Four Lakes Amateur Radio Club Membership Meeting
July 21st 2026
Meeting called to order at 19:37 by Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO.
Motion to approve the minutes as published of the May 2026 meeting by Doug Speer, W5WTX. Seconded by Tom Bouril, W9MWI, all in favor.
Treasurers report submitted and read by Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE.
Current checking account balance is $4490.25 Certificate of Deposit rolled over, 13 months at 2.75%. Seventy one paid members with $1,589 dues collected year to date. Motion to approve the Treasurers Report by Doug Speer, W5WTX. Seconded by Joe Grant, KK9TT, all in favor.
Bragging Rights and Call Sign Changes
Doug Spear, W5WTX, second place in the December 2025 ARRL 160m contest.
Doug Spear, W5WTX, second place in the December 2025 ARRL 10m contest. Unlimited low power CW
Doug Speer, W5WTX, received QSL card from the March 2026 Bovet Island DXpedition. Doug has Bovet Island on confirmed on all HF bands except 15 and 60 meters.
VE Report for July 2026
Ten volunteer examiners in attendance.
Two candidates resulting in one new Technician Class license and one upgrade to General Class.
VE Report for June 2026
Twelve volunteer examiners in attendance.
Five candidates resulting in four new Technician Class licenses and one reinstated Extra Class.
Old Business
ARRL Field Day 2026
Compared to ARRL Field Day 2025, we completed 860 QSOs vs 600. With 1990 bonus points earned in 2026, vs 1070 bonus points last year. 5,040 points in total, which is an increase of 56% increase over 2025.
We had 77 visitors signed in, plus more that did not register.
Lots of kids in attendance of the GOTA station.
Attendance from invited guests was up compared to 2025.
Doug Speer, W5WTX, mentioned antenna performance was better than 2025 year. Four transmitters online at any given time.
Craig Uselman, KM9K, mentioned he thought the operation was well received by visitors. He highlighted the GOTA and MeshCore demo and that visitors were interested in these.
Doug Speer, W5WTX, mentioned the power was better, with no loss of power over the course of the event. We still had issues with donated PC’s not having login passwords. All stations should be setup with headsets so they operate hands free.
Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO, mentioned Schumacher Farm Park destroyed the damage check. In the future we need to focus on brining only the hardware that is needed.
Jeff Fritsche, KE9CQP, mentioned we need a better exit plan next year.
What is next year’s FD going to be? Do we want to keep it like what we did in 2026 or revert to a simpler event like previous years?
Dustin Westaby, KC9CJV, mentioned visitors to the MeshCore tent were steady thought-out Saturday.
Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW, mentioned that there were no obvious safety issues.
We need to answer at the September meeting, what do we want to do next year.
Doug Speer, W5WTX, mentioned everyone should watch N3AO, The Last Big Field Day.
We will continue to meet at Oakwood Village through 2026 at $25 per meeting while we continue to look at other options.
Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW, stated that instead of a mobile fox hunt, the club will conduct an on foot fox hunt for 2026.
Motion to adjourn by Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE. Seconded by Doug Speer, W5WTX, all in favor.