Minutes of the East River Amateur Radio Club
August 06, 2001 meeting
ACME Fresh Markets, Community Room,Bluefield,VA (www.inetone.net/erarc)

     The August meeting of the ERARC was opened at 0700pm by President 
George Dietrich kf4ygl. There were 26 members and guests in attendance.
     The minutes of the June and July meetings were read. Treasurer Bob 
Frazier wb8nrk, gave the money report.
     Don Anderson wd8oor was asked about the ’49 repeater and he said that 
things were underway for the replacement and that we were just waiting on 
the insurance check to arrive before final purchase could occur. He had 
talked to the manufacturer for the NEW ’49 and they were waiting on ‘an 
interface’ for the unit.  He brought up a question that he needed answered: 
“Does the club want the NEW ’49 to have a remote base/linking capability?”  
After much discussion, Don made a motion that the NEW ’49 and NEW 440 
repeaters have remote base/linking capabilities.  Seconded by Arlie Hicks 
N8AH. The vote taken passed. It should be noted that the remote base/linking 
capability does come as standard equipment on both repeaters and can link 
into what ever VHF/UHF radio(s) we wish.
       Discussion ensued re: the 440 repeater.  It was suggested that we 
keep the present 440 machine, with no changes, and seek coordination for a 
new 440 frequency for the NEW 440 machine.  It was suggested that ‘we’ place 
the NEW 440 machine at the ’49 site, so that we can use the remote base 
capabilities from 2M to 440 and visa versa, since all of the radios will be 
at one site.  Discussion occurred concerning the security, etc. of ‘giving’ 
out the link codes, etc.  Don Anderson said that this was something new for 
the club and that we should have no problem with the upcoming changes.
     John Riddle N8RIG, made a motion, seconded by Gary Kadar N8GK, that we 
allow Jay Belt K8CTI to purchase the necessary equipment to get the new 440 
‘up and running’, including the remote/linking system with it. Jay will 
check into getting a new, coordinated 440 frequency also. The motion passed 
by vote.
     Of note: Both the ’49 AND 440 machines will be capable of linking into 
the Hamtalk System, now in place in West Virginia. (Much discussion 
concerning this took place).
NEW BUSINESS:
     Hooger Fisher w4of reminded everyone of the September 8-9, 2001 VHF 
Contest on Round Mt. in Bland Co.  George Dietrich said that we’d finalize 
plans during the next (Sept.) meeting.
     Hooger mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce wanted ‘us’ to help park 
cars at the 2001 Coal Show, to be held at the Brushfork Armory on Sept. 
12-14, 2001, Wed thru Friday. Hooger had sent out an email earlier and had 
several people volunteer to help out.  Discussion during this meeting came 
up with the idea that we’d call the Chamber and volunteer to park cars on 
maybe one day only, or help out as needed. (Hooger called the Chamber on 
Aug. 7 and told Debbie that we would be available on Friday, Sept. 14, 2001, 
from 9am to around 5pm.)
     Hooger mentioned that he’d received an email from Gay Riddle KD4IFE, 
saying that she didn’t know where we would have the Christmas Dinner due to 
Western Sizzlin’ being closed.  Discussion, ideas, and suggestions flowed 
and Hooger said that he’d check with several places to see where we could 
eat and meet.
     Hooger said that we’ve had many pieces of mail, especially QSL 
requests, sent to Lee Brooks, the W8MOP custodian, at his Hemlock Hill 
address.  Hooger asked how we could get Lee to list our Post Office Box 
number and Don Anderson said that he would get the proper form and get Lee 
to sign for the address change, if he would.
     There was question of election of officers and when. Hooger looked the 
date up in the By-Laws and it seems that elections occur in October.  George 
Dietrich asked everyone to think about the upcoming elections and to come up 
with nominations for offices.
     Reminder of the ERARC VE test session, this Saturday at 9am, Bluefield 
State College, August 11, 2001.
     50-50: Not done.
     ARES net controls for August: 7th, Tom Gordon WW8D, 14th Hooger Fisher 
W4OF, 21st George Dietrich KF4YGL, 28TH Shannon Akers KC8QNC.
     The meeting was over at around 0810pm.
Respectfully submitted, George E. "Hooger" Fisher III, W4OF, Secretary