorial Day parade.  This was discussed as a great way to promote the club.  A club campout was also mentioned for the Ohio POTA.

Another activity mentioned was field trips as a club.  Some places suggested were the local sheriff's station, the Findlay Radio Club, the Dayton Club, and the Voice of America museum in Cincinnati.  

Mike Huffman from the Delaware Club spoke about the rules and details of the MUD Contest this weekend and answered questions.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:00PM

UCARC Meeting of June 7, 2022
In Attendence:
Dean Grinch , WA8OMQ
Joe Liszeski, K8JWL
Rob Jostes, KD8PG
Chuck Kelly, KA8SJH
Armand Arabian, KC8DAG
Frank Reed, KD8UFE
Ron Rice, NX8Y.
Meeting called to Order at 7:00PM by Dean Grinch, WA8OMQ.
A brief Treasurer’s Report was provided by Fran Reed, KD8UFE. Club is solvent with over $3K in
account.
Topics covered briefly included:
Status of beam antenna servicing:
Rob indicated that as of this date, the tower company had been slow to communicate and has yet to set
a date for any tower work. He was beginning to doubt if there was any realistic possibility of service in
the coming weeks.
Status of Loop Antenna Project:
Dean indicated that he had ordered sent a letter to the tower company ( Sabre ) inquiring as to their
recommended hardware or practices for securing the club’s wire loop antenna to the tower. After two
weeks with no response, he had ordered a “crossover plate” suitable for attachment to a 3 ½” mast
and was told the item has been shipped this week.
Rob Jostes KD8GPG, suggested that there was a realistic possibility that the Fire Department would be
agreeable to make a quick visit to the 720 building with a lift truck which could lift a couple of club
members up to an approximately 65 foot level where the crossover plate and a pulley with Dacron rope
could be attached.
Dean agreed to make an effort to put together a pulley mounting kit as parts arrive, and have that
hardware on hand ASAP while Joe and Ron volunteered to man the bucket. Dean and Frank said they
would also do their best to be on hand, depending on schedule.
Main Program : “ Field Day 2022,” presented by Ron Rice, NX8Y.
Ron shared some slides with results from past Field Days and suggestions for this year’s.
After discussion and general agreement among the attendees, it was decided that this year’s Field Day
activities will take place at the 720 Building and W8UCO would be operating in a Field Day operational
class appropriate for an emergency services organization.
Rob said that there would be no problem using the 720 Bldg radio room , conference room or the
outside grounds for this exercise.

The 24-hour operating time will be from 2:00PM Saturday to 2:00PM Sunday. Station setup will begin
on Friday, beginning at 1:00PM.
A brief discussion followed regarding necessary radio gear including and antennas. Between the club
gear and some volunteered by Ron, Dean and potentially others, it was determined that the club would
have sufficient equipment to operate three dedicated HF stations, 1 GOTA HF station and a dedicated
VHF radio.
While still to be determined, it was generally agreed that a combination of personal contributions along
with some supplemental club funds would pay for food and drinks. As there are many options, (such as
hotdogs and hamburgers grilled at 720 along with deli-purchased side dishes) that food details were
only generally considered. Ron will investigate food preparation possibilities and report back soon.
Other issues Discussed:
The topic of a July 5, 2022 club meeting and whether or not to meet was discussed. A couple members
said they would definitely like to meet, and others said that they would probably attend if they were in
town. Though a formal vote was not taken, it was concluded by all that there were no objections to
interested club members meeting if they desired.
Finally, it was decided that we should ask our Ohiohams.net Web Page publisher to:
1.) Make Field-Day Plans prominent at web site.
2.) Change the Monthly Meeting time advertised to 7:00 – 9:00 PM rather than 6:30 – 10:00.
The 6:30 to 7:00 time was for pre-meeting pizza (when available)
Joe moved that we adjourn. Frank seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm

March Meeting Minutes

Treasures Report - Ron Motions to approve, Dean 2nd

CW class update - class is going well, have about 6 people active in the class

Loop antenna update - need to get drawing of tower to get the diameter of the tower legs to get correct size clamp to support the loop antenna

Shirts - discussed and tabled

Radio Room organization - Discussed shelves to put radio equipment on and room for monitors.
Paul and Joe to head up, Paul, Ron, Joe, Frank, and Lance to work on organizing the radio room.

Joe motions to adjourn, Frank seconds, None opposed.  

February 1st Meeting Minutes

Treasurers report - Ron Motion to approved, 2nd by Ron none opposed

ARES - nets on Monday, about 6 to 10 check ins for Diginet and Voice net

Old Business:
HF beam antenna - Antenna could be down in a couple weeks, Joe, K8JWL bought a kit for the HF beam that has trap end caps on it, etc for the club.

Loop Antenna update - Dean has parts, needs to talk with Joe about mounting the loop to the tower
Discussed about making a loop antenna and using eznec to model it.

Ron talked about the rotor, clkub has new rotor and rotor cable for the HF beam

New Business -
CW update Morse Code Class doing good

Club shirts: discussed about the club having an inventory of shirts to use for new members with club name on them. Follow up at the next meeting

Ron - discussed station setup in EMA radio room, Rules, SOPs, equipment setup

Club Activities for 2022 discussed, the club will be participating in the following:

NVIS Day - April 23 Ed to coordinate

Field DAy June 25-26 Ron NX8Y to coordinate

Ohio QSO Party - August 27th

Ohio State Parks on the Air - Sept 10

Simulated Emergency Test - Oct 1st
 
Jamboree on The Air - October 15

Discussed about the club getting a table/booth space at local events and hamfests to promote the club. No interest in doing that, but weshould have a brochure that someone can take with them to promote the club if they are going to be at an event and want to promote the club.

Dean motions to Adjourn
Frank 2nd, none opposed

December 2021 Meeting Minutes

Armand motions to approve minutes, Ron 2nd

Gene Neds – silent key – family donated equipment to club. Joe asked to purchase a Drake TR4C w/ power supply that needs work for $100 Ken, W8KWH is going through equipment to determine what shape it is in and to come up with a value for it. It was mentioned that some of the equipment could have received lightening damage

Treasurer’s Report

ARES Report – Monday night ARES nets

Loop antenna – Dean is working on a double loop antenna to be more broad banded

January 16th at 5pm Annual Club Dinner at the Asian Buffet

Winter Field Day discussion

Ed chosen to be the club president
Dean – Vice President

Frank – Treasurer

? - Secretary

George wants to head up activities for the club

Ron – can head up Field Day in June

Club Shirts order form (the club needs a minimum order of 6 shirts)

Ron Rice to teach a morse code class towards the end of January

Ron motions to adjourn

Dean seconds, None opposed.

Paul Motioned to approve October meeting minutes. Armand 2nd None opposed

Frank gave the treasurers report

Paul motioned to have Pizza before the meetings.
Discussed Pre-meeting Pizza at 6:30pm- Club will buy pizza and put a donation can out to offset the cost of the pizza. 
Armand 2nd none opposed

Club Dinner in January at teh Asian Cafe Buffet

Loop Antenna - Dean talked about the loop antenna and the EZ NEC modeling he has been doing for it.
 

Dean Presented about MARS

Armand motioned for the meeting to adjourn. Frank 2nd  None opposed 

Approve Minutes Paul motion Aromond 2nd none opposed

Tresurers report

ARES - SET last Saturday went well

Old business
Loop Antenna - Cords untangled from poles.

communications vehicle (Squad) - Tabled

Meetings
in person meetings to continue

Meeting Ideas:
DARA mobile comms van visit maybe
MARS - next meeting topic
PAUL MOTIONS TO ADJOURN, DEAN 2NDS NONE OPPOSED

September  Meeting Minutes

Paul motions to approve August minutes. Frank 2nds, none opposed

Treasurers report

Discussion of projects – Squad and loop antenna.
Loop Antenna – ball park parts needed $135 for wire, Coax $200, Balun $240, Estimate of $650 - $700 needed for loop antenna.

Paul motions for $700 for materials for the loop antenna. Frank seconds, non opposed.

Tower/beam update – No response from tower company.

Paul Motions to adjourn, Dean seconds. None opposed.