3^rd Thursday, 21 October 2010

6:30 PM

BARC Clubhouse & Communications Center

Sugarcreek Elementary School, Room 1 Lower Level

51 South East Street, Bellbrook

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

BARC Activities Coordinator Todd Rardon KD8LCW proposed at the September meeting that we gather an hour earlier for the October meeting for a Chili Supper.

Actually, this will be more of a social gathering from 6:30 to 8:00 PM

with a very brief meeting at 8:00 PM.

This proposal was an immediate hit and several members volunteered to make chili and several others were overheard offering to bring other goodies to complement

the meal (such as cornbread and cookies and probably some other surprises).

By Fred Stone for BARC Secretary Ed Kulesa K2VEE who was out of town at meeting time

The meeting was called to order by Club president Chris Stauter (KD8APN), around 7:30 PM. There were 20 club members and 1 guest present. The club welcomed Emil Constantine KC8HYK who attended as a guest of Jack Cotterman.

This month’s program was presented by several BARC members during a very interesting Show & Tell session.

Presenters were Tim Procuniar N8NQH (reconstructing deteriorated tower base); Jack Cotterman W8NRO (new tower and antenna project recently completed with the help of several BARC members); Russ Roysden N8NPT (VHF/ UHF mobile installation); Jay Hain K9GUB (HF/VHF/ UHF antenna project and recent call sign change); Henry Bussey W8TOG (constructing a 6m beam from old antenna elements); and Gerd Schrick WB8IFM (linear amplifier modifications and upgrades). Thank you to all for sharing these recent experiences and accomplishments.

There were no corrections, additions or deletions to the minutes of the August BARC meeting. The August 2010 minutes were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report By Dave Walton, KD8GCR

* Restricted Funds for Comm Center antenna system components.

The August Treasurer’s report was approved by vote from the Club membership present.

No current BARC public service events.

Clubhouse Committee By Darryl Fowler, KD8JQE

Darryl reports that the next committee meeting is scheduled for October 7. Discussion will continue on the antenna system and selection of a librarian.

Education By Fred Stone, W8LLY

Fred reported that the jointly sponsored Greene County License courses began September 12 and will continue through November 7. The license test session is scheduled for September 14.

The Extra Class course currently has 8 students with 16 students in the General Class course and 7 students in the Technician Class course.

The subject of refreshment was discussed regarding whether we really wanted to have refreshments and, if so, the scope and cost. Fred Stone moved that we discontinue donuts and have a standard "menu" of pre-packaged snacks, soft drinks and coffee and a "kitty" into which members can donate the "menu price" for snacks and drinks consumed. Menu prices are anticipated at around 50 cents for soft drinks and snacks but can be adjusted as appropriate. The motion was seconded by Jack Cotterman. After some further discussion, the motion was approved.

Activity Coordinator Todd Rardon suggested having a Chili Supper prior to the October meeting. This was an immediate hit and several members volunteered to make a pot of chili. Several others offered to bring other items to complement the mea;--such as crackers, cheese, onions, corn bread, cookies, etc. A 6:30 PM starting time was set for this event.

Fred Stone reminded everyone about the Bellbrook Fire Department Open House at BFD Station 2 on Tuesday 5 October from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. BARC has participated in this event for many years and Fred proposed that the Club support the Open House again this year. Fred said he would be happy to coordinate BARC’s participation. Jack Cotterman. Todd Rardon and Chris Stauter offered to help.

The meeting was adjourned around 9:10 PM

Several BARC members set up and manned a BARC display table at the Bellbrook Fire Department Open House at BFD Station 2 on Tuesday 5 October from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. BARC has participated in this event for a number of years.

Ed Kulesa set up the BARC display around 5:30 PM and helped man the display along with Jack Cotterman. Todd Rardon and Chris Stauter. During the evening, a number of other BARC members visited the Open House

A big thank you to all who helped man the display and those who visited. Please be aware that the Fire Department really appreciates BARC’s participation and continuing support each year.

BARC members supported the Greene County ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on Saturday morning from 1000 to apx 1100 EDT by activating four Bellbrook and Sugarcreek strategic sites.

Ray Hitt N8VMX activated K8BOC at the City of Bellbrook EOC located in the police training room in the Bellbrook City Building. BARC has equipment staged at this location near the antenna drop.

John Widby KD8BFC and Roger Bullock KD8OSF set up the BARC staged equipment at Bellbrook Fire Station 2.

John King KA8OYH activated W8SOC at the Sugarcreek Township EOC located in the fire department training room in the Sugarcreek Township Public Safety Building which also houses the ST Police Department. The EOC has a permanently installed ham station with dualband transceiver, antenna and power supply.

Janet W8ICQ and Dick N8AFE Graham and Jim Lusk KC8EFD activated the permanently installed ham station at Sugarcreek Township Fire Station 1.

Fred Stone W8LLY activated one of the 2m/70cm stations at the BARC Emergency Communications Center and activated a Tactical Net on the BARC 2m repeater..

The SET Exercise commenced at 1000L as Janese Brooks KD8DGB activated a Resource (Logistics) Net on the XWARN 2m repeater. Janese took check ins and then instructed each station to check into the Tactical Net on the BARC 2m repeater. Fred asked several questions of each check-in to simulate tactical traffic handling.

A total of 24 stations participated in the exercise which as deemed a success SET event.

SET is an annual nationwide activity sponsored by ARRL and designated for the first weekend in October. However, local ARES unit may hold there SET Exercises anytime during September or October to coincide with possible served agency drills or to avoid conflict with other community events scheduled for the first weekend of October.

A big thank you to all who participated in this exercise and also to Bellbrook Police Chief David Helling, Bellbrook Fire Chief Scott Hall, Sugarcreek Township Fire Chief Randy Pavlak and Sugarcreek Township Police Chief Gilbert Flick who facilitated BARC’s access to the respective sites.

The next Greene County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (GCARES) meeting will be October 25 (4^th Monday), 7:30 PM. Primary business will be reporting on:

• the GDAHA amateur radio hospital drill September 27
• the GCARES 2010 GCARES Simulated Emergency Test conducted Saturday morning, October 2^nd
• the Ohio ARES District 3 EC meeting October 9
• the ARRL Ohio Section Conference & ARES Conference October 16.

All Greene County hams are invited and encouraged to attend GCARES meetings and other activities. All BARC members are welcome also.

The Greene County FALL 2010 Amateur Radio License Exam Session will be held at 6L00 PM Sunday, November 14, at Beavercreek Township Fire Station 1 on Dayton-Xenia Road just west of Orchard Lane.

These Greene County Amateur Radio License Courses and the Test Sessions are sponsored jointly by the three Greene County amateur radio clubs (BARC, UVARC and XWARN) and GCARES.

BARC members 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.