A meeting of the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group was held January 18, 2003 in the fellowship hall of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Leesburg. After calling the meeting to order at 8:43 a.m., President Mark Gillam, N3GMW, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of the November 2002 meeting were approved as read. Financial status from December 2002 to mid-January 2003 as reported by treasurer Tom Garasic, NA4MA, was approved as presented.

Mark, N3GMW, welcomed visitors among the 29 in attendance. He announced February hamfests in the area and commented on special events stations and recent contests.

Committee Reports

Balloon - Tom Dawson, WB3AKD, commented on strong winds and weather not being conducive to launch or recovery efforts at this time. Check the web site and reflector for meeting news. Talk to Tom if you are interested in working on a payload; ATV is in the works now. Hopefully LARG will be able to have a few launches in the spring through fall time frame.

Repeater - Dave Putman, KG4KZZ, noted that TMARC has still not cashed the check sent them in April 2002. Our exact needs are up for further study. The offered machine at Beaver Dam Lake has good coverage to the east but significant gaps to the west. Check the web site; record your ideas.

Public Service - In reviewing Leesburg First Night (12/31/02) all participants agreed this went well with sufficient coverage by people and the 2 meter and 440 frequencies. Thanks Tom, WB3AKD.

Norm Styer, AI2C, asked for assistance with a demonstration for the scouts at Hamilton Elementary School on 1/21. Both 2M and 10M stations will be set up on site with out stations needed to respond.

FAR - Bill McCourt, WF1L, reported on a recent meeting in Alexandria. The goal is to have Auto Call magazine be self supporting. More subscribers are needed; rate is now $18 per year. Bill has submitted our logo. Vendor applications for September's FARFEST were distributed.

Training - Bill Buchholz, K8SYH, e-mailed Mark about having reserved room at Thomas Balch Library for a spring class. Bill, WF1L, will work with Bill, K8SYH, for transition of this coordinator role.

Web Site - Norm, AI2C, circulated a copy of the current roster for members to check info. At the end of 2002 LARG had 75 members. Check out the site often for news and pictures of club activities.

Old Business

The highlight of the well attended Holiday dinner in December was the presentation of a plaque to John Unger, W4AU, as the LARG ham of the year for 2002.

It was decided to retain 147.480 as LARG's simplex frequency of choice.

Dave, KG4KZZ, reminded all of the Tuesday night slow speed code net, 28.150.

New Business

A raffle was held for a mug Paul Dluhosh presented; proceeds go to the ARRL Spectrum Defense fund.

Voting for 2003 officers was virtually unanimous in electing the proposed slate:

President - Larry McCaig, KC1YC
Vice Pres. - Dale Harrison, K3CN
Secretary - Carol Boehler, KF4TJJ
Treasurer - Gary Quinn, NC4S

The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted, Secretary Carol L. Boehler, KF4TJJ

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