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 – February 23, 2026

    Recorded by Nancy Graff AG5MQ

    Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO welcomed one first time guest.

    Presentation: Presentation was Cybersecurity and Amateur Radio by Cliff Hemming KG5HHL

    Club Apparel & Merchandise: DCARA Apparel and other branded merchandise is available at the following website The club gets a small percentage of each purchase. https://shop.printyourcause.com/campaigns/dcara-w5ngu

    ARES: The ARES website has been updated. It can be accessed from DCARA.net
    https://dcara.net/amateur-radio-emergency-services-ares/

    Michael Porter KF5LDJ reminded ARES members to update their Sky Warn/Spotter Training. Contact ARES at dentoncountyares@gmail.com

    Rookie Roundup: The next rookie roundup is April 19, 2026 and will be SSB single side band. For more information contact elmer@dcara.net

    Upcoming Events: Andrew Koenig KE5GDB reported there aren’t any upcoming events scheduled but there will be more balloon launches announced.

    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. An alternate location will be announced.

    Training: Nancy Graff AG5MQ reported no classes are currently scheduled.

    GoKit Challenge: The 2026 goKit Challenge will be Sunday March 21, 2026 at the Double Tree Park in Highland Village. For more Details: https://gokitchallenge.org/

    Other Clubs: Roger Carver AE5EZ reported LARA’s next POTA event is February 28, 2026 at the Spring Creek Forest Preserve. Chip Coker KD4C reported the Richardson Wireless Klub K5RWK is planning a multi club event for FIFA. David Hume

    K5DTH reported the Robson Ranch club is scheduling another tech class for Robson Ranch members and is planning their field day.

    DFW Ham Expo: Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO reported the DWF Ham Expo is scheduled for June 12-13, 2026 and will be in the old JC Penny location at the Lewisville mall.

    Meeting Adjourned.

  • Welcome New Members – February, 2026

    Rodney E Alexander, N5MEC
    Steven A Bartz, KJ5ONQ
    Jeremy E Boren, KJ5ONC
    Ron R Huebner, KG5RRH
    Keith R Mason, KJ5OND
    David A Meeks, KJ5ONE
    Mark H Rutledge, WQ8E
    William Z Smith, K5WZS
    Jeff Whitmire, KJ5MKP

  • Welcome New Members – January, 2026

    Bryant Carruth, KJ5GJX
    Hayley L Chan, KJ5NIB
    James R Taylor, KJ5NGJ

  • Officers’ Meeting Minutes – January 6, 2026

    Prepared by Nancy Graff AG5MQ

    Present: Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO, Gerald Marchant WB5NZV, Landon Elfenbein N5AET, Sara Ann Stevens KE5MZT, Jeff Minear WA9JAM, Mike Chittenden AE5IV, Cliff Hemming KE5HHL, Bayles Melton KG5UJM

    The power point slides for the January 26, 2026 meeting were reviewed.

    Presentation: Presentation will be Cybersecurity and Amateur Radio by Cliff Hemming KE5HHL

    Future presentations: Ideas for future presentation topics were discussed. Plan to ask membership for ideas at next meeting.

    Work Projects: Work projects were discussed. The Grapevine voter needs new coax. The county requires certified tower climbers. Mike Chittenden AE5IV made a motion to approve funding to hire certified tower climbers to install new coax for the Grapevine tower. Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO seconded the motion. The motion passed with all officers present approving. Another project that needs attention is the carburetor repair on the tower trailer.

    Winter Field Day: Preparations for Winter Field Day were discussed. Decision made to have a one-day event. Saturday January 24, 2026 at Pilot Knoll Park, Post Oak Pavilion. Georgetown will be used. Members are encouraged to bring their own radio setups. An email to RSVP for BBQ meal was sent. Please RSVP by 1-21-2026

    Christmas Dinner recap: Discussion on how the Christmas dinner went and starting plans for this year’s dinner.

    Meeting Adjourned.

  • Officers’ Meeting Minutes – September 9, 2025

    Prepared by Nancy Graff AG5MQ

    Present: Eric Gildersleeve KD7CAO, Gerald Marchant WB5NZV, Sara Ann Stevens KE5MZT, Cliff Hemming KG5HHL, Laurie Hemming KG5QIX, Stewart Rabinowitz KE5UT

    The power point slides for the September 22, 2025 meeting were updated.

    Presentation: Presentation September National Preparedness Month by Michael Porter KF5LDJ.

    Christmas Dinner Planning: Eric has tentatively secured a location for the Christmas dinner, Saturday December 13, 2025, 4:00 – 8:00 pm the Southwest Courthouse in Flower Mound, 6200Canyon Falls Dr. Northlake, Tx

    76226. Menu and cost are still being researched. The Dessert Contest will be held again.

    Winter Field Day: Plans are being made to hold Winter Field Day, January 24-25, 2026, at the usual location, Pilot Knoll Park. Nancy will make the reservations for the pavilion.

    Field Day: Long discussion on field day. Ideas on how to increase participation were discussed. Alternate locations were discussed. Ideas discussed included: making sign-up sheets available, having a BBQ contest or pot luck dinner, offering door prizes again.

    Technician License Class: Nancy will begin planning a tech class for early 2026, possibly January or February.

    That is all. Meeting adjourned.