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 columnized version of this newsletter click here for the columnized version

President’s Update:

The next MARC meeting will be on March 6, 2021 at 1:00 PM on line. Instructions to join the meeting are included in this newsletter. Presently I have 2 active 2 meter requests and 3 requests on the waiting list. On 440, I have 3 active. I saw a couple come in for Dan on 220 and 900 recently. MARC needs volunteers. I requested volunteers in the last presidents letter but I must keep on it as only one new volunteer has stepped up to help. Thank you Keith, KD8ZSK.

Several positions in MARC are in need of radio amateurs who can donate some time to help the coordination effort. A Webmaster, Newsletter editor and Treasurer are needed. MARC could also use a volunteer to obtain coordination data from adjacent states and keep it up to date. This may involve data parsing into a report that can be read by our separation checking programs. These jobs will take some training and time to become familiar with. Almost all of the work for MARC is at home using a computer. Most meetings are on line. So, if you have some time to volunteer please contact me at mail@miarc.com to see if we can work out a position that you would like to take on.

73, Phil W8IC

Electronic Meeting Information:

The March 6, meeting is an Electronic Meeting at 1:00pm!

PHONE BRIDGE ONLY:

Use this ONLY if you are only using the phone.
Dial In Number:    712-770-4819
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.

Vice President Writes

Finally we are at the tail end of winter when we can soon work on our outdoor projects once again without freezing our fingers off. As is normal, coordination activity has slowed a bit this time of year, and hopefully everyones antennas have survived the winter.

Two short things I have to talk about this month. First is the successor sponsor. Some years back we realized that many of the older hams that have built and maintained repeaters for many years that were not owned by a club were passing into the realm of the silent key. This can potentially leave a repeater that is no longer being taken care of, or may be taken off the air by family or whoever takes care of the estate. In some cases there are people who wish to keep these repeaters on the air. If the sponsor is a club, it is no big deal. If a trustee passes, the sponsor is still the club. The callsign could have to change, but the coordination is still good as it belongs to the club that still exists. The problem comes in when the repeater is privately owned.

MARC created the Successor Sponsor just for this reason. This will leave another person or entity who can hold the coordination and maintain a repeater on that frequency. If you currently have a coordination that is not club affiliated, please help everyone out and select a person or entity to maintain your coordination, even if all they do is return the frequency to the pool. The only rule for this is that the successor sponsor must be eligible to operate a repeater.

Dan N8WKM
MARC Vice President

MARC Meeting Minutes

Date: December 12, 2020
This meeting took place via internet and phone connection.

Officers:

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

Absent: Indicated by * above
Visitors: JohnKB8OIS, Keith KD8ZSK


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

Meeting called to order by Phil at 1:09 PM

Minutes of the last meeting were read by Ann.
A motion to approve minutes from the September meeting was made by Dan, seconded by Bob, vote taken, minutes approved.

Treasurer’s report provided by Phil.
A motion to approve the report was made by Dan, seconded by Ann, vote taken, Motion passed.

Old Business:
Elections:

Dan was appointed Chairman Pro Tem for the elections. Dan opened up the nominations. Dan asked if there are any additional nominations for any of the 3 positions, President, Secretary or Director. There were none, and there were no ballots received in the mail. Motion made by Bob to have the secretary cast a unanimous ballot to re-elect all the incumbents. Seconded by Phil, vote taken, motion passed. Phil returned to the chair. The following candidates are all elected to serve a two year term: President; Phil Manor, W8IC. Secretary; Ann Manor, KT8F. Board member; Jeff Oberg, KB8SXK

New Business:

Discussion took place regarding repeater coordination sponsors. Co-sponsors are not permitted as MARC can only service a coordination for one sponsor. A successor sponsor can be added to the coordination to continue a coordination in the event that the existing sponsor becomes unable to continue as the sponsor.

Dan reported that 220 coordination status is all caught up. Phil reported that he has 4 active coordinations on 440, 3 active on 2 meters, and 4 applications on the 2 meter unofficial waiting list.

Keith, KD8ZSK, expressed interest in training to volunteer for a MARC .position. Phil stated he would get back to Keith with information for him.

Adjournment:

Motion to adjourn made by Dan, seconded by Ann, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 1:45 PM.

The next meeting will be conducted electronically on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 1:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Manor, KT8F, Recording Secretary

Treasurer's Report
For the Period: 11/01/2020 - 01/31/2021

MARC Funds balance on 11/01/2020 was $ 3,540.38

Income for Nov, Dec, and Jan was $ 152.05 from dues and interest.
Expenses for Nov, Dec, and Jan were $ 4.99 for PayPal fees.

MARC Funds balance on 01/31/2021 was $ 3,687.44

Respectfully Submitted,
Phil Manor, W8IC
MARC Treasurer

Supporting Detail

MARC Funds as of 11/01/2020