DRAFT Minutes - 2026-10-05

Submitted by KM4MK on Thu, 2026-10-08 10:05

*** DRAFT MINUTES *** send comments, concerns, or corrections to Rob KM4MK rob@butera.org

BARC Monthly Membership Meeting

October 5, 2026,19:00 EDT

Location: Brewster Police Department, 631 Harwich Road, Brewster, Massachusetts

Recorded and submitted by Robert Butera KM4MK, Club Secretary

ITEM 1: Call to order

Norm WA1NLG, Board Member, called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.

Norm informed the membership that Chris Thompson KB1ZAM passed away recently.  Chris did tower work for BARC and contributed to building the tower trailer.

ITEM 2: Introductions

In person: Norm WA1NLG, Rob KM4MK, Tom WA1MBA, Mark WA1EXA, Rob K1UI, Barry KB1TLR, Reese KC1MZQ, Al WW1RF, Don AC5YK, Jim WA2UMP, John KA1CTL, Don KT1OK, Lem W1LEM, Stacey W1LYN, Dave WA2FEI, Peter KC1ZTI, Kathryn KC1WEJ, Mike W1MLL

Online: Jack W1WEF, Bruce WA3SWJ, Dan KC1KEY, Frank WQ1O, Mike KE2FTG, Jon N1ILZ, George KB1GTG, Mark KC1ZIR, Jim K1POW

ITEM 3: New members

The following new members were approved by voice vote:

  • W1CN Nelson Gomm
  • KC1ZTI Peter De Bakker

Welcome to the club!

ITEM 4: Recognition of license upgrades

None

ITEM 5: PROGRAM

Lem W1LEM gave a talk about the Cape and Islands Emergency Communications Network (CAIECN).  He described an effort to use mesh networking to link up cameras in the Brewster and Dennis Fire Towers in coordination with local and state public safety organizations. He gave an overview of the systems architecture, volunteers involved, and how others can get involved. He then discussed connectivity with other networks in New England and beyond. For questions or getting more involved, contact Lem at lskidmore@comcast.net.

ITEM 6: Secretary report - Rob KM4MK

Rob KM4MK posted the September 14, 2026, minutes to the BARC website and emailed to the list. Corrections were made as requested prior to this meeting. 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 $11679.64 as of 30 September 2026.Total inflows were $104.60 primarily from dues. Total outflows were $23.58 and were primarily for web services. A motion to approve the report passed by voice vote. We have 110 full members (including new members just voted in).

ITEM 8: Update from ARRL EMA Section Manager Jon N1ILZ

The ARRL New England Division is holding a leadership meeting in a few weeks with all club presidents invited. Contact Bruce if there is any feedback or concerns you’d like to provide with the Division leadership.

ITEM 9: Committee reports

STANDING COMMITTEES

Repeater Committee. There was a discussion of repeater performance and how to test it.

Website and IT Committee. Kathryn brought up unresolved website access issues.

Membership Committee. Mark WA1EXA stated that activities are winding down pending transition to the new committee structure.

Community Events.

Lem W1LEM reminded members to sign up for the email list -- BarnstableARC@groups.io. Archive posts and subscription information is at https://groups.io/g/BarnstableARC. Lem is willing to help if you have trouble.

Events this past month included:

  • The MS challenge walk was from 9/18-9/20. Amateur radio volunteers helped out with radio control. Several members volunteered.
  • Mark WA1EXA discussed the Cranberry Festival in Harwich. It was the 50th anniversary of the festival and there were more food vendors than usual. Because of the large number of vendors, commercial power was insufficient and many brought generators, which caused significant RF interference on receive. Reception was difficult even though our signals were going out. Rob K1UI suggested using an online SDR station in the future for receive if this continues to be a problem.  The booth got a lot of visitors, both hams and non-hams, and generated positive visibility for the club.
  • Several members attended NEARFest. Tom WA1MBA and Norm WA1NLG discussed the event.

Upcoming events include:

  • Barry KB1TLR is still looking for volunteers for the Cape Cod Marathon on Oct 10 and 11. Half marathon is Sat Oct 10 and the full marathon is Sun Oct 11.
  • The Alzheimer’s Family Support Center walk in Provincetown is Oct 10 and 11. All stations are staffed. Volunteers are encouraged to contact Lem W1LEM if they want to shadow operators or serve as backups.
  • JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) is a national Scouting event from Oct 16 to Oct 18. The primary radio event is the afternoon of Saturday Oct 17 from 1pm to 4pm. 100-150 scouts are expected. Contact Norm WA1NLG if interested. WA1NLG is coordinating our activities at Camp Greenough.
  • FARAfest is Nov 7 at Upper Cape Tech. More information is at https://www.falara.org/activities/fara-fest.

The next Community Events committee meeting is Thu Oct 29 at Grumpy’s in Dennis at 1130 am. Contact Lem W1LEM if interested in attending.

ITEM 10: Old business

No old business.

ITEM 11: New business

The nominating committee proposed the following slate for officer elections.

President: Bruce Semple WA3SWJ

Vice President: Jon McCombie N1ILZ

Treasurer: Tom WA1MBA

Secretary: Robert Butera KM4MK

Quarter Master: Mark Avery N1ZPO

Assistant Quartermaster: Russ Apgar K1RTA

Past President: Norm Cantin WA1NLG

At large: Mark Petruzzi WA1EXA

At large: Frank Laughlin WQ1O

A proposal was made to allocate up to $500 for a commercial grade festival tent with sides for future public events. The motion was approved by the membership by voice vote.

ITEM 12: Announcements and reminders

BARC net occurs Sundays at 7:00pm on the W1MA repeater (146.955- CTCSS 88.5). These and other nets across Cape Cod are posted on the club website.

There are two weekly breakfasts on Wednesdays.

Barry KB1TLR started a discussion on starting an Explorer Club post with a focus on radio communications. Several members were interested.

Barry KB1TLR discussed booking the Brewster Sportsmen Club for the BARC Holiday Party. The proposed date is Saturday Dec 5 pending location availability.

Spring field day locations were discussed.

ITEM 13: Next monthly meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.

ITEM 14: Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 20:40 EDT