North Coast Amateur Radio Club - Meeting Minutes
Go to Older North Coast Amateur Radio Club Minutes: PAST
NCARC Membership Meeting February 27, 2025.
At Strongsville Library, Strongsville, Ohio.
Meeting opened by President Wayne NC8F at 19:00.
There were 7 members in attendance at the Library: Wayne NC8F,
Rob WB2BTI, Charlene (SWL), Tom K8DMM, Joe N8QXC, Fred N8AHS,
and Dale KL7V.
There were 6 members in attendance on Zoom: Tom WD8EFF,
Fred WB8UDA, Dan KB8A, Mary Lou K8MLS, Steve W8IZ, and
Paul WB8CYI.
A motion to approve the minutes of January 16, 2025 was made
by Dan KB8A, and second by Tom WD8EFF, noting that a motion to
vote on whether or not the club should support reforms to Field
Day rules, as proposed by the Silvercreek ARA, did not occur,
rendering that vote null and void. Motion passed.
A motion to vote on whether or not the reforms to Field Day rules,
as proposed by the Silvercreek ARA, should be supported by the club
was made by Dan KB8A, and second by Joe N8QXC. Motion passed,
and a vote was taken of the members in attendance. The result is
that one vote was in the affirmative, all others dissenting. The members
of NCARC have voted to not support the proposed changes.
Treasurers report, Dan KB8A: Bills paid, money in the bank. A copy
of the report was emailed to all members, along with a current roster.
Field day, Fred N8AHS: Field day this year will be June 28 and 29,
2025. If anyone would like to stay overnight (camper, tent) you are
welcome to do so.
Tom K8DMM: As 50% of contacts last year were made using FT-8,
the club’s computers should be upgraded to be compatible with digital
by upgrading to Solid State Drives, installing software for FT-8, and
obtaining a GPS receiver for precise timing signals for the network. If
voice contacts are not being made, then digital should be used. This
will require us to know if equipment to be used will be compatible
with digital. Along with Rob WB2BTI, a list of items and costs will be
presented at the next meeting. All equipment to be used for field day
should be tested for proper functioning and also training for operators.
Wayne NC8F: Costs to acquire signage for the field day site and other
venues will be presented at the next meeting also.
Tom K8DMM: Welcome to our newest member Dale KL7V.
Fundraising, Fred WB8UDA, Joe N8QXC: None.
Membership, Wayne NC8F: New members Don KE8HTS, and
Dale KL7V, who has submitted his application this evening and
welcomed as the club’s newest member.
Nets, Wayne NC8F: We’re getting an uptick in check-ins to the
Sunday evening net, including nonmembers. We’re still looking for
backups for net control.
Public Service, Fred N8AHS: Looking for volunteers for the
Cleveland Marathon May 17 & 18, 2025. Information available
at www.n8esg.org.
Technical, Wayne NC8F: Echolink is working well on the repeater;
no known issues with the web site.
Old Business: None.
New Business, Joe N8QXC: Special Event from an airplane Sunday
March 2, 2025 from 1-3PM Special Event Station W8DRZ on 146.52.
Wayne NC8F: Upcoming hamfests: Saturday April 5, 2025 8 AM to
1 PM 48 East Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Also Winter Hamfest
March 9, 2025 Lorain County Community College.
A detailed presentation was given by Tom K8DMM regarding the
Historical Society’s Bicentennial Celebration to be held on Saturday
July 19, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 4 PM. The club has obtained a Special
Event Station callsign of W8H active from 0001 UTC 7/18/25 to 2359
UTC 7/20/25. Operating hours are 0900 to 2100. Operating space will
be at Brongers Park Covered Pavilion. Approved setup will be on Friday
June 18, time to be determined. Only antennas and tables will be set up
on Friday. All parking is off site.
Fred N8AHS: Norb sends his greetings.
Motion to close the meeting was made by Tom WD8EFF and second
by Joe N8QXC. Meeting adjourned at 20:07.
Minutes submitted by Rob WB2BTI.
..
NCARC Membership Meeting March 27, 2025.
At Strongsville Library, Strongsville, Ohio.
Meeting opened by President Wayne NC8F at 19:00.
There were 6 members in attendance at the Library: Wayne NC8F,
Tom K8DMM, Rob WB2BTI, Fred WB8UDA, Fred N8AHS, and Dale KL7V.
There were 5 members in attendance on Zoom: Steve W8IZ,
Tom WD8EFF, Rick K8SCI, Dan KB8A, Paul WB8CYI and Mary Lou K8MLS.
Motion to approve minutes of February 27, 2025 was made by
Fred WB8UDA, and second by Fred N8AHS. Motion passed.
Treasurers report, Wayne NC8F: Report has been received along
with updated and current roster.
Field day update, Fred N8AHS: Field day is Saturday June 28 and
Sunday June 29, 2025. The site looks good, camping on Friday night
on the 27 th is allowed. Additionally, Tom K8DMM has indicated setup
is allowed on Friday the 27 th. It’s recommended to at least set up the
tables and antenna masts on Friday to reduce time spent on Saturday.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Heidi WD8EFK, as she is dealing
with health issues.
Fundraising, Fred WB8UDA: None.
Nets, Wayne NC8F: Backups for net control and News Line report on
the Sunday night net are needed. If you are willing to help, please
contact Wayne NC8F, or Fred N8AHS. The Wednesday night Tech net
is sidelined until further notice.
We have a new member, Dale KL7V. Welcome, Dale!
When engaging with others, bring up the club letting them know about
it and what we do, and ask if they would like to attend our meetings,
especially newly licensed people.
Public Service, Fred N8AHS: The Cleveland Marathon on May 17 & 18,
2025 needs volunteers. Contact Matt KC8NZJ, or information at N8ESG.org.
Technical/Website, Rick K8SCI: The web site has a poster for the Hinckley
Bicentennial special event station, W8H.
Old Business, Wayne NC8F: The club needs new signage for display at the
Hinckley Bicentennial special station event, and any other events that may
come up. A motion to authorize up to $400 for vinyl table and banner signs
was made by Rick K8SCI and second by Tom WD8EFF. Motion passed.
Tom K8DMM: More information regarding the special event station at the
Hinckley Bicentennial celebration. The station will be set up in the pavilion
using provided picnic tables. Tables and antennas will be set up on Friday the
18 th from noon till 6 PM. Sometime in mid to to late May we should test
antennas and equipment finalize planning regarding equipment and other
logistical needs. Operations on the 19th will be from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
There should be someone listening on the repeater so someone is available
to talk to the station if it’s otherwise quiet. There needs to be at least three
people at the station at all times. There is no close parking, so will have to
use the shuttle to get to the venue.
New Business, Wayne NC8F: The newer equipment donated by Frank KN4AW
and the older equipment donated by John WB8IYR will have to be tested to determine if it’s working and/or its value on Saturday March 29th at Wayne NC8F’s home. A list of serviceable items and their worth will sent to club members, with members getting first chance to buy, then items not sold will
be for sale at the Cuyahoga Falls Hamfest on April 5th . Letters will be sent
to Frank and John thanking them for their generous donations.
A motion to authorize up to $75 for tables at the Cuyahoga Falls hamfest
on April 5 th in order to sell donated equipment was made by Rick K8SCI and
second by Fred WB8UDA. Motion passed.
Tom K8DMM: Regarding the club computers used for field day. In order
to comply with field day rules while using digital, we need to upgrade the
computers with SSD drives and 12 volt power supplies. Additionally, a GPS
dongle will be needed for precise timing across the network. A motion to
authorize up to $500 for these upgrades was made by Rick K8SCI and second
by Fred N8AHS. Motion passed.
Next meeting will be on April 17, 2025 @ 6:45 and 7:00 for Trustee and
Membership respectively.
Motion to adjourn was made by Fred N8AHS and second by Rick K8SCI.
Meeting adjourned at 20:20.
Minutes submitted by Rob WB2BTI
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