July 16, 2011
The meeting was called to order by LARG President Luther Guise, K5NOB. 32 attendees were present:
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1. John Unger, W4AU 2. Bill Fenn, N4TS 3. Frank Gentges, K0BRA 4. Luther Guise, K5NOB 5. Gene May, WB8WKU 6. Chris Fristad, KT9N 7. Dave Putman, KE4S 8. Jay R. Greeley, KI4UTB 9. Andy Shank, KK4CJJ 10. Gary Quinn, NC4S 11. Bill Robbins, KJ4VTH 12. Dodson Brown, AJ4EY 13. Marcia Brown, KJ4GYH 14. Denny Boehler, KJ4TJI 15. Jim Stowers, K4FW 16. Norm Styer, AI2C 17. Jeff Crawford, K0ZR 18. Bill Buchholz, K8SYH 19. Bryan Stephens, KG4UPR 20. Ken Sullivan, KJ4GYL 21. Anne Hocker, Visitor 22. Eric Carlson, AJ4LN 23. Carol Boehler, KF4TJJ 24. Bob Rodriguez, KJ4NXG 25. John Shell, K3US 26. Jeff Slusher, KE5APC 27. David Boltson, WA4TXE 28. Paul Dluehosh, N4PD 29. Steve Greene, KS1G 30. David Wendland, KE4OKY 31. Charles Nelson, KG4KZY 32. Henry Weidman, K2BFY |
The following new guests/new members were recognized:
Andy Shank KK4CJJ
Anne Hocker
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Berryville Hamfest is scheduled August 7th 2011.
The Leesburg Fire Department is planning a Hamfest (per Bill KJ4VTH).
LARG calendars are available for purchase (per Denny KF4TJI).
Minutes from the June 2011 meeting were approved without change.
Jeff KE5APC presented the Treasurer's report. The Treasurer's report was approved as presented.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
TRAINING
Jay KI4UTB announced a Technician level licensing course planned for the third weekend of September. Location TBD, since VFW is booked (alternatives are the library or a classroom at Weichert Realty). Attendance is open to all. The license exam pass rate is very high for those who complete the course. Instructors are needed.
CONTESTING
John W4AU discussed the CW Ops 1-hour practice events and the CQ Worldwide VHF Contest.
AWARDS
Norm AI2C provided an update on an LARG sponsored award "The Chase - Hunt Loudoun" to recognize contacts made with Loudoun County amateur operators (there are 650+ amateurs residing in Loudoun County). Norm referred the group to an informational display offering details of the award specifics.
LEGISLATIVE
According to a QST article, the FCC recently fined the company offering Recon Robot (per Bill KJ4VTH).
FIELD DAY
Luther K5NOB indicated a pre-submission review of the FD 2011 packet would be conducted after the meeting.
YL
Carol KF4TJJ reported that several LARG members plan to attend the YL convention in Boston next week.
PROGRAMS
Bryan KG4UPR reported that upcoming programs include a HAARP presentation (ionospheric research in Alaska). Frank K0BRA and Bill N4TS will present a program about Software Defined Radio (SDR) following the meeting.
NET REPORTS
2m Luther K5NOB, going well.
Digi Bryan KG4UPR, 2-3 participants most Sunday's.
CW Bill K4SYH, new check-in KG4UPR, net will slow down for newcomers.
HF Norm, good participation, suggests club originated bulletin to be sent over nets, practice toward traffic handing, bulletin in standard format
YL NCS is open for the July 25th YL Net due to convention.
REPEATERS
310 Frank K0BRA, working, still troubleshooting receive sensitivity issue.
700 Dave WA4TXE, experimenting with 145.17 for western coverage.
MISC
Luther K5NOB obtained preliminary pricing for LARG patches $1.47/ea for quantity of 100 (+$14.50 shipping), 3" full color w/logo, a motion authorizing purchase of 200 was passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Gary NC4S is coordinating LARG support for the Reston Bike Ride on Sunday, 8/21 6am-5pm. Need SAG riders, NCS operators, and site operators. Net Control will be located at John Westerman's farm. Station Captains include John W4AU (Hamilton) and Luther K5NOB (Ashburn). Coverage is needed for the Reston station, since Rick AI1V plans to serve as a SAG rider.
Luther K5NOB received the club insurance policy, and will provide to Doug KJ4BRN for filing.
Guest Anne Hocker presented her requirement to practice falcon retrieval by conducting a radio fox hunt. Anne is seeking interested volunteers to assist. Anne displayed a variety of radio components and antennas designed to track and locate falcons. Denny KF4TJI will assist Anne toward organizing a potential fox hunt.
Bob KJ4NXG inquired about upcoming Sky Warn training, but apparently no nearby training is scheduled near-term.
Dave WA4TXE raised the possibility of initiating a secondary Sky Warn net on the 700 repeater during bad weather to offer more localized coverage than the 300 repeater (Bluemont).
Ken KJ4GYL displayed a sample emergency vest that can be customized with logos (basic price $35/ea.
Norm AI2C reported that a team will be operating HF soon from the new county of South Sudan.
Meeting Adjourned.
Submitted,
Bryan Stephens KG4UPR
for Doug Johnson KJ4BRN
LARG Secretary
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A reminder to all about Holy Trinity's inclement weather policy: if Loudoun County Schools are closed (or would be if it were a school day), all activities at the church are cancelled - this includes outside groups. This policy allows for parking lot clearing so snow is not packed down; and it is also a safety issue.