Minutes of the East River Amateur Radio Club 
March 1,2004 Ryan’s Steakhouse, Bluefield, VA. http://www.erarc.com 
The March meeting of the ERARC was opened at 700pm by George Dietrich KF4YGL, ERARC President. There were 21 members and guests in attendance. George welcomed all. Visitors: Lonnie Underwood KI4EDD, Cathleen Underwood KG4CTK, Jeremy Carbaugh KI4DZO and Rick Bryant KI4DZR. Everyone in attendance gave their call sign and name in order for the new group of amateurs to 'put a face to a call'. 
Gary Kadar N8GK, ERARC VP, read the minutes of the February meeting. 
George read the treasurer's report since Bob Frazier WB8NRK was out of town. 
As per the club's wishes, Jerry Connelly KC8TES did purchase three of the new "Now You're Talking" Technician Study books at the Richmond, Va. Frostfest at a discounted price for the club. He paid $51.00 for the three books. Patty Dietrich KG4AYM asked as to which libraries the books would be put into circulation. Answer: Bluefield, Va., Bluefield, WV and Princeton, WV. Hooger mentioned that Bob Frazier was going to get stickers to put into the books that say that the books were donated by the ERARC and have a contact person and number included, as we've done in the past. 
George talked about the February 19 article in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph concerning the ERARC and emergency communications.  Kathy Kish of the BDT interviewed George for the article and the piece included two pictures from Field Day. 
Gary Kadar brought up the box for the club's radio, power supply, antennas, feedlines, etc. Discussion. Arlie Hicks N8AH said that he had an old ammunition box that may work.  Jerry Connelly mentioned the boxes that one would see on an ATV. It was decided that we'd look at options and bring the information back to the club for a determination. Gary said that he'd like to see the box include a G5RV, mini-8 coaxial line, connectors. etc.  John Riddle N8RIG said that we could probably include a screen on one side of the box with a computer fan on the other side for cooling. He also said that it would be nice to mount the equipment for 'plug and play' service so that all that was needed to do was add power and an antenna connection. 
George asked about having the generator serviced. Gary said that he's heard nothing from Russel Taylor KC8GBE about taking the unit to Mark IV Honda in Wytheville as of yet. 
Gary: Report on the February VE test session: Three tested, result: two new technicians and an upgrade to General. Gary also said that he was now the ERARC VE team VE contact/liaison person via the ARRL VE. John Riddle N8RIG is the assistant VEC. The next test session will be on May 8, 2004. 
Gary: Gary, John and Bob have been going to the Mercer Co. Local Emergency Planning Council (LEPC) concerning homeland security, etc. Bottom line: We need to have a call-up list, etc. for emergencies, etc. for the ARES members. Gary said that Tom Gordon WW8D had dropped his ARRL membership and is no longer the Mercer Co. ARES EC. Discussion. We, the local amateur community, need to find a replacement for Tom and get things 'rolling' in order to facilitate a proper response for any emergency when communications are needed. Discussion. 
Gary: Field Day. Gary wanted to know what the club's inclination was for location for Field Day activities.  He said that Dave Cox KG4MCC had contacted Bluefield, VA. and procured an acknowledgement for using the property at Graham Recreational Park for a 24 hour period. Discussion. It was decided to get Dave to reserve the property and get details on rent, baseball games, etc. and bring the information to the next club meeting for a final determination. 
Jay Belt said that Nelson Linkous WZ8E was to have a new 440 machine on the air, probably within the next two weekends on 443.625. 
Jay Belt also won the 50-50 drawing for the flower fund and donated his portion of the $19.00 winnings back into the fund. 
ARES net controls: 2nd, no takers, 9th Jerry Connelly, 16th Hooger Fisher, 23rd no takers, 29th George Dietrich. 
The meeting was adjourned at 0810pm. 

Respectfully submitted, George “Hooger” Fisher 111, W4OF, Sec.