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:

This September 9, 2023 quarterly MARC meeting will take place on line. The MARC board began this a couple of years back, when we were unable to meet in person due to COVID. It was later determined that we should continue this practice, and in our last meeting the discussion resulted in a determination that unless there is a need for a physical meeting, all MARC meetings will be online.

To join in on these meetings, there are a couple of ways. This can be done using a computer which allows access to the rarely used visual display, or simply by dialing in using any telephone that has touch-tone capability..

We will be having the annual MARC Elections in the September meeting. Among other things, due to some unforeseen events, MARC needs to find a treasurer. We have actively been seeking volunteers over the last several years. We have had a few people who have stepped up to take positions, but we are still seeking more. On top of the other duties and efforts I have made, I have been editing this newsletter for 25 years, back to when I had to print it, fold it, stamp it and then take it to the Post Office and mail it. This job is much easier now.

You may also notice that there is not treasurers report posted in this newsletter. We need a volunteer to help us get this done.

So, we ask that you consider a little bit of time to spend on helping with the coordination of repeaters in Michigan. Please join us in the upcoming meeting and see how you can help.

Elections will take place during the September meeting. If you are unable to attend there is a printable version of the 2023 Ballot available to print and mail to the address on the ballot.

73, Dan N8WKM

Electronic Meeting Information:

The September 9, 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 web-meeting is only needed for things like slideshow presentations, or use of a whiteboard where someone may need to do an illustration. 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 web-meeting you may still join in on the phone bridge from wherever you are.

MARC Meeting Minutes

Date: June 11, 2023
This meeting took place via internet and phone connection.

Officers:

President: Dan Thompson, N8WKM
Vice President: Vice President: Keith Armitage, KD8ZSK
Secretary: Ann Manor, KT8F
*Treasurer: David Potter, KE8OHG
*Director: Jim Kvochick, K8JK
*Director: Jeff Oberg, KB8SXK
Coordinator: Dan Thompson, N8WKM
Coordinator: Phil Manor, W8IC
*Coordinator: Jeff Oberg, KB8SXK
Database Manager: Bob Walchli, N8ZCC
Newsletter Editor: Dan Thompson, N8WKM
*Web page Editor: David Potter, KE8OHG
Statistical Researcher, Keith KD8ZSK

Absent: Indicated by * above
Visitors: None


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

Meeting called to order by Dan at 1:01 PM

Minutes of the last meeting were read by Ann. Motion to approve minutes from the 03-11-2023
meeting was made by Phil, seconded by Keith, vote taken, minutes approved.

Treasurer’s report was not available.

Old Business:

Elections to be held in September for the offices of VP, treasurer, and one director. Nominations were opened by Dan. Phil nominated Keith as VP. No other nominations at this time.
Contact Ann or Dan, the election committee, with any nominations for the offices that are up for election.

New Business:

Discussion on some of the MARC positions and operations were discussed.

Dan is working on obtaining and organizing and converting data from other states.

Keith said he would contact Jim, who is connected with many other ham services. There could be possible leads for volunteers.

A discussion on the number of board members who plan on attending the September Meeting, if it were planned for Lansing Michigan. This is to check if a quorum would be attainable. The consensus was to go with an on line meeting, unless something comes up to change it to a physical meeting

Dan will be contacting David about the Treasurer's reports, the adjacent states for databases,and possibly work on the necessary software for converting these databases to our DB format.

Adjournment:

Motion to close the meeting made by Phil, seconded by Bob, meeting closed at 1:54 PM.
The next meeting will be held electronically on September 9, 2023. at 1:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Manor, KT8F, Recording Secretary

Volunteers Needed

The following is an article submitted by Phil Manor, a long time active MARC member and previous MARC President.

MARC needs volunteers for coordinating repeaters. I have been at the job since 2004 and enjoy helping the amateur radio community. Time for me to train a couple new volunteers for the job. My wife and I want to do more traveling and visiting with our 19 kids, grand kids and great grand kids

The coordination work is done on a computer and the training can be done on line. MARC uses programs to calculate things like height above average terrain, ERP etc. Mapping programs and applications like Google Earth are useful tools. The coordination applications are first in first out per band.This way the pace of the work is not too time consuming. Two new coordinators can split up the bands. Presently, I am doing 10, 6 and 2 meters along with 440 MHZ. Two coordinators can split it into 10 meters and 2 meters for one and 6 meters and 440 MHZ for another. Dan N8WKM handles 220 MHZ and 900 MHZ and above. So please spread the word at swaps, on the air and at club meetings. I would like to have new hams on board within one year so I can feel good about retiring from MARC. There are lots of repeaters and lots of hams in Michigan so hopefully we can get lots of interest in volunteering to help.

73 Phil W8IC
MARC Coordinator