Minutes of the East River Amateur Radio Club
April 7, 2003 Ryan's Steakhouse, Bluefield, VA. http://www.erarc.com
The April meeting of the ERARC was opened at 700pm by George Dietrich 
KF4YGL. There were 23 members and guests in attendance.
Bob Frazier, WB8NRK, treasurer, gave his report. Bob said that he had been 
sick and had not yet checked on the "Now You're Talking" Technician 
Study Guide books to be placed in the three libraries.
Hooger Fisher W4OF read the minutes of the March meeting.
John Riddle N8RIG said that the ARRL had mailed him a copy of their new CD 
"The New World of Amateur Radio" for the club's usage. He said that it 
had a documentary by Walter Cronkite about Ham Radio, parts on Amateur 
Radio's response with the wildfires out West, etc. John suggested that one 
could borrow the CD and show it to one's boss to help explain what Amateur 
Radio could do for the community in case of disaster.
George: (1) Field Day. Discussed the event in June. We decided that we would 
go back to Camp Roland, Bastian, Va. if the facility is available. Hooger 
Fisher will fill out the usage form with proof of insurance and forward to 
the Scout Council. (2) Asked John about the HF/internet interface that he 
and Jay were working on. John said that they did not have all of the 
software, etc. to make it function yet.
John Riddle mentioned that we need to get to the '49 site and hook up the 
new grounding system to any ground system in place now, before thunderstorm 
season really begins.  George asked if the G5RV HF antenna was indeed 
installed at the 911 center and the answer was yes, it had been. John said 
that Don Anderson WD8OOR had put a PL259 connector on the feedline and it 
was ready but not tested. John said that only one of the new chargers on the 
battery backups at the repeater sites was being used because the donated 
'Caterpillar' battery was bad. Gary Kadar N8GK said that we could buy a 
new one from Sam's for around $150.
George mentioned briefly the Sept. VHF contest and John mentioned the June 
VHF contest the week before Field Day, he thought. Discussion.
Bob Frazier announced the ERARC VE test session at the Mercer Co. 911 
Center, May 10, 2003, 9am.
Gary Kadar said that he and John Riddle had attended the Mercer Co. 
Emergency Services meeting and that Don Meadows was elected as Mercer 
County's Homeland Security Officer.  The group has some updated 
information on the ERARC members now. Gary and John suggested that the 
Mercer Co. ARES group develop some sort of 'call-up' list for 
emergencies and find out who can or could help in case of need.
ARES net controls for March: 8th no takers, 16TH  Hooger Fisher W4OF 22ND  
George Dietrich KF4YGL, 29th Tom Gordon WW8D.
Russell Taylor KC8GBE won the 50/50.
There being no more business, the meeting was closed at 0722pm
Respectfully submitted, George "Hooger" Fisher 111, W4OF, Sec.