A meeting of the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group was held Saturday, October 18, 2003, in the fellow-ship hall of Leesburg's Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Vice President Dale Harrison, K3CN, called the meeting to order at 8:40 a.m. After leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, he welcomed all who were present and asked new members and visitors to introduce themselves. Sign-in sheet showed 32 in attendance. At least 16 had met for breakfast. Dale announced the November meeting location as the Leesburg Public Safety Building (Police Station meeting room) on Plaza Street.
Minutes of the September meeting were read and approved with the correction of Larry Hughes' call sign (K3HE), which this secretary will endeavor to consistently get right before leaving office. Report of treasurer Gary Quinn, NC4S, was approved as presented. Gary had not yet found anyone to repair the tower (funds were allocated at the last meeting). Several suggestions were given for him to pursue.
On behalf of ARES, Gary referred all to LARG's web site for the summary Tom Dawson, WB3AKD, gave for the hurricane Isabel efforts. It is very likely that coax will be permanently installed for amateur radio use at Loudoun's EOC. The EOC chief expressed a high opinion of the ARES presence.
Contest master John Unger, W4AU, enthusiastically encouraged participation in November's ARRL Sweepstakes weekends by noting his sweep of all 67 counties in October's PA QSO Party. Several other LARGers also garnered good scores for this contest. Check ARRL's web site for exchange, rules, log and summary sheets for Sweepstakes. To count toward club entry, list us as Loudoun ARG.
Dave Putman, KG4KZZ, reported no activity for the repeater committee this past month.
Training Coordinator Bill McCourt, WF1L, thanked all who are helping out with this fall's General Class upgrade sessions. The incorporation of CW training is going well and seems well received.
Boyd Garrett, N5CTI, encouraged all to help introduce his "antenna restricted community to Amateur Radio" at the Countryside Fall Fest from noon to 4:00 p.m. following the October meeting. Mark Gillam, K4MDG, had no other public service news to announce. He did ask anyone interested in a 2 meter pipe j-pole antenna construction project to see him after the meeting.
Web master Norm Styer, AI2C, gave the members' only password (not to be given on air or in e-mails).
Larry Hughes, K3HE, expressed concern in regard to operations such as that for Isabel or a 9/11-type crisis, in not knowing format for or proper means or method of passing traffic. Dale does a great deal of traffic handling and offered to prepare a presentation to follow a club meeting. Others suggested also listening to and checking in to the nightly 7:30 p.m. net on 147.30 as a good intro to traffic handling.
Evan Alford, KQ4CI, has scheduled LARG's holiday dinner for 12/10 at Tuscarora Mill's banquet room: begin gathering at 6:30 p.m. with the meal at 7:30. Quoted cost was substantially above last year's. Evan will look in to having the room fee waived. Watch for reservation form in newsletter or web site.
Dale, K3CN, announced that 2003 President Larry McCaig, KC1YC, had tendered his resignation in light of his imminent move back to New England. Dale turned the meeting over to Gary, NC4S, to pursue the question of how to handle this vacancy. A motion to elect a new president for the remainder of the term was defeated. A nominating committee for 2004 officers (to be elected at the January 2004 meeting) was appointed: John Unger, W4AU; Paul Dluehosh, N4PD; and Bill McCourt, WF1L.
A motion was approved to grant Jack Spinks, previous holder of K4LRG, honorary membership.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol L. Boehler, KF4TJJ
Secretary
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