The meeting was called to order by President Bryan Stephens, KG4UPR, at 8:40 am, Saturday, September 15, 2012, at the Leesburg Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 605 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

New Members: Iain McFadyen, KI4HLV - actually an old member returning -welcome back.

Elected Officers Present:

President, Bryan Stephens, KG4UPR
Vice President, Henry Weidman, K2BFY
Treasurer, Denny Boehler, KF4TJI

Attendees:

Bill Fenn, N4TS
Frank Gentges, K0BRA
Merc Skaggs, N4TGA
Bryan Stephens, KG4UPR
Dennis Boehler, KF4TJI
John Unger, W4AU
Henry Weidman, K2BFY
Bill Buchholz, K8SYH
Charlie Preston, K4LJH
Steve Greene, KS1G
Carol Boehler, KF4TJJ
Bob Rodriguez, KJ4NXG
Eric Carlson, AJ4LN
Chris Fristad, KT9N
Dave Putman, KE4S
Gene May, WB8WKU
David Boltson, WA4TXE
Rick Miller, AI1V
Gary Quinn, NC4S
Luther Guise, K5NOB
Mike Wodynski, K2LEK
Jim Stowers, K4FW
Jay Greeley, KI4UTB
Tom Carney, WB9RXJ
Iain McFadyen, KI4HLV

General Announcements

O The club Treasurer Denny (KF4TJI) advised that no donations had been made to the church for use of meeting facilities. Denny offered a motion that the club submit a donation for 2012. Upon discussion it was realized that a donation for 2011, although approved was not actually submitted. Jay (KI4UTB) offered a friendly amendment to increase the donation to $400 to cover use of the meeting facilities for 2011 and 2012. The motion was seconded by Bob (KJ4NXG), and approved by voice vote.

During the course of the above discussion, Denny presented the September Treasurer's report, and stated that the club has $2722.67 as of today. The report was accepted by voice vote.

O Gary, NC4S, presented the club with a check from the Reston Bike Club for $900.00 for our help with their Century Ride at the end of August.

O Steve (KS1G) presented a request from the Reston "Maker-Space" club to have LARG present an amateur radio information program during a future meeting of their group. After a lively discussion, Rick (AI1V) volunteered to take the lead on organizing and preparing this presentation during the month of October. A number of club members indicated willingness to support the response.

O Per message from Chris (W3CUM), the NWS will host an Open House at the Sterling office on September 22nd and 23rd. SkyWarn classes will be offered.

O Eric (AJ4LN) offered several power supplies and parts trays to whomever had a use.

August 2012 Meeting Minutes deferred to future meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Service Committee. LARG will be participating in the Leesburg Air Show under the lead of Jay (KI4TXP). John (WB5ODJ) is organizing LARG members to help out at the Lovettsville Octoberfest on September 29; he still needs more people to volunteer.

FIELD DAY Committee. Seeking a volunteer to Chair the 2013 Field Day Committee. Those interested should contact Gary (NC4S).

Balloon Committee. We have renewed interest in a balloon launch. Denny (KF4TJI) volunteered to initiate a fox hunt and will procure a transmitter and the necessary software to set up a "fox". Gary (NC4S) will contact Tom (WB3AKD) to determine his availability to participate in a new launch and what resources, such as helium, are on hand.

Training Committee. Jay (KI4UTB) reported that there is interest from the Civil Air Patrol for a Technician-level license course. October weekends appear to be full and he is considered having classes once a week during a week night.

Contest Committee. John (W4AU) discussed a number of interesting contests that are upcoming including the SC/CA/PA QSO Parties, WA Salmon Run, CQ Fun event, FISTS event, and the NH8S Swain Island DXE.

LARG Legislative Affairs Committee. Rick Miller (AI1V) reported that discussions are ongoing with the ARRL and FCC concerning emergency radio operations by ham in developments that have covenants prohibiting outside antennas. A summary of the FCC report on restrictive covenants inquiry is posted on the ARRL web site.

Elmering. Seeking volunteer for Chairman.

YL Committee. No report.

Emergency Service Committee. We had a lively discussion concerning ARES and RACES and how we can become more involved with either or both of these organizations, which appear to be undergoing significant changes in their relationship to one another and to amateur radio in general. Gary (NC4S) will contact our EC, Tom (WB3AKD), to see where our club stands and what, if any, additional ARRL and other training may be required.

Holiday Party. We still need a lead person for this year. The party will be help at the Harmony Hall on December 8.

Program Committee. Henry (K2BFY) reported that today's program will be on batteries and that we will have future presentations on amateur satellite communications and spread spectrum.

LARG NET REPORTS

Sunday Night FM Net. Bryan (KG4UPR) reported good particiation with approximately 15 to 20 stations joining most Sunday nights. The net will be using the WA4TXE repeater on 146.70 MHz due to the lengthy squelch tail on the W4DLS repeater.

Sunday Digital Net. Bryan (KG4UPR) reported a continuing lull in activity for the digital net. Per suggestion from Bill (KJ4VTH) a future session of the net is planned to test operation on 40 and 30 meters.

Tuesday Night CW Net. Bill (K8SYH) reported that activity in the 80 meter CW net has been sparse due to folks on vacation, etc. He urged beginning CW operators to get on the net and not to be intimidated by the higher code speed; the net will slow down to the slowest speed anyone checks in.

Thursday Night HF SSB Net. Participation is good for 75 meters, and we may try to move to 6 meters as well as our normal 10 meter QSY.

REPEATER REPORTS

W4DLS Repeater. Frank (K0BRA) advised that maintenace actions are pending to address the prolonged squelch tail on the 145.31 repeater. A new preamp may help solve that problem.

WA4TXE Repeater. Dave (WA4TXE) added automated announcements for the LARG 2 meter net and the LARG monthly meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

The ongoing initiatives toward recruitment of new members, Elmering, and improving LARG visibility were discussed.

NEW BUSINESS

Iain reported that 10 additional amateur radio operators are needed to support the Marine Corps Marathon.

September 2012 Program: Batteries (presented by Henry Weidman, K2BFY)

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:45 am

Thanks to John (W4AU) for recording these minutes as Acting Secretary.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bryan Stephens (KG4UPR)

on behalf of Norm Styer (AI2C)

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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.