MERCER COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
February 24, 1998
The regular January meeting of the Mercer County Amateur
Radio Club was called to order on February 24, 1998 at
7:30 PM by President Tom Galloway, KA3MYM. There were
26 members present and 2 guests: Bob Trodden, N3ZZR;
Bonnie Viele, N8MCX. Sicknesses: Cards have been sent
to Duane Riggs, AA3LI, and Tom Brenneis, K3PFV. Sympathies
were extended to Florence Paddock, KA8NFP, as well as
Chuck Paddock, AB8BR, for the passing of Florence's
mother. All received the Feb. Carrier Wave. Jerry Viele,
W8JV, pointed out a correction in his address. He also
noted the Club need only send him one copy of the newsletter.
Thanks was given to Jerry Parkany, KB8YBE, and the Newsletter
Committee for their work. All MCARC members are encouraged
to get articles to the committee. Tim Duffy, K3LR, requested
that the Jan. minutes should state that the Rover Plaque
for the PA QSO Party is for 1997 and to honor Dan Smith's,
K3DR, mobile operation. A motion by Roy Drake, KA3JFI,
and seconded by Tim Duffy, K3LR, to accept the ammended
January 1998 minutes passed.
Treasurer's Report: Scott Jones, N3RA, moved to accept the
Jan. Treasurer's report. Tim Duffy, K3LR, seconded the
motion. The motion carried.
EMA: It was reported that Jim Thompson, EMA Director,
said the grant to the MCARC from the County for this year has
been approved and should be arriving in the near future.
Shelving has arrived for the radio room but it was not the
correct size. A "moving party" for the radio room was
held on Jan. 31, 1998. Chuck Paddock, AB8BR, reported that
amateurs should make sure that they do not get locked into
the radio room. Jim Thompson has scheduled a weather exercise
for March 24. The MCARC Board of Directors has recommended
to give Jim Thompson an Honorary Associate membership to the
Club. Dave Magargee, N3CM, moved to make Jim Thompson, Mercer
County EMA Director, an Honorary Associate member of the
MCARC. Tim Duffy, K3LR, seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously. Mr. Thompson will be informed with an
appropriate certificate.
Repeater Committee: The claim with Albert Wohlers and Co. is
being dealt with for the Aug 16, 1997 lightning strike.
Chuck Paddock, AB8BR, has reported that there is a hum on the
repeater at times. He believes this is due to humidity and
other conditions.
Constitution & Bylaws Committee: Nothing to report.
RFI/TVI Committee: Nothing to report.
VE Testing: There were 9 applicants with 5 licenses granted
at the VE session in Mercer on Sat., February 21, with
4 Technicians and 1 Tech Plus. The next session at the EMA building
is on Sat., April 18 with registration at 9:00 AM and
testing at 10:00 AM. Contact Dennis Gregory, WM3H, for details.
The fee for 1998 is $6.35. Currently the FCC computer is down
and there are no issuances of any type of licenses.
Net/Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: There were 23 check-ins
into last week's Emergency Communications Net (Thurs. at
9 PM). All are encouraged to check-in. No one met at last
Saturday's 8:30 AM breakfast at Mr. Hero's across from Farrell
High School. One (K3IGO) attended the Wed. 11:30 lunch, also at
Mr. Hero's; 3 attended the 8:30 PM dinner at The Suburban
on Friday.
Auditor: An audit of the books is required.
Nominating Committee: Scott Jones, N3RA, reported for Tim
Jellison, W3YQ, Nominating Comm. Chair. Elections will
be held at the March meeting. The slate is as follows:
President: Tom Galloway, KA3MYM
Vice-Pres: Tim Duffy, K3LR
Secretary: Mike Varga, NR3C
Treasurer: Joe Vaccaro, WA3YAO
Director: Dave Magargee, N3CM, Chuck Paddock, AB8BR (vote for 1)
Trustee: Tim Jellison, W3YQ
Members may contact Tim, W3YQ, for additional nominations.
Nominations will also be taken from the floor at the March meeting.
In order to vote, all members must be fully paid. Dues can
be sent to MCARC, P. O. Box 996, Sharon, PA 16146.
OLD BUSINESS: Foxhunt: Tim Duffy, K3LR, reported the next
Foxhunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 21. Participants
will meet for breakfast at Mr. Hero's at 8:30 AM. The hunt
begins at 10 AM on 146.590 MHz with K3LR as the fox. The fox
will attempt to be heard from Mr. Hero's and may be anywhere
in Mercer County. No extensive equipment is needed (mobile unit
and handheld only). New Rule: There must be at least two (2)
participants in a vehicle. It is hoped to see a greater
participation. The foxhunt history in the Feb. Carrier
Wave was commended by Tim, K3LR. Florence Paddock, KA8NFP,
said that Venango County will hold a foxhunt on March 7, 1998.
NEW BUSINESS:Field Day: Tim Duffy, K3LR, said Buhl Park is a
good location for FD since participation is good there and it is
in the public eye. Tim suggested there are 2 ways to proceed:
FD as last year, all operate, fun, low-key; or FD as in the early
90's, multi towers/generators/tents, goal to win country. He
stressed Club support and immediate action. A discussion
followed as to what type the Club desires. Tom Galloway, KA3MYM,
mentioned appointing Chairman. Duffy suggests the members
vote to determine desire: "Go-for-broke" Contest FD or Social FD.
Vote was taken: 18 Contest, 4 Social. Chairman discussed.
K3LR proposed 3 "tri"-chairs: Tim Duffy, K3LR, Dan Smith, K3DR,
Scott Jones, NR3A. All accepted. Discussion of which transmitter
category followed: 2A or 3A, including free stations (6m, 2m, UHF,
packet, satellite, etc.). Vote was taken: 2A - 18, 3A - 3. It
was stressed by K3LR/N3RA that this would be very difficult to win.
Funding for FD was discussed. Last year $125 was alocated for food,
pop, gas for generators. Tom, KA3MYM, volunteered to chair Food
Committee. Dave Magargee, N3CM, moved that the Club allocate $125
for FD with an allowance for emergency expenditures. Motion
seconded by Gordon Frissora, KZ3W. Passed unanimously.
Net: Tim Duffy, K3LR, suggested that there be a quarterly report
of 2m net check-ins to encourage net activity. There could be
awards given for continuous strings of check-ins, such as Crawford
County Net. Ed Bailey, N3CGK, suggested one could obtain points
for attending Club activities. Tom Galloway, KA3MYM, reported he
did have net surveys. Tim, K3LR, suggested this be placed in the
Carrier Wave.
Picnic: Picnic will be the 4th Tues. of July. Need to reserve
Buhl Park Shelter #4 ($35). Tim Duffy, K3LR, moved to reserve
Shelter #4 for the picnic and Dave Magargee, N3CM, seconded
the motion. Passed. Tim, K3LR, moved to allocate $100 for
the Picnic Fund. Seconded by Dave, N3CM. Passed unanimously.
Hamfests: Mar. 15 - Monroeville, PA; Mar. 22 - Madison
(Lake County), OH; Mar. 28 - Conneaut, OH; Dayton Hamfest
is May 15, 16, 17.
Contests: Feb. 28 - Breezeshooters 10m Contest; Mar. 7 & 8 -
ARRL SSB DX; Mar. 27 & 28 - CQ WPX SSB.
Hospitality Committee: Gratitude was expressed to Linda
Yankovich, N3XZA, Hosp. Comm. Chair. for her providing
refreshments to the meeting.
Program: Tim Duffy, K3LR, Cellular phones/wireless technologies.
Raffle: Issue of World Radio, 1 year subscription of World Radio,
Nuts & Volts, Mouser Electronics, Lightning Bolt; $26 collected.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Michael S. Varga, NR3C, Secretary