The meeting was called to order with 12 members present.

Motion: to accept the minutes from July by Edgar, seconded by Suzanne, and accepted.

Treasures Report: Suzanne reported that the club has $1,197.96 with an expected disbursement of $150 for uhf radios and field day expenses.

Fund Raising: Rodger (KI8CL) brought up the idea of holding a club sponsored trunk/tailgate swap. The idea was supported by the group and will be researched and discussed at upcoming meetings.

Club computers: According to John (KC8FRW) a couple of computers have been donated for the club’s use. The computers are to be picked up, and Mark (N8EGJ) offered to help bring them to the club station.

NET: The ARCARS and the Thumb International Traders Net have been experiencing light traffic. It is summer and check-ins are traditionally scarce this time of year.

Newsletter: The newsletter has been presented on the Internet for members and interested parties to view. The address of the web page has been changed to www.bignet.net/~arcars. Work is being done on content and suggestions are encouraged. Many members have opted to view the newsletter in this fashion to better utilize time and resources.

Projects: One dozen uhf radios were purchased by the club. These radios are to be used to communicate emergency traffic and connect with a couple select repeaters. Proposals brought forward included: A link to the 146.800 repeater, installing a low power unit in the Red Cross base station, a high power unit in the van and bus, and trailer. A simplex frequency was chosen at 446.800 mhz, and repeater freq. to link to the 444.900 131.8 pl machine. A proposal was also recommended to move the packet station to 440mhz to coordinate with the Sarnia Emergency Packet Frequency. Additional radios were purchased by members to use to connect with the local Red Cross Emergency Radio system. These radios will be modified and tuned as a club project. Manuals are being copied for the new radios for operation and tune up purposes.

Motion: to purchase crystals to one test radio (expected cost $60) by: Paul (KG8OU), seconded by Tom (WB8MCS), passed.

Motion: to purchase a one-piece antenna for 2m, 70cm, 6m (expected to cost $140) by: Brock (KB8WWG), seconded by Shannon (KC8DVT), passed. The antenna is to be secured by Brock.

Old Business:

Club Insurance is being looked into. Dennis (KB8OCG) has appointed Kip (KB8WWH) to look further into the ARRL coverage to insure the needs of the club.

New Business:

Edgar Spore brought some questions forward about the current emergency warning system. He asked the group the following questions. Your response is welcome and encouraged.

1. Do you know the location of the nearest emergency sirens to your home and work?
2. How are you notified about severe weather at your place of employment?
3. Do you feel that the current cable TV notification system is adequate?
4. Are you able to hear the emergency sirens in your area?
5. Do all the local radio stations in your area provide timely emergency notifications adequate to protect your family and co-workers in your area? Are you able to identify a local station that you would not tune into to get emergency updates?

These are excellent and disturbing questions that apply to all of us. Are you made aware of impending dangerous conditions? Are your local emergency services and local stations doing all they can do to ensure that you have the time to protect your family?

Motion: to adjourn by Edgar, seconded by Kip, accepted.