The meeting was called to order by President Boyd, N5CTI, at
8:44 a.m. EDT. The Pledge of Allegiance
was recited with all facing the government center as there was no flag on
site. A total of 27 members and visitors
were in attendance. Minutes of the March
meeting were approved as read. The
Treasurer's report was also accepted as presented.
Committee Reports
Training - Denny, KF4TJI, reported good progress for this Spring's General License
course. His request for two additional
instructors was filled before all left the meeting. Denny introduced first time attendees: Stevens Miller, WA4LDA, and General Class
members Dan Gillenwater, K9SLY, and his son Blake, KI4OBV. Henry, K2BFY, noted that CW practice for the
course will switch to the Leesburg repeater (146.700) on Wednesdays at 20.00
(8:00 p.m.) EDT. Henry has met one of
his goals for volunteering to teach the code: he's learning a lot.
Contesting - John, W4AU, talked about the growth in the VA QSO Party over the past several
years as Norm, AI2C, distributed copies of known LARG results from this
year. With half a dozen logs
outstanding, the 41 in the system total over 731,000 points. Poor band conditions may have kept contacts down. Boyd commented that ground was a problem for
him; he believes he found the hardest land in VA on his expedition foray. John noted that the VA QSO Party and Field
Day are the two events that have the greatest involvement from LARG members.
Interference - Mark, W3ZI, thanked all operators who helped in the reporting and tracking
down of recent APRS interference. He
noted that unidentified packet interference on two meters is probably through
the ECHO Link system. Digital modes do
present a challenge in not knowing if the frequency is clear before a
transmission is begun. He asked that
people continue to alert him about interference issues; he does check his e-mail
even if he is out of town. Mark also led
a discussion about the official observer program and asked if anyone had ever
received an OO notice. Legitimate
reports are meant to help and to advise
on good operating practices.
Emergency Service/Public Service - Tom, WB3AKD, reiterated the
events needing volunteers in the next few months. Just a few people are needed at the Loudoun
EOC for VERTEX '06, with one or two out stations on 4/27. The March of Dimes Walk in Leesburg on 4/30
needs 8-10 hams at various stations and possibly to walk parts of the
course. The big event in June needing many
participants has been rescheduled from Weds. 6/14 to Fri. 6/16. There will be at least one WiFi training
session for this event. Watch the
reflector for more information on all these activities.
Tom
reported that he had placed the beacon for the fox hunt to follow the
meeting. The transmitter on 145.650 has
a continuous carrier with a burst each minute of CW giving call sign (K4LRG) and
a frame number. The package is clearly
marked as K4LRG property. The signal strength
was described as being much like that of a grounded balloon payload. Tom gave three sets of bearings from
Berryville and Winchester,
as might be expected from last readings on a typical balloon flight just before
touch down. He will monitor the beacon
as well as the 147.300 machine to field any questions and give additional
assistance as needed.
Old Business
Field
Day Chairman - Jeff, KE5APC, agreed to take this
position for the 2006 event (6/23-26).
Projector
project - Gary,
NC4S, and Mark, W3ZI, reported on the search for a used projector as described
several months ago. The $700 approved
then is not sufficient for the type and quality desired. A motion was made to increase the amount to
$1200. Rental costs are high enough to
equal purchase price after just a few rentals was the response to a question
about the possibility of renting or borrowing one when a projector is
needed. The motion was approved.
New Business
Gary, NC4S, will give a presentation on FISTS at the May
meeting.
Discussion about the Sunday night net time during DST after
last year's trial of moving it to 20.30 (8:30 p.m.) led to the approval of a
motion to make this a permanent pattern: the Sunday night 2-Meter net will begin at 20.00 during standard time
and will commence at 20.30 during "slow time" (daylight savings time).
Dick, W2YE, requested a couple of volunteers to assist with
the QSL Bureau. This would take one to
two evenings per month. There is a
training session for this service.
Don, K8DSJ, reported the formation of a new radio club in Jefferson County, West
Virginia.
David, K4ARP, is running a digi on 145.730 and requested
reports.
Paul, N4PD, will be putting out a listing of equipment and
various radio odds and ends to be sold on behalf of Sarah, wife of silent key
Ray, K4AJA.
Gary, NC4S, noted he will need help transporting gear he
received from his friend Fred to the Manassas Hamfest the 1st Sunday
in June.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol L. Boehler, KF4TJJ
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