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Published on Leave a comment on FLARC Membership Meeting Minutes – March 18th 2025

Four Lakes Amateur Radio Club Membership Meeting
March 18th 2025

Meeting called to order at 19:30 by Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO.

Motion to approve the minutes as published of the February 2025 meeting by Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE. Seconded by Doug Speer, W5WTX, all in favor.

Treasurers report submitted and read by Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE. Current checking account balance is $5,993.88. Certificate of Deposit is $2,022.07. Fifty four paid members with $1,218 dues collected year to date. Motion to approve the Treasurers Report by Emily Nobile, KD9YHF. Seconded by Marshall Alworth, AC9VV, all in favor.

Bragging Rights and Call Sign Changes
Jeff Fillian, KC9UNZ, upgraded to Extra Class.
Thomas Murphy, W1NC, operated the WI QSO Party from New Glarus Woods State Park in Green County and earned 12,880 points operating QRP Portable.
Thomas Baden, AC9BJ, and Barry Arneson, K8SD, operated the WI QSO Party from Lafayette County.
Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW, and Ann Reh, KD9ZUE, operated the WI QSO Party from the UW Space Place Amateur Radio Center and made 211 QSOs and 46 counties operating Multi Operator, Multi Transmitter.
Patrick McCauley, NT9A, operated the WI QSO Party from Dane County and made over 100 QSOs and 38 counties.
Mathew Toussaint, KD9DZT, operated the WI QSO Party from Dane County and made 59 QSOs.
Thomas Murphy, W1NC, achieved a Central Division record in the 2024 ARRL September VHF Contest with a score of 190 operating Single Operator Portable Analog Only.
Mathew Toussaint, KD9DZT, made a 10m FM contact with KJ6ER in California.

VE Report for March 2025
Eight volunteer examiners in attendance.
Nine candidates resulting in two new Technician Class licenses, one new General Class license, two upgrades to General Class and two upgrades to Extra Class.

Old Business
The Madison Area Repeater Association Hamfest is on April 26th at the Mandt Community Center in Stoughton and begins at 8AM. If you are interested in volunteering at the hamfest, ether Friday night to set up or during the hamfest starting at 6AM. This is the only fundraiser to support the MARA repeaters.

ARRL Field Day Zoom planning meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of March and May of 2025.
Zoom invitation links will be sent via the club QST and FD-Ops email lists.

Jeff Fillian, KC9UNZ, will be taking over the Horribly Hilly Hundreds bike ride from Tom Pugh, W9TDP.

The annual club foxhunt will be in August. Please get in touch if you are interested in participating.

The June club meeting will be at Badger Prairie County Park instead of UW Space Place at 7PM.

New Business
None

Presentation
Patrick McCauley, NT9A – ARRL's Logbook of the World

Motion to adjourn at 19:55 by Thomas Murphy, W1NC. Seconded by Paul Toussaint, N9VWH, all in favor.

Members and Guests in attendance
Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO
Ann Reh, KD9ZUE
Doug Speer, W9WTX
Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW
Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE
Thomas Murphy, W1NC
Emily Nobile, KD9YHF
Jeff Fritsche, KE9CQP
Wil Cox, WA9MCV
Paul Anderson, WB9QVV
Jim Lattis, K9REO
Marshall Alworth, AC9VV
Melinda Soares
Patrick McCauley, NT9A
Jeff Fillian, KC9UNZ
Mathew Toussaint, KD9DZT
Tom Pugh, W9TDP
Paulette Quick, WB9VHF
Sam Rowe, KN9NG
Jim Hill, KA9SSI
Kevin Graniero, KF9AQ
Dave Horton

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Four Lakes Amateur Radio Club Membership Meeting
February 18th 2025

Meeting called to order at 19:33 by Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO.

Motion to approve the minutes as published of the January 2025 meeting by Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE. Seconded by Jim Patch, WA9LJK, all in favor.

Treasurers report submitted and read by Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE. Current checking account balance is $5,782.92. Certificate of Deposit is $2,022.07 and $19.40 in the PayPal account. Motion to approve the Treasurers Report by Joe Senulis, N9TWA. Seconded by Jim Patch, WA9LJK, all in favor.

VE Report for February 2025
Six volunteer examiners in attendance.
Five candidates resulting in two new Technician Class licenses, one new General Class licenses, one upgrade to General Class and one upgrade Extra Class.

Old Business
Patrick McCauley, NT9A, reports seven responses to the presentation questionnaire.

The Dark Skies Severe Weather Seminar is March 8th at Madison College. FLARC will be hosting a table to introduce visitors to the club.

The Wisconsin QSO Party is March 9th. Thomas Baden, AC9BJ, will be operating from Lafayette County.

New Business
None

Presentation
Fred Glenn, K9SO – Remote Radio Solutions

Motion to adjourn at 19:55 by Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE. Seconded by Joe Senulis, N9TWA, all in favor.

Members and Guests in attendance
Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO
Donald Cassarini, K2PD
Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE
Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW
Joe Senulis, N9TWA
Emily Noble, KD9YHF
Paulette Quick, WB9VHF
Greg Martin, KE9CMQ
Tom Pugh, W9TDP
Marc Bellazzini, N9WIB
Patrick McCauley, NT9A
Dick Strassburger, N9EEE
Marshall Alworth, AC9VV
Jeffrey Whalin, KC9JOB
Sam Rowe, KN9NG
Fred Glenn, K9SO
Nathan Banks, KC9HYY
Rick Cannon, KC9UJO
Kevin Drissel, N9OIG
Robin Mather, WB9COW
Thomas Baden, AC9BJ
Craig Talley, KD9UQE
Thomas Murphy, WN1C
Ann Reh KD9ZUE
Dale Webler, AB9DW
William Greaves, K9GN
Rick Schaber, KB9SIG

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2025 FLARC Annual Business Minutes
January 21st, 2025

Meeting called to order at 19:30 by Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO.

Bragging Rights, Call Sign Changes and Silent Keys
Lloyd Berg, N9LB, passed away on January 3rd. Lloyd was an active member of the Four Lakes Amateur Radio Club, Madison DX Club, Northern Lights Radio Society, Central States VHF and Badger Contesters. He operated experimental low band, up to microwave at his home station in Oregon WI.
Thomas Murphy, WN1C, scored 369 points in the ARRL January VHF contest. He also recently confirmed Paraguay for DXCC.
Patrick Mccauley, KD9ZKI, Passed General and Extra and is now NT9A.
Larry Waldhart, KD9VTR, passed 100 DXCC entries using FT8.

Motion to approve the minutes as published of the January 2025 meeting by William LaFrance, N9KCE. Seconded by Thomas Baden, AC9BJ, all in favor.

Treasurers report submitted and read by Andy Koch, AC9CB. Current checking account balance is $4,943.15. Certificate of Deposit is $2,022.07. Liability insurance payment was tendered and we received a generous donation from Kevin Graniero, KF9AQ, of $250 for equipment fund use. Motion to approve the Treasurers Report by Thomas Murphy, WN1C. Seconded by Patrick McCauley, NT9A, all in favor.

VE Report for January 2025
Six volunteer examiners in attendance.
Five candidates resulting in four new General Class licenses and one new Extra Class license.

Old Business

2025 Board of Directors Nominations
Motion to remove from the table nominations for the 2025 FLARC Board of Directors by Thomas Baden, AC9BJ. Seconded by Sam Rowe, KN9NG, all in favor.

No additional nominations.

Motion to close nominations by Sam Rowe, KN9NG. Seconded by Gary Muskat, KA9SRM, all in favor.

Motion to move to accept, by General Consent, the following members as Offices and Directors of the Club by Thomas Baden, AC9BJ, Seconded by Gary Muskat, KA9SRM, all in favor.

President
Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO
Vice President
Thomas Murphy, WN1C
Secretary
Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW
Treasurer
Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE
Directors at Large
Ann Reh KD9ZUE
Patrick McCauley, KD9ZKI
Larry Waldhart, KD9VTR

Opportunities
Patrick McCauley, NT9A, will be the clubs new program manager. Please contact him regarding presentation subjects you would like to see, or are able to present on a subject.

FLARC will be hosting a special meeting at Wisconsin Emergency Management and the state EOC on Tuesday February 04th. If you wish to attend, please contact Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO, and provide the required information for a background check. Additional information will be sent directly to members who are attending.

ARRL Field Day planning committee virtual meeting was on January 7th. The next will be on March 4th. Everyone is welcome to participate.

The Wisconsin QSO party is March 9th. Thomas Baden, AC9BJ, plans to operate from Lafayette County Wisconsin using the Club call sign and Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW, may operate from UW Space Place using the SPARC call sign.

The Madison Area Repeater Association annual hamfest is in Stoughton WI on April 26th. Volunteers are needed for setup the evening before, during the hamfest and with tear down/cleanup afterwards. Please contact Paul Anderson, WB9QVV, if you are able to assist.

• Tri County Hamfest Jefferson WI March 17, 2024
• MARA Hamfest Stoughton WI April 26, 2025 [Paul WB9QVV]
• Field Day Planning Zoom May 6, 2025 [Matt NM9O]
• Dayton Hamvention Dayton OH May 16-18, 2025
• TREK 100 Jun 07, 2025 [John n9guu@hotmail.com]
• Horribly Hilly Hundreds June 14, 2025 [Tom W9TDP]
• ARRL Field Day June 28/29, 2025 [Matt NM9O]
• Dairyland Dare August 02, 2025 [Luke KC9IFF]
• FLARC Fox Hunt August 19, 2025
• Bike the Barns Sept 21, 2025 [Jeff KC9UNZ]

New Business
The club is still looking for a VE Liaison.

ARRL Field Day Planning committee Zoom meetings are January 7th, March 4th and May 6th at 7:30pm. Zoom invitation links will be sent via the club QST and FD-Ops email lists. A sign up will be provided for time windows to operate as well as for the Saturday evening picnic. Kevin Graniero, KF9AQ, has again offered to provide dinner for us. The club will send out a Google form for both dinner and for when interested parties would be willing to help setup, operate and tear down.
Patrick McCauley, NT9A, will be sending out a survey to ascertain what program ideas members are interested in.

Motion to adjourn at 19:55 by William LaFrance, N9KCE. Seconded by Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW, all in favor.

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Four Lakes Amateur Radio Club Membership Meeting
December 17th 2024

Meeting called to order at 19:30 by Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO.

Bragging Rights and Call Sign Changes
Patrick Mccauley, KD9ZKI, Passed General and Extra and awaiting new call sign.
Thomas Murphy, WN1C, 10m ARRL Contest Single Operator QRP 21,370 points via 167 QSOs.
Thomas Baden, AC9BJ, Illinois QSO Party Single Operator QRP Portable 4th place with 60,690 points.

Motion to approve the minutes as published of the November 2024 meeting by Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW. Seconded by Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE, all in favor.

Treasurers report submitted and read by Andy Koch, AC9CB. Current checking account balance is $4,838.65. Recently we have had holiday party and some equipment purchase reimbursements. Certificate of Deposit is $2,000. Motion to approve the Treasurers Report by Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE. Seconded by Larry Waldhart, KD9VTR, all in favor.

2025 Budget Proposal
Income Projected $2,120; Expenses Projected $2,910.
Motion to approve the Treasurers Report by Thomas Murphy, WN1C. Seconded by William LaFrance, N9KCE, all in favor.

VE Report for December 2024
Seven volunteer examiners in attendance.
Nine candidates resulting in one new Technician Class license, seven new General Class licenses and one new one Extra Class license.

Opportunities
Winter Field Day - January 25/26, 2025
Madison Area Repeater Association Hamfest, Stoughton WI - April 26, 2025
ARRL Field Day - June 28-29, 2025

Old Business
2024 Bylaws Revision
Motion to approve the 2024 Bylaws Revision by Patrick McCauley, KD9ZKI. Seconded by Mike Birch, KD9BDL, all in favor.

2024 Holiday Party
34 members and guests in attendance.

Club Equipment Manager
Patrick McCauley, KD9ZKI, volunteered for the position.

ARRL Field Day Zoom planning meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of January, March and May of 2025.
Zoom invitation links will be sent via the club QST and FD-Ops email lists.

New Business
2025 Board of Directors Nominations
Motion to open nominations for the 2025 FLARC Board of Directors by Thomas Murphy, WN1C. Seconded by Larry Waldhart, KD9VTR.
President
Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO
Vice President
Thomas Murphy, WN1C
Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW. Declined
Secretary
Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW
Treasurer
Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE
Directors at Large
Ann Reh, KD9ZUE
Patrick McCauley, KD9ZKI
Larry Waldhart, KD9VTR
Motion to table nominations until closed at the Annual Business Meeting by Thomas Murphy, WN1C. Seconded by Thomas Baden, AC9BJ, all in favor.

Dues for 2025 are payable in January. $25 for Regular Member, $20 for Senior, $14 for Same Household Regular Member. Payable via cash, check or Paypal to Andy Koch, AC9CB. Contact Andy at treasurer@w9jz.org with comments and questions.

Motion to adjourn at 20:15 by Larry Waldhart, KD9VTR. Seconded by Ann Reh KD9ZUE, all in favor.

Members and Guests in attendance
Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO
Donald Cassarini, K2PD
Ann Reh KD9ZUE
Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW
Paul Anderson, WB9QVV
Larry Waldhart, KD9VTR
Doug Speer, W5WTX
Marshall Alworth, AC9VV
William LaFrance, N9KCE
Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE
Thomas Murphy, WN1C
Mike Birch, KD9BDL
Sam Rowe, KN9NG
Kevin Graniero, KF9AQ
Thomas Baden, AC9BJ
Paulette Quick, WB9VHF
Patrick McCauley, KD9ZKI
Marc Bellazzini N9WIB

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Four Lakes Amateur Radio Club Membership Meeting
February 20th 2024

Meeting called to order at 7:30pm CST by Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO.

Motion to approve the minutes of the January 2024 meeting by Thomas Baden, AC9BJ. Seconded by Thomas Murphy, WN1C. All in favor.

Treasurers report submitted by Andy Koch, AC9CB and read by Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO. Current checking account balance is $7,690.41. In December we received two donations to the club. Insurance and reimbursements have been paid and all expenses up to date. Motion to approve the Treasurers Report by Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW. Seconded by Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE. All in favor.

VE Report for February
Seven volunteer examiners in attendance.
Eight candidates resulting in six new Technician Class licenses and one new General Class license.
A testing and licensing opportunity will be at the upcoming MARA Hamfest on April 13th.

Bragging Rights and Call Sign Changes
Thomas Baden, AC9BJ, received the 2023 Missouri QSO Party First Place in Wisconsin award.
Ehren Hasz, new call sign K8CQ

ARRL Field Day will be at Badger Prairie County Park for 2024. Jeffrey Fillian, KC9UNC, has offered to manage publicity of the event.

The Madison Area Repeater Association Hamfest will be April 13th, 8:00AM – 12:00PM. If you are available to assist MARA with operating of the hamfest, including setup the preceding evening as well as tear down, contact Paul Anderson, WB9QVV, or Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO. FLARC will also have a table at the hamfest. If you are available to assist please let Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO, know. FLARC has also donated two annual memberships to be raffled as a door prize.

The Wisconsin QSO Party is March 10th, 2024. Thomas Baden, AC9BJ, Barry Arneson, K8SD, and Matt Okeson-Harlow, NM9O, will be operating the Wisconsin QSO Party in Shawano County as W9S. If anyone is interested in operate at UW Space Place as a multi operator station, contact Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW.

Sam Rowe, KG9NG, announced that the annual Dark Skies severe weather seminar will be held on February 24th at MATC from 9:00 AM – 4:00PM.
Presentation by Thomas Murphy, WN1C, about portable operating along with a show and tell of equipment.

Discussion from Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO, about the future of the club.

Motion to adjourn by Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW. Seconded by Paulette Quick, WB9VHF.
Members and Guests in attendance:
Steve Ujvarosy, W9GZO
Frederick Baguhn, W9GOC
Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW
Thomas Murphy, WN1C
Josef Hladik
Paulette Quick, WB9VHF
Sam Rowe, KG0NG
Sam Ledbetter, KI5POE
Wil Cox, WA9MCV
Jackie Schellberg, KJ5DKX
Joe Senulis, N9TWA
Emily Noble, KD9YHF
Thomas Baden, AC9BJ
Jay Jaeger, W9IYN
Richard Manner, KG0XO
Ted Gisske, K9IMM
Larry Waldhart, KD9VTR
Mike Birch, KD9BDL
Lloyd Berg, N9LB
Bob Satterfield, K9GJ
Kevin Graniero, KF9AQ
Jim Long, N9EET
Ehren Hasz, K8CQ
Bob Seaquist, W9LSE
Jason Penn, N9RPT

Submitted by Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW

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In conjunction with this year's ARRL Field Day, the Four Lakes Amateur Radio Club is hosting a picnic and social on June 24th. Please join us at Badger Prairie County Park in Verona for dinner and say hello to everyone you have not seen for a while. Dinner will be served at 5PM.

Compliments of our great grill master Kevin, KF9AQ, FLARC will be providing the standard fare including hamburgers and brats along with vegetarian offerings and assorted side dishes and soft drinks.

As for deserts, we are asking for a few people to step up and bring a few options. If you are willing, please let me know.

So we have an idea on what to bring, we are asking for a RSVP by June 20th. This is the day of the FLARC June meeting at Badger Prairie Park where we will go over final ARRL Field Day preparations for the weekend. Simply send Nicholas, KB9SKW, an email with your information.

Of course this is ARRL Field Day. All are encouraged to pick up a microphone or key and operate the contest. We will begin setup at 8am, start operating at 1pm and run 24 hours until 1pm on Sunday the 25th with a tear town to follow.

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The September membership meeting is approaching. Please join us on September 20th in welcoming Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, to our club. He will be presenting on low band propagation and the advantages of digital modes like JT65 and FT8 over SSB and CW.

Carl has a long and storied history in amateur radio. He received his novice license in 1961 and has been interested in propagation since attending Purdue University and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1969 and a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1972. After school he worked as an RF design engineer for Motorola and Raytheon designing solid state RF power amplifiers.

You may remember his name and call sign from the pages of CQ magazine, where he wrote the monthly Practical Propagation column and continues writing to this day publishing his work online. In 2016 he was appointed ARRL Central Division Vice Director and moved up to Director in 2021. He has served as National Contest Journal editor from 2002 until 2007 and has also published in QST and other publications.

As always we will have the meeting room open early, stop by and chat with other members beforehand. The program will start at 7:30 with a question and answer session for Carl to follow. After this we will have our normal business meeting, discussing activities, events and so forth.

If you would like to attend our Zoom meeting, please email us at zoom@w9jz.org and we will be happy to send you an invitation.

Nicholas Lager, KB9SKW

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In lieu of a regular June meeting, FLARC generally meets at Badger Prairie County Park to discuss last minute Field Day issues. We are not hosting a Field Day this year but that does not mean we will not be meeting at Badger Prairie.

Instead join FLARC at the park on Tuesday June 21st for an on foot transmitter hunt!

This transmitter hunt will demonstrate basic and advanced methods of transmitter hunting using nothing more than a simple 2m handheld radio as well as specialized receivers and directional antennas.
Bring your equipment, be that just your hand held radio or something fancier and give it a shot.