MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

                                                By Bob, KT4KS

 

At 7:33PM the Club’s meeting was called to order when President Howell KG4CKJ rung a tiny bell on the front table.  Howell led the 13 in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance, and subsequently initiated member introductions, one of whom (Gary KA2HAN) was a new club member.

 

MOTION TO PASS THE MINUTES:  John K2VPR made a motion to approve the August, which motion was quickly approved by the membership.

 

ARES:  Steve K3IZ broached the subject of the Marine Corp Marathon, which is to take place on the last Sunday of October.  Steve stated that a sign up sheet for the event is available (“National Counsel Website), and that over 100 hams are needed.  Tom N4ZPT will be running the digital part of the communications, as D-Star will be employed.  Volunteers are needed as “watchers” for downed runners, along a course that varies from year-to-year.  While volunteers close down their stations depending upon their particular locations along the route, the even does officially remain open till 5-6PM.  Communications are especially necessary as DC, Capital and Arlington police are traditionally averse to communicating with each other.  Ham volunteers especially serve as links between the event and ambulance services.  Steve mentioned that D-Star radios cost from $700-800, but 2M units will do fine.  The event will employ several local repeaters, with Net control being at the “Old Solders Home”, the site of Lincoln’s summer cottage. 

 

COAST GUARD STATION:  The station is still operational, and Keith N6JWN invites those interested in operating there to contact him.

 

VA TEST SESSION:  There is a test session this Sat at the First Christian Church on King Street, just ¾ mile west of the Masonic Temple.  It was anticipated that John WZ4A had a sufficient number of volunteers to run an orderly session.  

 

BREAKFAST:  The monthly (4th Sat of the month) breakfast is still an on going event at the Old Country Buffet in Hybla Valley.  Debra KG4URO mentioned that it had 5 members in attendance at a recent get together.

 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH:  Bob reported that he displayed his QRP station to a Park Ranger the previous Saturday.  Bob did his best to inspire the ranger to further investigate the hobby for herself.  However, the ranger seemed to be more interested in investigating what Bob and Maki K4RQZ were doing at the park bench along the biking/hiking trail.  

 

TREASURY: Mike KE4ER did arrive at the meeting in time to receive checks from two dues-paying members.

 

QRP EVENT:  Maki brought up the issue of the much ballyhooed affair, and a date was finally decided upon.  Howell stated that the club would set up QRP rigs along the Potomac River at the Robinson Terminal on October 11 (Sunday).  The event is expected to start at 8AM, and continue for about 3 hours, as that is a routinely active time for CW operators.  Sunday was chosen to assure that the event would not conflict with the monthly VE test session, which will be Oct 10 (Saturday).

 

NEW BUSINESS:  Paul AA8O brought up the club’s web site, stating that Jan 16 is the date when the club may pay $172 to continue the 5-piece package, which includes at least: MVARC.com name, MVARC.org name, private registration and hosting.  Maki expressed that his business is associated with the Internet, and that he may be able to host the site for a few years via his business.  Both Paul and Maki discussed the possibility after the business section of the meeting was closed.  In addition, it was mentioned that MVARCer Julie’s KD4WSZ health has improved remarkably.  Hopefully, Julie will find herself back at the monthly meetings.

 

REPEATER:  MVARCers who frequently check into the Tuesday evening net stated that the unit it running exceptionally well.  On the point, Repeater Chair Dick WA4USB is also doing better, as he has recovered well enough from cataract surgery to return to teaching first aide on Saturdays.

 

SHOW AND TELL:  Steve brought in a sample of an outdoor cable that appeared to be chewed by an animal.  Steve also showed off a stack of QSL cards that he recently received from the Bureau.  Bob showed a book about the history of the Telegraph, which book is available in the Fairfax County Library System.  On that note, Bill W2BSA said that there is a marker on Cob Island in Maryland, the side of the first spark phone QSO.  It was noted that Debra had a pretty darn expensive lab top at the meeting, but she did not show it off.

 

RAFFLE:  Doug WA3WEP won a coffee coup, Bob won gum, Debra and Gary won organizers and Maki won a book about Yagi antennas.

 

COOKIE MONSTER:  John was the September Monster, and did a fine job of it.  Leila WN4PP volunteered to be the October Cookie Monster.

 

CLOSE: Howell closed the business portion of the meeting.

 

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