MERCER COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Minutes of the Regular Meeting

October 28, 1997

The regular October meeting of the Mercer County Amateur

Radio Club was called to order on October 28, 1997 at

7:38 PM by President Tom Galloway, KA3MYM. There were

18 members present and no guests. Sicknesses: None.

All received the Oct. Carrier Wave. A motion by Blaine

Smith, N3UGN, and seconded by Dennis Gregory, WM3H, to

accept the September 1997 minutes passed.

Treasurer's Report: Howard Anderson, KE3FO, moved to accept

the September Treasurer's report. Chuck Paddock, W8AOO,

seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Membership Committee: No applications on file.

EMA: The County and Commissioners have begun the work of

moving the EOC. Hardline, grounding blocks, and polyphasors

are being installed. The County will be funding a new

2m/440 MHz radio for amateur use. The project should be

completed in about 2 or 3 weeks.

Repeater Committee: Chuck Paddock, W8A00, reported that

there was an unidentified station on the repeater Tues.,

Oct. 28, 1997. Tim Duffy, K3LR, reported the 'new' power

supply for the repeater is being repaired and tested by Tim

Jellison, W3YQ. This power supply will enable emergency power

as used during net time and will allow for continuous clock

operation during a power failure. The current power supply

will serve as a back-up and will be updated also. Cattron

will repair the repeater's power amp so it can be operated

at full power (about 100 W). The four transistor in the

power amplifier, which are rated for 110 W, will be adjusted

down around 90 W. Question by Dave Magargee, N3CM: Should

we reduce the power of the repeater to 40 to 50 W to prolong

the finals? K3LR explained that the system is capable of

the higher power setting and that the repeater needs the

power to be a full-service repeater. Chuck Paddock, W8AOO,

stated that on 50 W, the repeater is limited to just Mercer

County. Tim, K3LR, also reported that there is a cooling

fan on the repeater finals. He did warn users, however,

not to let the repeater drop completely between transmissions.

This does more damage to the finals. The courtesy tone will

ensure other stations time to break in (about 2 seconds).

Steve Shemancik, AA3EW, reported that he will have the

financial aspects cleared up with W3YQ.

Constitution & Bylaws Committee: Nothing to report.

RFI/TVI Committee: Nothing to report.

VE Testing: A VE session was held on Sat., Oct. 18

with one applicant. No elements were passed. The next

VE session at the EMA office in Mercer is on Sat.

December 20 with registration at 9:00 AM and testing at

10:00 AM. Contact Dennis Gregory, WM3H, for details.

Net/Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: There were 15 checkins

into last week's Emergency Communications Net (Thurs at 9 PM)

with no comments; no one attended last Saturday's 8:30 AM

breakfast at The Suburban. 8 attended the Wed. 11:30 lunch at

Wendy's; 4 attended the 8:30 PM dinner at The Suburban on Friday.

OLD BUSINESS: NWS: Jerry Parkany, KB8YBE, reported that

the NWS in Pittsburgh has linked their homepage to the Club's

homepage.

Field Trips: Tom Galloway, KA3MYM, informed the Club that

there would be a discussion of field trips after the beginning

of the year.

Foxhunt: The next Foxhunt is planned to take place on a

Saturday in December sometime before Christmas. The date will

be revealed at the November meeting. More hunters are needed.

New Rule: There must be at least two (2) members in a vehicle.

PA QSO: Howard Anderson, KE3FO, related that he and K3DR worked

from 7 counties with a case of driving from Morraine State Park

to Clarion County for a contact. Dave Magargee, N3CM, worked

Italy (and had a hard time believing it!).

NEW BUSINESS: Hospitality Committee: Tom Galloway, KA3MYM,

suggested that the Club needs to provide refreshments at

meetings since the hospital has eliminated this service due

to budget cut-backs. Dave Magargee, N3CM, moved that

Linda Yankovich, N3XZA, be appointed Chairman of the

Hospitality Committee and that she should manage the committee

fiscally. The motion was seconded by Tim Duffy, K3LR.

Motion passed unanimously. Cupcakes and cider were provided

tonight and funds were taken from a donation box and the

Club treasury.

Hospital: Patty Sherman, Public Relations Dept., Horizon

Health System Hospital, has been thanked for her and her

staff's help to MCARC at the hospital.

Editor: Ed Bailey, Jr., N3CGK, will step down immediately

as newsletter editor. The Club is in need of a volunteer

for this position for next month. No response was given.

Packet: KA3MYM reported that K8TME has two new distribution

lists: One for members (MCMEM) and one for officers (MCOFF).

To add your name, contact KA3MYM or K3LR.

Classes: The Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Assoc. will be

conducting Novice/Technician classes at the Youngstown

Red Cross starting Nov. 11. Classes will meet on a weekly

basis, and will run for 7 weeks. Sec. Mike Varga, NR3C,

will teach one of the classes.

Election: The Director for the ARRL Atlantic Division

will be elected this fall. Kay Craigie, WT3P, is a

candidate. Voting deadline is Nov. 21.

Equipment: Chet Dorsh's son, KE3EHU, would like to

donate father's radio equipment to MCARC. Includes

Heathkit SB-102 transceiver ($150 market value) and

2m radio, plus more. Tim Duffy, K3LR, suggests the Club

take ownership and lend some of equipment to members. Other

equip. to be sold. Other clubs do it. Equip. should be

under Club's insurance policy. Club also take on "wear

and tear" repair costs. Possible negatives: Theft, fire,

injury. Steve Shemancik, AA3EW, suggested we think about

it and look at equip. list. K3LR will send inventory to

officers and officers will discuss it.

Club Jackets: A Club member has suggested that the Club

provide a Club jacket. This project could serve as a

fund-raiser for the Club. Dave Magargee, N3CM, suggested

to have a Club logo made up so that it could be put on

any clothing. This topic will be discussed at the next

Board meeting.

Board Meeting: Next meeting will be Nov. just before the

regular meeting.

Misc.: Club Table has Nov. Sweepstakes Info, DX CQ WW Info,

Christmas Party reservation forms (Dec. 9 at Suburban).

N3CM says 10 meters is getting active on west coast from

3 PM to 6 or 7 PM. K3LR said the Breezeshooters will have

Ground Wave Contest in Feb. World Radio Conference in

Geneva discussing Little Leos, interference from satellite,

40 meter world-wide band. Conf. ending Nov. 21.

Program: Conclusion of WKBN video. NEXT MONTH: Dr. Al

Christman, Grove City College Professor, will be talking

on antennas. Don't miss this great speaker.

Raffle: World Radio Year Subsciption, Nov. Issue,

"Box" from WA3YAO, $16 collected.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Michael S. Varga, NR3C, Secretary

************** End of Message **************