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 the columnized version of this newsletter click here for the standard version.

President’s Update:

The September meeting this year has many things to talk about. Also, will be the elections for new officers. More information on this can be found below.

Phil sent a note to me and asked that it be included in the newsletter. Phil, W8IC and Ann, KT8F have been a big part of MARC for many years. Ann has been our acting secretary for many years after volunteering to do the job, as she was always at the meetings with Phil. Their presence will be greatly missed as they retire and enjoy time with their family and friends.

The following is what Phil asked for me to share with MARC Members.

I want to thank the MARC board members and all the MARC members who I had the pleasure to work with over the last 20 years. I am retiring from MARC to enjoy more time with family and friends. A lot has changed since 2004 but MARC has adapted. I ask that you are kind to the volunteers as the jobs only reward is when an application gets approved, and a coordination is issued, the books come out even, a new member is added, a new database tool is working well, a final Michigan number is issued and many other jobs that can go unnoticed. When something does not work out, the volunteer is also disappointed. Please keep MARC in mind and make sure that the number of volunteers is enough to keep MARC in business. It's the best way to avoid interference between repeaters and keep this great hobby growing.

73 Phil W8IC
MARC Coordinator

Thank you Phil and Ann for your many years of service to MARC and we wish for you the best as you move on to the next part of your life.

73, Dan N8WKM

Electronic Meeting Information:

The September 7, 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.

2024 MARC Elections

Each year, MARC Elections selects three of the 6 officers for a 2 year term. This year, the offices open to election are President, Secretary and one of the directors. Ann, the secretary is selecting not to run. We need a candidate to volunteer to fill this position. The other two positions have an incumbent candidate, but new candidates can be nominated at any time up until the election.

In order to vote, one must be a paid member of MARC. If you are unable to attend the meeting but still wish to vote, you may fill out a ballot and send it to the MARC US Post Office mail address. You may find the 2024 ballot on the website to fill out and mail to us. Mailing information can be found on the ballot.

MARC Meeting Minutes

Date: March 10, 2024
This meeting took place via internet and phone connection.

Officers:

President: Dan Thompson, N8WKM
Vice President: Keith Armitage, KD8ZSK
Secretary: Ann Manor, KT8F
Treasurer: Roy Watts W8ROY
*Director: Jim Kvochick, K8JK
*Director: Jeff Oberg, KB8SXK
Coordinator: Dan Thompson, N8WKM
Coordinator: Phil Manor, W8IC
Coordinator Jon Blome, NX0H
*Coordinator: Jeff Oberg, KB8SXK
*Database Manager: Joe Erlewien, N8CN
Newsletter Editor: Dan Thompson, N8WKM
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 1:00 PM

Minutes of the last meeting were read by Ann.
Motion to approve minutes from the last meeting was made by Phil, seconded by Cliff, vote taken, Motion Carried minutes approved.

Treasurer's report provided by Roy.
Motion to accept the report as read made by Phil, second by Keith, vote taken, motion passed.

Old Business:

Phil gave a report on the 2 meter activity. There is one application on the waiting list and one on the active list, where a waiver is required.

Received info from Cliff, stating he is unable to do the MARC web page database work at this time.

Joe has database access and can follow Dan as he processes the submitted updates, as his time allows. Dan is very busy with work and can't do much more training at this time.

A question was brought up about sharing information from the MARC database with the repeater book. There are several reasons that MARC cannot share the complete database. The repeater book did not have expiration dates on their listings when last checked. The repeater book also did not indicate repeaters which were coordinated and those that were submitted by an open source. The ARRL paid a stipend for each repeaters information sent to them, including limited info that we can give out, such as the city and frequency with call sign, CTCSS tones etc. No names, latitude, or longitude data etc. The repeater book is a for profit company which requires our data to be sent to them, after much processing by MARC at our cost and time. It was decided that this is not acceptable. At the time this began, some adjacent states also felt that sharing was not acceptable.

New Business:

Jon gave a report on the 440 Activity. There are 3 new requests he is working on, and one new request he is holding until those submitted earlier can be processed. Jon has 3 provisional coordination's that have been issued so far this year, along with 2 new final coordinations.

Discussion on DB tools procedures took place regarding provisional coordinations.

Jon brought up a coordination system which has been offered to MARC by the Colorado coordination group. The system automates much of the paperwork that is currently necessary for coordinations. This would save many hours of work that has to be done by our coordinators currently.

Keith made a motion to schedule a meeting in July for a demonstration of this coordination system with MARC board members present. Second by Phil. Vote taken, motion passed.

Adjournment:

Motion to close the meeting made by Keith, seconded by Ann, motion accepted. Meeting closed at 2:00 PM
The next meeting will be held electronically on September 7, 2024 at 1:00 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Manor, KT8F, Recording Secretary

Treasurer's Report
For the Period: 02/01/2023 - 04/31/2024

Marc funds balance on Feb 1, 2024 $3746.31
Income for Feb, Mar, Apr $43.73 from dues and interest.
Expenses for Feb, Mar, Apr. $4.20

MARC funds balance on April 30, 2024 was $3785.84

Respectfully Submitted,
Roy Watts, W8ROY
MARC Treasurer

Supporting Detail

MARC Funds as of 02/01/2024