Minutes of the East River Amateur Radio Club meeting.
May 7, 2007 Ryan’s Steakhouse Bluefield, VA.
(Due to a scheduling error by Ryan’s, we had to meet in a corner of the steak house. It was hard, at times, to hear all that was being discussed and I apologize for any errors below. W4OF) http://www.erarc.com The May meeting of the ERARC was opened at 7pm by Lonnie Underwood KI4EED, ERARC Vice President. There were 19 members and guests in attendance. Bill Sowers K8WBS brought three local amateurs to ‘visit’ our meeting.
Bob Frazier WB8NRK, ERARC treasurer, gave his report including: paying a
$15.79 phone bill, liability insurance $320.00, equipment insurance $326. He did receive $53.00 tonight from dues, etc. but it's not in the bank yet. 
With no expected income until August, Bob said that with paying these bills and allowing for 4 more phone bills, we will have about $100.00 left in the Club’s account. We have only 109 members, down from around 190 and thus the reduction in balance. BOB SAID THAT IT’S TIME TO RENEW SAM’S CLUB MEMBERSHIPS THROUGH THE CLUB. THERE ARE 4 MORE ‘SPOTS’ OPEN FOR ANYONE WHO MAY WANT A MEMBERSHIP. EACH IS $35. CONTACT BOB FRAZIER IF INTERESTED. 
bfrazier@frontiernet.net.
Lonnie had Hooger Fisher W4OF read the minutes from April.
Gary Kadar, ERARC ARRL VEC mentioned that

  ***THERE IS AN ARRL VE TEST SESSION THIS SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007, 9AM AT THE
     MERCER COUNTY 911 CENTER, GREEN VALLEY. ***

He also mentioned that a man wanted requested an accommodation to have the test material read to him and he choose the correct answer. Gary contacted the ARRL and they said it was ‘OK’ to do this. This man also wanted someone to help him study for the test and Lonnie Underwood agreed to help him out. 
Gary does not know where the man lives, etc. but will contact him by phone.
Jerry Connelly, Mercer County EC said that Don Anderson WD8OOR and others went to the 911 Center a couple of weeks ago and moved the 2M antenna to a position where it did not interfere with the 911 communicators. They also repaired the G5RV HF antenna and made sure that all of the Amateur Radio systems were in working order. He said that the WV State ARES group is planning another Simulated Emergency Test for Sept/Oct and he is taking suggestions for scenarios for the SET.
Gary Kadar asked about buying gasoline for Field Day since the Club is in a financial pinch. Discussion. Bill Sowers K8WBS, Lonnie Underwood and Hooger Fisher all said that they would bring 5 gallons apiece for Field Day. Others volunteered to help out also.
Bill Sowers made a motion, seconded by Roger Stefancic KC8LGR to increase the yearly dues to the Club. Discussion. A vote was taken and passed to increase the dues to $15.00 per member with an additional one dollar for a couple. Also, those members who have paid up to 2008 and beyond will not see an increase until they need to pay dues again.
Jerry Connelly said that he would have a G5RV built in time for Field Day.
Harold Hodges N8NCP won the 50/50 drawing for the flower fund and donated his winnings back into the fund.
ARES net controls for May: 8th, 15th, and 22nd Lonnie and Cathy Underwood KG4CTK and KI4EEd, 29TH Jerry Connelly KC8TES.
The meeting was over at 726pm.
Submitted by Hooger Fisher W4OF, ERARC Secretary.
TO DO LIST:
1)	Bandpass filters for Field Day and VHF contest
2)	Equipment inventory with serial numbers for Bob for insurance reasons
3)	Multiband antenna, feed lines, etc. with Club’s Yaesu FT100, PS, etc.
4) Go over repeater instructions in Club handbook for being current and complete. (Add weather radio information, check 911 autodials, etc.)
5) Cathy Underwood KG4CTK would like us to look into possible funding via the Office of Homeland Security.
6) IN PROCESS: 147.225 repeater from Bob Frazier to ERARC to Windmill Gap location with the 911 Center’s equipment.