Club Newsletter – The Exciter

About The Exciter

The Exciter is published monthly by DCARA as an official record of Club activities and business.

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Current Contents of The Exciter

  • Club Meeting Minutes – April 28, 2025

    Recorded by Nancy Graff AG5MQ

    Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO welcomed 1 first time guest.

    Presentation: Presentation was DMR and Fusion and Hot Spots Oh My by Chip Coker KD4C.

    Elections: Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO announced the results of the 2025 officers’ election. Vice president – Landon Elfenbein N5AET. Treasurer – Gerald Marchant WB5NZV. Operations/Program director – Andrew Koenig KE5GDB. 335 ballots were sent out. 85 ballots, 25% of membership, were cast.

    Training: A technician license class is schedule for May 24-25. Nancy Graff AG5MQ reported receiving minimal interest in scheduling a general license class. For more information contact training@dcara.net.

    ARES: Michael Porter KF5LDJ reported on the April 9, 2025 Medal of Honor escort event and the April 12, 2025 search and rescue exercise. Another ARES exercise for Fall is in the planning stages. Michael recommends everyone have the ICE plan programmed in their handheld radios.

    Upcoming Events: Andrew Koenig reported on future and past events: Dayton Hamfest May 16-18, 2025; DFW Ham Expo June 6-7; Field Day June 28-29, 2025; May 3-4, 2025 MS 150. May 3, 2025, weather permitting, RWK has scheduled a high-altitude balloon launch. A special event QSL card will be available. Note, the balloon launch has been postponed to May 31, 2025 due to weather.

    May Meeting: DCARA’s May 26, 2025 club meeting will not be held at the Denton County Administrative Courthouse as it is Memorial Day and the courthouse will be closed. The May meeting will be held at the Old EOC 9060 Teasley Ln. The meeting will be a silent auction. What doesn’t sell at the auction will be available at the DFW Ham Expo June 6-7, 2025. The meeting will also be a social,  so bring snacks to share.

    Training: Nancy Graff AG5MQ reports a tech license class is scheduled for May 24-25, 2025.

    Other Clubs: David Hume K5DTH reports the Robson Ranch radio club membership is increasing. The website is up. They held a 2M antenna building class. August 9, 2025 they are holding an Emergency Preparedness Fair. Sam Lovett KI5RSV reported on the Trail Life amateur radio multi troop event.

    Meeting Adjourned.    

  • Officers’ Meeting Minutes – April 8, 2025

    Prepared by Nancy Graff AG5MQ

    Present: Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO, Gerald Marchant WB5NZV, Landon Elfenbein N5AET, Sara Ann Stevens KE5MZT, Bob Storey AF5RS, Andrew Koenig KE5GDB, Curtis Anthony KF5PGM, Fred Keen KC5YN

    The power point slides for the April 28, 2025 meeting were reviewed.

    Presentation: Presentation will be DMR by Chip Coker KD4C.

    Elections: Getting the HCOL elections ballots online was discussed. The results will be announced at the April meeting.

    Field Day: Curtis reported on field day planning, and searching for an alternate location in case the park is closed due to flooding again. Nancy will call and make sure our Pilot Knoll park reservation is current.

    May Meeting Location: Discussion on an alternate location for the May 26, 2025 meeting was discussed. Monday May 26th is Memorial Day and the courthouse meeting location will be closed. The alternate location will be at the Old EOC, 9060 Teasley Ln. The May meeting will be an in person silent auction of club items. No bidding online will be done. Bring your wallet. You buy it and take it home. The meeting will also be a social event. Members are encouraged to bring snacks to share.

    Meeting Adjourned

  • Welcome New Members – April, 2025

    Joe Finegan, KJ5KXX
    Kenneth S Lambert, KD5OVR
    Keith Rutledge, KB1FFS

  • Welcome New Members – March, 2025

    Jack R Epling Jr, KC6HMP
    Colby Reynolds, KJ5KSC
    Brent Walters, KJ5KLP
    Christopher S Yettito, KJ5KQM

  • Club Meeting Minutes – March 24, 2025

    Recorded by Nancy Graff AG5MQ

    Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO welcomed two, 1st time members and guests.

    Presentation: Introduction to Amateur Microwave Radio by Matt Kube W5ZCA vice president of North Texas Microwave Society.

    ARRL: Michael Porter KF5LDJ reports the Medal of Honor escort is April 9, 2025. A search and rescue drill is scheduled for Saturday April 12, 2025.

    Upcoming Events: Andrew Koenig reported on future and past events. Future events include Belton April 4-5; Texas State Parks on the Air April 12-13; Dayton Hamfest May 16-18, 2025; MS 150 last weekend in May in Tarrant County; DFW Ham Expo June 6-7; Field Day June 28-29, 2025. Robert Allen N5IKD reports the next rookie roundup, SSB, is Sunday April 13, 2025.

    May Meeting: DCARA’s May 26, 2025 club meeting will not be held at the Denton County Administrative Courthouse. Alternate plans will be announced later.

    Training: Nancy Graff AG5MQ reports a tech license class is scheduled for May 24-25, 2025. More details later.

    Elections: Steve Mitchell W5STC reports the election committee did not receive any nominations and the current Vice President, Treasurer, and Operations/Programs Director will run for their positions. Ballots will be emailed early April.

    Other Clubs: David Hume K5DTH reports the Robson Ranch radio club has doubled it’s membership, 68.

    Other: Eric Gildersleeve reported on TDEM discussions to take over the TXICC interoperability communications. There is one House bill and 2 Senate bills covering this issue.

    Meeting Adjourned.