A meeting of the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group was held June 21, 2003 in the fellowship hall of Leesburg's Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. President Larry McCaig, KC1YC, called the meeting to order at 8:40 a.m. After leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, he introduced officers and committee chairmen in attendance and asked visitors to introduce themselves.
The minutes of the May meeting were approved as read by secretary Carol Boehler, KF4TJJ.
The March/April finance report given by treasurer Gary Quinn NC4S, was approved as presented.
Gary, NC4S, as construction project coordinator, reported to the nine persons planning to put together the Rock Mite crystal transcievers that he has those kits.
Tom Dawson, WB3AKD, as Loudoun ARES coordinator, announced that help was needed with communications in support of the August 24th Reston Bike Club benefit rides across Loudoun County for Loudoun's Chapter of the Red Cross.
Tom WB3AKD, as Balloon Committee Chairman, reported on the successful launch and recovery of a high altitude weather balloon with ATV payload on Memorial Day (5/26/03). GPS coordinates did not transmit, but Tom believes he has a fix for that. A motion was approved to have another launch and tracking event in place of the club meeting on July 19th. An additional motion was approved to add a $400 allocation to the balloon activity fund.
John Unger, W4AU, had much good news on the contest front. Club member Mike Lonneke, W0YR placed in the top 10 for single-op, low power in ARRL's December, 2002 10 meter contest (see QST results). LARG was very successful in March's VA QSO Party: Charlie Preston, K4LJH, was top expedition operator (too bad there was no plaque for that category); receiving a certificate for 2nd place for multi-op, single transmitter, was NC4S; SPARC's representative Dick Maylott, W2YE, presented plaques to Tom Dawson, WB3AKD, as high VA mobile, Norm Styer, AI2C, as high VA single operator and to LARG for high club score.
Dave Putman, KG4KZZ, Repeater Committee Chairman, noted that Evan Alford, KQ4CI, has put up the 70 cm repeater using the K4LRG call: 442.10 MHz, plus, with a PL tone of 77.
Bill McCourt, WF1L, thanked all the instructors for the very successful Technician class held through the spring. He is planning a seven session General class for Fall. A syllabus is posted on the website. Since Balch Library is now charging $10 per hour room rate, Bill is seeking other places for the class. One possibility is the Leesburg Public Safety Building on Friday evenings Stay tuned.
2003 FIELD DAY Chairman Buddy Brewer, K4CJB, went over plans for this event 6/29-30. LARG will operate 5 Alpha (5 HF stations) plus a VHF/UHF/satellite station and an APRS demo. He had site maps and directions and encouraged sign-ups for operating slots. Equipment needs were finalized. Ray Houff, K4AJA, discussed food plans: bbq provided Friday night for antenna set-up workers; Saturday late afternoon pot luck and bbq for families. Angi, KG4AVR, will again provide breakfast Sunday morning for Saturday night operators. Safety issues for the event were stressed.
Larry, KC1YC, circulated a sign-up sheet for others to lead Sunday night LARG on air meetings.
After some discussion a motion presented by Tom, WB3AKD, for involvement with the Virginia Space Grant College Consortium was approved.
A list was circulated for the Reston bike rides. Jay Greeley (for the Red Cross) spoke of this as a good training exercise and coordination among groups for disaster situations.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol L. Boehler, KF4TJJ, Secretary
NNNN |
