Minutes of the East River Amateur Radio Club
September 2, 2002 Ryan’s Steakhouse, Bluefield, VA. (www.erarc.com)
The Sept. meeting of the ERARC was opened at 703pm by George Dietrich 
KF4YGL. George welcomed all in attendance. There were 18 members and guests.
George asked Don Anderson wd8oor for a repeater report. Don said that they 
were all working.  John Riddle n8rig said that the APRS repeater was working 
but the packet was not. He said that he and/or Jay Belt k8cti would check 
it.
George mentioned the ARRL VHF contest, Sept. 15-16, 2002 on Round Mt. in 
Bland Co., Va. Usual setup time around noon and operating into Sunday. 
Hooger Fisher w4of said that he had to work and that if the participants 
needed/wanted to use club tables or chairs to contact him to get them.
George brought up nominations for the club for the next year’s officers. All 
present officers said that they’d be willing to stay in their respective 
office unless other nominations were presented. None presented at this time.
Bob Frazier wb8nrk gave the treasurer’s report.
Hooger Fisher read the August minutes. No additions/changes.
Jay Belt k8cti mentioned that the 442.45 machine was hit by lightening 2 
months ago, he put a backup machine on the mountain (with the same 
controller), sent the 442 off for repair (under warranty which includes 
shipping and handling) and it should be back sometime this week.
Bob Frazier wb8nrk said that as of now we have 57 paid members compared to 
149 last year. ((( Bob is going to mail out notices to those members (who 
have had their membership lapse) this week or so. *** Please help save 
postage and email Bob with your intentions to renew, if you don’t mind, 
thanks. wb8nrk@arrl.net ***** 505 Eads Mill Road, Princeton, WV 24740, 
thanks!!! Bob has to mail the notice, then mail back your card(s).))) The 
membership renewal prices are still the same: $10 per member and $1 
additional per family member at the same mailing address.
Betty Viers kg4ctl handed out the newest edition of “THE CURRENT”, the ERARC 
newsletter. She said that she needs articles in order to produce another 
one.
George asked about the Christmas dinner for the club. Discussion. Hooger 
will ask the manager of Ryan’s if we can have the dinner meeting there, 6pm 
on December 2, 2002.
ARES net control stations for Sept. 3rd Tom Gordon ww8d 10th George Dietrich 
kf4ygl 17th Hooger Fisher w4of 24th Ed Viers kd4woo.
Gary Kadar mentioned that the ERARC VE team met on Aug. 10 at the Mercer 911 
center and tested two persons. One guy from Matoaka passed his Technician 
and Dave Sexton AB8PS (ex kb8zlt)passed his Extra exam. Next session in 
November.
Gary asked about having the Saturday breakfast in Green Valley at the 
“Country Kitchen” since some were meeting there, some in Brushfork at Burger 
King and some at the new Bluefield, Va. Burger King. Discussion. Don 
Anderson said that it’s (the Country Kitchen) is ‘in the middle of” 
Princeton and Bluefield. It was decided to meet in Green Valley until the 
next ERARC meeting and then discuss moving the ‘official’ location for Sat. 
breakfast.
Don Anderson said that he and Mike Quick kf8xp were on ’49 this week talking 
and David Garrett ka4txy was monitoring by the ‘streaming audio’ on the 
ERARC website.  David was in Florida.  Dave got onto the ECHOLINK on 442.45 
and talked to Don, just because he someone was on the air in Blfd. Neat.
Gary Kadar said that the ARRL has a ‘powerline workshop’ ongoing and that he 
and John Riddle need to get with APCO to resolve their RF problems.
Gary Akers KF4SMH won the 50/50.
  George asked for further business. There being none, the meeting was over 
at 0734pm. Respectfully submitted, George E. "Hooger" Fisher III, W4OF, 
Secretary