Minutes of the East River Amateur Radio Club meeting.
September 4, 2006 Ryan’s Steakhouse Bluefield, VA.
http://www.erarc.com
The September meeting of the ERARC was opened at 700pm by Lonnie Underwood KI4EED, ERARC Vice President. There were 21 members and guests in attendance.
Bob Frazier WB8NRK, ERARC treasurer, gave his report, He said that he had received some dues renewals, paid some bills, etc. Current memberships expire on August 31st and Bob DID mail out renewal requests. He also mentioned that the current membership is now 72 compared to 191 five years ago. All of the received funds from the August 12 VE test session were sent to the ARRL.
Gary Kadar N8GK, ERARC VE Team VEC: On August 12, tested four people: 1 new Technician, 1 upgrade to General, 1 upgrade to Extra and 1 failed General attempt.
John Riddle N8RIG said that the little generator had been serviced and is now working fine.
Hooger Fisher W4OF read the minutes of the August meeting as well as our new “to do” list.
Hooger Fisher: Bob Frazier’s tower was lowered by Jay Belt K8CTI and Gary Kadar a weekend or two ago for repairs by Bob.
Lonnie asked visitors James “JD” Lawson KD8DQE and Anthony Cook to introduce themselves. Discussion ensued and the autopatch on 145.49 was demonstrated for them. ECHOLINK was discussed also.
Jay Belt: All of the repeaters are working well including packet and the
444.45 which has been repaired and just needs to be taken back to the mountain. He said that the autopatch was down for about a week but OK now.
Don Anderson was asked about the 147.225 and coordination by the SERA. Don said that the main problem, as he sees it, is that we need to elect a new trustee for the W8MOP Repeater/Club group. Discussion. John Riddle is already listed as trustee on one or two of the repeaters and Don and John will get the proper paperwork to the FCC with John’s information. Jerry Connelly KC8TES said that the forms are available online at the FCC site. 
Hooger Fisher suggested that they use the Club’s Post Office Address. Lee Brooks K8BHG is the current trustee and now is living in a nursing home. Don said that he’d been in contact with the Paintsville, KY 147.225 trustee and they’ve signed an understanding between Paintsville and Bluefield regarding interference, PL toning, etc. Much discussion about placing the 147.225 and maybe the 444.45 on Windmill Gap with the Mercer 911 radios. Don Anderson will contact Bob Hoge N8RIR, Mercer 911 Director on Tuesday and see ‘what is what’ about this possible proposition.
*****ARRL SEPTEMBER VHF CONTEST THIS SATURDAY, SEPT. 9 ON EAST RIVER MOUNTAIN AT THE OVERLOOK by Gary Kadar, Dave Cox N4DBC, and Lonnie Underwood at this time. Anyone can come to watch and/or partipate. ***** Anthony Cook won the 50/50 drawing and donated his part back into the flower fund.
ARES net controls for September: 5th Lonnie Underwood,12th no takers, 19th Hooger Fisher,26th no takers.
The meeting was over at 0755pm.
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)	Bill Sowers’ crank up tower for Boy Scout Camp?
5)	Test/maintain HF, VHF, UHF equipment at the 911 Center.
6)	Go over repeater instructions in Club handbook for being current and 
complete. (add weather radio information, check 911 autodials, etc.)
7)	Jacks and adaptors for head phones for FD. External speakers also.
8)	Cathy Underwood KG4CTK would like us to look into possible funding via 
the Office of Homeland Security.
9) IN PROCESS: 147.225 repeater from Bob Frazier to ERARC.
DONE: Get the little generator serviced.
DONE: DAREN packet radio working fine after reset recently.
STILL HAVE BUT NOT USING: Greg Dominguez N3NPR loaned club APRS TNC Nov ‘05.
DONATED BY LONNIE UNDERWOOD: Two-position antenna switch for 2M/440 VHF contest.
LONNIE UNDERWOOD INTERESTED IN DOING: Jamboree On the Air, October 14, 2006.