A meeting of the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group was held Saturday, November 15, 2003, in Leesburg's Public Safety Building with 28 members and guests in attendance. The meeting was called to order at approximately 8:40 a.m. by Larry McCaig, KC1YC, who then led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the regular October meeting were approved as read. Thanks were extended to Bill McCourt, WF1L, for preparing minutes of the Special Meeting (10/31/03) for the purpose of addressing a proposed tower/antenna height restriction ordinance to be presented at the County Board of Supervisors meeting on 11/5/03. Minutes of that meeting were also approved (almost unanimously) as read.
The report of treasurer Gary Quinn, NC4S, was approved. LARG now has nearly 100 members.
Tom Dawson, WB3AKD, Balloon Committee Chair; Dave Putman, KG4KZZ, Repeater Committee Chair; and Larry Hughes, K3HE, for Public Relations, all reported no news for the past month. Larry, KC1YC, noted that a committee for Field Day 2004 would need to be organized in January.
John Unger, W4AU, and Paul Dluehosh, N4PD, who had both participated in the CW portion of ARRL's Sweepstakes contest in early November, demonstrated a successful voice exchange as would be used for the SSB portion of Sweepstakes beginning that afternoon. John discussed rules and good operating procedures and strategies for the contest. He also encouraged working the ARRL 10 Meter contest in December. For a club entry, list us as Loudoun ARG on your summary sheet.
For the Training Committee, Bill, WF1L, reported the first success with a couple sessions yet to go in this fall's class. Kit recently passed both her CW and Tech exams. Bill thanked all who have helped with the course, particularly CW instructors Dick Maylott, W2YE, and Bob Sinese, K8NY.
Public Services Committee Chairman Mark Gillam, K4MDG, requested a net control station and as many volunteers as possible to cover sites for this year's Leesburg First Night on Wednesday, 12/31/03. Tom, WB3AKD, said he would again set up net control, probably using the UHF portable repeater that worked so well last year. This event is a very good exercise for emergency communications training.
Bill, WF1L, reported on the last FAR meeting he and Dick, W2YE, had attended. The viability of AutoCall Magazine was once again "excruciatingly discussed" and assistance requested. See the Far web site.
Larry, KC1YC, reminded all of the LARG Holiday Dinner in Leesburg's Tuscarora Mill Banquet Room on Wednesday, 12/10/03. Coordinator Evan Alford, KQ4CI, asked all who planned to attend to sign up on the sheet he was circulating and to get checks to him for your meals as soon as possible.
Tom, WB3AKD, was asked to comment on proceedings regarding the proposed antenna ordinance on the agenda for the 11/05 meeting of the Board of Supervisors. At least 30 local radio amateurs and one New England amateur radio lawyer, who has written a book on zoning and amateur antennas, attended the meeting. Considerable discussion ensued regarding the issue: possible motives for County staff's recommendation of the restrictions, LARG's position and how this should be handled, the club's responsibility (if any) of informing or leading other hams in Loudoun County, how county ordinances relate to state regulations, etc. A motion was approved to appoint Tom Dawson, WB3AKD, as club representative to deal with County staff and Board of Supervisors regarding this issue. A second motion was passed to establish a fund for any legal advice Tom might need in drafting language regarding this issue. A follow-up motion to set aside $500 from the general fund as seed money for this special fund was approved. With this action, $2450 of the approximately $3000 in the LARG treasury is now in designated funds.
Prior to adjournment Gary, NC4S, asked if there was interest in putting together a bulk coax order (9913 or 9913F). Let him know by early to mid-January if you are interested.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol L. Boehler, KF4TJJ
Secretary
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