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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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Program

Lloyd N9LB presented on Lightning Protection for Amateur Radio Stations

Business meeting

Called to order by Sam KG9NG at 20:32

April 18, 2023 minutes read by Andy AC9CB, no corrections. Motion to approve by Thomas AC9BJ, seconded by Nicholas KB9SKW. No objections.

Treasurer's report

Checking Balance $7290.28
There is a PayPal balance to be transferred not reflected in above balance
Thomas AC9BG moved to approve, Bob WA9D seconded. Passed without objection.

VE Report

At the regular session on May 6th there were 6 candidates and 8 VEs. Everyone got something. One candidate passed both Tech and General.

We continue to look for a replacement VE Coordinator. Contact Ron K2VB or Sam KG9NG if you have interest.

Changes & Upgrades

Steve KD9WNS has a new callsign W9GZO

Field Day Committee Report

Planning to run 4A with multiple stations and antennas. Trello is being used for tracking logistics. Borrowing battery from Thomas AC9BJ. Generator is being borrowed from Mike KD9BDL. Setup will start at 8am with operating at 1pm Saturday June 24 through 1pm Sunday June 25. Contact NM9O at arrl.net if you would like to participate. Hosting a BBQ picnic for dinner with Kevin KF9AQ cooking. Please RSVP for the picnic to Nicholas at KB9SKW at arrl.net

Old Business

Call for nominations was made for President, Vice President and Secretary, but none offered.

Announcements

The regular FLARC Meeting on June 20 will be at Badger Prairie Park at 7:00pm.

July meeting will be at Space Place along with a Zoom call option.

Motion to close meeting by Matt NM9O, seconded by Thomas WN1C.

Meeting adjourned at 20:42

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Program

Dennis W6DQ presented on Introduction to Amateur Microwave Radio

Business meeting

Called to order by Sam KG9NG at 20:44

March 21, 2023 minutes read by Andy AC9CB, no corrections. Motion to approve by Sam KG9NG, seconded by Matt NM9O. No objections.

Treasurer's report

Checking Balance $7290.28
Recent transactions include dues received.

VE Report

Hamfest had 4 candidates - 2 Tech, 1 General, 1 Extra. Kudos to the Extra as he ended up taking an outdated exam, then the correct version and passed.

We continue to look for a replacement VE Coordinator. Contact Ron K2VB or Sam KG9NG

Field Day Committee Report

Badger Prairie Park has been reserved for Field Day June 24-25.  Special Event Permit needs to be submitted. Matt, NM9O, will be doing such. Nicholas, KB9SKW, has several additional names to add to the fdops list of those who plan to participate.

Announcements

May meeting will be on Zoom, look for an announcement on QST.

The regular FLARC Meeting in June will be at the park (June 20)

It is possible we will  go to in-person meeting in July at Space Place. Look for announcements.

Old Business

Call for nominations was made for President, Vice President and Secretary, but none offered. 

 

Motion to close meeting by Matt NM9O, seconded by Nicholas KB9SKW.

Meeting adjourned at 20:57

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Program

Michael KB9VBR on Solar Power and Amateur Radio

Business meeting

Called to order by Sam KG9NG at 20:18

February 21, 2023 minutes read by Andy AC9CB, no corrections. Motion to approve by Thomas AC9BJ, seconded by Nicholas KB9SKW. No objections.

Treasurer's report

Checking Balance $7265.28
Recent transactions include payment of insurance premium,
Report received with motion by Thomas AC9BJ, seconded by Nicholas KB9SKW

VE Report

6 candidates walked away with successful exams.  There were more VEs present than candidates. We continue to look for a replacement VE Coordinator. Contact Ron K2VB or Sam KG9NG

Bragging

Matt NM9O and Thomas AC9BJ did not freeze to death while operating outdoor in Jackson County for the Wisconsin QSO Party

Nicholas KB9SKW made about 160 contacts in the Wisconsin QSO Party

Matt KD9DZT received an award from Wisconsin Parks on the Air for 1st Place as Not in a Park Operator

Call sign changes & Upgrades

Thomas WN1C was previously AB1YW

Steve KD9WNS is a new Extra and will be getting a new call sign

Field Day Committee Report

Badger Prairie Park has been reserved for Field Day June 24-25

The regular FLARC Meeting in June will be at the park (June 20)

Matt NM9O will be sending an email to the fdops list to set up a committee meeting.

Announcements

MARA Hamfest is returning April 15th in Stoughton. They are looking for volunteers to assist. There will be a VE session at 10am - also looking for a couple more VEs to assist, contact Sam KG9NG.

There is a Hamfest this weekend in Milwaukee at the Elks Lodge on Good Hope Rd across from HRO. March 25th. w9hr.org

It is possible we will  go to in-person meeting in July at Space Place.  The room is currently occupied during our meeting time. Look for announcements.

New Business

Call for nominations was made for President, Vice President and Secretary, but none offered. 

Applause for Nicholas KB9SKW for lining up great presenters over the past few months. Thank you.

Motion to close meeting by Nicholas KB9SKW, seconded by Matt NM9O.

Meeting adjourned at 20:32

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Program

W9XT Gary on Antenna takeoff angles, terrain effects and modeling

Business meeting

Called to order by Sam KG9NG at 20:24

January 17, 2023 minutes read by Andy AC9CB, no corrections

Treasurer's report

Checking Balance $7660.28
Recent transactions include dues payments received
Our previous insurance carrier stopped offering business line of insurance. We shopped several and selected AmFam subsidiary USLI at $395/year and proceeding with this option

Bragging

Lloyd made contacts to the Caribbean

Field Day Committee Report

There was participation for Winter Field Day - Thomas AC9BJ made several hundred contacts.
Reservation has been made for Badger Prairie Park. More details to come

Announcements

Wisconsin QSO Party is coming in 3 weeks - March 12. See the West Allis Radio Amateur Club website https://www.warac.org/wqp/wqp.htm for more details. Everyone is encouraged to get on.

Tri-county Hamfest coming up in Jefferson March 19th

MARA Hamfest is returning April 15th in Stoughton. They are looking for volunteers to assist

New Business

Call for nominations was made for President and Secretary, but none offered. 

Next meeting will be via Zoom with an in-person option for a few attendees. Contact Sam or Nicholas if you are interested in attending. Please encourage your ham friends to join us on the Zoom. Topic is to be determined

Motion to close meeting by Thomas AC9BJ, seconded by Nicholas KB9SKW.

Meeting adjourned at 20:38

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Program

Open discussion on how you have been getting on the air.

New Member introduction - Steve Ujvarosy previously WA9GZO. Formerly from the West Allis area, studying to pass his license exam in February and interested in 2m operating to get back into things.

SPARC Station

SPARC Station at UW Space Place recent upgrades

Nicholas's HF radio died, he is going to work with Sam to borrow one indefinitely.

Business meeting

Called to order by Sam KG9NG at 20:01

December 20, 2022 minutes read by Sam KG9NG, several corrections made

Treasurer's report

Checking Balance $7009.79
PayPal Balance $514.67
Recent transactions include dues payments received

VE Report

Passed exams: 3 Technician and 4 General
Next session on February 4th at Space Place

Ron K2VB is stepping down as VE Liaison, if interested in filling this role please contact Sam at KG9NG@arrl.net, Ron or Frederick

Bragging

Thomas AB1YW was awarded Gold Parks on the Air Activator while traveling across 5 states in the cold

Field Day Committee Report

Winter Field Day is coming up and we encourage at-home participation, listing FLARC as your affiliation

Announcements

Contact Mark Bellazzini N9WIB if you would like to information on how to join the Madison Area Hams Discord

New Business

Jeff presented procedures for voting using online form

Sam recommended for ballots to be returned by midnight Saturday

Nominations from December:

President
open

Vice President
open

Treasurer
Andy AC9CB

Secretary
open

Board Member at Large
Paulette WB9VHF
Nicholas KB9SKW
Sam KG9NG
Thomas AB1YW

Andy AC9CB moves to reopen nominations. Jeff KC9UNZ seconded

Thomas AB1YW nominated for Vice President by Nicholas KB9SKW, accepted contingent on President being nominated

Ted K9IMM nominated for President by Nicholas KB9SKW, Ted was not present to accept

Gary KA9SRM nominated for President by Sam KG9NG, declined
Gary KA9SRM nominated by Sam KG9NG, declined

It was generally determined that not enough membership was present to continue nominations.

Jeff KC9UNZ moved to proceed with election of Treasurer and Board Members at Large with other officer elections to occur after the February meeting where nominations can continue.  Seconded by Nicholas KB9SKW

Discussion on what “Saturday midnight” means. Jeff moves to close voting at 11:59 pm on Saturday. Seconded by Thomas AB1YW, passed.

Motion to close meeting by Nicholas KB9SKW, seconded by Jeff KC9UNZ.

Meeting adjourned at 20:38

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Program

WRTC 2014 video

Business meeting

Called to order by: Thomas AC9BJ  

November 15, 2022 minutes read by: Thomas AC9BJ  

Treasurer's report

Several dues payments received, but don't have specific figure in front of me tonight

Budget proposal presented second time
No further questions received since initial presentation last month, no discussion tonight.
Andy AC9CB moved to accept proposed budget
Lloyd N9LB seconded
Motion passed

VE Report

11 candidates including a commercial group that had read a 2-3 year old manual which led to a high number of failures
6 new licenses
12th candidate was turned away as they did not have an FRN.
There were more candidates than VEs this month!
Ron K2VB is stepping down as VE Liaison, if interested in filling this role please contact Sam at KC9NG@arrl.net

Bragging

Lloyd N9LB got written up in QST's VHF and Above column in both November (page 89) and December (page 84) for activity on 6m

Larry KD9VTR got his first FT8 contact with Argentina

Thomas AB1YM - Blog post written up on 10m QRP contest activities - 125 QSOs, 1 dupe, 39 multipliers. Heard stations as far as Australia and Alaska

Thomas AB1YW will be Summits on the Air in Ohio tomorrow then moving on to Kentucky and Maine

Field Day Committee Report

The Field Day committee is using same COVID criteria (Green CDC status) as we have been evaluating the general meeting. At this time we are not meeting this, so will not have in-person Winter Field Day but encourage at-home participation and list FLARC affiliation

New Business

Sam KG9NG moved to open nominations for board
Paulette WB9VHF seconded

President
Thomas AC9CB nominated by Gary KA9SRM, declined

Vice President

Treasurer
Andy AC9CB nominated by Sam KG9NG, accepted

Secretary
Nicholas KB9SKW nominated by Sam KG9NG, declined

Board Member at Large
Paulette WB9VHF by Sam KG9NG, accepted
Nicholas KB9SKW by Thomas AC9BJ, accepted
Sam KG9NG by Paulette W9VHF, accepted
Thomas AB1YW by Nicholas KB9SKW, accepted

Nominations closed for this month - Nicholas KB9SKW moved, ? seconded

Announcements

Silent Key
Joe Imilkowski W9CWD has passed. He was quite the character helping with numerous public events using his smart car and motor scooter. His obituary is expected in the next day or so.

Meeting adjourned at 7:51

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Program

Presenter:  Dave Olean, K1WHS

Topic: Antenna Stacking with a lively discussion to follow including EME, antenna placement and selecting a good beginner station.

Business Meeting

Called to order by: Thomas AC9BJ  

Sept. 20, 2022 minutes read by: Carolyn NQ9A

Treasurer’s Report:. $6,895.54 includes recent payment for Zoom subscription. We will have a budget presentation next month in advance of vote in December. Renewals for dues will be available both online and via mail starting in November.

VE session: 2 candidates successfully received technician licenses at the Oct. 1st session. Next VE testing session is Sat Nov. 5, 2022 at Space Place

Guests: WE9R, Lyle
KD9VTR, Larry
WB9TFH, Gil

Announcements

During a rare opening in August, Lloyd N9LB worked KL7HBA in Alaska on 6m. This was the final state for Lloyd to complete his Worked All States for 6m. His accomplishment was highlighted in the ARRL's QST "The World Above 50Mhz" column

Upcoming Hamfests and Conventions

 

Madison Area Hams Discord Server -. If you need an invite you can e-mail Marc. N9WIB.  marc@bellazzini.org 

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FLARC General Meeting Minutes Tuesday. Sept. 20, 2022 via Zoom

Program-  Sept. 20 , 2022 Meeting

Presenter :  Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA

Topic : Low band propagation and the advantages of digital modes like JT65 and FT8 over SSB and CW.

Business Meeting:

Called to order  by: Thomas AC9BJ  

Meeting Minutes   recorded by :Carolyn NQ9A

July 19 , 2022   minutes read by: Carolyn NQ9A-

Treasurer’s Report:. $7053.69 includes dues received

VE Report – none

VE session -next VE session next  is Sat Oct. 1, 2022

Guests or non-members: none

Announcements :

Report on August Fox hunt: Thomas AC9BJ was the hider at  8:45 pm  , no one had found the foxhunt, so it  terminated for the evening. No winner .

Public Service Events-

  • Chicago Marathon – Sunday October 9, 2022 -if you are interested in volunteering for ham radio communications contact Tom Pierce WA9CBR email : theps@fastmail.com

Upcoming hamfests –

  • can look online for the ARRL upcoming hamfests: http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/search

Upcoming Conventions:

 

Madison Area Hams Discord Server -. If you need an invite you can e-mail Marc. N9WIB.  marc@bellazzini.org 

Upcoming FLARC Meetings and Programs Scheduled for 2022 :

October 18th , 2022 --  David. Olean K1WHS  will do a presentation ]on maximizing performance when stacking multiple VHF antennas on one mast.