DRAFT meeting minutes 2026-08-03
*** DRAFT FOR REVIEW ***
send comments and corrections to rob@butera.org
BARC Monthly Membership Meeting
August 3, 2026 7:00pm
Location: Brewster Police Department, 631 Harwich Road, Brewster, Massachusetts
Recorded and submitted by Robert Butera KM4MK, Club Secretary
ITEM 1: Call to order
Bruce WA3SWJ, President, called the meeting to order at 7:00PM
ITEM 2: Introductions
Members attending in person: Bruce WA3SWJ, Rob KM4MK, Stacy W1LYN, Rob K1UI, Dave KC1ZSK, Tom WA1MBA, Reese KC1MZQ, Mark K4LFL, Don KT1OK, Norm WA1NLG, John KA1CTL, Dave WA2FEI, Barry KB1TLR, Lem W1LEM, John K2YY, Tom NR8Z, Rich W2NZK, Jerry N0GC, Mike W1MLL, Al WW1RF, Jim WA2UMP
Members attending via Zoom: Dan KC1KEY, Mark KC1ZIR, George KB1GTG, Ross KE5BM, Jon N1ILZ, Frank WQ1O, Jim K1POW
ITEM 3: New members
The following new members were approved by voice vote:
Alan Speakman KC1ZRI
Susan Speakman (no call)
Nicholas Weber W3BER
ITEM 4: Recognition of license upgrades
Stacy W1LYN and Dave WA2FEI are new general licensees! Congratulations to both.
ITEM 5: PROGRAM - All About IMD by Tom WA1MBA
Tom WA1MBA gave a presentation about intermodulation distortion. You can learn more about Tom’s technical interests and past presentations on his web site at www.wa1mba.org
ITEM 6: Secretary's report - Rob KM4MK
Rob KM4MK posted the July 13, 2026 minutes to the BARC website and emailed to the list. Corrections were made via email feedback and the draft minutes updated. A motion to approve the minutes passed by voice vote.
ITEM 7: Treasurer’s report - Tom WA1MBA
The combined account balance of the checking and savings was $11700.64 as of 31 July 2026.Total inflows were $310.30 primarily from dues. Total outflows were $364.15 and were primarily for marketing, education activity supplies, trailer repairs, and field day supplies. A motion to approve the report passed by voice vote.
ITEM 8: Update from ARRL EMA Section Manager Jon N1ILZ
The ARRL New England Division will host an ARRL forum at HamXPosition at noon on Aug 15.
Frank WQ1O discussed the ARES exercise that occurred over the weekend of Aug 1-2. He thanked the club for the use of the trailer tower as well as support from club members.
ITEM 9: Committee Reports
STANDING COMMITTEES
Repeater Committee. Brief discussion of how well the repeater is working. No major issues but monitoring.
Website and IT Committee. No report.
Membership Committee. No Report.
Community Events. Report by Lem W1LEM
Lem reminded members to sign up and read the email list, Lem is willing to help if you have trouble.
Norm WA1NLG gave an update on the Wicked Cool Summer Science at Camp Greenough on Sunday July 19 from 2-4 pm. There were 25-30 students who attended. Code practice oscillators were shown and the Flex radio was running and using the video screens.
Rob K1UI and Barry KB1TLR discussed Lighthouse Day/Weekend is August 7-9, 2026. They will be operating from Chatham Station with permission from the USCG. Two radios will be operated from Fri-Sun from 9-3. Calls W1MGY and W1MA will both be operating. More info is on the groups.io email list.
Al WW1RF was recognized for his last minute work on the tower trailer installing a new winch and cable.
The Falmouth Road Race is August 16 and volunteer opportunities are all filled! Stay tuned for a call for volunteers for the Cape Cod Marathon in October.
Jon N1ILZ discussed HamExpo Aug 13-16, 2026 in Marlborough, MA. It is also the New England Division convention for ARRL, with more seminars than Dayton!
Massachusetts operators will again have an opportunity to participate in the ARRL 250 event from Aug 11-18. Contact Larry Krainston W1AST if you wish to operate a time slot as W1AW/1 at FunHamRadio@gmail.com.
MS Challenge walk is Sept 18-20, It is a 48 mile walk from Hyannis to PTown with 25-30 rest stops. Watch the groups.io list for a call for volunteers and contact information. The .955 repeater will likely be used.
The Cranberry Festival in Harwich is Sept 19-20 with setup on Sept 18. Mark WA1EXA has agreed to organize the event this year. Watch the groups.io list for a call for volunteers. We would like to have 3 volunteers at all times to talk with the public as well as operate the radio.
The next Community Events committee meeting is Sept 10 at the Weatherdeck in Harwich, at 11 am. Contact Lem if interested in attending.
ACTIVE COMMITTEES
Education. No report.
ITEM 10: Old business
Revised bylaws are posted based on discussion from the last membership meeting. They will be discussed and likely voted on at the September meeting.
Tom WA1MBA reported that Mark N1ZPO has been improving the backend code to coordinate billing and dues payment.
ITEM 11: New business
No new business.
ITEM 12: Announcements and reminders
Rob K1UI reported a new C4FM repeated in Sandwich. It is on the same frequency as the Chatham repeater, the fact of which elicited some discussion.
BARC net occurs Sundays at 7:00pm. The Elmer net occurs Mondays at 7:00pm. Both are on the W1MA repeater (!46.955- CTCSS 88.5). These and other nets across Cape Cod are posted on the club website.
There are two weekly breakfasts on Wednesdays.
One group meets at the Lighthouse Cafe in Yarmouth. Contact KB1TLR (timefliestoo@verizon.net) by 6am that day if attending.
Another group meets at the Crazy Rooster in Yarmouth. Contact Marty N2RBI (martirl@comcast.net) to be added to the list.
ITEM 13: Next monthly meeting
The next meeting is re-scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, 2026 due to Labor Day.
ITEM 14: Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 20:35
