The October meeting of the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group was called to order by President Bill Buchholz, K8SYH, at 8:34 AM on Saturday, October 18, 2008. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Twenty three members and guests were in attendance.

We welcomed new member and guest KI4GFI (Karen) and KJ4GYK (Mike).

The minutes from the September meeting were approved as posted on the club web site.

KE5APC delivered the treasurer's report and a motion was made, seconded, and passed to accept the report.

Emergency Services Committee

Tom, WB3AKD reported that the amateur support for the Lovettsville Oktoberfest went well. The hardware for the EOC installation has been received and a working party will be formed to complete the installation in the next couple of weeks. Also, First Night Leesburg support is in the planning stages and members are asked to contact Tom if they are volunteering.

Balloon Committee

WB3AKD reported that a meeting of the balloon committee was held the previous week. Current status is that AI1V is working on a GPS payload. He will be using a small transmitter VHF transmitter module that the club will reimburse him for out of the balloon budget. Plans are being made for a tracking antenna exercise on the 15th of November. A couple of transmitters will be deployed for members to practice DF techniques and to test equipment. No balloon flights are being planned between November and March.

Training Committee

Steve, KW4H reported that there were about 38 students in the September class. In the subsequent 2 examination sessions all but one student passed. Some proceeded to pass the General exam, and one went all the way to Extra Class. He expressed thanks to all that helped, and especially to KI4UTB for arranging for the facility to be available. A general class course is being planned for the second or third week of November.

Interference Committee

N4PD reported no activity.

Contest Committee

John, W4AU reported that the CQWW SSB contest is coming up this week. It is the largest contest when measured by number of logs submitted. Also, ARRL sweepstakes are coming up on 11/1 (CW) and 11/15 (SSB). He also gave a quick tutorial on the somewhat unusual exchange used in the sweepstakes contests.

Public Relations

It was reported that KE5APC prepared and disseminated a press release about our very successful "boot camp" class in September.

Old Business

Incorporation

Jay, KI4TXP reported that the initial investigation is done and that the next steps are up to the group. Our current by-laws make it extremely impractical to achieve a quorum to change the constitution, so KE4S volunteered to prepare a motion to redefine a quorum that he will introduce at the January meeting. This will enable us to proceed more expeditiously with incorporation if the membership decides that is what we want to.

New Business

John, W4AU passed around a bag of UHF barrel connectors and said you could take one for a dollar. The bag didn't make it very far before they were all gone (great idea John!).

John, W4AU reminded the members that it was time to form a nominating committee for the 2009 officer elections. A committee comprised of Paul, N4PD, John, W4AU, and Bill, K8SYH was formed.

Bill, K8SYH reported that B.A., KI4WSO is still working the arrangements for the Holiday Party.

Gary, NC4S reported that he has back issues of QST magazine available to those who may want them.

Denny, KF4TJI said that he would send a link to the TDOA DF design information to the email reflector.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25am.

(Submitted by Rick Miller, AI1V, Vice President)

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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.