Allegan County Amateur Radio Club

Hello Everyone!

Coming up soon is our club christmas party.

December 14th, 2024 11AM What-Not-Inn
2405 Blue Star Hwy, Fennville, MI 49408
Let John AC8HZ know if you will be attending. John.Hanse@Gmail.com
or Text (616) 836-3737

All are welcome and we hope to see you there!

WINTER MEETING DATE CHANGE

We will be doing something a little different for our “winter meeting” starting in January we will NOT be meeting on the second tuesday of the month, insted we will hold the meeting on the second Saturday of the month at the plainwell public safety building at 10AM.

Winter meeting dates:

January 11th, 2025

February 8th, 2025

March 8th, 2025

After March we will go back to the normal schedule of the second tuesday of the month at 7PM

If anyone has any questions or concerns please send an email to AC8RCMI@GMAIL.COM

-Seth McPherson KE8GOJ

All meeting Minutes will now be posted under the Meeting Minutes Page

Thanks

Seth KE8GOJ

Meeting Opened at: 7:00 PM

Pledge Recited: yes

Attendance Sheet Signed And Introductions: yes

Next Meeting: October 11th, 2022

Topic/Program: Building a 10 Meter Moxon Antenna By John W6NBC

Reports:

Secretary’s Report: Not much to report. There is an antenna tower in Otsego that is available for someone to take down and have for free. Motion: Randy Second: Dennis

Treasurer’s Report:

No report

Group Reports:

AUXCOMM: September 15th, 2022 Location Unknown 

Not much going on, Mesh camera will be set up at the fairgrounds for the security team to use. 

ACSAR: September 14th, 2022 Ronnie McDowell Concert 7PM Plainwell High School Auditorium  

VE Team: September 24th, 2022 9AM Martin Township Hall

Randy not available for this session 

Upcoming Events:

• Club Swap: October 1st setup at 6:30AM running from 8-11am Salem Township Hall 3003 142nd Ave, Dorr MI 49323 $5 entry and $5 for a table

Dennis will bring coffee and donuts, Seth will bring Chips and Pop

Old Business:

• Program Ideas For Next Meeting

New Business:

• Allegan Fair special event station. How did it go? 

Antenna setup could have been different, got a few DX’s but not many US contacts 

• Fox Hunt 

Tentative date Oct 8th and 9th 10AM- 6PM Location TBD

• 10M net is starting back up. 28.380 Mhz 

• Meeting Closed at: 8:05 PM

Meeting Opened at: 7:00 Pm

Pledge Recited: Yes

Attendance Sheet Signed And Introductions: Yes

Next Meeting: September 13th, 2022

Topic/Program: SDR Radio Presentation by Jason KD8QNX

Reports:

Secretary’s Report: 

Seth has stuff from Jim’s home such as antennas need to get clubs info on ARRL updated Motion: Randy Second: Bill Passed 

Treasurer’s Report:

Ballences Read Motion: Mark Second: Ray Passed

Group Reports:

AUXCOMM: August 18th, 2022 Location Unknown 

Most likely on Zoom topic TBD Auxcomm has been very quiet lately 

ACSAR: August 10th, 2022 7PM Training location Sandy Pines North Shore Building

Dive Member water rescue presentation 

VE Team: September 24th, 2022 9AM Martin Township Hall

Not much to update. With computer testing people get through much faster.

Upcoming Events:

• Club Swap: October 1st setup at 6:30AM running from 8-11am Salem Township Hall 3003 142nd Ave, Dorr MI 49323 $5 entry and $5 for a table

Old Business:

• Program Ideas For Next Meeting

Possible remote presentation from John W6NBC

• Fox Hunt

Possible live fox hunt in the future 

Tentative date Sept 17,18th 10am-6pm

• Allegan Fair special event station

Sept 9,10 and 11th Contact Jason KD8QNX for sign up.

New Business:

• Meeting Closed at: 9:00 Pm

Meeting Opened at: 7:10Pm

Pledge Recited: Yes

Attendance Sheet Signed And Introductions: 

Next Meeting: August 9th, 2022

Topic/Program: Ham radio remote operation By John Hanse AC8HZ

Reports:

Secretary’s Report: 

No Report

Treasurer’s Report: Balances read.  Motion: Jim Second: John Passed

Group Reports

AUXCOMM: July 21st, 2022 Location Unknown 

ACSAR: July 16th, 2022 6PM Training location Ely Lake

VE Team: July 23rd, 2022 9AM Martin Township Hall

Upcoming Events:

• Club Swap: October 1st setup at 6:30AM running from 8-11am Salem Township Hall 3003 142nd Ave, Dorr MI 49323 $5 entry and $5 for a table

Old Business:

• Program Ideas For Next Meeting

• Field Day: What went well and what didn’t! 

New Business:

• Fox Hunt: discussion on having a live fox hunt vs a fox box.

• Allegan County Fair Scheduled for Sept 9,10 and 11th

• Meeting Closed at: 9:00PM

Meeting Opened at: 7:00 PM

Pledge Recited: yes

Attendance Sheet Signed: Yes 17 People in attendance 

Next Meeting: July 12th, 2022

Topic/Program: Digital presentation by Jason KD8QNX

Reports:

Secretary’s Report: 

Emails from multiple people looking for help with amateur radio. Everyone receives the emails. Motion: Gio Second: Dennis Passed

Treasurer’s Report: 

Account Balances read Motion: Jim Second: Nancy Passed

Group Reports:

AUXCOMM: June 16th, 2022 Location Unknown 

On zoom, very quiet lately not much going on with Emergency Management. 

ACSAR: July 16th, 2022 6PM Training location TBD

Day Training time and location TBD

VE Team: July 23rd, 2022 9AM Martin Township Hall:

HF Dipole antenna book to be given out at the next test section. 

Old Business:

• Program Ideas For Next Meeting
• Dennis will be taking a break from the 10M net 

New Business:

• Club Swap 

October 1st setup at 6:30AM running from 8-11am 

• Fox Hunt 

June 18th 10AM to 5PM 145.530 Starting location is Meijer in Plainwell

Fox is set up with Seth KE8GOJ’s call sign and is ready to go.

• Summer Field Day

June 25th and 26th 9AM setup at Dorr North Park. Club Picnic at 6PM on Saturday

Take a count for how many people will be at the club picnic. Look for more points we have never gotten before. Solar will be out and posible satellite education presentation. Confirm with Phil who is picking up the AuxComm Trailer.

• Special Election

2 year trustee: Dennis accepts nomination.

Motion: Jim Second: John 

Passed

President: John AC8HZ 

Motion: Dennis Second: Nancy 

Passed

• Meeting Closed at: 9:13 PM

Meeting Opened at: 7:02pm

Pledge Recited: yes

Attendance Sheet Signed: yes

Next Meeting: June 14th, 2022

Topic/Program: Tape measure antenna building

Reports:

Secretary’s Report: Not much to report. Website is updated and everyone has received the emails.

Treasurer’s Report: Account balances read. Getting a members list together and updates.

Group Reports:

AUXCOMM: May 19th, 2022 Location Unknown 

On zoom or in person 

ACSAR: May 11th, 2022 7PM Sandy Pines

Location corrected to Wayland rabbit river trails. Several page outs to that location so it’s good to get familiar with the area. MSMA state meeting Sat May 14th at noon. Pony express upcoming June 10-12th

VE Team: May 28th, 2022 9AM Martin Township Hall: using the new software with 6 computers.

Old Business:

• Program Ideas For Next Meeting

Digital Presentation on FT8

New Business:

• Club Swap

October 1st setup at 6:30am run from 8-11am 4 grab bags donated by Seth and an ARRL handbook donated by Dennis. $5 entry and $5 per table first come first serve. 

• Fox Hunt 

June 18th 10am-5pm Starting location Meijer in Plainwell 145.530 Possibly a mini fox hunt at Field day or another for the boy scouts 

• Summer Field Day

June 25th and 26th at Dorr North Park 9am setup. Club picnic on Saturday at 6pm. We will be operating as 4A MI. Jim will be picking up food.

• Meeting Closed at: 8:34pm 

Allegan County ARC April 12th, 2022

Meeting Opened at: 7:02 PM

Pledge Recited: Yes

Attendance Sheet Signed: Yes

Next Meeting:May 10th, 2022

Topic/Program:

Reports:

Secretary’s Report: Website will have the minutes posted going forward. Not enough officers to vote.

Treasurer’s Report: Ballences read. No vote

Group Reports:

AUXCOMM: April 21st, 2022 

Location TBD

ACSAR: April 13th, 2022 7PM Sandy Pines

Topic is basic search techniques. Talk about pony express and MSMA Meetings  

VE Team: May 28th, 2022 9AM Martin Township Hall:

Now have 6 stations to take the test digitally 

Old Business:

• Program Ideas For Next Meeting

Bill Hiel Program

Solar and emergency power 

Tape measure antenna next month 

New Business:

• Club Swap

Aug 13 or 20th contact salem township building 

Door prizes 4 grab bags donated by Seth and ARRL book from Dennis 

• Fox Hunt 

Tentatively april 23rd 

145.530

• Summer Field Day

June 25th and 26th 9am setup location Dorr North park 

Don’t start the grill! Wait for Randy with his grill gun.

• Meeting Closed at: 8:27 PM

Allegan County ARC March 8th, 2022

Meeting Opened at: 7:08 PM

Pledge Recited: Yes

Attendance Sheet Signed: Yes

Next Meeting: April 12th, 2022

Topic/Program:

Reports:

Secretary’s Report: Not much to report. Motion: Bill Second: Dennis Passed

Treasurer’s Report: Account Balances read. Money pulled out for the swap and we now have a new debit card. Motion: Jim Second: Bill Passed

Group Reports:

AUXCOMM: March 17th, 2022 Location Unknown 

Hopefully have an in person meeting. Possible locations: EOC or Plainwell Public

Safety Building.

ACSAR: March 9th, 2022 7PM Sandy Pines

North shore building. Topic Zellow and communication 

VE Team: March 26th, 2022 9AM Martin Township Hall:

4 people signed up for the next test session. 

Old Business:

• Program Ideas For Next Meeting

New Business:

• Club Swap

4 Grab bags Seth will donate them.

Dennis is Donating an Arrl Handbook for the door prize and running the snack stand

• Spring Fox Hunt 

April 23rd 145.530 10AM to 5PM Motion to replace wes’s Fox battery Motion: Jim Second: Jim Passed

• Summer Field day June 25th to 26th Dorr North Park 

• Meeting Closed at: 8:56 PM Motion: Seth Second: Bill 

August 14th, 2021 starting at Allegan High School
10AM- 7PM 145.530 MHz