April 2004


The April meeting of the Sheboygan County Amateur Radio Club was called to
order by President Bob, K9XB, at 7pm local time. There where 12 members and
2 guests present at the meeting. The SCARC meets every second Tuesday of
the month at the Red Cross building, 2032 Erie Ave.


OLD BUSINESS
Bob, K9XB, reported that the 2-meter side of the DX packet cluster should be
operational by this weekend. Listen on 145.510 MHz.

Tuesday morning breakfasts remain at Interstate Plaza until further notice.
Nominations are now being accepted for SCARC offices. Elections will be
held at the May meeting. Still looking for some new blood in the officer's
position. Remember if you don't come to the May meeting you might be
elected in your absence. New officers will be installed at Field Day.

Foxhunt report; Bob, K9XB, reported that all the needed equipment has been
collected and a "sample" hunt might be planned for July or August, with a
cook out to follow. The first hunt will be more of an instructional event
since there are many new operators that have never participated in this
"hide and seek" game.

Sunday, March 14th, was the Wisconsin QSO Party. Despite terrible band
conditions, W9VCL operated for about 3 hours and made about 50 QSO's.
Several people stopped down to see the station in operation.

NEW BUSINESS

Repeater etiquette, Bob, K9XB, took a few minutes to discuss some repeater
practices that seem to have fallen to the wayside. Remember that a 2 second
delay is needed to allow the repeater to drop it's carrier and it also gives
any other stations time to get into the conversation. Also there has been
some discussion as to who owns the repeater and the repeater status. The
repeater trustee was in attendance this evening and reported that the
repeater is an open system for all to use following good Amateur practice.
However the Club is responsible for both the insurance at the repeater site
and the controller, which is in need of an upgrade.

Final plans for the spring brat fry where discussed. We still need some
volunteers; just a couple of hours in the morning or after dinner either
frying or working in the booth would really help. Just a reminder that
April 17th at the North side Piggly Wiggly we will be spending the day
frying brats and burgers. There will also be a bake goods sale. Remember
the funds we raise go towards SCARC insurance and needed equipment updates.
If you can't come to work the brat fry, please come to spend some money!!

We have not one but two Club web sites taking shape. Please take the time
to visit both sites and offer any ideas to the web masters. The sites are
as follows; www.w9vcl.org and http://www.w9vcl.8m.com/. Thanks to both
Josh, AB9FT, and Daniel, KC9BKA, for their time developing these sites.

Remember there are no monthly meetings during the summer months, June, July,
and August.

We also have a "new/old" ham in the area. Aubery,KC9FTF, had let his license
lapse several years ago and has recently decided to get back into the hobby.
With a little studying he is again licensed and putting together a station.
If you hear him on the air, be sure to say hello.

Attendance prizewinner was Andy, KB9ZDS. 50/50 winner was Bob, K9XB.

UP COMING EVENTS

Spring Brat fry Saturday, April17th
MS-Walk, Sunday, April 25th, 9am-2pm
Rockets 4 Schools, Friday and Saturday May 14 & 15
Plank Trail Saturday, May 22nd
Field Day June 25 & 26
Fall Brat fry Saturday, October 16th

Net schedules:
6:30 PM Sunday nights packet net 144.990,WISHE system, conf. mode 7:30 PM
Monday nights 50.160 MHz both FM and SSB.
8:00 PM Monday nights, SCARC Fun Net, 147.06 PL 107.2, +.
Web site address: www.w9vcl.org and http://www.w9vcl.8m.com/
Snail Mail address: SCARC PO Box 1282 Sheboygan, WI 53082
Respectfully submitted:
Steve Eisold, AA9SJ