January 2010 Newsletter

Volume 35—Number 1

 

NEXT MEETING

 

3^rd Thursday, 21 January 2010, 7:30 PM

BARC Clubhouse & Communications Center

Sugarcreek Elementary School

51 South East Street, Bellbrook

Talk-in on BARC 147.045(+) Repeater & 147.405 Simplex

PROGRAM

Haiti Earthquake—Ham Radio Notes

by Fred Stone, W8LLY

A brief overview of the ham radio activity from immediately after the quake hit

and continuing until a day or so prior to Thursday’s BARC meeting.

 

The presentation will include the initial monitoring by Cuban and

other Carribean countries and the first contacts.  Hams used 20 meters, 40 meters

and 80 meters plus Echolink to maintain communications.

Inside This Edition

 

• President’s Report
• Minutes—December 17 Meeting
• 2^nd Annual BARC Holiday Lunch
• 2009 Beavercreek Resolution 5K Run
• 34^th Annual BARC Dinner Meeting
• BARC 2010 Dues Now Payable
• BARC 2010 Membership Roster
• Greene County ARES
• Greene County License Courses
• ARRL Discounted Membership Offer
• Hamvention 2010
• Haiti Earthquake—Ham Radio Notes
• BARC Calendar
• BARC 2010 Officers

BARC President’s Report

Greetings  Fellow  BARC Members,

I’ve been working on some goals and updates for our club which I hope will help move our club forward in 2010.  Having the new larger Clubhouse Room, there is much to be done.  So, my first order of business is to reset all committees and split up into smaller more focused areas of responsibility.  Second is to update our Constitution & Bylaws, really no major changes, just update to match current policies that have evolved over the years.  Third, start working on a Club policy for use of the Clubhouse and the Communications Center.

Here are some thoughts on what committees and coordinators are proposed:

Clubhouse Manager -- would coordinate clubhouse events in accordance with priorities and prevent scheduling conflicts.  The Clubhouse Committee would maintain Clubhouse and make sure it is configured for meetings and other activities.

Communications Center Manager -- would be tasked with overseeing our Communications Center set up, operations and maintenance and making recommendations for improvements.  The Communications Center Committee would plan initial station design and set up and would plan Comm Center activities and oversee operations by members

Refreshments Committee Chair – (IMPORTANT) would coordinate Refreshments Committee to provide refreshments for the meetings and other Clubhouse activities.

Technical Committee Chair -- would be tasked with coordinating a Technical Committee of technically skilled members to maintain the Clubhouse/Communications Center equipment, the repeater systems, the Field Day gear and any other BARC technical systems.

Public Service Coordinator -- would be the contact person and coordinator of BARC’s support for the parades (Sugar Maple Festival, Lions Club Festival) and any other such events.  Also, I would like to see BARC offer demonstrations and activities for groups such as Boy Scout , Girl Scout, Middle and High School students, Lions clubs, Veterans in rehab, Senior Citizens and Retirement Centers.  Could be joint effort with the Education Chair in getting these groups here.

 

Education Chair -- would be tasked with setting up educational opportunities for BARC members and others (ham radio and related topics; possibly FEMA and first aid courses); would work with other ham clubs and groups in Greene County to jointly sponsor amateur radio licensing courses. I would like to see the Education Committee compile and maintain a list of educational credits accomplished by BARC members.

Antenna Systems Committee Chair – would be tasked with organizing and coordinating a Committee (crew) of BARC members capable of erecting antenna support structures and installing and maintaining BARC’s antennas systems and associated equipment.

Field Day Chair – would be tasked with planning and organizing the annual Field Day activity, appointing functional coordinators and motivating BARC members and others to participate to assure a Fun, safe and productive Field Day event.

Planning Committee – would consist of Club Officers and Chairperson of each Committee to meet periodically as called by BARC President to consider BARC goals and proposed activities.

Goals:

1.     Fill all Chair positions by end of January, 2010.

2.     Complete appointment of respective committee members by February 18, 2010 BARC meeting.

3.     Present and vote on a Clubhouse/Comm Center Use Policy at the March meeting.

4.     Schedule first Quarterly Planning Committee meeting for April, 2010.

5.     Complete Clubhouse redecorating/refurbishing (TBD) by July 1, 2010.

6.     Strive to achieve the Best Radio Club we can have, one we all can be proud of!

Volunteers & Feedback Requested

This is a rough draft of what I see for BARC during the coming year.  And, this vision can be polished at Club meetings with the input and blessings of Club members.  I welcome everyone’s feedback to these ideas.  Please take another look at the proposed committees and goals above and let me know where YOU would like to serve.  Please email me at: CStauter@aol.com.  BARC has a lot of good, capable people and our future progress will depend on the dedication of those most interested in being involved.

Thank You,

Chris Stauter, KD8APN

President, Bellbrook Amateur Radio Club

Minutes—December 17 Meeting

By BARC Secretary Ed Kulesa K2VEE

Attendance

There were 20 members and guests attending this first general meeting at the new Clubhouse meeting room 1B/3B. The meeting was called to order by Dave Walton, WD8GCR (substituting for John Ferguson) at 7:30PM.

Minutes

There were no corrections or additions to the October and November 2009 Minutes as published in the BARC newsletter.

Treasurer’s Report    By Dave Walton, WD8GCR

Balance as of	11/05/2009	12/05/2009
General Fund	613.29	656.78
Clubhouse Fund	53.03	2,689.63
Total	666.32	3,346.41

Clubhouse Committee

Seven BARC members responded to Jim Lusk’s call for a work party to prepare the way for the final move to  the new clubhouse room.  See the December newsletter for more details.

Repester Report        by Henry Bussey, W8TOG

Henry reported some noise trouble with the 147.045 repeater. This was reduced by adjusting the squelch pluc some other repeater site anomalies.

Public Service            by Chris Stauter, KD8APN

No near term activities are in planning.

New Business

This is the meeting at which elections for the officers of BARC for the coming year.  As there were no additional nominees for any of the posts in the club, Ken Gunton moved to close the nominations.

Henry Bussey motioned that all the candidates be elected as a group by acclimation.  When put to a vote, there were 19 yes votes and 1 negative vote. The officers were, thus, elected.

Dave Walton then motioned that the officers be sworn in  by acclimation – this was seconded by Henry Bussey and was then unanimously passed by the members.

The new officers are:

President              Chris Stauter, KD8APN

Vice President      Darryl Fowler, KD8JQE

Secretary             Ed Kulesa, K2VEE

Treasurer             Dave Walton, KD8GCR

Senior Director     Jim Lusk, KC8EFD

Junior Director     John King, KA8OYH

Other

Following the elections, Gerd, WB8IFM presented several items of technical interest to the group.

After that, the club members rolled up their sleeves to move the remaining ham equipment and other items from the old meeting room (2B) to the new clubhouse (1B/3B).

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15PM.

2^nd Annual BARC Holiday Lunch

Twenty-some BARC members, spouses and guests enjoyed the fun, food and fellowship of BARC’s second Annual Holiday Lunch on Wednesday, December 30, at Marion’s Pizza in Beavercreek.  The event began as attendees arrived between 11:00 and 11:30 AM and ended around 1:30 PM.  There will be a 3^rd annual BARC Holiday Lunch next year so plan now to be there!!

Beavercreek Resolution 5K Run

Several BARC members participated in the ham radio support for the 24^th Annual Beavercreek Resolution 5K Run New Year’s Eve.  A total of 47 hams provided safety and logistics communications support and helped light the course with their vehicle headlights during the race.

34^th Annual BARC Dinner Meeting

The 34^th Annual BARC Dinner Meeting will be at 6:30 PM on the regular 3^rd Thursday meeting night in March.  Be sure to mark March 18 on your 2010 calendar and invite your spouse/significant other.

Ed has reserved a banquet room at Der Dutchman  Restaurant in Waynesville.  He will provide further information about the menu, cost and other details as the time gets closer.  Plan now to be there and enjoy another occasion for BARC’s fun, food and fellowship.

BARC 2010 Dues Are Now Payable

About 30 BARC members have renewed their membership for 2010.  Our Treasurer anticipates there are 10-15 others who have yet to renew.  So, this is a friendly reminder that if you have not yet renewed for 2010, you are encouraged to do so at the January meeting or send your check via mail to:

Dave Walton KD8GCR

BARC Treasurer

PO Box 73

Bellbrook OH 45305

·     Annual dues are $15 per member and $3 for each additional family members living at the same address.

·     The free membership for new hams extends for one year from the end of the month in which the first license is granted by the FCC.  The Treasurer will send a reminder to these people whose renewal will occur during the year.

·     2009 memberships become delinquent after the February meeting.  The 2010 BARC Directory will include all members who have renewed or joined by March 1.

Dues help support club activities such as the Clubhouse, the repeaters, Field Day expenses, guest dinners at the annual dinner meeting, and other purchases and activities as decided by the Club during the year.

BARC 2010 Membership Directory

When you pay your 2010 BARC Membership Dues, please make sure the BARC Treasurer has all of your current contact information.  This includes name, call sign, license class, street address, email address, home phone number, cell phone number, work phone number, and any other pertinent contact information.

Please include ALL of this information for club records but indicate any information you do not want published in a club roster to be distributed to all members.  Send information to BARC Treasurer, Dave Walton KD8GCR, at:

DaveNKate@ameritech.net.  Thank you.

Greene County ARES

The next Greene County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (GCARES) meeting will be January 25 (fourth Monday), 7:30 PM, in the Training Room at Beavercreek Township Fire Station 1 (Dayton-Xenia Road just west of Orchard Lane).  All Greene County hams are encouraged to be Active members of GCARES.

The agenda items will be included in a meeting announcement to be issued around mid-January.

Greene County License Courses

The Greene County Spring 2010 Amateur Radio License Courses will start Sunday, February 14, at 7:00 PM.  The Technician Class and General Class courses will conclude Sunday, April 11 and the Extra Class course will end on Sunday, April 18.  There will be no classes Easter Sunday, April 4. The Test Session will be held Sunday, April 18, at 6:00 PM.

These courses are sponsored jointly by the three Greene County amateur radio clubs (BARC, UVARC and XWARN) and GCARES.

ARRL Discounted Membership Offer

BARC members may become an ARRL member or renew an existing ARRL membership at a discounted rate.  BARC is an ARRL affiliated club and receives a commission for ARRL memberships transacted through the club.  BARC passes on this discount as a club membership benefit in order to promote ARRL membership.  Please contact the Treasurer for details.

Hamvention 2010

This is just an early reminder to mark your calendar for May 14-15-16, 2010 for Dayton Hamvention.

DARA can always use additional volunteers to help run the Hamvention event.  Check out the Hamvention website at www.hamvention.org  for more information.  Volunteers receive a free Hamvention ticket and possibly a parking pass depending how much time is volunteered.

 

 

 

 

 

BARC  CALENDAR   (all times are local)

 

JANUARY  2010
21	BARC Regular Monthly Meeting, 1930
25	GCARES Meeting, 1930, BTFD Station 1

 

FEBRUARY  2010
14	GC License Courses Begin
18	BARC Regular Monthly Meeting, 1930
22	GCARES Meeting, 1930, BTFD Station 1

 

MARCH  2010
18	BARC 34th Annual Dinner Meeting, 1830   (Location & details to follow)
21-27	Ohio Severe Weather Awareness Week
22	GCARES Meeting, 1930, BTFD Station 1
24	Tornado Safety Drill—Weather  Net

 

APRIL  2010
15	BARC Regular Monthly Meeting, 1930
26	GCARES Meeting, 1930, BTFD Station 1

 

MAY  2010
20	BARC Regular Monthly Meeting, 1930
24	GCARES Meeting, 1930, BTFD Station 1

 

JUNE  2010
17	BARC Regular Monthly Meeting, 1930
26-27	BARC/ARRL Field Day Exercise Shelter #1, Sackett Wright Park
-------	NO GCARES Meeting This Month

 

JULY  2010
04	Happy Birthday BARC – 34 years old
15	BARC Regular Monthly Meeting, 1930
25	GCARES Level 1 ARECCourse (1)
-------	NO GCARES Meeting This Month

 

AUGUST  2010
01	GCARES Level 1 ARECCourse (2)
08	GCARES Level 1 ARECCourse (3)
21	Bellbrook Lions Festival Parade (BARC Public Service Event)
15	GCARES Level 1 ARECCourse (4)
20	BARC Regular Monthly Meeting, 1930
22	GCARES Level 1 ARECCourse (5)
23	GCARES Meeting, 1930, BTFD Station 1
29	GCARES Level 1 ARECC Test Session

 

SEPTEMBER  2010
12	GC License Courses Begin
16	BARC Regular Monthly Meeting, 1930
18	USAF Marathon, WPAFB
19	ARRL Ohio Section Conference, 0800 Ohio Fire Academy, Reynoldsburg OH
19	GCARA Hamfest, Cincinnati, 0800-1500
27	GCARES Meeting, 1930, BTFD Station 1

 

OCTOBER  2010
02	GCARES Simulated Emergency Test
21	BARC Regular Monthly Meeting, 1930
25	GCARES Meeting, 1930, BTFD Station 1

 

NOVEMBER  2010
06-07	BARC—November Sweepstakes CW
18	BARC Regular Monthly Meeting, 1930
20-21	BARC—November Sweepstakes Phone
22	GCARES Meeting, 1930, BTFD Station 1