Minutes of the East River Amateur Radio Club
May 6, 2002
Westgate ACME , Bluefield, VA.                   (www.inetone.net/erarc)

     The May meeting of the ERARC was opened at 703pm by Gary Kadar N8GK in 
the absence of the president.  George Dietrich KF4YGL, president, showed up 
around 0715pm and continued the meeting.  There were 24 members and guests 
in attendance.
    Betty Viers KG4CTL, Club newsletter editor passed out the latest edition 
of the “ERARC CURRENT”.
    Bob Frazier, WB8NRK, treasurer, gave the treasurers report. 
     Hooger Fisher w4of, Secretary, read the minutes from April, no 
additions noted.
     Gary asked for a repeater report.  John Riddle, N8RIG, said that the 
phone patch on the 442 and 49 repeaters was down since the storm on 5-2-02 
and the problem would be reported.  John mentioned that the packet 
digipeaters were down, no further comment. Gary mentioned that Bluefield 
Regional Medical Center donated two ‘Caterpillar’ batteries to us and that 
he and John had put them into use on 5-03-02 at the repeater site during 
another storm.
     Gary brought up the $500 grant from the Bluefield Area Foundation and 
that we still needed $650 to fulfill the funding for our request for a HF 
rig, power supply and tuner.  Discussion ensued as to getting the remaining 
funding from our general funds, etc.  Hooger Fisher W4OF mentioned that 
‘someone’ had mentioned asking the Bluefield Regional Medical Center 
Foundation for the needed funding. Discussion.  Hooger will write a letter 
to the Foundation and ask for the additional funding.  John also mentioned 
that we need to purchase lightening protection, trickle charger and 
solid-state monitoring for the battery backup for the ’49 and the 444.45 
sites.  Jay Belt K8CTI said that “Polyphasers” are around $65 each, a ‘Smart 
Charger’ trickle charger around $50 each. Discussion.  John Riddle made a 
motion, seconded by Arlie Hicks N8AH to “purchase 4 polyphasers for the 2m, 
6m, and two 440 machines as well as a ‘smart charger’”. Vote taken, motion 
passed.
     John Riddle N8RIG said that Tom Gordon, WW8D, Mercer ARES EC wished to 
pass along thanks for those that volunteered, on Friday 5-03-02, that 
participated in passing traffic from Matoaka, WV to the Mercer 911 center 
while the phones were out there.  Those that participated were: N8RIG, 
K8WBS, WW8D, Ben Mills N8XXA, WB8NRK, W4OF, Wayne Crotty N8QAF, Bob Hoge 
N8RIR. ( I hope that I didn’t miss anyone.) John mentioned that while he was 
at the 911 center, he got the packet station updated and running.  The 911 
center’s HF radio is back also.
Bill Sowers K8WBS and Ed Viers KD4WOO talked briefly about flood damage they 
witnessed in McDowell and Bland Counties, respectively.
    George Dietrich kf4ygl reminded all that Field Day will be held at Boy 
Scout Camp Roland on June 22-23.  Discussion ensued.  Tabled until June 
meeting.
     George talked about the ERARC VE testing at Bluefield State College 
last Saturday, 05-04-02.  The VE team and testees were locked out and ended 
up at the First Presbyterian Church on Tazewell Ave. Bluefield, WV for the 
testing session.  It was discussed at that time that we may want to see if 
testing could be permanently located at the Mercer 911 center since they’re 
open 24/7 and is maybe a better location.  Hooger said that he’d contact Bob 
Hoge N8RIR, Mercer 911 director and inquire the possibility.
     John Riddle suggested that we use our monies now to purchase the HF 
rig, power supply, etc. and see if we can get funding at a later date to 
replenish our funds.  Harold Hodges N8NCP made a motion, seconded by Bill 
Sowers K8WBS to go ahead and purchase the above mentioned items and seek 
funding as allowed.  Vote taken, motion passed. Jay Belt K8CTI will find the 
best prices, order on his credit card and then seek reimbursement from the 
Club.
     George asked about the G5RV antenna at the 911 center (that had been 
destroyed by the construction company at the site and supposedly replaced by 
said company).  John said that as of Saturday, Bob Hoge contacted the 
company and that they’ll get a replacement ASAP.
     Bob Frazier, WB8NRK, said that since we’ve sold all of the tables, that 
there are four dollies still at Warlick Furniture.  He said that Bill 
Neighbors had called him and asked if Warlick could have the dollies.  Bob 
told him that he didn’t see any problem with it but that he’d have to bring 
it before the club.  Discussion. Bob made a motion, seconded by Bill Sowers 
to donate the dollies to Warlick Furniture as thanks for years of support 
for the club from Warlicks.  Warlicks has allowed Dale McCarty KD4IFD to use 
the company truck to haul supplies to and from Field Day activities for 
years, has stored the tables free of charge, has donated door prized yearly 
for the Christmas dinner and gone through the aggravation of moving, 
storing, and moving tables for the club for years.  Vote taken, motion 
passed.
    George asked for net control operators for the weekly Tuesday ARES net.  
7th, George Dietrich, 14th Hooger Fisher, 21st  Tom Gordon, 28th Ed Viers.
     Bill Sowers, K8WBS, asked if the ILINK could be put onto the 2M machine 
to promote more usage and experimentation, etc. of the ILINK system.  John 
Riddle said that according to the ARRL and FCC, that it was illegal due to 
remote control of a 2M repeater via 2Meter.
     Hooger asked those in attendance if anyone had any Morse Code study 
tapes for Harold Charles, who just passed his Technician test on Saturday.  
Gary Kadar thought that he had a set for him to use.
     George Dietrich won the 50/50.
     George asked for further business.  None.  Harold Hodges made a motion 
and he even seconded it to close the meeting at 0849pm


Respectfully submitted, George E. "Hooger" Fisher III, W4OF, Secretary