Minutes of the December 1, 2008 East River Amateur Radio Club meeting. 
Ryan’s Steakhouse Bluefield, VA.
 http://www.erarc.com 
The December Christmas dinner/meeting of the ERARC was opened at 650pm by George “Hooger” Fisher W4OF ERARC Secretary. Hooger welcomed the 25 members and guests in attendance. President Lonnie Underwood KI4EED is ill tonight and Steven Stefancic, ERARC Vice President couldn’t make this meeting. 
 Hooger said that we usually dispense with the minutes and business meeting during the December meeting unless there was pressing business that needed to be brought before the membership. Don Anderson WD8OOR said that he has been going ‘around and around’ with the Bland County, Virginia Tax Department over a $57 personal property tax bill from 2006. (For equipment previously stored on the Bland-side of  East River Mountain.) Don has researched the Virginia Tax Code and also contacted an ARRL volunteer lawyer from the Abingdon, Virginia area concerning our dilemma. Don’s argument is that there is no mention of amateur radio or exemption in the tax codes and that the FCC requires no enumeration for any service provided via amateur radio. He is awaiting a call from the Bland County attorney and will get back with the membership on the results of any communications on this subject.

 Don handed out the new 2008 ERARC Handbook to those present tonight. Hooger said that Don had put in countless hours typing, constructing and printing the book. Don has to be sure that the center-stapled book’s page 3 matches page 26 in the back. It’s not an easy job, especially when you consider the time, effort and supplies it takes to produce such a great looking and functional handbook. Don has added some new information to the book as well as a full color band plan in the middle of the manuscript. Hooger commended Don for his diligence and work on the book and Don was given a round of applause.

 Hooger asked that members present deliver books to any other member as possible. Several people volunteered to distribute books to other members that live close to them, etc. Each book costs 57¢ to mail and Don mentioned that it cost $1.26 to mail two handbooks (in the same envelope). 

 Hooger asked that each person in attendance stand up, give their name, call sign and home QTH. One new member, Matt Burns KC8COM introduced himself and Hooger asked him to explain the multi-band converter kit that he had built and brought with him tonight. The converter allows one to receive many of the HF Ham bands via an AM receiver or CB radio. Pretty ingenious. 

 George Leedy KJ4BXS took the floor and mentioned that he was thoroughly pleased with his 2008 Field Day experience and was equally impressed with all of the “behind the scenes” work that has to take place in order to even have a Field Day contingent. 

 Patty Dietrich KG4AYM started to draw numbers for the many door prizes that were donated for the dinner. WE THANK ALL THAT HELPED OUT WITH THE PRIZES FOR THE DRAWINGS. Patty wished everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and wished all a safe trip going home.

 Submitted by Hooger Fisher W4OF, ERARC Secretary.

 The dinner/meeting was over around 0740pm.

1. Equipment inventory with serial numbers\ for insurance reasons
2. Cathy Underwood KG4CTK would like us to look into possible funding via the Office of Homeland Security.