Roanoke Valley Amateur Radio Club (RVARC) is dedicated to the advancement of amateur radio, serving Southwest Virginia, since 1932
March 13, 2026 General Business Meeting Minutes
Open the Meeting
Call to order
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of silence
Introduction of members: 19 present
Mission Moment – Gary WR4PS Yohe told about a special event he set up in downtown Roanoke and an elderly woman hung around his table. After a while she talked about her youth with her father, a ham, doing CW. So our events do things unexpectedly for people, bringing back sweet memories.
Pat N3AYW Lewis will do the mission moment next month.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Minutes from the February 2026 meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Doug N4MGW Kabler gave the summary of current financial status
Motion to accept as presented by Ben KK4EWT Williams, seconded by Scott KN4ZFI Shrewsbury. Approved as presented
Event Reports
Past
February Potluck went well, was well attended with great food and socializing.
Upcoming
VA QSO Party – March 21 and 22. Dave K4DNS Shelton will set up a station at Waldron Park near the ball park and was given permission to use the W4CA call sign. Pat N3AYW Lewis will be activating in Bath County. Other members will be participating individually. For more information on the VA QSO party, go to https://www.qsl.net/sterling/VA_QSO_Party/2026_VQP/2026_VQP_Main.html
March 28 – Radios In The Park – Greenhill Park, Salem. Everyone interested in setting up a station or simply getting on the air at a station (all stations will be GOTA stations) please join us. Dave K4DNS Shelton will be activating a 10 meter station on POTA. Greenhill Park is POTA station 9935. For more information on POTA, we have a video on w4ca.com.
April 25 – Auction (Lead: Doug N4MGW Kabler, Ben KK4EWT Williams Contact Ben (activities@w4ca.com) for listing donated equipment. The seller donates 10% of the sale to RVARC. Tables will be set up Friday night, April 24 from 6:30-8PM. Then the final setup will be Saturday at 7AM. Auction will start at 9:00AM with Ben Burch and Pat Lewis as Vanna Whites. Get your equipment listed for the auction so we can put it on the website.
August 1 Hamfest—A fantastic venue has been located at the Roanoke Fire and EMS training center at 802 River Avenue SE. The venue was approved by the members.
Updates
American Red Cross EmComm (FM): FM will be meeting with the Bristol group for possible training. He will also be meeting with RMH, Franklin County and New River Valley hospitals to look at their radio setups with a goal of having amateur radio play a part.
VE and education update (Ben Williams): 7 potential hams are being tested this weekend.
W4CA website and social media (Linda): The April newsletter is being created. Contributions are requested. The website is going well. Any additions/corrections are appreciated.
Membership (Linda KQ4VGS Cheek): We are working on getting membership available digitally through the website, hopefully in the next month.
Next Meeting With Eating–Golden Corral March 14, 8:30 AM main floor.
New Business
W4CA Trustee: Mike Lugar has stepped down as Trustee. Bill W4TIO Overstreet has volunteered to be the trustee. Ben KK4EWT Williams made a motion to appoint Bill to the position. Scott KN4ZFI Shrewsbury seconded. All members present approved of the assignment of trustee to Bill W4TIO Overstreet.
SDR Special Interest Group created by Robert has 4 people signed up.
March 27 Program Meeting will be presented by Dave K4DNS Shelton on Meshtastic.
Open Discussion
General Q&A: Question about the possibility of having a technical program meeting before June to build antennas for a projected Fox Hunt in the summer.