Welcome to the MARC Newsletter a publication of the Michigan Area Repeater Council. This news letter is published quarterly in conjunction with the quarterly business meetings. If you prefer a non-columnized version of this newsletter click here for the wide version.

Database Manager's Corner

We have a number of TDS forms that are overdue. In fact, over 27% of the repeaters in our database have not been updated in two or more year’s. If your TDS is not current, the deadline to have your TDS information included in the 2011 – 2012 ARRL Repeater Directory is 12/31/10. So take a minute and check your entry in the MARC Repeater Directory to see if it is time to update your records.

Dave Johnson, WD8DJB

MARC Elections

Elections took place at the September meeting. The MARC board would like to thank outgoing Director Ron Gordon W8YUC for his many years of service. Ron opted to retire from his postion of Director at the end of this term. Thank you Ron for your many years of service.

We would also like to welcome Fred Moses W8FSM, who will be filling the vacated position as well as taking on coordinator duties as well.

Election results can be found in the Minutes section of this newsletter.

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Electronic Meeting Information:

The December meeting is an Electronic Meeting!

PHONE BRIDGE ONLY:

Dial In Number:    888-232-3870
Event ID:        603585#
   1. Dial into bridge using Dial In Number
   2. Enter Event ID
   3. If the meeting organizer is already present,
        you'll be connected. If not, you'll be
        placed on hold until the organizer appears.

WEBMEETING & Phone Bridge:

Your browser must be Microsoft™ Internet Explorer Version 4.x, 5.x or Netscape™ Communicator Version 4.x.

   1. Activate your Web Browser
   2. Go To https://connect2.uc.att.com/attinc/meet/?ExEventID=8603585
   3. Enter your name and email address
   4. Click on the "join event" button
   5. Once connected click on the telephone
       icon for dialing instructions.

Participation in the webmeeting is only needed for things like slideshow presentations, or use of a whiteboard where someone may need to do an illistration. It also allows us the opportunity to display the actual text of a motion for everyone to read. If you are unable to participate in the webmeeting you may still join in on the phone bridge from wherever you are.

The abilities for MARC to use the Phone Bridge and Webmeeting facilities has been brought to us by Jim WB8AZP and his employer.

We hope that moving to this format will increase participation by the membership of MARC so that we are better able to serve the amateur community.

MARC Meeting Minutes

Date: September 10, 2010
This meeting took place in the Delta Township Fire Station near Lansing.

Officers:

President: Dennis Gaboury, W8DFG
Vice President: Phil Manor, W8IC
Secretary: Ann Manor, KT8F
Treasurer: Dave Johnson, WD8DJB
Director: Ron Gordon, W8YUC
Director: Jim Kvochick, WB8AZP
Coordinator: Dan Thompson, N8WKM
Coordinator: Phil Manor, W8IC
Database Manager: Dave Johnson, WD8DJB

Absent: Dave Johnson, Jim Kvochick
Visitors: Fred Moses, W8FSM; Corwin Moore, WB8UPM

Note: call signs of board members are not repeated in the minutes as they are listed above Except for Jim WB8AZP, and Jim KB8IFE.

Meeting called to order by Dennis at: 1:00 PM.

Motion to approve minutes from the March meeting was made by Corwin, WB8UPM, seconded by Ron, vote taken, motion approved.
Treasurer’s report read by Phil. Motion to accept the report made by Dan, supported by Phil, vote taken, motion carried.

Old business:

Dennis reported on the status of the SEMARA repeater. He had recently been in contact with the trustee of the repeater and was informed that it had been moved. It is currently an active repeater. Freq – 146.740, located in Grosse Pointe Park. Corwin initiated a discussion regarding his issue of whether the Semara repeater is on the air. Phil and Dennis informed him that it is on the air and has been each time it was tested. Corwin notified the board that he has placed his own repeater on this frequency and is operating it. MARC informed Corwin that his repeater cannot be coordinated at this time. It was suggested that Corwin contact the Semara trustee directly.
Phil stated he is continuing to work on the 440 coordinations. He has one NOPC outstanding, one provisional, which will not work and will try again on a new frequency. Phil also has one waiting on a waiver request and additionally has been waiting for information from three other applicants for about one year. Fred Moses has agreed to take over 440 coordinations starting with any new incoming applications.
Dan brought up the issue of survivor policy – when a repeater sponsor passes away, how to deal with this matter? We have no written policy at this time. Discussion. The coordination is held by the sponsor, but the coordination pair is not “owned” by the sponsor. A sponsor can be an individual, corporation or group such as a club. If a sponsor passes away who is an individual, should the pair go back to the pool? The trustee or the owner of the equipment is not the holder of the coordination unless they are also the sponsor. Fred and Dan agreed to start working on the wording of a survivor clause to be added to the bylaws.

New Business:

Elections.
Phil opened up the elections and asked if anyone else was interested in running for the offices of President and Secretary against the incumbents. There were none.
Director: Ron decided not to run again so nominations from the floor were accepted. Fred Moses and Corwin Moore agreed to be candidates.
Paper vote taken: incumbents Dennis for President, Ann for secretary were reelected, and Fred was voted in as the to fill the Director position vacated by Ron Gordon.
Some absentee ballots had been received, but were invalid as they had been sent in by people who had not paid 2010 dues.
Corwin moved that the president create a committee to look at how to coordinate repeaters using propagation programs that incorporate topography, HAAT and other factors rather than using only mileage between co-channel repeaters. He asked that this committee determine what would need to be changed in the bylaws to implement this process. Corwin was asked if he would chair the new committee. Corwin agreed. Dennis and Phil are automatically on the committee due to their office. Motion seconded by Phil. Discussion. Vote taken, motion passed. Corwin will write up his proposal and send it to Dennis and Phil for their input.
Corwin said the ARROW is operational from the Red Cross building. They are overdue on their TDS and must show their new location when it is submitted. Dennis thanked Ron Gordon, W8YUC for his many years of service to MARC.

Next meeting:

Next meeting will be electronic, to be held at 1 PM on December 4, 2010.

Adjornment:

Motion to adjourn made by Ann, seconded by Ron at 2 PM, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Manor, KT8F

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December Meeting Information:

December 4 2010
1:00 pm EST
Electronic Meeting
Callin Numbers:
    Toll-Free 888-232-3870
    Toll         805-240-9853
Access Code:    603585#   (For Bridge & Webmeeting)
Webmeeting URL: https://connect2.uc.att.com/attinc/meet/?ExEventID=8603585
Meeting Number: 8603585

Directions:

For the Conference Bridge:
Dial the callin number listed above.
Wait for the call to be answered by the automated receptionist.
When prompted enter the meeting number listed above followed by the #.

For the Web Meeting:
Click on the link provided above.
Enter your name and email address, then select the "join now" button.