The regular September meeting of the Mercer County Amateur Radio Club was called to order on September 26, 2000 at 7:34 PM by President Tom Galloway, K3TG.  There were 14 members present.  Not every member present received the Carrier Wave.  A motion by Jerry Viele, W8JV, and seconded by Dennis Gregory, WM3H, to accept the August 2000 minutes passed.

Treasurer's Report:  Bob Trodden, N3ZZR, moved to accept the August treasurer's report as printed in the Carrier Wave. Doug Noderer, W3FYV, seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

Membership Committee:  Nothing to report.

EMA:  Approximately 10 operators assisted with the county-wide drill on September 23rd.  A node was set-up on the roof of Orchard Manor in Grove City, which will be permanent in some  time to come.  The RF link was good to Grove City.  The Greenville site had some difficulty getting packets.  The drill was terminated at 1:15 PM.

VE Session:  Dennis Gregory, WM3H, reported that the next VE session in Mercer will be on Saturday, October 21st at the EMA Building.  Registration is at 9 AM.  Testing is at 10 AM.

Net/Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Good Hams:  It was reported that there were 17 check-ins into last week's Emergency Communications Net (Thurs. at 9 PM).  No one met at last Saturday's 9:00 AM breakfast at Burger King on E. State St. in Hermitage.  Six (6) attended the 11:30 AM Wednesday lunch at Burger King on Rt. 18 by Walmart.  No one attended last Friday's 8:30 PM dinner at The Cookery on Route 18.

BBS Tower:  It was reported that the Art Crompton Tower is now up at KZ3W's for the BBS's use.  The antenna is approximately 45 to 50 feet in the air.  The BBS is now operating on 147.585 MHz.  The frequency change had been approved by KC3ET who is the Western Pennsylvania frequency coodinator.  The reason for the change was that the user port and traffic port were too close to each other on the spectrum for optimum operation.

OLD BUSINESS:  Special Event/Bicentennial:  It was reported that the Special Event station is still in operation.  Tom Galloway, K3TG, last worked about 75+ stations.  The Club will continue to operate the Special Event station until it is terminated by the committee.

Christmas Party:  The MCARC Christmas Party will take place on December 5th, 2000 at the Chestnut Street Café.  There will be an Italian-style buffet.  The details still need to be worked out on the cocktail hour and prices.

NEW BUSINESS:  PA QSO:  An email was read from Jerry Parkany, N8PY, concerning the Rover Division Award Plaque that the MCARC has sponsored in the past.  The cost would be $35.  Dave Magargee, N3CM, moved that the MCARC sponsor the Rover Plaque for the Nittany Linons PA QSO Party at a cost of $35.  Bob Trodden, N3ZZR, seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  The email from N8PY also suggeested that the Club operate a station set up for the PA QSO Party from Gordon Frissora's, KZ3W, QTH, which has been previously volunteered.  Dave Magargee, N3CM, said that it would not benefit the Club from doing this as one station.  He said it is better to have members work at their own