About The Exciter
The Exciter is published monthly by DCARA as an official record of Club activities and business.
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We need your contributions to The Exciter. Please send your stories/projects/photos to Exciter Editor Richard Sinclair at newsletter@dcara.net
Recent Exciter Posts
- Amateur Test Session – Mike, K5YXMonthly amateur radio license testing is conducted the fourth Sunday of the month at 3 pm. Testing location is 9060 Teasley Lane, Denton, TX 76210. This is the old Denton County Emergency Services building. Please register for the exam at hamstudy.org/sessions/k5yx. Walk ins are welcome but we do recommend registering in advance to get you… Read more: Amateur Test Session – Mike, K5YX
- Officers’ Meeting Minutes – January 7, 2025DCARA Officers’ Meeting Minutes Tuesday January 7, 2025 Prepared by Nancy Graff AG5MQ Present: Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO, Gerald Marchant WB5NZV, Landon Elfenbein N5AET, Sara Ann Stevens KE5MZT, Bob Storey AF5RS, Laurie Hemming KG5QIX, Cliff Hemming KG5HHL, Mike Chittenden AE5IV, Fred Keen KC5YN, Curtis Anthony KF5PGM The power point slides for the January 27, 2025 meeting… Read more: Officers’ Meeting Minutes – January 7, 2025
- Welcome New Member – December 2024!Kevin Clark, KI5RMX
- Officers’ Meeting Minutes – December 3, 2024Tuesday December 3, 2024 Prepared by Nancy Graff AG5MQ Present: Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO, Gerald Marchant WB5NZV, Landon Elfenbein N5AET, Sara Ann Stevens KE5MZT, Andrew Koenig KE5GDB, Bob Storey AF5RS, Laurie Hemming KG5QIX This was a short meeting to finalize the Christmas dinner plans and discuss updates for DFW Ham Expo. Christmas dinner discussion included door… Read more: Officers’ Meeting Minutes – December 3, 2024
- Club Meeting Minutes – November 25, 2024Recorded by Nancy Graff AG5MQ Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO welcomed new members and guests. Presentation: Presentation was Happy Anniversary DCARA 50 years old 1974-2024. Gerald Marchant WB5NZV brought old pictures and documents. A spread sheet was presented that showed who the officers were and DCARA’s meeting places over the years. Original members present were Gerald Marchant… Read more: Club Meeting Minutes – November 25, 2024
- Club Financials – December 2024$ 7287.24 DATCU Savings account $ 4034.06 DATCU Business account $ 3555.10 PayPal account $ 7000.00 Veritex Bank reserve account
- Welcome New Members – November 2024!Sean C Britt, KJ5IQE John T Creley, KI5SID Jack McClendon, KJ5IAL Todd McClendon, KJ5IAM Dena Moreland, KJ5IIX Christian G Pynaert, KJ5IPD Michael A Searles, WM9B
- Officers’ Meeting – November 5thPrepared by Nancy Graff AG5MQ Present: Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO, Gerald Marchant WB5NZV, Landon Elfenbein N5AET, Sara Ann Stevens KE5MZT, Andrew Koenig KE5GDB, Stewart Rabinowitz KE5UT, Bayles Melton KG5UJM, Laurie Hemming KG5QIX, Cliff Hemming KG5HHL The PowerPoint slides for the next meeting, Monday November 25, 2024, were reviewed and updated. Presentation: Presentation for the November 25th… Read more: Officers’ Meeting – November 5th
- Club Meeting Minutes – October 28, 2024Recorded by Nancy Graff AG5MQ Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO welcomed 2 new members. Presentation: Presentation was Digital Communications Systems by Bill, Bucky, Buckwalter W0SUN from Colorado. Rookie Roundup: Roger Carver AE5EZ reports the Rookie Roundup is Sunday December 22nd. Contact Roger or Robert Allen K5IKD at elmer@dcara.net for details. ARES: Michael Porter KF5LDJ reported on the… Read more: Club Meeting Minutes – October 28, 2024
- Welcome New Members – October 2024!Jennie K Buker, KJ5JKR Shawn A Clary, KJ5HYP Kimberly G Hinkle, KJ5ILT Charles Hodges, KJ5ICD John T Ireland, KJ5IBU Lynn Jackson, AC5T Andrew King, KJ5HKY Benjamin L Riley, KJ5ICC Nicol P Saraceni, KJ5HSL Charlene Solitario, KJ5IKJ
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Current Contents of The Exciter
- Amateur Test Session – Mike, K5YX
Monthly amateur radio license testing is conducted the fourth Sunday of the month at 3 pm. Testing location is 9060 Teasley Lane, Denton, TX 76210.
This is the old Denton County Emergency Services building. Please register for the exam at hamstudy.org/sessions/k5yx. Walk ins are welcome but we do recommend registering in advance to get you started quicker when you arrive at the test session. Please contact Mike Nelson, K5YX with questions by emailing him at k5yx@arrl.net
- Officers’ Meeting Minutes – January 7, 2025
DCARA Officers’ Meeting Minutes
Tuesday January 7, 2025
Prepared by Nancy Graff AG5MQ
Present: Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO, Gerald Marchant WB5NZV, Landon Elfenbein N5AET, Sara Ann Stevens KE5MZT, Bob Storey AF5RS, Laurie Hemming KG5QIX, Cliff Hemming KG5HHL, Mike Chittenden AE5IV, Fred Keen KC5YN, Curtis Anthony KF5PGM
The power point slides for the January 27, 2025 meeting were reviewed.
Presentation ideas were discussed. Eric sent messages to possible presenters.
Winter Field Day preparations were discussed. Gerald and Curtis are in charge of getting the assets to the location: eComm, Georgetown, Generators, Antenna trailer. So far we don’t have any food planned, volunteers needed. Nancy will confirm the park reservations and gate code. Update DCARA’s field day will not be at Pilot Knoll Park as we received notice that the park will be closed for maintenance. Membership will be notified when alternate plans are made.
Elections are coming up so an election committee is needed. Volunteers needed.
Donated and surplus equipment needs to be organized and inventoried in preparation for a future auction. Plans will be made to do this once the weather is warmer, maybe March.
DFW Ham Expo planning was discussed. The website has been updated. Getting the word out about the event was discussed. This may include flyers, contacting other clubs, businesses and ARRL.
Meeting Adjourned
- Welcome New Member – December 2024!
Kevin Clark, KI5RMX
- Officers’ Meeting Minutes – December 3, 2024
Tuesday December 3, 2024
Prepared by Nancy Graff AG5MQ
Present: Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO, Gerald Marchant WB5NZV, Landon Elfenbein N5AET, Sara Ann Stevens KE5MZT, Andrew Koenig KE5GDB, Bob Storey AF5RS, Laurie Hemming KG5QIX
This was a short meeting to finalize the Christmas dinner plans and discuss updates for DFW Ham Expo.
Christmas dinner discussion included door prizes and recognition awards. It was decided the recognition awards will be postponed to the January meeting.
DFW Ham Expo planning was discussed. Gerald and Bob, as directors of DFW Ham Expo, requested the Ham Expo account funds be transferred to the new DFW Ham Expo bank account. Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO made a motion to move the Expo’s funds, $4003.99, from the DCARA account to the new DFW Ham Expo bank account. Landon Elfenbein N5AET seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Bob reported Chip Coker KD4C has updated the Expo website with the new date and event venue information. The mall now has a much bigger event venue. Plans to tour the venue were made.
Meeting Adjourned.
- Club Meeting Minutes – November 25, 2024
Recorded by Nancy Graff AG5MQ
Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO welcomed new members and guests.
Presentation: Presentation was Happy Anniversary DCARA 50 years old 1974-2024. Gerald Marchant WB5NZV brought old pictures and documents. A spread sheet was presented that showed who the officers were and DCARA’s meeting places over the years. Original members present were Gerald Marchant WB5NZV, Fred Stevens, Sandy Stevens & Fred Keen KC5YN. Lots of interesting stories were told.
Christmas Dinner: Eric reminded us the deadline to make dinner reservations was December 3rd. The Dinner is on Saturday December 7th 4:00 pm at Angelina’s Mexican Restaurant in Hickory Creek. See the DCARA website for details and to make reservations.
Training: Nancy Graff AG5MQ reports planning for a General license class is in progress, with a class possibly in February 2025.
ARES: Michael Porter KF5LDJ reminded about wintertime safety and make sure vehicles and homes are prepared for winter weather.
Rookie Roundup: The Rookie Roundup is Sunday December 22nd at the old EOC. It is CW. Contact Roger or Robert Allen K5IKD at elmer@dcara.net for details.
Operations: Andrew Koenig KE5GDB reported on the Turkey Role event. DCARA provided 41 volunteers. There were over 1000 riders. Future events include Foxhunts and Winter Field Day January 25-26, 2025. Guy Story KC5GOI will start setting up foxes this weekend.
Committees: Laurie Hemming KG5QIX reports the recognition committee is still looking for nominees for recognition. Cliff Hemming KG5HHL reports volunteers are needed for net control for the 3rd Monday of each month.
Area Clubs: Robson Ranch new president David Hume K5DTH reports the club is growing and now has 15 members. Gerald Marchant reports the LARA Christmas dinner is December 8th at Spring Creek BBQ in Lewisville 6 PM. There will be a white elephant gift exchange and door prizes. LAARK’s Christmas dinner is December 6th at Spring Creek BBQ in Frisco, 6:30 PM.
Meeting Adjourned.