Minutes of the East River Amateur Radio Club meeting. 
 February 1, 2010 Ryan’s Steakhouse Bluefield, VA.
 http://www.erarc.com 
 The February ERARC meeting was opened at 7pm by Lonnie Underwood KI4EED, ERARC President. There were20 members and guests in attendance.
   Hooger read the minutes of the December meeting which included an addition to the “to do list” of a notation for a replacement generator for the Club. 
 Roger Stefancic KC8LGR gave the Treasurer’s report. An $18.88 phone bill was paid and there was a $75.00 deposit made. He is in possession of a $25.00 bill from the WV Secretary of State for renewal of our not-for-profit business license. 
 Gary Kadar ERARC ARRL VEC team leader said that there will be a test session on Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 9am at the Mercer County 911 Center. (He later mentioned that he had worked the ARRL JanuaryVHF contest from the Overlook on East River Mountain on January 23. He worked 4 stations in 2 ˝ hours, the furthest being around 291 air miles from Bluefield. The temps were around 34 degrees, the wind was wicked and the fog was very thick at times.)
 Jay Belt K8CTI said that on December 9th, he had two towers to crash on the mountain and that he was forced to take the packet equipment off of the mountain due to the damages incurred to his property. Discussion concerning packet and the TNC. John Riddle N8RIG and Don Anderson WD8OOR will look into getting the packet hardware back on the air and look into getting a software upgrade for same. 
 Cathy Underwood KG4CTK said that there is an ERARC Facebook site on the internet and is a social meeting place for amateurs who would like to talk about the ERARC, Amateur Radio, etc.
 Gary Kadar said that we really need to get moving and purchase a new generator for the Club. He said that the ‘small’ generator that we have is still working OK. Don Anderson said that in Pigeon Forge he has seen 3500W units for sale at around $300.00 and 5000W models for sale around $400.00. Discussion. Dallas Peyton W8DP made a motion, seconded by Dave Mullins KD8LBZ to form an investigational committee to research specifications and suggestions for purchase of a generator and report back to the Club next month. Dave said that he would get with other Club members and research and gather the requested information.
 Ronnie Childress KD8HBO said that there will be a Mercer County ARES meeting in Bluefield, Va. on February 18th at 7pm at the Pentecostal Holiness Church. The Church is off of Meadow and Square Streets on the east end of town. One would cut up beside the Pop Shop to reach the church. Talk-in will be on the 145.49- repeater. 
 Lonnie said that he and others will take net control for the Mercer County ARES nets on Tuesdays at 8pm.
 The meeting was over at 745pm. 
 Submitted by Hooger Fisher W4OF, ERARC Secretary.
 TO DO LIST:
Antenna for the Bluefield, Va. Rescue Squad (ongoing per Lonnie)
2) Communications class for the Mercer Co. Civil Air Patrol     (ongoing per Lonnie)
3) Replacement for the broken1850KW generator.