The October 16th meeting of the L.A.R.G. was held at The Leesburg Police Station on Plaza St., Leesburg at 8:30 A.M. The meeting was called to order by Norm Styer, AI2C, president, at 8:40 A.M. There were 20 members in attendance.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a welcome to all newcomers.

The secretary's report was read and accepted.

OLD BUSINESS

Training Committee

Paul, N4PD, chairman of the Training Committee said the General training class just had its third meeting at the Leesburg Police Station. The class has its next meeting on October 21, 1999.

Balloon Committee

Tom Dawson, WB3AKD, chairman of the Balloon Committee, said the Balloon Committee recently had a sparsely attended meeting on the air and in a previous meeting had discussed postponing the next launch until after the first of the year. The next meeting is an on-the-air meeting on October 27, 1999 at 7:00 P.M. with another meeting after that at the Purcellville Library. This meeting is going to be an FM clinic where members can check their hand-helds. Tom also said that the committee needed to get going on the payloads for the next launches: the particulate collector and a still camera.

Dennis, KF4TJI, added that at the last meeting of the balloon committee they had focussed on how to improve our chances of recovering the payload. So he was going to build an attenuator with this in mind and asked who else would be interested in doing the same.

Christmas Party

Norm, AI2C, has checked into having the party at the Purcellville Inn but found it would not be suitable so Gary, NC4S, said he would check the Lightfoot Cafe and Nancy said she would check into Tuscarora Mill Restaurant as a possible place for the Christmas dinner. Members said they wanted to spend about $20 a person for the meal.

NEW BUSINESS

The Reflector

The LARG calendar is now on the reflector web site. The Christmas dinner will held on December 8th or 9th.

K4LRG JOTA Operation

The K4LRG JOTA Operation will begin today at noon. The goal of the operations is for the Boy Scouts to contact other Boy Scouts on the radio. Norm has made up log sheets to record contacts. Dennis, KF4TJI, will demonstrate fox-hunting. A CW station will be in operation also.

Nominating Committee

New officers will be elected at the January meeting. A Nominating Committee was appointed to come up with a slate of officers for the January meeting. Ray, K4AJA, was appointed chairman with Gary, NC4S, and Charlie, K4LJH, serving as members.

First Night Leesburg

Paul, N4PD, said that amateur operators are still needed for the First Night Leesburg Celebration. It would mean operating from 5:00 P.M. till 10:00 P.M. on New Year's Eve.

W3TNC's Estate

John, W4AU, said he would pass around a sheet of items for sale from W3TNC's estate.

Campbell Island Expedition

A video of the Campbell Island Expedition was then shown to all members.

The next meeting of LARG will be held at the Leesburg Police Station on Plaza Street, Leesburg, on Saturday, December 4, 1999 at 8:30 A.M. with breakfast at Bob Evan's restaurant prior to the meeting at 7:30 A.M. for anyone interested.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Dluehosh, KE4RTP, Secretary

December 4, 1999

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