Since 1983

Last update: 05/11/08

Documents suggest  that earlier local Amateur Club activities had in fact took place.  However for one reason or another these attempts were short-lived or inadequately documented.  There is presently on file an undated Milton Amateur Radio Club roster of 29 call signs presumably dating from early 1982.    All of the people listed below are also on this roster.  Mr. Ron Munion, KF4RV, kept excellent on-going records of all Club activities from that initial meeting described below.  Because of the clarity of these records and the preservation thereof,  the Milton Amateur Radio Club will be known for all purposes, legal or otherwise,  to have began on Tuesday  August 2, 1983. 

August 2, 1983 _________________________________________________________
On this date, a group of local Amateurs formed the Milton Amateur Radio Club. The following is a transcript of the minutes from their first meeting: "Special meeting August 2, 1983 This meeting was called to see if anyone was interested in forming a new Amateur Radio Club. Personnel present were Charles Massengale, Chip Gorum, Pete Dunn, Larry Carpenter, Ross Russell, Father Tom Lorigan, Richard Lewis, Ron Munion, Mike McCort, Robert Olson and Charles Swick.   Massengale proposed a new amateur Radio Club, membership and meeting place. All present were in agreement for forming a new Amateur Club. Massengale proposed Charles Swick be President until election of new officers. All present agreed. It was proposed the new club be called 'Milton Amateur Club' and that the club be affiliated with ARRL. All present agreed. It was proposed Ron Munion be secretary & treasurer until election of officers, all present agreed. It was proposed we adjourn until next meeting when prospective members will be notified, all present agreed.
The meetings were held at McCrary's Family Restaurant. Annual dues were set at $1.00 per person.

September 1, 1983 _______________________________________________________
Richard Bower, N4ICV, elected Vice president. The original Club Constitution was adopted.
The Club started an ARES net on the 145.49 repeater

October 20, 1983 ________________________________________________________
Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z joined Club.

November 17, 1983 _______________________________________________________
Ron Maddox, KF4LR; Frank Williams, KE4OC; Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR;
Jim & Gwen Heller, NJ4I & KA4OQE; Mac McCleery, N4EHX; and Dennis Dix, WD4LTC
all joined the Club.

ARRL Charter adopted.

January 1984_____________________________________________________________
1984 Officers are :
Charles Swick, WT4O, elected President
Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z, elected Vice President
Ron Munion, KF4RV, elected Secretary & Treasurer

Tony Miller and Al Homan, KF4XE, joined the Club.

April 1984________________________________________________________________
Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z, received a letter of appreciation in the Club's behalf. This was for the Club
providing communications service for the March 19 Blackwater Fun Run

July 1984_________________________________________________________________
Al Pelletier, N4JXU joined Club

January 1985______________________________________________________________
1985 Officers are:
Charles Swick, WT4O, President
Sue Cooey, K4BDF, Vice President
Ron Munion, KF4RV, Sec/Tres

January 1986______________________________________________________________
1986 Officers are :
Charles Swick, WT4O, President
Sue Cooey, K4BDF, Vice President
Ron Munion, KF4RV, Sec/Tres

February 1986_____________________________________________________________
145.49 Repeater Frequency pair properly registered.

January 1987______________________________________________________________
1987 Officers are:
Charles Swick, WT4O, President
Sue Cooey, K4BDF, Vice President
Ron Munion, KF4RV, Sec/Tres

March 19, 1987____________________________________________________________
John A. (Tony) Snow, K4OZL,  joined the Club.

January 1988______________________________________________________________
1988 Officers are:
Mac McCleery, N4EHK, President
Vicki Holman, N4MAJ, Vice President
Ron Munion, KF4RV, Sec/Tres

March 1988________________________________________________________________
Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, appointed as Chairperson of the Repeater Auto Patch operation.

April 21, 1988_______________________________________________________________
Al Homan, AA4BT, Tried to change meeting place from Mc Crary's restaurant.
The motion didn't make it. Two votes for, Two against. Motion killed.

September 15, 1988_________________________________________________________
Annual Club dues changed from $1.00 to $10.00 per person and $15.00 per Family. Reason for increase was
for support and repair of the 145.49 repeater, autopatch and Club operations.

January 19, 1989_____________________________________________________________
1989 Officers are :
Gordon McCleery, N4EHX, President
Rachel McCleery, KB4SWF, Vice President
Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, Treasurer
Ron Munion, KF4RV, Secretary

February 15, 1990_____________________________________________________________
With no nominations received for the 1990 Officers, Ron Munion, KF4RV, agreed to accept the offices
of President and Secretary. All other offices remained vacant. Ron further stated in the minutes that since
interest in Club meetings was failing and due to a poor attendance record, Further meetings would only be
called when he felt that information needed to be put out. All ten members in attendance agreed.

February 1990 until February 1992 No Records found

February 18, 1992_____________________________________________________________
A special meeting was called to order by Walter Yarbrough. The Club had all but dissolved.
Walter reorganized and rejuvenated the Amateur Radio Club.
    1992 Officers are:
Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, President
H.R. 'Blake' Blakeney, AA4BM, Vice President
Ross Russell, WA4RQN, Sec/Tres

February 27, 1992______________________________________________________________
Steve Richbourg, WB4FAQ (KO4TT), voted in as a Club Member.

March 1992__________________________________________________________________
Dues upped to $15.00 per person to pay for a private telephone line on the 145.49 phone patch.

June 27-28, 1992_______________________________________________________________
The Milton Amateur Radio Club set up a Field Day station at the River walk Gazebo. A Pensacola News
Journal clipping depicted Glenn Goll, KD4QBG and Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z operating the radio with
Bill Lyle, KC4ZUG; Marv Richburg, KA0PKJ; Walt Yarbrough, WA4TFR and Chip Gorum, WB4EPR
looking on. Of particular note was the fact that our station had learned of an earthquake in California as
it was happening.

October 15, 1992______________________________________________________________
A majority vote of Club Members OK'd a meeting location change. The move was from Mc Crary's
Family restaurant to the Milton Civic Center on Munson Highway . Meetings scheduled for 7:45 p.m. the
second Monday of each month.

January 1993 ________________________________________________________________
1993 Officers are :
Richard Bower, N4ICV, President
Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z, Vice President
Bill Lyle, KC4ZUG, Secretary
Hanalore 'Lori' Richbourg, WD0EFC, Treasurer

February 8, 1993______________________________________________________________
The Club Secretary, Bill Lyle, drafted a letter bestowing lifetime Club Membership for Charles Massengale,
AA4PT, for his donation of time & equipment toward the operation of the Club and the 145.49 repeater.

April 3, 1993 ________________________________________________________________
The Club assisted with the River walk Fine Arts Show. Randal Bradshaw, KD4RSX, manned a two meter
station at the South River walk Gazebo and maintained communication with Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR,
aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Point Lobos as it transited from Pensacola up the Blackwater River to Milton 's
River walk Arts Festival. Randall tracked the Cutter's position on a large map so the public could follow the
ship's progress.

May 11, 1993________________________________________________________________
Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, and Chip Gorum, WB4EPR, entertained patients at the Santa Rosa Convalescent
Center . Walter and Chip set up a demonstration station consisting of a portable HF transceiver and a 2
meter rig. Several stations were contacted via the Club's repeater.

June 7, 1993_________________________________________________________________
The Milton Amateur Radio Club provided communications services for the 'Tour de Cure', a day long series
of bicycle endurance races sponsored by the American Diabetes Association. Club members covered seven
check points along the course. Club members particularly active in this event were: Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z;
H.R. Blakeney, AA4BM; Richard Bowyer, N4ICV; Chip Gorum, WB4EPR; Al Homan, AA4BT;
Vici Homan, N4MAJ, Steve Richbourg, WB4FAQ with Richard Wonson, AC4KA and Walter Yarborough,
WA4TFR acting as Net Control.

June 14, 1993________________________________________________________________
Randal Bradshaw, KD4RSX, began regular monthly distribution of the Club's Newsletter

July 10 & 11, 1993____________________________________________________________
Randal Bradshaw, KD4RSX; Bob Tietze, KD4CET; Al Homan, AA4BT; Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z
Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR; and Marvin Richburg, KA0PKJ set up a Special Event Station at
Whiting Field in support of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the opening of Whiting Field. A Pensacola
News Journal clipping authored by Al Homan, AA4BT, depicted the site near the Whiting Officers Club.
Thanks to Donnie Sowell, they had the use of a large canopy, without which they would have been
inundated by a violent rainstorm that Saturday. Lori Richburg, WD0EFC, photographed the event.

January 1994__________________________________________________________________
1994 Officers are:
Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z, President
Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, Vice President
Randal Bradshaw, KD4RSX, Sec/Tres

February 1994_________________________________________________________________
The ARES Net shifted from the Pea Ridge AA4PT 145.49 repeater to the Santa
Rosa County 146.70 machine.

March 21, 1994________________________________________________________________
Club President, Hugh Armstrong, reinstated ARRL affiliation which was
probably lost during the 1990 / 1992 hiatus.

June 1994_____________________________________________________________________
Meeting place moved from Civic Center to the Library due to renovations being made
to Civic Center . The Library was only available on the 3rd Monday of the month.

September 1994________________________________________________________________
Jimmy Weatherford, KE4KRJ, Chaired the Tailgater Committee and set up the first MARC Tailgater
at Carpenters Park in Milton, Florida. The event turned out to be very successful. The Park was packed
with Ham equipment buyers, sellers & traders.

November 19, 1994_____________________________________________________________
Tony Snow, K4OZL, Chaired the Foxhunt Committee and set up the first MARC sponsored Foxhunt.
Hank Holt, KE4JHD, and Lewis Henderson, KE4SDY, were the winners. Jimmy Weatherford, KE4KRJ,
was the Fox. Jimmy had picked an obscure out-of-the-way spot on Old Berryhill Road .

January 1995__________________________________________________________________
1995 Officers are:
Bill Couch, WA4MYK, President
Hank Holt, KE4JHD, Vice President
Tony Snow, K4OZL, Sec/Tres
Jimmy Weatherford, KE4KRJ, Activities VP

A majority of Club Members voted to keep meeting place at the Santa Rosa Regional Library.
Renovations were completed at the Civic Center , but the changes were not to the Club's liking.

March 20, 1995_________________________________________________________________
The original Club Constitution and bylaws were updated & revised.

May 30, 1995__________________________________________________________________
Milton Amateur Radio Club Incorporated.

June 1995_____________________________________________________________________
Bill Couch, WA4MYK, submitted and received a Club Amateur Call Sign. The new call sign is KF4ATK.

Mayor Guy Thompson delivered a proclamation of Amateur Radio Week to the Milton Amateur Radio Club.

June 19 through the 25th was declared 'Amateur Radio Week in Milton '. A Press Gazette clipping depicted
the President, Bill Couch WA4MYK, accepting the document while Hugh Armstrong NT4Z, Hamfest
Co-chairman; Jeff Ward N4TRY, Hamfest Co-chairman and Will Meloy, KD4FZB, Civil Defense Department
911 coordinator looked on.

November 20, 1995_____________________________________________________________
Mark McAnally, KE4QKN, purchased the AA4PT 145.49 repeater from Caldeen Simmons, KE4KRI,
and donated same to the Milton Amateur Radio Club. 

January 1996___________________________________________________________________
1996 Officers are:
Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, President
Ted Robinson, AE4JJ, Vice President
Jack Diehl, KE4KRK, Sec/Tres
Murray Don Sams, KE4FSC, Activities VP

First Club Newsletter published by Tony Snow, K4OZL.

During 1996 Hugh, NT4Z, and Walter, WA4TFR, requested and received permission from the Milton City Council
to relocate the 145.49 repeater to, and erect an antenna on the water tower on Berryhill Road. 
Johnny Spence, N5MEZ, constructed a small serviceable wooden shack beside the water tower to house the repeater. 

July 26-27th 1996_______________________________________________________________
The Club sponsored the first 'Milton Hamfest' at the Santa Rosa County Auditorium. The main prize was
the Icom IC-706. Tommy Weeks, KF4RMI, won the radio. This event turned out to be so successful that it 
was decided to make this an annual event if possible. Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR and Don Sams, KE4FSC 
headed the clubs efforts in this regard.

November 19, 1996______________________________________________________________
Bill Couch, WA4MYK, submitted and received a Vanity Call Sign for the Club, as well as one for himself.
Bill's new call : W4VY, and the Club's new call sign is W4VIY.   W4VIY was the call of the Amateur Operator, Gene Latchem
of Florence , Alabama who started Tony Snow into Ham Radio way back in the year 1956. W4VIY was one of many alternate
Call Signs submitted for possible selection.

January 1997___________________________________________________________________
1997 Officers are:
Ted Robinson, KF4T, President
John L. Spence, N5MEZ, Vice President
Ann Clark, WA6YIM, Sec/Tres

July 25-26, 1997________________________________________________________________
The Milton Amateur Radio Club Sponsored their Second Annual Hamfest at the
Santa Rosa County Auditorium. Once again the event was very successful. Main door prize was the Icom IC-706. Don Sams, KE4FSC, was the Hamfest Committee Chairman.

January 1998___________________________________________________________________
1998 Officers are:
Jack Diehl, KE4KRK, President
Warren Jarvis, KB4PMY, Vice President
Robin Marter, KB8ZNN, Sec/Tres (until resignation April 9, 1998 - Ann Clark, WA6YIM, assumed
Sec/Tres for remainder of year.)
Tom Manning, KC4HKO, Activity VP

July 25-26, 1998________________________________________________________________
The Milton Amateur Radio Club Sponsored their Third Annual Hamfest at the Santa Rosa County Auditorium.
Once again the event was very successful. The main door prize was the Icom IC-706 MK II. Additionally,
Volunteer Examiners provided a testing session for anyone interested in becoming a ham radio operator or
upgrading their existing license.

January 1999__________________________________________________________________
1999 Officers are:
Bill Couch, W4VY, President
Tom Manning, KC4HKO, Vice President
Tony Snow, K4OZL, Sec/Treasurer
Barbara Couch, K4BJC, Sunshine Chairperson
Dean Clark, WB6UKF, Activities VP

March 6, 1999_________________________________________________________________
A Club sponsored Tailgater was held at Carpenters Park . The main pavilion and the adjacent parking area was where the action took place. The weather cooperated up until about 13:00 hours when a tornado watch sent everyone home. In spite of threatening weather it turned out to be one of our better Tailgater functions.

Chip Gorum, WB4EPR, became a Silent Key.

April 9 through 17, 1999_________________________________________________________
The Club was once again asked to participate in the Milton Annual Fair. A static display was set up with ARRL and other Amateur Radio pamphlet handouts available. Club Volunteers manned the display to answer questions and to actively promote Amateur Radio.

May 1999_____________________________________________________________________
The first Foxhunt of the year took place on Saturday the 22nd. K4OZL was the fox hiding five miles north of Milton at
Bob Hinesley's, KE4WKK,  QTH.   Bill & Barbara Couch, W4VY & K4BJC, were the first team to find the Fox.

Al Pelletier, N4JXU, became a Silent Key. Al bequeathed his entire Amateur Station to the Milton Amateur Radio Club.


June 7, 1999___________________________________________________________________
Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z, the Repeater Committee Chairman, conducted a Repeater Survey to study the quality of Repeater
service throughout the county. The methodology consisted of five strategic routes over the county operating into a control station at the repeater
site. Mobil stations driving the various routes were Tony Snow, K4OZL; Warren Jarvis, KB4PMY; Chris Nichols, KG4BJN and
Ross Russell, WA4RQN.  Jack Diehl, KE4KRK, who developed and mapped out the various routes also drove in the survey.
At the conclusion of the survey, Hugh Armstrong collected all logs and prepared a professional standard report.

July 23-24, 1999________________________________________________________________
The Milton Amateur Radio Club sponsored their Fourth Annual Milton Hamfest at the Santa Rosa County
Auditorium. Volunteer examiners from the Milton and the Pensacola Five Flags club provided testing sessions for all classes of Amateur Radio licenses. Once again the main prize was the Icom IC-706 MKII. Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, was the Hamfest Committee Chairman and the entire club was the committee.

September 25, 1999______________________________________________________________
The 2nd Foxhunt of the year was held on this date. W4VY, Bill Couch, was the fox. He hid out in a Pavilion at the Navy Recreation area on Blackwater River . Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, and Dean Clark, WB6UKF, were the first to find the Fox. A Club Picnic began immediately after the Foxhunt.

October 18, 1999_________________________________________________________________
President Bill Couch, W4VY, presented to Dean and Ann Clark  individually; the Club's Meritorious Service Award for their exemplary contributions of time, effort and devotion to the Milton Amateur Radio Club. 
The Clarks permanently left the area in November. They moved to Mesquite , Nevada .

December 20, 1999_______________________________________________________________
President Bill Couch, W4VY,  presented the Club's Meritorious Service Award to Walter J. Yarbrough, WA4TFR,  in recognition of his sustained exemplary  services and personal contributions of  time and effort to Amateur Radio Ideals in general and our Club in particular. The presentation was made at the Club's Annual Christmas dinner at the Country Crossroads Buffet.

January 2000____________________________________________________________________
Year 2000 Club Officers are:
Bill Couch, W4VY, President
Jack Diehl, KE4KRK, Vice President
Tony Snow, K4OZL, Sec/Treasurer
Bill Farrall, W0FHJ, Activities VP

January 17, 2000_________________________________________________________________
Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, presented the motion to change the 145.49 MARC VHF net to 7:00 p.m. each Tuesday night beginning the 25th of January. Members present carried the motion.

June 24 & 25, 2000_______________________________________________________________
The Milton Amateur Radio Club and the Serious Hams Amateur Radio Club combined to take part in the year 2000  ARRL Field Day at the Milton River Walk Pavilion on the banks of the Blackwater River . 

July 19, 2000_______________________________________________________________
A  converted Motorola Micor mobile VHF radio was put on line as the Club's W4VIY repeater at the Berryhill water tower. The 145.49 Repeater performance improved dramatically.  Charles Massengale, AA4PT, modified the commercial radio for repeater operation.

July 21 & 22, 2000________________________________________________________________
The Milton Amateur Radio Club sponsored their Fifth Annual Milton Hamfest at the Santa Rosa County
Auditorium. Volunteer examiners from the Milton and the Pensacola Five Flags club provided testing sessions for all classes of Amateur Radio licenses. The main prize was the Icom IC-706 MKII G and won by Charles Swick, WT4O.   Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, was the Hamfest Committee Chairman and the entire club was the committee.

September 18, 2000_______________________________________________________________
The Club President, Bill Couch, presented Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, with a certificate bestowing Lifetime Club Membership.  This was in recognition of Walter's sustained exemplary support for the Club and for his enhancement of Amateur Radio Principals by example.  The certificate was signed by all Members present.

November 4, 2000_______________________________________________________________
Club members volunteered to provide communications for the Heritage Trail 5 & 15K Walk/Run marathon sponsored by Whiting Field Morale, Welfare & Recreation department.   Hams manned two vehicles, a finish line station and six water & aide stations strategically located along the route.   Participating members were: KE4KRK, Jack & Darlene Diehl;  N4YGS, Nelda 'Cookie' Strnad;   K4BJC, Barbra Couch;   KB4PMY, Warren Jarvis;   AC4KA & AE4AU, Dick & Polly Wonson;  KC4HKJ & KG4JNC, Dave & Liz Lyle;    KI4SH & N4SGJ, John & Pearl Cain; WA4TFR, Walter Yarbrough; NT4Z, Hugh Armstrong;    K4LO, Phil Wilson  and   K4OZL, Tony Snow.

December 16, 2000_______________________________________________________________
On this date William R. Farrall, W0FHJ, became a Silent Key.  
Bill had been a Club member for years, and was currently our Activities Vice President.  

December 18, 2000_______________________________________________________________
The Club President, Bill Couch, presented Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z and Warren Jarvis, KB4PMY with a certificate bestowing Lifetime Club Membership.  This was in recognition of their unrelenting dynamic support for the highest of amateur radio principals and the Milton Amateur Radio Club in particular. The certificate was signed by all Members present.

January 2001____________________________________________________________________
The new year's Officers are:
Philip Wilson, K4LO, President
Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z, Vice President
Pearl Cain, N4SGJ, Sec/Treasurer
Cindy Robinson, AF4UH, Activities Vice President

January 15, 2001__________________________________________________________________
On this date a new Club position was created.   Darlene Diehl accepted the station of Publicity Chairperson.  Darlene will be responsible for publishing press releases heralding the Club activities in various local newspapers. She also assumed the Sunshine Committee position from Barbara Couch, K4BJC.   Darlene will be busy this year. 

Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z; Warren Jarvis, KB4PMY; Jack Diehl, KE4KRK and Tony Snow, K4OZL were presented with the Club's Sustained Exemplary Meritorious Service Award for their continual support and personal contributions to Amateur Radio ideals and to the Milton Amateur Radio Club in particular.  The certificates were presented by Bill Couch, W4VY.  

February 11, 2001__________________________________________________________________
Former Club Member, Ann Clark WA6YIM, became a Silent Key on this date.  Ann was living in Mesquite , Nevada with her husband Dean, WB6UKF.   

February 19, 2001__________________________________________________________________
Bill Couch, W4VY, former Club President for the last two years, has drafted and handed out many awards to deserving members.   On this date Bill was presented with his own Exemplary Meritorious Service Award for exceptional leadership and his continuing adherence to the highest of Amateur Radio principals.

March 31, 2001____________________________________________________________________
The Club provided communication services for the Pace Days Festival 5K run. Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z, covered the Starting line and drove the course as the follow-up chase vehicle. Liz & Dave Lyle, KG4JNC & KC4HKJ, were at the 1 mile marker, Tony Snow, K4OZL was at the 2 mile marker and Phil Wilson, K4LO, handled the Finish Line.

April 28, 2001______________________________________________________________________
Long time club member and personal friend, Mr. William S. Couch, W4VY, became a Silent Key on this date.
Bill was responsible for obtaining the Club's first call sign, and subsequently the vanity call of W4VIY. 
Words cannot express how much Bill will be missed by me, his family and friends. 
We pray for him fair winds and following seas into eternity.

July 20 & 21, 2001_________________________________________________________________
The 6th Annual Milton Hamfest was held this Friday & Saturday. Once again it was a tremendous success. All tables were sold and the County Auditorium was packed.  Bill Hayden, WY8O, took home the grand prize, a new ICOM 706 MKII G  radio. Walter Yarbrough was again the Hamfest Chairman. Wayne Barr, KQ4OW, and Ben Skipper, KS4IE, provided  VE testing material and assistance for the Amateur Radio testing session held  Saturday. Steve Richbourg, KO4TT, will check all testing material turned in and submit exams to the ARRL VE people. 
Pearl Cain, N4SGJ, did a fantastic job of drumming up donations from local establishments for the hourly door prizes. 

December 17, 2001_________________________________________________________________
At the Club's annual Christmas dinner/monthly meeting, the 2002 Club Officers were announced. Phil Wilson and Pearl Cain both accepted reelection in office. Walter Yarbrough will function as Activities VP.   James "Larry" Busbee, W2RM, kindly volunteered to chair the club's 2002 Field Day activities. Walter will once again chair the Hamfest committee.  Tony Snow, K4OZL, was presented his second Meritorious Service Award from the Club for his services as W4VIY Repeater Trustee and Webmaster for the Club's Web page.

January 2002______________________________________________________________________
Philip Wilson, K4LO, President
Richard McCoy, KK5IN, Vice President
Pearl Cain, N4SGJ, Sec/Treasurer
Walter Yarbrough, WA4TFR, Activities Vice President

February 23, 2002__________________________________________________________________
The Club held the first Foxhunt of the year today. Tony, K4OZL, was the fox and hiding at the QTH of Jerry James, WY4O, on Blueberry Lane .  The first team to reach the Fox was Tom Manning & Richard McCoy, AF4UG & KK5IN. Second place went to KC4HKJ & KG4JNC, Dave & Liz Lyle.   Other teams were John & Pearl Cain, KI4SH & N4SJG; Warren Jarvis, Barbara Couch, Hugh Armstrong,  KB4PMY, K4BJC and NT4Z;  Larry Busbee, W2RM; and Jack & Darlene Diehl, KE4KRK. We all met at Reggies after the hunt to swap stories and make plans for the next hunt.

March 2002_______________________________________________________________________
Once again MARC provided communication services for the Pace High School Pace Days Festival 5K Run. Club Volunteers set up stations at the Start/Finish line and points around the course. Each station reported on the runners progress and was ready to summon medical assistance if needed.  Those participating were Phil Wilson, K4LO;
John & Pearl Cain, KI4SH & N4SGJ; Dave & Liz Lyle, KC4HKJ & KG4JNC; Dean Clark, WB6UKF; Richard McCoy, KK5IN and Ted Robinson, KF4T.

MARC applied for membership in the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce the 20^th of March and was accepted as of 1 April 2002.   This was done in an attempt to actively present our Amateur radio Club to the community.

June  22, 23, 2002________________________________________________________________________
Field Day was held on this date at the main pavilion at Carpenter's park in Milton .   Larry Busbee, W2RM, was the Chairman and coordinated the whole thing.  Saturday afternoon the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce people arrived for a 'Ribbon Cutting Ceremony' and 'Picture shoot'.  
Several 'New' Club Members, as well as some old timers who have never been in a Field Day activity, jumped in and got their feet wet. Each and every Club Constituent helped out in one way or another. The entire endeavor was very successful and everyone seemed to enjoy the exercise very much.  
Liz, Cindy and Pearl - KG4JNC, AF4UH and N4SGJ respectfully,  cooked up a really fabulous breakfast of pancakes and sausage on Sunday morning. 

June  28-30, 2002________________________________________________________________________
Officials of the Pace Elementary School presented their 1st Annual Blue Grass Festival in Pace, Florida . Their goal was to offer some good 'Old Fashioned' entertainment for children of all ages.  Many Blue Grass bands performed at various times during the three day event.  The festivities offered were numerous and included Pie & Watermelon eating contests, greased pole climbing, one legged sack races and hay rides.   The Milton Amateur Radio Club was asked to help with communications between the Festival Coordinator and various people setting up and running the activities.  We were not kept overly busy, but we did get a good measure of  Club endorsement to the public.    Many Club Members volunteered their time to be present with 2 meter HT's to get the job done.

August 19, 2002__________________________________________________________________________
In gratitude for her hard work and dedicated service to the Club, the Milton ARC presented Pearl Cain, N4SGJ, with a new ICOM T7H duobander HT.  Pearl consistently put forth that 'extra' effort in just about everything she undertakes. This included the Secretary / Treasurers office as well as demanding Field Day and Hamfest preparations. The membership unanimously agreed that Pearl greatly deserved this small token of our appreciation.

October 6, 2002__________________________________________________________________________
Long time Club Member Charles H. Heisner, K4FOJ, became a Silent Key on this date.  He will be missed at the Club meetings and on the Ham Bands.

October 23, 2002__________________________________________________________________________
One of the original Club members, Charles Massengale AA4PT, became a Silent Key early this morning. Many hams in the area will sorely miss Charles' help and support promoting Amateur Radio and personal advancement.  Charles was the owner/operator of the Pace, Florida 145.41MHz repeater.

December 17, 2002_________________________________________________________________________
The last meeting of the year held at Ryans's restaurant in Pace.  Members and guests enjoyed dinner which was followed by a short meeting for electing new officers. After the meeting, a Christmas party took place. Cookie, N4YGS, started  the 'Dirty Santa' ritual.
2003 Officials are:   Phil Wilson, K4LO - Returning as President.
                                Jack Diehl, KE4KRK - Elected as Vice President
                                Pearl Cain, N4SGJ - Returning as Secretary/Treasurer
                                Activities VP Pending

January 20, 2003_________________________________________________________________________
Warren Jarvis, KP4PMY, volunteered to fill the Activities VP job for this year.

March 17, 2003__________________________________________________________________________
The Club Secretary, Pearl Cain - N4SGJ, submitted her resignation effective immediately. Her physical condition restricts her ability to participate in activities the way she would like. She felt that someone without these restrictions would be needed for the upcoming MARC Hamfest and Field Day preparations. Pearl received a sustained round of applause showing appreciation for her many contributions to the Club.  She will remain with the club and help support club activities in every way she can.

March 21, 2003__________________________________________________________________________
Dave Lyle, KC4HKJ, A club member for years, has volunteered to assume the position of Secretary & Treasurer.

March 29, 2003__________________________________________________________________________
MARC provided communication support for the Pace 5K run.  KB4PMY, Warren Jarvis, was manning the Starting line.  NT4Z, Hugh Armstrong, was situated at the 1 Mile water and aid station;  K4OZL, Tony Snow, was at the 2 Mile station; and KG4BDN, Tom Jensen, Was at the Finish line.  No casualties this year!

April 21, 2003___________________________________________________________________________
To show appreciation for using their facilities for our monthly meetings, the club membership voted unanimously to make a donation to the West Florida Regional Library. A library representative met with us and advised us that money was needed to purchase books for a children's reading class. A check for $250.00 was contributed to the Library to cover the money needed for this project.

April 26, 2003___________________________________________________________________________
In celebration of the 2003 Blackwater River Festival, the Milton Chamber of Commerce sponsored a 5K run along the Heritage trail in Milton . Immediately following the 5K was a 1K Fun run.  MARC provided communications support for both events. Tom Jensen, KG4BDN, was at the Headquarters/ Start Line. Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z, was at the Library/ Welcoming center on the Heritage trail. Tony Snow, K4OZL, was at the watering station #1;  Tom Manning, AF4UG, was at the turn-around-point on the Heritage trail; Warren Jarvis, KB4PMY, manned the watering station #2; and last but not least was Phil Wilson, K4LO, holding down the Finish Line.   During the race, a lost child had approached Hugh and asked for help. The child's parents were located and the child was transported to his parents at the starting Line riding on a big Honda Motorcycle.

June 18, 2003___________________________________________________________________________
Club member Steve Ford, KG4SEW registered his XYL Vickie, KI4AZJ and daughters  Erin, KI4AZK,  and Roxanna, KI4AZL, as members of the Milton Amateur Radio Club. They received their new Amateur call signs on this date.

June 28 & 29, 2003___________________________________________________________________________
Field Day was held on this date at the main pavilion at Carpenter's park in Milton .   Larry Busbee, W2RM, was the Chairman and coordinated the whole thing.  This could be a 'Ditto' from last years entry.  Once again the Club made a respectable score. Club President Phil Wilson, K4LO, logged the lion's share of points. Phil worked CW straight through the contest with only a minimal of  'coffee'  breaks. Also this year more Club members tried their hands at operating and all in all everyone enjoyed the excursion.

July 25 & 26, 2003___________________________________________________________________________
MARC sponsored it's 8^th Annual Milton Hamfest at the county auditorium. All tables and all prize tickets were sold. The Parking lot was crammed with Tailgaters and the Auditorium packed with shoppers & sellers. 
Jay Camac, N4OX, won the main door prize and Hugh Armstrong took the second place prize.
Five new Generals and three new Technicians came out of the VE Testing session headed by Larry Busbee, W2RM. Other VE Team members were Dick & Polly Wonson, AC4KA & AC4SU, Tom Manning, AF4UG, Cindy Robinson, AF4UH, and Tony Snow, K4OZL

July 29, 2003___________________________________________________________________________
Chad Forster, KI4BRJ, passed the Technician class exam at our Hamfest. He received notification of his new call sign and was subsequently signed up as a New Club Member on this date.

August 18th, 2003__________________________________________________________________________
The MARC meeting convened at the Knight of Columbus building on Dogwood Drive . The change was for two reasons. The Library will no longer allow us to keep a filling cabinet or anything else at the Library and we were checking out this location for future meetings. Secondly, and incidentally, the Library is closed this week for renovations. Phillip Pfeiffer had arranged for members to use the new location on a trial basis. Membership will decide later whether to make a permanent move or not.

September 15th, 2003______________________________________________________________________
Jerry Dent, KG4TUT, volunteered to act as the Milton ARC 145.49 MHz Net Manager.

December 15th, 2003______________________________________________________________________
The last MARC meeting of the year was held at the Santa Rosa Regional Library for the purpose of electing next year's Club officials.  The meeting was an abbreviated session for voting purposes exclusively. However at this meeting members present also elected to award John Snow, K4OZL, lifetime membership status.

December 16th, 2003______________________________________________________________________
The Annual Club Christmas Dinner was held at the Hudson House on Avalon Blvd .

January 1st, 2004__________________________________________________________________________
    2004 Officials are: Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z - President.
                                 Tom Manning, AF4UG - Vice President
                                 Dave Lyle, KC4HKJ - Second year as Secretary & Treasurer
                                 Jack Diehl, KE4KRK - Volunteered as Net Manager
                                 Activities VP Pending

January 1st, 2004_________________________________________________________________________
One of the original Club members, Gwendolyn Hunt Heller, KA4OQE  became a Silent Key this date. We all will miss her radiant smile and charming personality at our Club meetings.

February 29th, 2004_______________________________________________________________________
Anneliese Snow, Tony’s XYL, passed away this date. She died at her home in Milton.  This world has lost a beautiful and compassionate soul.   
                                                                                                                                                                  Tony Snow,      K4OZL

June 26th & 27th, 2004___________________________________________________________________
Field Day was once again carried out at the main pavilion at Carpenter's park in Milton .   Larry Busbee, W2RM, was the Chairman and coordinated the whole thing.  There were very few casualties, and those were really minor. Once again all participants had a great time and MARC again submitted a very respectable score.

July 23rd & 24th, 2004_____________________________________________________________________
MARC sponsored it's 9^th Annual Milton Hamfest at the county auditorium. Once again it was another colossal hit.  Plans are being made to repeat this in 2005.

August 16th, 2004_________________________________________________________________________
Gerald Swann stepped down as MARC Net Manager because he is starting his college classes again and will not have time necessary to carry out this function.   Pearl Cain, N4SGJ, graciously stepped in to fill the position.

At the August Club meeting, members present voted in favor of MARC sponsoring the VE Testing endeavor held bi-monthly in Pensacola .  Hugh Armstrong NT4Z and Tom Manning AF4UG picked this up from KO4TT years ago and have kept it running since.  Tom advised they will have to look for another testing site at the beginning of next year. The hospital plans on remodeling soon and their testing room will go away.

January 17th, 2005_________________________________________________________________________
  2005 Officials are:   Tom Manning, AF4UG - President
                                 Chuck Meyer, KQ4BD - Vice President
                                 Dave Lyle, KC4HKJ - Third year as Secretary & Treasurer
                                 Barbara Couch, K4BJC - Sunshine Chairperson
                                 Pearl Cain - Volunteered as Net Manager
                                 Activities VP - Pending (Again)

At the year's first meeting Darleen Deihl was presented with the Club's Certificate of Appreciation for her part in planning and preparations for the 2004 Club Christmas dinner.

April 2nd, 2005____________________________________________________________________________
Pace Festival 5K run, MARC provided communications between the Main Coordinator, Start and Finish line and each water/aide station. AF4UG, NT4Z, KE4KRK, KC4HKJ and myself  K4OZL participated.

April 16th, 2005___________________________________________________________________________
Engaged KD4BWQ James, to climb the water tower and replace the DB104 four bay dipole that was damaged during hurricane Ivan in September 2004. The old antenna itself was in good shape. The only damage was to the mast that held the antenna to the tower. It was bent at almost a 90 degree angle. Club plans to refurbish the old antenna and sell it at the Hamfest in July.
 

June 09, 2005_____________________________________________________________________________
Tom Manning, AF4UG, accepted a proclamation from the City Council and later a second one from the Mayor himself declaring the week of 20 June as Amateur Radio Week. This was in support of the Club's Field Day activities.   Standing with Tom were, Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z; Larry Busbee, WX4B; Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP; Steve Ford, KE4SEW; Chuck Meyer, KQ4BD and myself Tony Snow, K4OZL.

June 25/26, 2005__________________________________________________________________________
Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z, coordinated the Club's Field Day 2005 activity at the River Walk Pavilion south of highway 90. Operating 4A NFL class, several Club members took turns at the microphone. Phil Wilson, K4LO, ran the CW station practically non-stop for eighteen hours straight and racked up several hundred double scoring contacts. Gerald Swan, AI4DE; Steve Ford, KG4SEW and Eric Scott, KI4JQJ, made numerous attempts to break through the crowd and complete a Satellite contact using both the International Space Station and Saudi Sat SO-50. Although we were able to connect we couldn't score a contact.    The Club purchased a screened tent for the food area. Barbra Couch, K4BJC, coordinated the food and drink area.  Although a 40% chance of thunderstorms was predicted, not a drop of rain fell.  As usual, ants, mosquitoes and some really horrible looking bugs were plentiful. And to round out the 2005 Field Day event, the key to the restrooms didn't work and we were locked out.  The bathroom notwithstanding, with decent propagation, fair weather, good camaraderie and excellent food, a great time was had by all who participated in The MARC's Field Day 2005.

July 10, 2005_____________________________________________________________________________
Hurricane Dennis made a direct hit on Milton at about 2 pm this date.  Club members volunteered to stay at various hurricane shelters and provide voice communications supporting Red Cross, Police, Medical, Firefighters and other County Officials between the shelters and the main Emergency Operations Center. The county 146.70 repeater was utilized for this purpose since it was placed on generator power during the storm.  The Club's repeater on 145.49 lost power when the high winds came ashore and the brand new DB104 antenna mast was bent at about 10 degrees. The Milton area sustained a great deal of structure damage, downed power lines and many, many trees uprooted or broken off.    Power was restored to the club repeater about a week later. It came back on the air in good shape. The antenna, while bent, still works OK. The repeater building came through the storm in great shape and unlike hurricane Ivan, it stayed in place on it's foundation this time.

July 21, 2005______________________________________________________________________________
Hurricane Dennis brought down the antenna for local radio station WECM 1490 AM located off Berryhill Road here in Milton. The owner asked Hugh, NT4Z, to help her get back on the air.   Hugh and Tom Manning, AF4UG, constructed an antenna system out of the downed guy wires. They hooked this up to the helix house and after some other minor repairs and retuning, the radio station was back on the air.

August 21, 2006___________________________________________________________________________
One of the original club members, Charles Swick - WT4O, was awarded “Lifetime Membership” for his invaluable contributions over the years to so many Amateur Radio ventures for the Club. Charles served as The very first Club President, and did so repeatedly for many years thereafter. Charles has been a pillar of the Club and this recognition is long overdue.
At the August meeting, Eric Scott, KI4JQJ, voluntarily assumed responsibility for the Club's W4VIY Website. The original website had been summarily disestablished. Eric quickly reposted the Club's webpage on his personal website. At the monthly meeting Eric proposed that the Club purchase it's own Internet Domain Name, MiltonARC.org - The majority of members present approved the motion. Eric was given the endorsement to make it so.
The Club's Vanity Call, W4VIY, is due to expire in November of 2006. Robert Perry, KA0AGC, volunteered to submit the renewal request to ARRL and to assume the Club Call Custodian responsibilities with the application.

August 23, 2006___________________________________________________________________________
Eric Scott, KI4JQJ, set up the Club's own web page domain for the W4VIY Webpage.
Records show that the internet address   http://www.miltonarc.org   was created on 23 Aug 2006.

January 01, 2007___________________________________________________________________________
Club Officers for 2007:
            President:    Tom Manning, AF4UG
            Vice Pres:    John Worley, KI4NOU
            Sec:             Ken Dunn, K4SVX
            Treasurer:    Dave Lyle, KC4HKJ  

August 07, 2007__________________________________________________________________________
John Cain, KI4SH, became a Silent Key on this date.
John Lawson Cain born January 10, 1921 in Carter, Oklahoma passed away August 7, 2007 at his home in Holt, Florida. 
John and his XYL Pearl-N4SJG, have been very active MARC members for many years.
John's previous calls were W7LMP (Portland) W6CLE (Oklahoma) & N4IXT

December 31, 2007___________________________________________________________________________
John Snow, K4OZL, assumed the W4VIY webpage administration once again on Oct 29 2007. 
Webpage counter registered 641 hits from Oct 29 to Dec 31^st   2007.

January 01, 2008___________________________________________________________________________
Club Officers :
    President:    John Worley, KI4NOU
    Vice Pres:    Robert Perry, KA0AGC
    Secretary:    Ken Dunn, K4SVX
    Treasurer:    Dave Lyle, KC4HKJ
    Club Registered Agent:    Hugh Armstrong, NT4Z
Advisory Board:
    Tom Manning – AF4UG
    Rudy Hubbard – WA4PUP
    John (Tony) Snow – K4OZL
Volunteers:
    Hamfest Chairperson:  Ken Dunn – K4SVX
    Field Day Coordinator: Robert Perry – KA0AGC
    Net Manager: Robert Perry – KA0AGC
    Repeater Chairperson: Robert Perry – KA0AGC
    W4VIY Club Call Custodian:  Robert Perry – KA0AGC
    Club  Webmaster / Historian:      John (Tony) Snow – K4OZL

January 21, 2008___________________________________________________________________________
Tom Manning was awarded Lifetime Membership on this date for the outstanding work he has done on so many Amateur Radio related projects, and especially for his contribution of time and expertise in planning, procuring, assembling and maintaining the Clubs W4VIY VHF repeater. His involvement was essential for the successful operation of the Club’s VHF repeater project.  Because of his sustained efforts for the Volunteer Examiner testing program, many new Amateurs have been added to our ranks.  His personal contributions to Amateur Radio Ideals in general and our Club in particular have been a great asset for the Amateur Radio community. Bravo Zulu Tom !

Anyone wishing to make additions or corrections please contact Tony Snow, K4OZL

              Thank you and best 73, Tony