W4CA

Roanoke Valley Amateur Radio Club (RVARC) is dedicated to the advancement of amateur radio, serving Southwest Virginia, since 1932

General Business Meeting: September 11, 2026

  1. Open the Meeting
  • Call to order
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Moment of silence
  • Introduction of members
  • Mission Moment – Today was the 25th anniversary of 9-11. For our mission moment, Marty talked about how ham radio operators helped with 9-11. Red Cross had 12 shelters open and ham radio operators were the only means of communication. First 30-40 hours—doing the iron man.  People had to hike in, carrying all their equipment, and stay a long time.  The disaster preparation lasted over 10 days.  People in the club shared stories of how 9-11 affected them.
  1. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
  • Minutes from the Aug 2026 meeting were approved   Ben Williams moved, Bill Overstreet seconded.
  1. Treasurer’s Report
  • Doug Kabler N4MGW gave the summary of current financial status. Balance on Aug 31 $12541.97.
  • Motion to accept as presented by Ben Williams, seconded by Bill. Approved as presented
  • Zoom costs have gone up.  Motion by Cathy, 2nd by Pat to renew. Google Meet was suggested by Robert. Since Zoom is due this month, the club voted to go ahead and renew for this year and consider alternatives in the future.
  1. Event Reports
  • Past: WinLink Workshop Aug 29 wlith Tom W4TKW and Pat N3AYW. The workshop went great. Lots of fun. Great participation. People brought radios and computers to get Winlink set up.
  •  Upcoming
    • Sept 13 Blue Ridge Bonanza: Hams will activate radios on the Parkway to celebrate the beginning of the construction of the parkway.  It is on the ARRL calendar. Contact Ben Williams if interested. So far we have 3 stations from Mile marker 97 to 168.
    • September 19: Floyd has a preparedness fair from 10AM to 3PM.  The Red Cross will be involved, partnering with FARS—Floyd amateur radio society.
      A new volunteer from Russell County is going. We will be taking the trailer with a television for monitoring. The plan is to share emergency preparedness, demonstrating radio equipment, the Winlink system with access to the Red Cross ARCGIS mapping system.
    • Gofest:  October 16-18. Follow the block on the home page to sign up for a time. We need 2 hams at 2 locations, so a lot of volunteers are needed. Please communicate with Linda KQ4VGS on when you can serve. We will be demonstrating radios and explaining emergency preparedness.
    • JOTA:  10-3 on Oct 17 at Explorer Park
  1. Updates
  • VE: Session: 7 candidates confirmed for testing this Sunday with Ben.  Sara has 1 candidate for next Sunday.
  • W4CA website and social media (Linda): Reminder of the new method for digital paying of memberships, joining the club, and donations on the website.
    Remember The Trading Post, for listing radio equipment for sale, or wanted.
  • Next Meeting With Eating–Golden Corral, 1441 Town Square Blvd, Roanoke on Sept 12, 8:30 AM in the main room. Bring family and friends for socialization.
  1. Current Business
  • Dave Kinsey volunteered his gateway KO4DGX-10 for Winlink to the club. Antennas have been set up at the Red Cross, Now we have a Packet/FM on 145.070.  Thanks, Dave.
  1. New Business
  • Election of officers:
    • Slate of nominees:
      President: Martin Rosendale K4EQS
      Vice President: Ben Williams KK4EWT
      Treasurer:  Doug Kabler N4MGW
      Secretary: Linda Cheek KQ4VGS
    • Motion by Ben to accept the report. Second by Bill. Motion by Ben for motion of acclamation to accept the slate.
    • Slate of officers was accepted by acclamation.
  • Test dates on the website: Check to make sure that the dates for testing for licenses is on the website.
  • Program meeting: Sept 25.  We got the 6 handheld radios from Talkpod.  We will use the program meeting to check these out and test them. They will then be used for gifts to new hams just getting their license. Everyone bring your HT’s for testing.
  • Future program meeting: DX commander build party
  • Mama Marias for Christmas party. Pat is in charge of setting that up.
  1. Open Discussion
  • Grant to ARRL for recruitment and retention: Reformulated the grant proposed last year for less money.
  • Radios back in the schools.
  • Radios in the Park.
  1. Closing Remarks
  • Marty thanks everyone that has been active. Asks for our focus in the next year to increase membership and participation and get people interested in leadership.  Consider forming clubs within the club—Pota club, etc.
  1. Adjournment
  • 50/50: Proceeds donated to the club
  • Meeting was adjourned.