CARBON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

W3HA

MEETING MINUTES 16 JULY 2026

The Board of Directors:

President:               Michael McNamara    wa3tt@carbonamateurradioclub.com

Vice President:    Donna Kattner              dkattner@ptd.net

Treasurer:               Eric Bott                           n3tvv@ptd.net

Secretary:               Glenn Schnell                ges1@ptd.net

Directors:

Randy Hinkle                    randyhinkle26@gmail.com

Chris Shand                      w2cps@outlook.com

Vacant Position

Members present: Mike M. WA3TT, Eric N3TVV, Randy N3OWC, Donna N3RXL, Dan KQ4SYE, Jay KC3ZFR, Diane KD3DAM, Chris W2CPS, Patrick KC3PJG and Glenn KC3LBI. There was one guest, Paul Lech KD3DKM.

President Mike called the meeting to order at 19:31. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was held.

Introduction and Welcome to new members and visitors: Paul Lech, KD3DKM was welcomed and introductions were made.

Things to share for the good of the hobby: Glenn shared that Chris, Mike, and Glenn attended the Sussex ham fest last weekend. It is one of the larger ham fests in the area and worthwhile attending.

Secretary Report: Glenn asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the 18 June 2026 meeting as emailed to the membership. A motion was made to approve the minutes by Eric and seconded by Jay, all approved.

Treasurers Report: Eric reported the balance in the checking account is $3,476.00. The only outstanding bill is for what Mike will be submitting for the food for Field Day. Donna made a motion to approve the Treasurers Report seconded by Chris, all approved.

Reports of President and Officers: Mike held discussion on needing a Power Gate for use at the repeater site to maintain power to our equipment during power outages and generator failure. It is capable of adding a Solar Panel in the future. The cost is approximately $211.00. Jim M. has a battery he will donate. Glenn made a motion to approve the purchase of the Power Gate for approximately $211.00, Dan seconded, all approved.

Mike was able to meet with EMA director Zack Gilbert last week and reported Zack is aware of the need to replace the APC in the radio room and was made aware of the alarm at the generator at the antenna site. Zack informed Mike the county was unable to fill the propane tank due to access problems last fall, but is working on getting the tank filled soon. Zack also plans on getting the generator serviced. Mike was able to have Zack make him a county ID badge and will contact Zack again on how he would like to proceed with producing ID badges for other members.

Field Day summary: Mike reported Field Day was a huge success and we will begin planning for next years event starting in January. All agreed to use the same site again if we are given permission. Mike and Donna are going to continue keeping notes in a file folder in the radio room. Our Field Day information for FD 2026 has been submitted to the ARRL and the preliminary results are posted on the club web site.

Nominations for officers and board members: Mike opened nominations for all officers and board members to be elected at the September meeting for the next year.

Mike nominated Donna as V.P., Donna accepted.

Chris nominated Eric as Treasurer, Eric accepted.

Dan nominated Mike as President, Mike accepted.

Randy nominated Glenn as Secretary, Glenn accepted.

Glenn nominated Randy as a Director, Randy accepted.

Donna nominated Chris as a Director, Chris accepted.

There being no further nominations, Mike closed Nominations to be opened again at the August meeting.

Reports of Committees (Standing or Special):

Social Committee: Donna reported the next club breakfast will be this Saturday, July 18^th at the Beacon 443 Diner starting at 9:00 A.M.

Old Business:

Repeater: Eric reported a visit to the repeater site was made on Saturday, 11 July. An abandoned cabinet and various equipment donated to the club by the county was removed. The cabinet will be reused at the W3OHX site for mounting an Arcom controller and radios. The APRS WX3IN1 controller was removed from the weather station and needs to be reprogrammed with the W3HA call sign. A return visit will be scheduled in August.

New Business:

Dan offered to work on an operations manual to be used in the radio room during emergency and emergency exercises. He will gather what we have, add what is needed and produce a manual. Glenn made a motion, seconded by Mike, to have Dan produce a Carbon Amateur Radio Club Operations Manual, all approved.

Motion to adjourn: Diane made a motion to adjourn at 20:06 seconded by Eric, all approved.

Presentation: Club members worked on storing items used at Field Day and items removed from the antenna site on the club’s storage shelf in the garage. Fellowship was enjoyed by all.

Submitted by Glenn KC3LBI CARC Secretary