Meeting called to order by President Dave Putman, KE4S, at 8:40 am. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited with 28 members present.

 

The Minutes for the November, 2007 meeting were approved as published. No minutes were recorded for the December meeting which was our holiday party.

 

The Treasurer's report read and accepted as presented.

 

Committee Reports

 

Contest Committee - John Unger, W4AU, was not present but forwarded a report for the meeting.

 

Several contests were highlighted:

The VHF Sweepstakes is this weekend

Northern American SSB QSO party starts this afternoon. This is a good contest for beginners.

Also, please remember that the VA QSO Party is coming March 15-16, 2008

 

 

Holiday Party

One behalf of the entire club, Dave, KE4S wanted to offer a special thank you to Meg Gentges, AI4UX, for all her work. Everyone had a good time at Tuscarora Mill

 

Training

Steve Reed, KW4H, is holding a "Technician Class Boot Camp" at VFW Hall this weekend. He has 50 students enrolled. Steve reported that this class will really need "Elmers" to walk alongside the new licensees who will be coming out of the class. Those who are interested, please stop by for a visit.

 

K4LRG will be operating on VHF, Digital (APRS, Packet), and HF from the training to expose the students to Amateur Radio in action. The station will be operating during the breaks. Feel free to call in and provide some operating activity.

 

Discussion was given to "talk" mode on Packet through N4OHE, where stations can directly communicate by keyboard with each other.

 

 

Public Service

 

Tom Dawson, WB3AKD and our newlywed EC, reported that we had another successful Leesburg First Night. He offered a special thank you to all operators who participated.

 

Tom visited the new EOC this past week, which had moved in at 801 Sycolin Road. They are mostly settled in. We will have a dedicated room for Amateur Radio operations with 2 hf coax runs and 1 vhf run into the room. It is a very nice installation. Tom has asked for a tour to be arranged for the club and will let us know when that will take place. For the time being we should expect to bring in our own radios for operation.

 

There is supposed to be an exercise in February, but no details are available att.

 

Tom also reminded us about the ODEN net on the first and third Monday of the month. The frequency is 3947 kHz.

 

Balloon Committee - Tom reported that he hopes we can have a launch in April or May.

 

Interference - Paul Dluehosh, N4PD, reported that the only problems we are experiencing is on the Dulles Repeater. Turning on the PL tone has made a big difference on problems

 

Old Business

 

Banner - Jay, KI4TXP, reported on the banner project and displayed one actually in the front of the room that is 2 X 10 and costs $92.00

 

He recommended purchasing five banners to be used for public service stations.

 

Motion by Gary Quinn, NC4S, to purchase the current 10' banner in our possession plus purchase 4 more 10' and 4 of the 8' banners. The motion was seconded by Tom Dawson, WB3AKD. Motion carried.

 

 

Tom, WB3AKD, made the announcement that Reston Bike Ride Shirts are available to take home.

 

 

New Business

 

 

Frank, K0BRA, told the club that several Tektronic scopes are available from his lab, first come, first served.

 

HAARP Report - another experiment is taking place this weekend. A message about it was posted on reflector. There is also moonbounce activity on HF.

 

Announcements - The Baltimore ARC Jan 23 free minifest will take place in the home-arts building at the fairgrounds in Timonium

 

The Greater Baltimore Hamboree will be held on March 29 and 30 at Maryland State Fairgrounds.

 

Elections

 

Nominations were presented for the 2008 officers as follows:

Bill Buchholz, K8SYH - President

Rick Miller, AI1V - VP

Jeff Slusher, KE5APC - Treasure

Randy Sly, W4XJ - Secretary

 

The slate was elected unanimously by ballot.

 

Dave Putman, KE4S, expressed thanks for support and that he enjoyed his tenure this past year as president.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:25 am.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Randy Sly, Secretary