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MERCER COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

Minutes of the Regular Meeting

June 24, 1997

The regular June meeting of the Mercer County Amateur Radio Club was called to order on June 24, 1997 at 7:35 PM by President Tom Galloway, KA3MYM. There were 19 members present and 1 guest: Rick Bish, KC8FWT. A motion by Blaine Smith, N3UGN, and seconded by Dennis Gregory, WM3H, to accept the minutes of the May 1997 meeting passed.

Treasurer's Report: Dennis Gregory, WM3H, moved to accept the Treasurer's report. Linda Yankovich, N3XZA, seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Membership Committee: No applications on file.

EMA: A table-top drill took place at the EMA office on Thursday,

May 29, 1997. This mock disaster drill, lasting approximately two (2) hours, utilized some amateur radio stations to illustrate that amateurs could be put to good use in an actual emergency. The County Commissioners were present as well, and gave the amateurs favorable remarks. The EOC is expected to be relocated soon.

Repeater Committee: A bootlegger continues to key-up the repeater at times. Also, it was reported by Mark Shallenberger, N3PBQ, that the repeater was 'hung-up' on Saturday, June 7, 1997 around 10 AM for about 10 or 15 minutes. If the need arises with any repeater difficulty, contact a control operator: Tim Jellison, W3YQ; Charles Paddock, W8AOO; Tom Galloway, KA3MYM; Mike Varga, NR3C.

Constitution & Bylaws Committee: Nothing to report.

RFI/TVI Committee: Nothing to report.

VE Testing: There was a VE session on Sat., June 21. There were 10 applicants. Eight (8) licenses were earned: 5 Technician, 1 Tech Plus, 1 General, and 1 Extra. Some of the applicants travelled a distance (Uniontown, Pittsburgh, Steubenville). The next VE session in Mercer is on Sat. August 16 with registration at 9:00 AM and testing at 10:00 AM. Contact Dennis Gregory, WM3H, for details.

Net/Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: There were 28 checkins into last week's Emergency

Communications Net with much information passed; 2 persons attended last week's breakfast at The Suburban. No one attended lunch at Wendy's or dinner at The Suburban.

OLD BUSINESS: Field Day: Members are to meet Fri., June 27 at Buhl Park Kite Field to hang the dipoles. Dinner will follow at The Suburban. Saturday morning, members are to meet at The Suburban for breakfast and then go to the park at 10 AM to set-up tents and equipment. The Club has the generators but needs gasoline cans. The tables, chairs, and tents must be picked up. A check for food was provided from the Club treasury. Dave Magargee, N3CM, has the propane stove for coffee. Scott Jones, N3RA, will look into getting publicity. The Club will operate Field Day from 2 PM Sat. until 2 PM Sun. Only MCARC members may operate. All are welcome to observe. There is to be no golfing in the park.

Foxhunt: Sat., May 31, 1997: Winners: Chuck Paddock, W8AOO, Jim Clinefelter, N3BAT. There were about 7 or 8 participants. The fox was along an adopted shorline near Shenango Reservoir. The exact date of the next hunt is unknown.

WAMCO: Sat., June 21, 1997, 5 - 9 PM. There was good participation. W3LIF was used as the Club Station. Ashtabula County is a new multiplier. Next time, drop 146.595, Columbiana repeater input. Logs are due to Jerry Parkany, KB8YBE, by the weekend near July 11. Possibly a sprint contest will be done for the fall.

Motorola: The issue to decide whether to carry the service agreement had been tabled from last month's meeting. Items discussed were: Age of repeater (20-25 yrs); Availability of parts; Who did the servicing (Motorola and Cattron) and who would do it if agreement continues (Cattron); Funds spent annually for repeater ($374- Service Agreement, which is at issue, $298-Liability, $243-Equipment Insurance). It was moved by Chuck Paddock, W8AOO, to terminate the service agreement with Motorola and to carry the other liabilities. Motion was seconded by Scott Jones, N3RA. Further discussion: Who would do the repairs on the repeater when needed?; Who is on the Repeater Committee?; Should the Repeater Committee be responsible for the repair of the repeater?. A vote was taken by raising of hands. Fourteen (14) were in favor of the motion, and two (2) were opposed. The motion PASSED. The Service Agreement will be terminated with Motorola.

NEW BUSINESS: Public Service: Dave Magargee, N3CM, suggested that the Club should explicitly state in its minutes when it is sponsoring a Club function and when it is not sponsoring a Club function for the puposes of liability. The Volunteer's Protection Act was mentioned. No action was taken. Auditor: Dan Smith, K3DR, will audit the Club's financial books.

Picnic: Tues., July 22 at 6 PM in Buhl Park. The Club provides hamburgers. Please bring a tureen. There will be no meeting in July. Next meeting: Aug. 26.

Program: Presentation on High Definition TV by Mark Shallenberger, N3PBQ.

Raffle: Yaesu Hats, Logbook, Callbook, World Radio, Rad Soc of Gr Bt $17 collected.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Michael S. Varga, NR3C, Secretary