The March 18, 2000 meeting of the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group was begun at approximately 8: 40 a.m. by President Ray Houff, K4AJA. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, visitors were introduced. There were about thirty visitors and LARG members in attendance at this meeting held at the Leesburg Public Safety Building.

Minutes of the February meeting were read by Secretary Carol Boehler, KF4TJJ, and were approved.

Treasurer Tom Garasic, NA4MA, reported a checking account balance of $807.13. The Balloon Fund amount is $343. The treasurer's report was approved. John Unger, W4AU, requested $33 for stamps for newsletter mailings.

OLD BUSINESS

Bill Buchholz, K8SYH, has agreed to chair the Training Committee.

No actions were reported for the Balloon Committee. Efforts this month have been devoted to preparations for the VA QSO Party.

An overview of the website was scheduled for the end of the meeting.

The one Contest Committee item-the VA QSO Party-was deferred to near meeting's end.

Paul Dluehosh, N4PD, added more information about the Antique Car Poker Run set for 6/3/00 (the day before the Manassas hamfest). The event, with stops at five Community Centers in Loudoun County, will run from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Paul says, "We can't have too many volunteers." All helping will receive a tee shirt and are invited to the closing BBQ at Douglass Community Center (DCC). This is the site for the April Meeting where we will hear from event organizer, Don Stinette.

Norm Styer, AI2C, asked for more help - in addition to Bill Buchholz, K8SYH, and Jeff Crawford, K0ZR - with the demos at the Goose Creek Scout Troop Camporee on Saturday, April 8th. Paul circulated sign-up sheets for both the Car Rally and Scout event. Norm is also working on a proposal for the addition of associate or student membership to the club to encourage those working on an initial license.

Tom, NA4MA, encouraged anyone at the meeting who had not yet paid 2000 dues to do so today. At this time we have 44 paid LARG members; at the close of 1999, there were 50 paid members.

NEW BUSINESS (sort of)

John, W4AU, offered final words of wisdom for the 2000 VA QSO Party (to begin in 3 hours & 49 minutes). Hand-outs included lists of VA county abbreviations, copies of summary sheets from SPARC, log sheets and propagation charts. John, Norm, AI2C; and Charlie Preston, K4LJH, will check logs and deliver them to the SPARC representative by the 4/15/00 deadline. Turn in logs as promptly as possible-separate logs for fixed and mobile operations and dupe sheets for 200 or more QSOs. Norm and John provided a speedy sample QSO.

Ray, K4AJA, closed the meeting at 9:34 a.m.

A fifteen minute demonstration of the Web-site was presented by Dennis Boehler, KF4TJI, (with input from other web-masters Paul, N4PD, and Norm, AI2C). Many pictures (most thanks to Larry Hughes, KG4CGR) and descriptions of past events are included. Members were encouraged to check it out when they get home-and after the VA QSO Party-at www.K4LRG.org.

The club's e-mail address is [email protected].

Respectfully submitted,

Carol L. Boehler,
KF4TJJ, Secretary

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