BARC Clubhouse & Communications Center

Sugarcreek Elementary School, Rooms 1 & 3 Lower Level

51 South East Street, Bellbrook

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

BARC’s 2010 Field Day Chairman will present an overall view of this year’s Field Day Plans including the Schedule, Stations—Bands—Modes, Operating & Logging Procedures, Food Plan, Bonus Points, Visitors Display & Public Relations and the functional Coordinators helping to make this another successful BARC event.

By BARC Secretary Ed Kulesa K2VEE

The May meeting was attended by 23 members and guests and was called to order at 7:35 PM by Club president Chris Stauter, KD8APN. Among the new hams and guests present were Jay Hain (KD8OBS), Jack Cotterman (W8NRO), Natinka Siwecki (KD8NUA), Arthur Siwecki (KD8NUB), Stephen Siwecki (KD8NUC), and Don Root (KD8NUF). Congrats to our newly licensed hams – we’re sure you will enjoy the years ahead of many radio adventures.

Two items were corrected for the April 15^th minutes: The adjournment time for the April 15^th meet was changed to 9:30PM and Chris Stauter’s callsign was corrected in a few places from WD8APN to KD8APN – Sorry Chris.

Treasurer’s Report By Dave Walton, WD8GCR

Due to circumstance beyond his control, Dave did not have an April Report. This report will be covered at the next BARC General meeting.

A general suggestion, relating to severing the current connection to AT&T, was placed before the membership. After a very brief discussion, John King issued a proposal to finally terminate our AT&T service. The proposal was seconded by Bob Brooks and unanimously passed in a member vote.

Dave then announced that the recent BARC 501-3c required status reporting went smoothly and the Club is in good standing.

Public Service By Darryl Fowler, KD8JQE

Darryl reported that he and Fred have been reviewing BARC’s plans for managing the Lions Festival Parade this year and those preparations for mailing out the Invitation Letters were underway. Further planning and tasks will take place after Field Day. Stay tuned and be ready to lend a hand in getting this job completed.

Clubhouse Committee Darryl Fowler, KD8JQE

The next Clubhouse Committee meeting will be held on 27 May. At the last meeting, the committee discussed designating the Clubhouse as a two-room facility – with an operating section and a meeting/training section.

The Clubhouse paint scheme has been changed to a combo of light and dark tan. Painting will begin shortly so as to be completed before our Club anniversary date.

Also decided was a setup for 4 stations with each station having a logging computer. What still has to be achieved is to establish policy for accessing and operating the club stations. The Clubhouse now has active internet service.

Station Manager Ken Gunton, W8ASA

Ken reported that the Drake TR-7 was sent to the able hands of W8PU for refurbishment and calibration.

Education By Fred Stone, W8LLY

Fred asked everyone to read the information published in the May Newsletter about the recent courses and the upcoming course to be offered in September.

Activities By Todd Rardon, KD8LCW

Todd will order refreshments for the meetings but a donation from members would be appreciated to spread out the costs.

Field Day By Fred Stone, W8LLY

Fred announced a few of the Coordinators who volunteered for specific Field Day tasks:

Antenna Systems Ed Kulesa

Power Systems Jim Lusk

Station 1—15-6-2m/70cm Gerd Schrick

Station 2—80m Fred Stone

Station 3—40m Ray Hitt

Station 4—20m Ken Gunton

Station 5—80-10m CW John Ackermann

Logging System Bob Brooks

Food Dave Walton

Transportation Chris Stauter, Jim Lusk

Youth Activities Ray Hitt

Visitors Display & PR Jack Cotterman

Signs and Banners Jim Lusk

Message Handlings Fred

Publicity & Invitations Fred

Fred Stone proposed and the Club agreed to move the August 19^th meeting up a week to the 2nd Thursday (August 12) because of the congestion associated with the Lions Club Festival activities on the school grounds on our regular meeting night.

BARC MEMBERSHIP ROSTER By Fred Stone

Every club member should have a copy of the BARC 2010 roster. Any corrections or additions should be reported to Fred.

A hearty thank you to the Bellbrook Fire Department which combined both a training exercise and a big helping hand to BARC in taking down the tower behind the old High School. The tower was offered to BARC for taking it down.

Fred has offered to donate his current collection of QST magazines (mid-1980’s-to-date) to the Club. Fred initially proposed this via the BARC Reflector and received wide consensus that we start a library in the Clubhouse once the painting is completed. Chris motioned for a proposal and Ken Gunton 2^nd the motion. It was passed by a unanimous vote. Many thanks to Fred for initiating the startup of the BARC Library and QST references. Other members have offered related technical books.

Fund Raising By Darryl Fowler, KD8JQE

Darryl reported that some restaurants donate from 10-25% of the pre-tax cost of a meal on a pre-arranged day as a fund-raiser for non-profit organizations. It was generally agreed that we should look into this further for BARC. More will be reported on this matter as opportunities develop.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:12PM.

Amateur Radio’s biggest annual operating activity is just two weeks away.

The Bellbrook Amateur Radio Club invites and encourages all of its members, prospective members and Friends of BARC to visit its 35^th annual Field Day exercise Saturday and Sunday, June 26-27, located in and around Shelter #1 at Sackett Wright Park.

As most of you already know, Field Day (FD) is an annual nationwide event in which over 2500 amateur radio clubs and groups involving over 35,000 individuals across the United States and Canada set up and operate temporary emergency-powered stations as might be required in a disaster situation.

To sharpen radio communication skills, this exercise also provides a challenge in which field day stations compete to make as many contacts with one another as possible during a 24-hour operational period.

Field Day also provides an opportunity for clubs to set up exhibits and to demonstrate for the public the various modes of communication technologies permitted in the FCC Amateur Radio Service. BARC plans to set up five operational stations demonstrating voice, Morse code and digital communications. The public will be invited to visit the site on Saturday & Sunday during daylight hours. Members and other hams are invited to attend any time (keep in mind that we always can use additional operators and loggers for the overnight and early Sunday morning shifts).

Set-up will begin around 0900 Saturday with Field Day on-air operations commencing at 1400 Saturday and continuing through 1400 Sunday. We expect the site to be secured by 1600 Sunday.

So, be sure to mark your calendars and reserve the weekend of June 26 & 27 for BARC’s annual Field Day exercise in and around Shelter #1 at Sackett-Wright Park. The Park entrance is located on SR-725 just east of Bellbrook, just east of the intersection of SR-725 and Lower Bellbrook Road.

Following is the preliminary Schedule:

Saturday, June 26

0800 Begin pickup of equipment & bulky items

Activate Talk-in Station at Site (147,045+)

0800-0900 Gathers at Site for coffee & donuts

0915 Set-up Briefing

0930 Begin Set-up

1200 Break for Lunch (1145-1245)

1345 Complete Set-up & Equipment Checkout

1400 Begin 24 hour Operational Period

1730 BARC Annual Field Day Family Picnic

1400 Conclude 24 hour Operational Period

Begin Take Down

1500 Begin return of equipment & bulky items

1545 Complete Take-down

1600 Complete Cleanup & Secure Site

80m SSB-RTTY-PSK-CW

40m SSB-RTTY-PSK-CW

20m SSB-RTTY-PSK-CW

15-10m/6m/2m/70cm SSB

80-10m CW

Remember that Field Day is NOT a contest but an operating event to set up and operate communications capabilities that might be required in a disaster situation and to exhibit and demonstrate amateur radio technologies for the general public, elected officials and personnel of served agencies, and to also involve Youth. Field Day also offers a great educational and training experience and a great opportunity for non-hams to get on-the-air and make some contacts.

BARC emphasizes Fun, Food & Fellowship in its Field Day activities. Plan now to participate!!

Both hams and non-licensed visitors to BARC’s Field Day site are invited to take a turn at operating one or more of the stations. Non-licensed visitors are permitted by FCC Rules & Regulations to do this under the guidance of a licensed amateur acting as Control Operator.

One way to get started and gain some experience is by "logging" for a station operator. You can learn by listening to what an experience operator does and then give it a try. It’s not difficult and it’s OK if you don’t do everything exactly right. That’s how you learn. So come on out and do some operating!!

The annual BARC Field Day Family Picnic will be held at the Field Day site at 5:30 PM Saturday. The Club will provide broasted chicken from Dot’s Market and participants are requested to bring a veggie, salad or dessert "covered dish" to share. BARC also will provide soft drinks, coffee and water along with plates, cups, utensils, etc. No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the Park or in the vicinity of a BARC activity.

The first edition of the BARC 2010 Membership Directory was distributed recently to current members. The Directory will be updated and redistributed by email attachment as information changes.

Friends of BARC and non-members may request specific contact information from one of the officers.

Updated Directories will be hand delivered or mailed to members who cannot conveniently receive email attachments.

The Greene County FALL 2010 Amateur Radio License Courses will begin Sunday, September 12, 7-9 PM. Locations for each of the course now have been determined.

I am pleased to report that the BARC Clubhouse and Communications Center has been identified as the new location for the Technician Class Course. This site also offers a great opportunity for demonstrating various radio principles and techniques for prospective new hams.

Beavercreek Township Fire Department Station 1 on Dayton Xenia Road already has been reserved and will be used for the General Class Course, and also for the Test Session.

Fairborn Fire Station 2, the former location of the Extra Class courses, is slated for closing due to budgetary constraints. However, Extra Class Coordinator Jim Bishop has learned that we still will be able to use that site for the Extra Class Course.

Your help is needed to help recruit prospective new hams—especially younger people. Please talk with family and friends about taking the Technician course and becoming a ham. And, all current Technician Class licensees are encouraged to upgrade to General Class.

The Fall Test Session is scheduled for November 14 at BTFD Station 1 Training Room.

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

The next Greene County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (GCARES) meeting will be August 23 (4^th Monday), 7:30 PM. All Greene County hams are encouraged to be Active members of GCARES.

There will no meetings during May, June and July. We take off May because of Hamvention, June because of Field Day and July because it’s a popular summer vacation month.

BARC members and new hams are reminded that they 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. New ARRL members receive a $15 discount on first year cost. Please contact BARC Treasurer Dave Walton KD8GCR for details.

In accordance with BARC’s Constitution & By-Laws, 2009 members become delinquent if their membership is not renewed by the February meeting.

2009 members should renew their membership by remitting the annual dues of $15 ($3 for each additional family member) to the BARC Treasurer at a meeting or by mail. You may send your check via U.S. mail to:

Dues for new embers joining during the year is $3 plus $1 for each remaining full month. Thus, a person joining in June would pay $9. Dues for additional Family Members is 25 cents for each remaining full month—currently $1.50 if paid in June).

A FREE one year BARC membership is offered to new hams for 12 months from the month in which their license was issued.