MERCER COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Minutes of the Regular Meeting

August 25, 1998

The regular August meeting of the Mercer County Amateur

Radio Club was called to order on August 25, 1998 at

7:36 PM by President Tom Galloway, K3TG. There was

difficulty in securing enough chairs and tables from

the hospital for the meeting. There were 27 members

present and 3 guests: Bill Fleckenstein, W8CXO;

Bonnie Viele, N8MCX; Mark Hofius, W3NAC. Sicknesses:

Bill Swift, W3GJP, is in Pope John XXIII Nursing Home

with pneumonia; the Club sent a card. The Secretary

gave a report on Bill Allen's (N3MRC) lung surgery.

A card will be sent. It was reported that Steve

Shemancik's (AA3EW) sister-in-law passed away. It

was also reported that Howard Monnin, N3KWG, St.

Petersburg, FL, died of a heart attack. He was a Club

member. Also, Blaine Smith, N3UGN, reported that

Jim Henman, a ham from the Greenville area, passed

away. He was not a Club member. All present received

the Carrier Wave. Jerry Parkany, KB8YBE, and the newsletter

staff were thanked. A motion by Tom Junk, N3ZLV, and

seconded by Dennis Gregory, WM3H, to accept the ammended

June 1998 minutes passed. (A correction had to be made

to a name: Ron Wolfe, from Jim Wolfe.)

Treasurer's Report: Jerry Parkany, KB8YBE, moved to

accept the June & July Treasurer's reports. Bob Drexler,

WA3ZOE, seconded the motion. The motion carried.

EMA: Dan Smith, K3DR, reported that there will be a

drill on Sat., Sept. 26, 1998 from 12 noon until 3 PM.

The drill involves a simulated transport of prisioners

from the jail in Mercer to 5 of the county's hospitals.

Dan met with Jim Thompson and the plan is that amateurs

will provide the use of packet stations to exchange info

such as security level of "prisioners." This will help

prevent the public from monitoring operations. (Stand-ins

will be used as prisioners.) Dan, K3DR, says that he needs

operators and equipment. He needs 5 laptops, as well as

TNCs and radios. United Community Hospital agreed to buy

an antenna and put up a station. Horizon Hospital in

Greenville lost some funding to buy a station but may try

to secure funds since Sharon and Community plan to purchase

equip. Greenville seems to desire to stay in competition

with the others. Tim Duffy, K3LR, said that it would be

possible to telnet through the packet cluster if it

is unable to get the antennas set up. Breakfast will

be served before the drill and lunch afterward.

Repeater Committee: Tim Jellison, W3YQ, said there

was nothing to report.

Membership Committee: Dan Smith, K3DR, reported that

John Ackley, N8OAP, has applied for membership. He

is from Sharpsville, is a computer consultant, and

is a Technician Plus licensee. K3DR moved to accept

him into membership. Tim Duffy, K3LR, seconded the

motion. The motion passed with John becoming the

Club's newest member.

Constitution & Bylaws Committee: Nothing to report.

Chairman Scott Jones, N3RA, was absent.

RFI/TVI Committee: Nothing to report. Chairman Scott

Jones, N3RA, was absent.

VE Testing: Dennis Gregory, WM3H, reported that there

were 2 Advanced licenses awarded at the last VE Session.

One non-ham passed the 20 wpm code element only. The next

VE session at the EMA office in Mercer is October 17.

Net/Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: It was reported that

there were 20 check-ins into last week's

Emergency Communications Net (Thurs. at 9 PM).

The new net control manager is Joyce Jamison, N3WAB.

Four (4) met at last Saturday's 8:30 AM

breakfast at Mr. Hero's across from Farrell High

School. Seven (7) attended the 11:30 AM Wednesday lunch

at Burger King on Rt. 18. Five (5) attended the 8:30 PM

dinner at The Suburban on Friday.

OLD BUSINESS: Generator: Joe Vaccaro, W3JTV, reported

that a generator was bought for $400 and used at Field Day.

The batteries (Blems) purchased were within the budget.

A few members looked at Jerry Parkany's (KB8YBE)

friend's trailor, which is an old Penn Dot trailor with

lights. It was bought for $75. The light supports

will be burnt off with a welder. Tim Duffy's (K3LR)

fabricator will refurbish it for approximately $300.

Jerry Williams will help the Club get a title for the

trailor. Bob Trodden, N3ZZR, moved to use, retroactively,

the $1,293.97 (as approved at the March meeting) from the

Capital Fund, for the generator purchase, trailor purchase

and refurbishing, title, and any related generator/trailor

expenses. The motion passed.

Foxhunt: Tom Galloway, K3TG, reported that the Foxhunt

will possibly take place in the beginning of Oct.

More information will come at a later time.

NEW BUSINESS: Meeting Location: Tom Galloway, K3TG,

reported that the hospital may allow the Club to use

the Good Life Center on Friday nights in order to work

on radios and for social time. It would be possible for

the members to call out for pizza or sandwiches. This

idea will be checked on further.

QSL Board: Members are asked to get their QSL cards

up on the QSL Board. Also, a volunteer is needed to

be responsible for bringing the board to and from meetings.

Program: Next month (Sept. Meeting) a presentation will be

conducted by Tim Duffy, K3LR, on how to check to see if

amateurs' stations are in compliance with the new RF

exposure rules. Tim has found a computer program that

makes the determination much easier and will demonstrate

it with data from various stations. He encouraged members

to "talk this program up" since it is crucial every ham

be aware of this topic.

Legislative: Tim Duffy, K3LR, pointed out that the ARRL had

a Board of Directors meeting and has proposed restructuring

of amateur licensing and subbands. This proposal is in QST.

Bernie Fuller, N3EFN, ARRL Vice-Dir. (Atlantic Div) should

be contacted for questions or comments. Tim also said the

FCC has come out with a related plan. Contact Tim, K3LR,

for more details. Jerry Viele, W8JV, reported that

Congressman Jim Traficant was the speaker at the last

Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association's meeting.

Mr. Traficant will co-sponsor House Bill 3572, dealing

with the radio spectrum.

Contests: Sept. 6 & 7: North American CW Sprint

Sept. 12 & 13: ARRL VHF QSO Party

Sept. 26 & 27: CQ WW RTTY Contest

Oct. 10 & 11: PA QSO Party - Tim Duffy, K3LR,

reminded members to be active.

Hamfests: Sept. 12: Erie, PA

Sept. 13: Butler, PA

Raffle: Butler Hamfest Ticket, World Radio; $27 collected.

Hospitality: Linda Yankovich, N3XZA, was thanked for

the refreshments the Hospitality Committee provided.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Michael S. Varga, NR3C, Secretary