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.

President’s Update:

MARC is still very busy with coordination activities. I have four applications for two meters on a waiting list and in the middle of seven active 440 applications. There are no 440 apps on the waiting list at this time, however, there will be a delay in processing any new 440 applications until I catch up a bit.

Dan, N8WKM, is busy with 220 and 900 coordinations, as well as publishing the MARC newsletter. Jeff, KB8SXK, is seeing a lot of out-state requests for clearance. Dan and I are keeping Jim, K8JK, busy issuing MINO numbers for new or modified coordinations, and Bob N8ZCC, has done a lot to clean up the database by contacting repeater trustees who are delinquent on their renewal TDS submissions. As always, Dave, WB8DJB, is busy keeping up the database and website, as well keeping up with his treasurer’s duties.

Please check the repeater directory to make sure that your repeater(s) status is/are up to date, as well as checking the activity log to see all the activity going on with MARC.

I also want to thank Ann, KT8F, our secretary and my better half for the massive support allowing me to get the MARC work done. (And editing my spelling and grammar).

Other issues that MARC will need to deal with include a requirement to have CTCSS and/or a digital code access for all coordinated repeaters. Other states are now requiring this for cross-coordination clearance. This will be required for all new coordinations in Michigan. In the future, once a plan is in place, hopefully, all existing coordinated repeaters will make the programming change to eliminate some of the unnecessary interference caused by identical, or no tone or code engaged on a repeater.

There is also the problem of the ARRL repeater directory. It has become an issue because the ARRL is now using a private company to handle, publish and use for profit, databases that are being submitted to them. This year, MARC is not submitting what is considered private information on Michigan coordinated repeaters to a private, for profit, company. This will be worked out over 2017.

Your comments on any of these issues to mail@miarc.com are encouraged.

73, Phil W8IC

Electronic Meeting Information:

The Mar 4, meeting is an Electronic Meeting at 1:00pm!

PHONE BRIDGE ONLY:

Use this ONLY if you are only using the phone.
Dial In Number:    641-715-0663
Access Code:      384775#
   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:

Using your web browser

   1. Activate your Web Browser
   2. Go To https://join.freeconferencecall.com/marc-meeting
   3. Enter your name and email address
   4. Click the phone icon, you will have a choice to
        select using a telephone or your computer for
        audio if you have speakers and mic.
   5. If you select computer you should connect.
   6. If selecting telephone you will be presented with a number
        to dial and an access code.
   7. When prompted enter the access code followed by the # symbol.
   8. Once the audio connects you will need to press # once again
        and enter the synch code followed by the # symbol.
   9. You should now be connected.
       

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.

Recent Developments

As many of you are aware from our posts to the email lists earlier, there are some issues with the ARRL Repeater Directory this year that have caused us (the MARC Board) to have some concerns about releasing data this year.

Without getting into details, the ARRL has notified the coordinators that they would no longer be publishing the repeater directory. While they previously had the repeater directory available online for people who had purchased that years repeater directory, they have chosen to give the data to an outside source to post online where it will require a subscription to access.

There is much confusion at this point, and at this time we still do not have straight answers. I have contacted one of our area ARRL representatives and have not heard anything back yet. The confusion stems on a couple of parts because there was much assumed rather than to have a discussion prior to making the decisions that were made, and also by not providing information and details about the changes until very late.

As a result of this, the MARC Board has decided not to forward our current data to the ARRL or their agent. Any data that they choose to publish for Lower Michigan will be old data. There is currently no method in place for the coordinators to flush and/or old data. The ouside source is also allowing public input without providing a way for us (MARC) to correct the data or remove it, nor have they provided a distinction between coordinated or not coordinated entries.

Ultimately, they also told us that we needed to provide coordinates for the repeaters as they want to sell a service to work with their application (subscription). At this time, we do not have permission to release that information to them until we re-word the bylaws and standards to allow this. Additionally, we also considered that people may have repeaters located in places where they would prefer the information not be disclosed.

This is certain to be a topic at the next meeting, and we would like to hear from the membership about this issue. Some people have sent in their comments via email. Along with changes that MARC will need to make to accomodate the new publication, we also will need to look at adding a way for the repeater owners to let us know if they do or do not want their information published.

Dan Thompson, N8WKM

MARC Meeting Minutes

Date: December 3, 2016
This meeting took place electronically.

Officers:

President: Phil Manor, W8IC
Vice President: Dan Thompson, N8WKM
Secretary: Ann Manor, KT8F
Treasurer: Dave Johnson, WD8DJB
*Director: Jim Kvochick, K8JK
Director: Jeff Oberg, KB8SXK
Coordinator: Dan Thompson, N8WKM
Coordinator: Phil Manor, W8IC
Coordinator: Jeff Oberg, KB8SXK
Database Manager: Dave Johnson, WD8DJB
Newsletter Editor: Dan Thompson, N8WKM
Volunteer Coordinator: Bob, N8ZCC

*Indicates Absent:
Visitors: Ron, W8RPM


Note: call signs of board members are not repeated in the minutes as they are listed above.

Meeting called to order by Phil at: 1:05 PM.

The minutes from the Sept 10, 2016 were read by Ann. Corrections to the minutes are as follows: Dave stated that the MARC emails are stored on the MARC computer, not his own. Also, 2 different adjournment times were listed, 3:07 and 1:47. The correct time was 1:47 PM.
Motion to approve the amended minutes from the September meeting was made by Dave , seconded by Dan, vote taken, minutes approved.

Treasurer’s report provided by Dave. Motion to accept the report made by Dan, supported by Jeff KB8SXK, vote taken, motion carried.

Old Business:

No old Business.

New Business:

Dan discussed his experience of attending a multi-state coordinator conference in Wisconsin. He shared information regarding rule changes that other states are considering, Database sharing between states was also discussed, Possible solutions to various problems were presented as well as a discussion about channel width and coordination by predicted coverage. MARC will look into these issues and watch the progress in the adjoining states, especially Wisconsin and Illinois. Changes in the MARC standards will not occur without normal quarterly MARC meetings, where input from the general Michigan Amateur Radio community is welcomed. Comments are encouraged to mail@miarc.com as well. Some of the benefits of a change in coordination requirements would include the ability to coordinate more repeaters where there are currently no available pairs.

Congratulations were given to Bob and Jeff, our newest volunteers, on the excellent work that they are doing for MARC.

Adjournment:

Motion to adjourn made by Dan, seconded by Jeff, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 2:33 PM.

Note: The March meeting will be conducted electronically on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 1:00 PM. .

Treasurer's Report
For the Period: 11/30/2016 to 02/28/2017

MARC Funds balance on 11/30/2016 was $ 4,896.95
Income for December, January and February was $ 11.00 from dues and interest.
Expenses for December, January and February were $52.35 for PayPal fees and Postage.

MARC Funds balance on 02/28/2016 was $ 4,904.85

Respectfully Submitted,
Dave Johnson, WD8DJB
MARC Treasurer

Supporting Detail

MARC Funds as of 11/30/2016