Minutes of the East River Amateur Radio Club
September 5, 2005 Ryan’s Steakhouse Bluefield, VA.                
http://www.erarc.com
The September meeting of the ERARC was opened at 700pm by George Dietrich KF4YGL, ERARC President. There were 19 members and guests in attendance. 
George welcomed all.
Hooger Fisher W4OF, Secretary, read the August minutes.
George asked about the club’s tent situation. We need to get together and go to Bob’s and figure out what new lengths of conduit we need to make a shelter by just using the center, smaller, tarp.
John Riddle N8RIG gave a demonstration on APRS with his laptop and Kenwood TH-7D. He noted that the APRS node on East River Mt. is in the process of being ‘repaired’ and/or being investigated as to TNC, software or other problem. John uses a program called “UIVIEW” for the actual APRS software on the national 144.39 simplex frequency. John also mentioned that the DAREN packet radio and TNC have been ‘reset’ and is back on the air.
Lonnie Underwood KI4EED said that ECHOLINK was not working for him via the Bluefield node but others said that they’re having no problem at this time. 
Lonnie will check his settings.
George asked Don Anderson WD8OOR if the repeaters needed any special attention before winter and Don said that everything was OK for now.
Bob Frazier WB8NRK, ERARC treasurer gave his report. He said that he has received several membership renewals since sending out 93 reminders BUT ‘WE’RE ONLY AT 69 MEMBERS NOW COMPARED TO 137 AT THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR’.

<< PLEASE RENEW, IT’S ONLY $10 PER PERSON AND AN ADDITONAL $1 FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER AT THE SAME ADDRESS >>.

Bob reported on the August 13 ERARC ARRL VE test session. He said that there were 7 tests given of which were 3 Morse code tests, 2 passed, one failed and the rest were written testing of which all passed. Bob, Arlie Hicks N8AH, Paul Osburn W8NST, and David Garrett KA4TXY were the examiners.  Gary Kadar N8GK, the VC, was out of town but tonight encouraged anyone who could, to sign up to be an examiner for the club.
John Riddle said that he had received an email, via the ERARC website, from a lady wishing to have a radiogram sent to Louisiana to find out about family during the recent hurricane. By the time John contacted her, she already had found her information by other means. This may mean that the public is aware that amateur radio can get through when other means have trouble.
Gary mentioned the ARRL VHF contest this weekend and asked if anyone was interested in attending the event. Some discussion. It was decided that we would talk about it on Saturday over breakfast and decide what to do. The East River Mt. Overlook will be the location for the contest.
Gary mentioned that we’re to nominate officers during the October meeting and have elections during the November meeting. George asked for us to think about officers for the new year.
Terry Hendrix KC8OEX as well as Joe Ruske KD8CAR introduced themselves to the membership.
    ARES net control for September: 6th George Dietrich,13th Hooger Fisher, 20th Lonnie Underwood KI4EED, and 27th Jerry Connelly KC8TES.
  The 50/50 drawing for the flower fund was won by Terry Hendrix KC8OEX.
  The meeting was adjourned at 752pm.
Respectfully submitted, George “Hooger” Fisher 111, W4OF, Secretary.
   Jerry Connelly, Mercer Co. ARES Emergency Coordinator held a brief ARES meeting after this meeting concerning training and Simulated Emergency Test
(SET) within the next two months.