Minutes of the East River Amateur Radio Club
March 3, 2003 Ryan's Steakhouse, Bluefield, VA. http://www.erarc.com
The March meeting of the ERARC was opened at 700pm by George Dietrich 
KF4YGL. There were 25 members and guests in attendance. George welcomed all, 
in particular, Matthew French, KC8URG, from Kegley, WV who is joining 
tonight.
Bob Frazier, WB8NRK, treasurer, gave his report: Our liability insurance 
policy has changed. ***Financial information conceled on internet***
SAM'S CLUB MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE $30 per year now. Bob needs to 
get in contact with Dave Miller, Harold Hodges, Woody Bailey and Kay Bailey. 
Betty Viers decided to not renew her membership through the club and hers is 
available. Contact Bob Frazier at wb8nrk@arrl.net if interested.
HAMFESTS: Charleston, WV March 15, Raleigh, NC April 13.
Repeater report: John Riddle N8RIG: "They're working".
Gary Kadar N8GK made a motion for the club to purchase three new "Now 
You're Talking" Technician Study Guide books to be placed in the 
Bluefield, WV, Princeton, WV and Bluefield, VA libraries. John Riddle 
seconded. Vote taken. Motion passed. Bob Frazier will try the ARRL/Radio 
Shack for purchase. The new question pool for the Technician test comes out 
June 1, 2003. John Riddle suggested that we put an announcement on the ERARC 
webpage about these books when they are available.
Gary Kadar N8GK suggested that when we visit doctor's offices to put our 
old QST, etc. magazines in the waiting room with a note/sticker/notation 
about the ERARC, address (P.O. Box 1362, Bluefield, WV 24701), phone number 
contact, web address, etc. for potential members/Hams to see. It's a good 
way to 'recycle' your old magazines instead of throwing them away.
Patty Dietrich KG4AYM asked if the club had a Ham licensing class scheduled 
in the future. John Riddle said that we didn't but should think about one.
Dave Cox KG4MCC said that he had nothing against going to Field Day with the 
Pocahontas ARC on Miracle Mt. in June but would like to hear some 
information about facilities, layout, etc. etc. before we even think about 
committing.
ARES net controls for March: 4th Shannon Akers KC8QNC, 11TH Tom Gordon WW8D, 
18TH Hooger Fisher W4OF, 25th George Dietrich KF4YGL.
Gary Kadar: mentioned that he's again contacted AEP re: RFI on HF bands at 
his QTH as well as John Riddle's home.
George welcomed the following visitors: John Collins and Marvin Jones from 
Tazewell (these two saw John Riddle's name/phone number on the internet as 
contact person for the ERARC and are here tonight to find out how to become 
Hams and to join the club.) Andrew Laxton, Lashmeet, with Steve O'Dell 
N8SNR.
Bob Frazier mentioned that he may have to move the '225 machine in 
Princeton due to Danieley wrecker maybe cutting the power off in the 
building. Fyi
Someone mentioned contacting Comcast Cable and getting our meetings and VE 
testing advertised (hopefully for free) on their community access channel.
John Riddle mentioned that he heard on one of the machines that some of the 
links on the ERARC.com website were not working.  (Dave Lester N8VFR, 
Webmaster contacted).
Hooger Fisher mentioned that as the club was a member of the Mercer Co. WV 
Emergency Response Team, that there was to be a county-wide Mock Disaster 
within the next few weeks/month and to be alert and try to help in the event 
of the county needing amateurs to man the radios at the three hospitals, 911 
center and disaster locations.
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*************** P L E A S E    N O T E ****************************
John Riddle suggested that ALL amateurs, no matter if ARES members or not, 
talk to their employers to see if they could leave work in the event of 
disaster, or Mock Disaster, BEFORE HAND, so as not to be a ‘surprise' to 
the employer and get a general understanding between employer and employee. 
Let Tom Gordon WW8D, Mercer Co. ARES EC know of your contact numbers, etc. 
at ww8d@arrl.net .
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Gary Kadar mentioned that the 2M radio at Blfd Reg. Medical Center is now in 
the Finance Conference Room, not the E.D., in case no other hams there.
Of note: The G5RV antenna at the 911 center was mentioned. After breakfast 
this Saturday, we hope to check to see if the pullys and ropes have been 
hung and then possibly hang the antenna.
Dave Cox KG4MCC won the 50/50.
There being no more business, the meeting was closed at 0740pm
Respectfully submitted, George "Hooger" Fisher 111, W4OF, Sec.