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“Ask not what your Club can do for you, Ask what you can do for your Club”
Dear Fellow Members
January 2020
Well here we are again, at the beginning of another fine year and once again I will do my very best as your President. I would like to hear from our Members, if you have any concerns or desires, please contact me, either by phone (856 962-7458) by e-mail (kuffeekup@verizon.net) or at our membership meetings. Myself, the Club Officers and Committee Chairpersons will all work hard, during this year, in order to make GCARC a Club we can all be proud of.
I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone and your families a Very Happy New Year and I wish you all the very best for the New Year.
Our Holiday Dinner Party went very well and I was very pleased to see so many of the wives and guests in attendance. The food was good and I would like to thank Jennifer, KD2EYR and her Staff for doing an outstanding job putting it all together. WELL DONE.
Our Budget Committee was hard at work last month putting together a Budget for 2020. The planned Budget will be presented to the Board of Directors this month for their approval and then presented to the General Membership in February for FINAL Approval as per our Constitution.
Dues are due for 2020, pay early and avoid the rush. Dues must be paid no later than April's General Membership Meeting.
FIELD DAY 2020 is just 171 days away, to be held on 27, 28 June 2020. It is not to early to start planning. Last year we were number TWO in the 6A Class, let’s try for number ONE this year.
The Board of Directors Meeting meets on the Third Wednesday of the month at 1900 hours at the W2MMD Clubhouse. All members are WELCOME to attend.
If you need a ride to our Meetings, send an e-mail out on the Club's Reflector.
Due to the Holiday, January's General Membership Meeting will be held on Monday, 6 January 2020 and the January Tech Saturday Forum (celebrating it’s 5th anniversary) will be on 11 January 2020.
I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone and your families a Very Happy New Year and I wish you all the very best for the New Year.
Our Holiday Dinner Party went very well and I was very pleased to see so many of the wives and guests in attendance. The food was good and I would like to thank Jennifer, KD2EYR and her Staff for doing an outstanding job putting it all together. WELL DONE.
Our Budget Committee was hard at work last month putting together a Budget for 2020. The planned Budget will be presented to the Board of Directors this month for their approval and then presented to the General Membership in February for FINAL Approval as per our Constitution.
Dues are due for 2020, pay early and avoid the rush. Dues must be paid no later than April's General Membership Meeting.
FIELD DAY 2020 is just 171 days away, to be held on 27, 28 June 2020. It is not to early to start planning. Last year we were number TWO in the 6A Class, let’s try for number ONE this year.
The Board of Directors Meeting meets on the Third Wednesday of the month at 1900 hours at the W2MMD Clubhouse. All members are WELCOME to attend.
If you need a ride to our Meetings, send an e-mail out on the Club's Reflector.
Due to the Holiday, January's General Membership Meeting will be held on Monday, 6 January 2020 and the January Tech Saturday Forum (celebrating it’s 5th anniversary) will be on 11 January 2020.
February 2020
It was a pleasure to see everyone at our first meeting, although attendance was down. Myself, the Officers and All Committee Chairpersons will do our best to ensure that this is another successful year for GCARC. Is it Spring time yet? The best time of the year.
If there is any present Chairperson who wishes not to serve this year, please let me know, as soon as possible, so a replacement can be found and appointed.
Up coming events for the New Year thus far, is as follows :
- Pizza Night : June 3rd General Membership Meeting
- Field Day 2020 : June 27 es 28
- Annual Club Picnic : Sunday, August 16th
- Hamfest 2020 : Sunday, September 13th (subject to possible change)
Tickets for the Hamfest this year are as follows :
- General Admission - $10.00
- Tailgating - $8.00
- Under the Pavilion - $12.00
This year we will be joined at Field Day by the Williamstown Boy Scout Troop #161. They will be operating our GOTA station run by John Zaruba Jr, K2ZA. This will give us several bonus points added to our score.
The Budget Committee presented their Budget for 2020 to the Board of Directors at the January BOD meeting with the Board approving said Budget. The Budget will now go to the General Membership for final approval at the February 5th General Membership Meeting.
Congratulations to the following new members : Jerry Blachniak KD2KIA, Lenny Rust III W2LJR, and Adam Sigmund Associate. Welcome and hope to see you at all our events.
Another fox hunt is scheduled for Sunday, February 9, 2020. Look for information about Fox Hunt XVI in February 2020 CrossTalk and the web page.
And just an FYI...Tom Preiser N2XW, the Southern New Jersey Section Manager will be at our March 4th General Membership Meeting. He will be presenting a plaque to the Club commemorating our 60th anniversary as an ARRL Affiliated Club. Tom will also give a presentation about the ARRL and SNJ Section. So let your fellow hams and local clubs know about this event.
Need a ride to our Meetings? Just send a request on the Club's Reflector.
If anyone has an idea for our monthly programs, please pass that info on to Tony Starr, WA2FZB, Vice President GCARC.
March 2020
Well Winter is almost over and Spring is due to arrive on the 19th of this month. I for one always look forward to the arrival of Spring, the best time of the year.
If you haven't paid your yearly dues for 2020, now is the time to do so. All dues must be paid by April 1st General Membership Meeting or you will be dropped from the roles.
2020 Field Day is just around the corner, approximately 113 days away and I hope that this year will be bigger and better than the year before. I plan to have a Field Day meeting on the 4th Wednesday of April (22 April 2020) at the Clubhouse beginning at 1900 Hours. Everyone who is interested is invited to this very important meeting.
Al Arrison, KB2AYU will once again be our Field Day Chairman and Jeff Garth, WB2ZBN will be providing the food.
I will once again be Band Chairman for SEVENTY-FIVE Phone and I will be looking for several operators. No experience necessary, just a desire to learn is all that is required. If interested please contact me. So sign-up early and avoid the rush.
Southern New Jersey Section Manager, Tom Preiser, N2XW will be at our March 4th General Membership Meeting to present the GCARC with a ARRL plaque celebrating our 60 years as a ARRL Affiliated Club.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Boy Scout Troop 161 Our Lady of Peace Parish in Williamstown has been selected to provide the food and beverages at the 2020 Hamfest. They will serve both breakfast and lunch. The final menu is still in the works and will be released when it is available.
Boy Scout Troop 161 will also be camping out at the 2020 Field Day and help operate the GOTA Station.
April 2020
Due to our current situation, April 4th Tech Saturday Forum has been canceled. April 1st General Membership Meeting has been changed to an On-The-Air meeting on the 147.180 MHz Repeater & EchoLink : W2MMD-R. Tune in on April 1st @ 1930 Hours. Tony WA2FZB will be the Net Control.
I will keep everyone advised on future meetings.
Spring is in the air and I for one couldn't be happier. Although, I must admit that we had a very mild Winter. The mildest that I can remember. Spring is the perfect time of year to get out and check our antennas and feed lines, but put safety first. If you need help ask a friend.
Once again, I would like to congratulate Jeff GARTH, WB2ZBN on being awarded the MILT GOLDMAN AWARD at last months meeting. For those of you who may not know, the award is presented for outstanding service to the GCARC.
March 31st is the official deadline for paying your annual dues. If you haven't paid your dues yet, please do so. You can pay by mail or by PayPal. If you cannot pay by the March 31st deadline, but plan to renew please let Al Arrison, KB2AYU know of your intention..
Field Day 2020 is approaching very quickly and now is the time to start preparing for this very important Club event. Those wishing to be a Band Chairman should contact Al ARRISON, KB2AYU our Field Day 2020 Chairman as soon as possible. I have scheduled a Field Day meeting to be held on the fourth Wednesday of next month, 27 May 2020 at the Clubhouse beginning at 1900 hours. ALL ARE WELCOME.
GCARC upcoming events :
- Field Day Meeting at the Clubhouse - 27 May 2020 not 22 April as previously reported
- Pizza Nite at June's General Membership Meeting - 3 June 2020
- First Day of Summer - Saturday, 20 June 2020
- ARRL Field Day at the Club Site - 27 - 28 June 2020
- Annual GCARC Picnic - Sunday, 16 August 2020
- GCARC 42nd Hamfest and South Jersey Section Convention - Sunday, 13 September 2020
May 2020
This is certainly a difficult time for all Americans. I hope that everyone is safe and sheltering in place. However, if you must go out, please be careful and maintain a 6 foot distance and don't forget to wear your mask and gloves. Remember, we are all in this together.
April's meeting On The Air went very well. We had 36 check-ins. I want to thank our Vice President Tony STARR, WA2FZB for doing an outstanding job as Net Control. I do not feel that things will be back to NORMAL come 30 April, therefore we will hold our monthly meeting for May, On The Air once again.
So tune in to our 147.180 MHz plus 600 (PL 131.8) Repeater on Wednesday, 6 May 2020 at 1930 hours. Also you can check-in using the Club's EchoLink node : W2MMD-R. All are WELCOME. If you have the ability to receive 147.180 MHz, but are unable to transmit, Tony will be also taking check-ins on TEN Meters at 28.475 MHz USB.
The 9 May 2020 Tech Saturday is canceled.
Don't forget our TEN Meter Ragchew Net on Monday nights and the TEN Meter Swap Meet Net on the second Saturday of the month 9 May 2020. Tune in to both nets on 28.465 MHz USB at 2000 hours. Net Control will be yours truly KA2OSV (the Old Salty Veteran).
It is a little early to think what Field Day will be like this year. We may be all operating from home. At this point, we will just have to wait and see. For right now, we are still planing on a Field Day Meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, 27 May 2020 at the Clubhouse at 1900 hours. However, I will keep everyone informed if there is any change.
June 2020
The month of June has finally arrived and many of us are looking forward to the fourth weekend in June, when we all gather at the Club site for ARRL's Field Day.
The decision to hold Field Day at the Club site has NOT yet been decided by the Board of Directors. That decision will be made on Wednesday, 17 June 2020. However, should the Board decide to hold Field Day at the Club site, at that time several restrictions will apply :
- The Club will NOT be providing any food. All participants will have to bring their own food.
- There will be NO GOTA Station.
- Our Field Day will NOT be open to the public.
I have scheduled a Field Day Meeting for the 10th of June @ 1900 Hours at our W2MMD Clubhouse. Weather permitting, the meeting will be held outside, so bring a chair. We will be discussing all the guidelines so that we can have a safe, fun, and productive Field Day experience.
I know that everyone is following the rules and keeping safe. I keep all of you in my prayers and we will get through this together. It is just a matter of time.
GCARC coming events :
- ARRL Field Day : Saturday and Sunday, June 27th and 28th
- Annual Club Picnic : Sunday, August 16th
- GCARC Hamfest : Sunday, September 13th
The Wednesday, June 3, 2020 General Membership Meeting will be on ZOOM and not on the repeater. Thanks to Director Chuck WA2TML, he will be hosting the ZOOM meeting and you will be receiving an e-mail inviting you to join the meeting along with instructions. Chuck hosted a ZOOM meeting for the May 20th Board of Directors Meeting and it went very well. It is easy to setup (even for this Old Salty Veteran HIHI). I hope that many of you will be able to join me.
I can't believe I am getting four weeks to a tank full of gas.
This month, we welcome three new members :
- Dan McCormick III, KD2TUS, a Technician Class licensee from Sewell, NJ.
- Scott Bennett, KD9NBF, a Technician Class licensee from Woodbury, NJ.
- Chris Ciraula, KD2SBR, a Technician Class licensee from Elmer, NJ.
July 2020
I hope that everyone is healthy, staying strong, and being safe. We will get through this together. However, I am of the opinion that things will never return to the norm that we knew prior to COVID 19.
At the writing of this Message, Field Day 2020 has not yet arrived and by the time some of you read this, Field Day will most likely be history. On June 10th, we held a meeting of the Field Day Committee and everyone was in agreement that we should hold FD at the Club Site. On June 17th, the Board of Directors gave their Approval to Go Ahead with Field Day at the Club Site. Of course several restrictions were put into place. Those restrictions were spelled out in a separate e-mail which was sent to All Hands.
Our July 1st General Membership Meeting will be live via ZOOM. Tony K3TS will be hosting it. He will send out the log-in instructions.
Our Annual Club Picnic is scheduled for August 16th at our Clubhouse and right now things look pretty good for holding that event. However, I will be asking the Board of Directors to make the final decision as to whether or not the picnic is a GO, at the July 15th BoD Meeting.
GCARC's Annual Hamfest is scheduled for September 13th. It is a little too soon to tell if things will be OPEN enough for us to hold that event, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I am not sure now that things are opening up, as to when we will be able to hold our monthly meetings at the community center. Till then we will continue to have our monthly meetings via ZOOM. TECH Saturdays are cancelled until further notice.
We would like to welcome two new Club members :
- David Christian, KB3VEO, a Technician Class licensee who lives in Swedesboro.
- Steven Farney, WB2VFJ, a General Class licensee who lives in Erial. Steve is a returning member from 1978.
August 2020
Here it is August already, the year is more than half over with still no end insight to COVID 19. There is no word, as of yet, as to when we can expect to resume our General Membership Meetings at the Pfeiffer Community Center. However, we will continue to hold our monthly meetings via ZOOM, so look for an e-mail each month giving you the Meeting ID # and the Password.
I was very well pleased with the turnout for Field Day this year. We actually had more stations on the air this year then several years in the past. Everyone chipped in and helped with the workload getting each station set up. All stations were on the air by 1400 Hours. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated. I look forward to Field Day 2021 and hopefully seeing even more members taking an active role in this very important event.
The Board of Directors have decided to reschedule the Club Picnic until the Sunday, 11 October 2020. The picnic will be held at the Clubhouse Site at 1200 Hours to 1500 Hours. Come One, Come All. The picnic is open to friends and family alike. Don't forget to bring a chair. MASKS are optional.
We will be holding off until the last week prior to the 2020 Hamfest before making a final decision whether or not to go ahead or cancel the event. The 2020 Hamfest is scheduled for Sunday, 13 September 2020. A decision will be made on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. A lot will depend on what Gov. Murphy will allow at that time.
VP Tony Starr, K3TS, will be hosting a CW training class with the help of the CW Operators Club and their CW Academy. Go to the K3TS CW Training Class page for more information and to sign-up to take his class.
September 2020
With the REOPENING of the Pfeiffer Community Center in Williamstown on 31 August, the Board of Directors have APPROVED us resuming our General Membership Meetings at the Center. We will resume meetings with our September 2nd meeting. However, due to Gov. Murphy's Mandate of 3 August, we will be limited to 25 people. So come early and reserve your seat. MASKS are MANDATORY as well as SOCIAL DISTANCING whenever possible.
This is the month of our Annual HAMFEST. As of July 15th, New Jersey entered Stage TWO of reopening, therefore, groups of 500 people may gather OUTSIDE, as per Gov. Murphy. At the August Board of Directors Meeting, the Board decided that our HAMFEST is a GO for September 13th. I would like to thank everyone who have already volunteered to work the Hamfest. Several safe guards have been put into place this year, in order to protect our brave volunteers, such as masks being required for everyone attending this event, face shields will be provided for all volunteers along with disposable gloves and moving the food concession to a safer place, in order to limit the traffic under Pavilion #1.
If you have not yet volunteered, it is not to late to do so. Please contact our Hamfest Chairman, Sheldon PARKER, K2MEN at sheldonparker@comcast.net or on the 2020 Hamfest Sign-Up Sheet on our website.
Remember, if you work the Hamfest, purchasing a ticket is OPTIONAL.
ASK NOT WHAT YOUR CLUB CAN DO FOR YOU. ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR CLUB!!!
As I reported last month, the Club's Annual Picnic has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 11, 2020 at the W2MMD Clubhouse Site from 1200 Hours until 1500 Hours, so bring a chair. Family and friends are all invited. Why not bring a covered dish for all to enjoy.
Next month I will be presenting you with the Nominations Committee's Slate of new Officers for 2021. Nominations will also be taken from the floor at our October and November General Membership Meetings for the following positions :
· President
· Vice President
· Treasurer
· Recording Secretary
· Corresponding Secretary
· Director (nominate 2)
· Trustee
Elections will be held at our December 2nd General Membership Meeting.
Are you a member of the ARRL? If, not, you should seriously think about joining. Membership dues are only $49.00 a year. The ARRL is our only voice in Washington and they offer many member benefits, including a monthly magazine devoted entirely to Amateur Radio. Also, did you know that the GCARC is an ARRL Affiliated Club and that the ARRL sponsors our Hamfest each year?
Don't forget our Monday Night Rag Chew Net on TEN Meters. Tune into 28.465 MHz at 2000 Hours each Monday night, you will be glad you did. Yours truly will be acting as Net Control.
Thursday nights are our 2 Meter Net beginning at 2000 Hours. Tune into the Club repeater at 147.180 +600 (PL 131.8) or EchoLink : W2MMD-R with alternating Net Control operators.
As previously mentioned at a Club meeting we have not had a DUES increase since 2004. This year the Budget Committee was unable to bring in a BALANCED BUDGET. As a result of that, we have had to use approximately $1,200.00 of our RESERVE, in order to meet our obligations this year. The Board of Directors have already approved a $10.00 increase in DUES for FULL members and ASSOCIATE members beginning in 2021. However, that increase must be voted upon and APPROVED by the General Membership. Therefore, I will be asking for a motion at our General Membership Meeting to increase our DUES from $20.00 a year to $30.00 for FULL members and an increase from $15.00 a year to $25.00 a year for ASSOCIATE members. This increase is necessary in order to maintain a BALANCED BUDGET in the years to come. A balanced budget is of the utmost importance. I hope that you will all agree.
This month, we would like to welcome a new Club member : Marc Federici, KC2VAR, who has a General Class license and lives in Collingswood, NJ.
Dates to Remember during the month of September :
· VJ Day Victory over Japan : 2 September
· Labor Day : 7 September
· Patriot Day : 11 September
· National POW/MIA Recognition Day : 18 September
· GOLD STAR Mothers Day : 27 September
Anchors Away es Semper Fi to the Marines
October 2020
It's October already and We are still plagued with this Pandemic, with no end in sight. However, life must go on. I sincerely hope that each and everyone of you are Staying Healthy, Keeping Strong and Being Safe.
September 2nd was our first General Membership Meeting back at the Pfeiffer Community Center with only eleven members in attendance and one unlicensed visitor. Everyone in attendance wore a mask and maintained social distancing at all times. However, In order to entertain motions and have a vote we must have a minimum of fifteen members present. I just want to add that I felt as safe at our meeting as I do in my own home. However, the October 7, 2020 General Membership Meeting will be via ZOOM, so we can take care of some important Club business.
Chuck, WA2TML will be hosting the October Meeting via ZOOM, so look for his e-mail giving you the Meeting ID # and Password.
Our Annual Club Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, 11 October 2020 at the Clubhouse Site from 1200 to 1500 hours. With COVID-19, I am not sure it is worth having our Club Picnic this year and maybe we should cancel it. However, if we were to have the picnic, how many of you would come? Please RSVP me at kuffeekup@verizon.net, if you plan to attend and the number of guests you will be bringing no later than Sunday, 4 October.
Our Hamfest went very well in spite of COVID-19. I want to take this Opportunity to thank all of our volunteers for doing an excellent job. I would also like to personally thank Sheldon PARKER, K2MEN our Hamfest Chairman and Jeff WELSH, KD2AZI and Bill PRICE, NJ2S both Co-Chairman for the excellent job in the performance of their duties.
I am creating a new Committee, the Awards Committee, and I have appointed Robin Herrmann, KD2LSH as chairperson. Thank you, Robin, for volunteering for this new committee.
Any member of the Board of Directors can nominate a member to receive a Appreciation Award Certificate. It would then be voted upon at our BoD Meeting by the Board. If the Board approves the Nomination, the President will then direct the Awards Committee Chairperson to prepare the Award.
If you know of any Club member who deserves an award for their outstanding service to our Club. please give the Club member’s name to a board member so they can be nominated.
October is the beginning of our Nomination of Club Officers for the following year. Nominations from the floor will be taken at our General Membership Meetings for October 7th and November 4th. Voting will take place at our General Membership Meeting on December 2nd. The Nominations Committee has put together the following Slate of Officers for 2021.
- President : Tony STARR, K3TS
- Vice President : Jeff WELSH, KD2AZI
- Treasurer : Al ARRISON, KB2AYU
- Recording Secretary : Karl FRANK, W2KBF
- Corresponding Secretary : Ron BLOCK, NR2B
- Director : Chuck COLABRESE, WA2TML
- Director : Bill PRICE, NJ2S
- Trustee : Bob FIELDS, KC6AOH
The GCARC Skunkworks Team is hosting a Tech Saturday Forum at the W2MMD Clubhouse on October 10, 2020. This is the first Tech Saturday since February. See the Tech Saturday Forum page for more information.
This month, we welcome two new members into our flock :
- Holden Correia-Fisher, KD2JPV
- Robert Madara, WA2CB
Congratulations to Karl Frank W2KBF, Bob Durham W2RAD, Herb Dyer KT2Y, and Bill Price NJ2S, on becoming Club Life Members.
Tuesday, 13 October is the U. S. Navy's Birthday - Anchors Away
November 2020
Fall has certainly arrived, however I hope that it doesn't bring a second wave of COVID-19. I always look forward to the Fall season and the changing of the leaves. This year is certainly one that I will remember for a long time to come and I am sure that you will to.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you and your families a Very Happy Thanksgiving Day.
I will be taking nominations from the floor once again at our November 4th General Membership Meeting and elections will be held at the December 2nd meeting.
For those of you who were unable to make October's General Membership Meeting via ZOOM, a motion was made and passed to increase our annual dues to $30.00 dollars a year for FULL members and $25.00 dollars a year for ASSOCIATE members. As most of you already know this $10.00 dollar increase was necessary in order for us to maintain a balanced budget. Dues are due January 1st and must be paid NO LATER THAN March 31st. So mail your dues early. PAY PAL is also available.
This month we welcome 6 new members :
- Peter Bach, KB2TBN, of Haddonfield
- Greg Bekes, W9GEB, of Cherry Hill
- Todd Cecilio, KA2YNT, of Brooklawn
- Jodi Ann Logan, KD2UUB, of Blackwood
- Jerry Patterson, WW2WTF, of Sewell
- Chris Wawak, KC2IEB, of Haddon Township
Jim Wright, N2GXJ has organized a Fall Fox Hunt for Saturday, 7 November. See the GCARC Fox Hunts page on the website for more information.
Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, 1 November so be sure to turn your clocks back one hour Saturday night before going to sleep.
Dates to remember during the month of November :
- Daylight Savings Time Ends - November 1st
- Election Day - November 3rd
- Marine Corps Birthday - November 10th
- Veterans Day - November 11th
- Thanksgiving Day - November 26th
December 2020
December, the final month in a long and difficult year. New Jersey's COVID 19 cases have been on the rise since October with no end in sight. However, we did manage to pull off a very successful Field Day in June and not to mention our Hamfest in September despite the virus.
I want to wish everyone and your family's a Very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year. I have it on good authority that in spite of COVID 19, Santa will still be making his rounds as usual, so you better watch out.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support during my two years as your President. I would like to especially thank my Vice President, Tony STARR, K3TS for always giving me good advice when asked to do so and also the Board of Directors. It was my pleasure to serve and if the need ever arises again, I am ready, willing and able to serve the Club in what ever capacity is needed.
Due to COVID 19 there will be no Christmas Party this year. Sorry folks.
The Board of Directors have decided to continue having all meetings via ZOOM until further notice due to COVID-19.
Dates to remember during the month of December :
- Giving Tuesday - December 1st
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - December 7th
- First Day of Hanukah - December 10th
- U. S. National Guard Birthday - December 13th
- First Day of Winter - December 21st
- Christmas Eve - December 24th
- Christmas Day - December 25th
- First Day of Kwanzaa - December 26th
Dues are due the First of January and must be PAID No Later Than March 31st. Dues are now $30.00 a year for FULL Members and $25.00 for ASSOCIATE Members, FAMILY Members and JUNIOR Members are $15.00 a year.