Category: Meeting

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

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

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.

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

Meeting at Space Place and Zoom

Called to order at 19:30 by Steve W9GZO

Introductions & Guests

• No guests this month.

Upgrades, Callsign Changes, and Bragging Rights

Thomas WN1C:

• June ARRL VHF 2024: SOP, Analog 1st place WI Section, 4th place W/VE 864 points
• WIPOTA 2024: QRP in park winner 550 points
• California trip in October: 6 POTA references (all qualified), 4 WWFF (KFF) references (1 qualified), and 2 SOTA summits
• POTA: James F. LaPorta N1CC Activator completed (10 parks with QSOs on 10 bands each)
• ARRL Sweepstakes SSB: SOQRP, Limited raw score 24,304 points

Thomas AC9BJ:

• Participated in IL QSO party in-state, Jo Daviess County
• WIPOTA 2024: 232 QSOs, 1392 points, 3rd place in-state despite technical difficulties

Sam KI5POE: contacted South Cook Island DXpedition FT8 80m 10W

Review of September Meeting Minutes

No corrections. Nicholas KB9SKW moved to accept, Sam KI5POE seconded. No objections. Approved

Treasurer's Report

Recent transactions includes Field Day and Web Hosting reimbursements. Shoutout to an incoming donation from Dick K9APW. Checking balance of $5259.76 plus interest-accruing funds in the CD.

Sam K2PD moved to accept report, Don seconded. No objections. Approved

Review of proposed 2025 budget entries and comparison to 2024 to-date. Current budget to date shows $290.31 surplus, but with holiday party, reimbursements, and equipment expenses coming up. Future budget currently at $775 deficit due to projected equipment expenses (likely one-time). No additional discussion. Contact Andy AC9CB (ARRL.net forwarding) or treasurer@w9jz

VE Report

5 candidates - 3 new Technicians, 1 new General, 2 upgrades to General.

We are still looking for a full-time VE Liaison. Testing takes place on the first Saturday of the month, 8 am at Space Place.

Upcoming Opportunities

• FLARC Holiday Party - December 3, 2024 at Great Dane East 6 pm!
  • Sign up by Sunday, November 24th! See the QST email list announcements.
• Winter Field Day - January 25/26, 2025 [Matt NM9O]
• Tri County Hamfest Jefferson WI - March 17, 2025
• MARA Hamfest Stoughton WI - April 26, 2025
• Dayton Hamvention Dayton OH - May 16-18, 2025
• ARRL Summer Field Day - June 28-29, 2025

Old Business

• 2024 Bylaws Update Proposal
  • Open for comments in the meeting. Request for potential for tracked edits, but this formatting was not available.
  • Comment from Tom W9TDP: announcement of Special Meetings do not have an advance notice requirement. Having said requirement (e.g. 7 days) is a common process. Discussion is positive toward having this added.
  • Summary of edits given. There may be additional typographical and formatting refinements.
  • Comment from Patrick KD9ZKI: 4.03 Vacancies, B "other that the president" typo
  • Final refinements will be worked through with the Board and the copy presented to the club on the email list.
• Another reminder to sign up for the Holiday Party! We will have door prizes as well.
• Anticipating the Winter Field Day event in Christiana, WI with indoor operating positions

New Business

• Open Positions: Secretary, Member at large, VE Liaison (ARRL VEC), Equipment Tracking Manager, Point of Contact for Local Ham Estate Advice
• ARRL Field Day Planning Team: Zoom meetings Jan, Mar, May
  • Interest for the committee was gathered, Zoom meetings to be arranged
  • Kevin is volunteering for BBQ

Announcements

Reminder that Board nominations coming up next month.

Program for November Meeting

Discussion of Bylaw proposals

Adjournment of Meeting

Adjourned at 20:31 with multiple motions.

 

Meeting at Space Place and Zoom

Called to order at 19:33 by Steve W9GZO

Introductions & Guests

• Bob, KE9BHS

Review of September Meeting Minutes

No corrections. Thomas WN1C moved to accept, Nicholas KB9SKW seconded. No objections.

Treasurer's Report

$2000 was moved into a 13-month CD with 4.5% interest rate. Recent transactions includes Dues payments received. Combined CD and checking balance is $8109.76

Nicholas KB9SKW moved to accept report, Patrick KD9ZKI seconded. No objections

VE Report

3 candidates - 1 new tech, 1 upgrade to Extra, 1 no license. Additionally one address change.

Bragging Rights

Patrick KD9ZKI made a 10m long distance contact using a modified CB antenna

Steve W9GZO got the cobweb he has up tuned

Thomas WN1C activated 2 parks during Wisconsin Parks on the Air.

Thomas AC9BJ also participated in the WI-PotA from Governor Dodge State Park but had to cut it short due to his battery not being fully charged.

Upcoming Opportunities

• Hidden Valley Hamfest, Lancaster WI - October 19, 2024
• ARES Wisconsin Convention, Wisconsin Rapids WI - November 2, 2024
• Milwaukee Repeater Club Friendly Fest - November 2, 2024
• The Fox Cities Amateur Radio Club Swapfest - November 3, 2024
• Winter Field Day - January 25/26, 2025 [Matt NM9O]
• Tri County Hamfest Jefferson WI - March 17 2025
• MARA Hamfest Stoughton WI - April 26, 2025
• ARRL Summer Field Day - June 28/29, 2025

Old Business

New Business

• Open Positions: Secretary, Member at large, VE Liaison, Equipment Tracking Manager
• Introduction to 2024 Bylaws Revision Process
  • We have not had updates since 2001 and several updates are needed to be addressed
  • Paper copies of the draft available tonight at the meeting. PDF to be circulated over the list.
  • Formal proposal will be submitted at the November meeting with voting in December
  • Objectives for modifications:
    • Ensure continued operation of club
      • Increase flexibility in elections to add electronic balloting
      • Assure ability for members to form a quorum for voting at club meetings
    • Clarify membership types and, separately, classifications for dues schedules
      • Includes striking life membership rate due to lack of use and avoiding financial administrative effort needed to manage those funds
    • Clarify details of Directors and Officers
    • Standardize language around Annual Business Meeting
    • Align references to communication so as not to conflict with the increased use and availability of technology since the prior revision
    • Address potential typographical errors accumulated due to revisions and transcriptions of previous texts
    • Confirm Not For Profit status of club corporation in the Purpose text (we are not currently a registered Non-Profit corporation)
• Holiday Party Planning {tentative Dec 3rd 6-9pm}
  • Interest survey has been sent to QST. If you would like to attend the party, please complete the survey by tomorrow.
  • Current proposal is $18/person with a choice of 4 meals. May need to adjust plan depending on number of interested members
• Winter Field Day Planning
• Summer Field day Planning Team: Zoom meetings Jan, Mar, May
  • Interest for the committee was gathered, Zoom meetings to be arranged
  • Kevin is volunteering for BBQ

Announcements

Illinois QSO Party is this weekend, AC9BJ will be operating from the Salem park in Illinois.

With solar flares, any recent contacts? Thomas made one 6-meter contact. VHF activity has been high with aurora bounce. HF has been a struggle with noise. However the Badger Emergency Net (40m daytime) was strong today following the storm.

Program for October Meeting

Antenna Tuning & equipment

YouTube Video - Electronics for the Inquisitive Experimenter: What is an Antenna Tuner and what does it do for me?

Show-n-tell with manual tuner and nanoVNA

Adjournment of Meeting

Adjourned at 20:51

Meeting at Space Place and Zoom

Called to order at 19:31 by Steve W9GZO

Introductions & Guests

Bob, KE9BHS
Don, K2PD

Review of August Meeting Minutes

Correction to Thomas's award for ARRL January 2024 VHF contest.

VE Report

There was a VE Session in September, 1 General (and Technician), 3 Technicians

Upcoming Opportunities

• Wisconsin Parks on the Air - September 21, 2024
• HRO Superfest Milwaukee - September 21, 2024
• Badger Challenge Bike Event Support - September 22, 2024 [KD9SDK Kyle]
• Chicago Marathon Event Support, Chicago IL - October 13, 2024 [WA9CBR Tom]
• Hidden Valley Hamfest, Lancaster WI - October 19, 2024
• ARES Wisconsin Convention, Wisconsin Rapids WI - November 2, 2024
• Winter Field Day - January 25/26, 2025

Old Business

FLARC Equipment Inventory & Tracking

New Business

Open Positions: Secretary, Member at large, VE Liaison, Equipment Tracking Manager

Holiday Party Planning - Tentatively December 3rd. Contact Steve W9GZO or Ann KD9ZUE if you are interested in assisting with the planning.

Winter Field Day Planning Team - Previous years have been at Christiana Town Hall. Matt NM9O will be sending a note out to QST to coordinate.

Summer Field day Planning Team - Reservations open in November for the Dane County Parks and end of June is very popular, so getting reservation in is important.  We have been at Badger Prairie Park in Verona for over 15 years, it has shelter, bathrooms, water, ample parking and plenty of space to setup antennas. 
If you have recommendations for other locations, please discuss on the QST list. Otherwise we will proceed with making a reservation at Badger Prairie.

Announcements

Wednesday, September 25th at 7pm will be in-person ARES meeting at the Dane County EOC. Contact Jeff KC9UNZ if you are interested. Program will be getting started with ARES and some event review

Program for September Meeting - Being prepared for remote activation - Tom Pugh W9TDP

 

Adjournment of Meeting

Adjourned at 20:58

Meeting at Dane County Emergency Operations, 2982 Kapec Road, Fitchburg

Called to order at 19:31 by Steve W9GZO

Review of July Meeting Minutes

Nicholas, KB9SKW moved to accept, ? seconded. Passed without objection.

Treasurers Report

No change from last month.

Guests

J
Chad
Mike
Doug
Patrick

VE Report

There was a VE Session in August with one candidate that successfully upgraded to Extra.

Bragging Rights/Upgrades/Call Sign Changes

Thomas WN1C achieved an award for ARRL January 2024 VHF contest - Division Record for Single Operator Portable

Upcoming Opportunities

• Circus City Swapfest, Baraboo, WI - August 24, 2024
• Wright Stuff Century - September 1, 2024
• Bike the Barns Bike Event Support - September 15, 2024 [KC9UNZ Jeff]
• Wisconsin Parks on the Air - September 21, 2024
• Badger Challenge Bike Event Support - September 22, 2024 [KD9SDK Kyle]
• Chicago Marathon Event Support, Chicago IL - October 13, 2024 [WA9CBR Tom]

Old Business

None 

New Business

We are beginning planning for a Holiday Party in December. If you are interested in helping to coordinate, contact Steve W9GZO

Announcements

None

Program for August Meeting - Dane County Emergency Management and EOC

J. McLellan, Dane County Population Protection Planner gave a presentation on how Amateur Radio interfaces with the county emergency management structure. Dane County Emergency Management

Jeff KC9UNZ, Dane County Emergency Coordinator presented on ARES/RACES organization, training and how it works with local agencies including Hospitals, Dane & Iowa Counties and Wisconsin Emergency Management. To be part of the response when ARES is called upon, you need to register with Jeff and complete some base (free) training modules - FEMA Emergency Management Institute (look for IS-100, IS-700 independent study). Dane and Iowa County ARES and RACES

Joe N9TWA gave a presentation on Amateur Radio Relationships: Importance for Emergency Communications

Chad WA4ORM spoke about Skywarn and passing messages between weather spotters/observers and the National Weather Service. Encourage attendance to yearly NWS Storm Spotter training and report when you see weather events. Local Madison weather nets are found on the on 444.375 repeater using standard offset and PL 123.0 run as part of Midwest SSTRC.

Adjournment of Meeting

Adjourned at 21:06

Called to order 19:31, WN1C, Vice President

Review of April Meeting Minutes

Nicholas KB9SKW moved to approve, Thomas AC9BJ seconded. No objections.

Treasurers Report

Treasurer not available, possibly due to imminent severe weather conditions.

Guests

No guests.

VE Report

No report from the Space Place session in May.

Bragging Rights/Upgrades/Call Sign Changes

KE9KOA has callsign change to N6WIS and is working on APRS with FTM-500DR, looking for input about configuration and use for free-text messaging.

WIQP 2024 results are out, our bragging for in-state operation:

• W9S team (AC9BJ, NM9O, K8SD) took 2nd place Multi-Multi Fixed, Low Power (results correction: operated from Shawano county)
• WN1C took 2nd place Single Op Fixed, QRP
• As a club, Four Lakes ARC scored an aggregate 91882.5 points from 7 entries!

Upcoming Opportunities

• Field Day June 22/23 Badger Prairie Park Verona
  • If you are interested in participating please get in touch on the FDOps list or contact Matt NM9O
  • KF9AQ will be helping with the catering
• Northern Lights Radio Society Aurora'24 Conference Twin Cities, MN June 1, 2024 [https://nlrs.club/]
• Horribly Hilly Hundreds Bike Event Support Blue Mounds, WI June 15, 2024 [W9TDP Tom]
  • Tom is looking for 4-5 volunteers to help, mostly at water stations. If you are interested, contact Tom via email W9TDP at ARRL.net
  • 1500 riders participate in this event, supporting the Friends of Blue Mounds State Park
  • Good radio coverage is available via VHF mostly using the SNP repeater deployed to the top of Blue Mounds State Park (where the event finish is)
• Central States VHF Society Conference 2024 Cedar Rapids, IA July 25-27, 2024 [https://2024.csvhfs.org/]
• Circus City Swapfest Baraboo, WI August 24, 2024
• TREK-100 Bike Event Support Waterloo WI June 8, 2024 [W9JM John]
• Dairyland Dare Bike Event Support August 3, 2024 [KC9IFF Luke]
• Bike the Barns Bike Event Support September 15, 2024 [KC9UNZ Jeff]
• Badger Challenge Bike Event Support September 22, 2024
• Chicago Marathon Race Event Support Chicago IL October 13, 2024

Old Business

April J-Pole construction project: Nicholas KB9SKW reports a continued development effort to secure expected performance of antennas.

New Business

Board is looking for self-nominees for appointment to Secretary, VE Liaison, and Member at Large

• Ann Reh KD9ZUE nominated for Member at Large

Announcements

No additional announcements.

Program for May Meeting

Brian Basura, N6CVO, discussing Pico-Ballooning (background, components, launch, and performance)

Adjournment of Business Meeting

Severe weather in Madison resulted in a power outage at Space Place during the course of the program at 20:30. In-person attendance including the lead of the meeting was cut off from Zoom, though the presentation seemed to carry on in due course. A hasty sign-off was provided to conclude the presentation by WN1C over cellular with Zoom on KB9SKW's phone.