President Ray Houff, K4AJA, called this meeting at the Leesburg Public Safety Building to order at 8:37 a.m.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance the minutes of the June 2000 meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer Tom Garasic, NA4MA, reported the addition of dues for three annual memberships and no subtractions for the previous month. Account balance was at $819.42 with $343.00 allocated to the balloon fund.

Ray, K4AJA, confirmed the following appointments for committee chairmen: Field Day - Gary Quinn, NC4S; Emergency Services - Erik Werner, KD5CTJ; Public Services - Mark Gillam, N3GMW; Education - Bill Buchholz, K8SYH.

Dennis, KF4TJI, reported on a meeting (7/5/00) with Ed Harris, KD4SKY, VA Section II ARES Coordinator, held at the Red Cross Building in Leesburg. Several LARG members as well as other Loudoun County hams and Red Cross representatives were in attendance. There is a need to build a broader base of participants for ARES activities in Loudoun. A follow-up meeting is set for 8/10 at the Leesburg Public Safety Building. Gary, NC4S, recapped the discussion from 7/5 about training. The revised course (about 6 hours) will not be certified until this fall. At least 15-20 people indicated interest in training (once the course is certified). Erik, KD5CTJ, now has forms for VA ARES registration.

The Balloon Committee met at Purcellville Library 7/12/00. Launch is projected for 7/29, equipment and weather permitting. Tom Dawson, WB3AKD, is chair of the committee. Team captains are: launch-Norm Styer, AI2C; tracking-Denny Boehler, KF4TJI; and recovery-Gary Quinn, NC4S. Finalization of plans is at El Rancho Restaurant (Purcellville) the evening before launch.

Gary NC4S, asked for thoughts on whether to continue the LARG 2000 Club Contest. Very few people have participated in this contest. After some discussion, Temp Titus, W4HZV, made a motion to turn the matter over to Gary to do with it as he sees fit. Tom Carney, WB9RXJ, seconded the motion; the motion passed.

Ray, K4AJA, asked for comments on Field Day 2000. John Unger, W4AU, noted good participation. Estimates of station hours and other statistics seemed close to those from 1999. The site worked well and there were no major mishaps or equipment failures. Gary, NC4S, thanked all who participated for getting everything done! Norm, AI2C, has posted pictures and a list of participants (39, including some young visitors) on the club web site. Charlie Preston, K4LJH, suggested that a thank you note be sent to Hamilton's Public Safety Committee for the use of their site for Field Day. Ray will send a note to Sam Welch, the committee's chairman. Gary requested those wishing to help plan for Field Day 2001 talk with him after the meeting. Site for 2001 is Gary's home location.

Norm, AI2C, reported on progress in helping two Hamilton Scouts with radio merit badges. One has completed work for the broadcast option. Norm is working on code with the other scout who is pursuing the amateur option.

The club web site (history.k4lrg.org) has new pictures of ham stations, field day, and balloon committee work. There have been favorable comments about the site from several people, both members and non club members.

Ray reminded all of the club's weekly 8:00 p.m. Sunday night net on 147.480. Dennis, KF4TJI, reported that our membership is now at 51. Only 26 members, however, are noted as ARRL members. To maintain our ARRL-affiliated status we must have at least 50% of LARG members as ARRL members.

Bill Buchholz, K8SYH, has secured the Leesburg Public Safety Building for classes in the fall (beginning 9/13). After some discussion it was decided to present a Tech class in the fall and offer a General class in the spring.

John Steinberger has been cleaning office and/or home and had some switches and other equipment for anyone who wanted them.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m.

Fox hunters were asked to assemble for some coordination before the hunt began. [Tom & Angi Garasic, NA4MA & KG4AVR, respectively, were the first to locate the package.]

Respectfully submitted,

Carol L. Boehler,
KF4TJJ, Secretary

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