The meeting was called to order with 17 members and guests present.

Motion to accept the August minutes by Kip (KB8WWH) seconded by Suzanne (KB8GFY) Accepted.

TREASURES REPORT: Suzanne reported our previous balance was $990.92, with $70 spent at field day. The new balance is $920.92.

Motion to accept the report by Judy (KA8APM), seconded by Walt (WA8FPF), and accepted.

NET: Roger reported that the nets are still lightly attended. The proposal to adopt a certificate for regular check-ins that attend the net was discussed. Paul mentioned that the ARRL traffic would have to be passed to present the certificates.

SPECIAL EVENTS: JOTA, Jamboree on the Air, will be held October 21st and 22nd with most of the members planning to attend. Some discussion was made about the equipment that we would take as well as antenna requirements. We will finalize this discussion at this issue at the next meeting.

DISASTER REPORT: There was a disaster that required the assistance of ARCARS as well as many other local departments of the American Red Cross. An explosion that claimed two lives occurred on September 7, 2000 in St Clair. We learned that communications to that area of the county are difficult. The NexTel phones were unreliable, and the use of IVR (in vehicle repeater) was necessary. The idea of using portable and extendable antennas was mentioned for service in the lower end of the county, as well as additional packet digi-peters to handle traffic will be necessary.

CLUB STATION:
The repeater tail on the 146.800 will be shortened for better emergency response. The 220-packet antenna was installed at the repeater site. The repeater transmitter is being serviced with a new final and will be moved into a larger cabinet in the next couple of weeks. Service of the 146.800 repeater may be interrupted while the work is being done.

OLD BUSINESS: We have the new radio equipment that will greatly enhance our emergency communication abilities. We added the following equipment:

1- ICOM 706MKIIg

2- 220mhz TM33A

1 – 440mhz TM461

3 – MFJ 1270C packet controllers

1 – 144mhz IC2100

2 – 144/440mhz dual band IC207

2 – Diamond dual band antennas

1 – Diamond fixed station antenna

1 – Daiwa SWR monitor

NEW BUSINESS: The idea of moving the Day, Date, and time of the monthly meetings were brought up. Paul (KG8OU) proposed that we move the meeting to the First Sunday of the month at 7:40pm. Dennis is to check the constitution and prepare the necessary steps for an amendment.

Elections for club officers will be held Sunday October 1^st at 7:30. That will also be the time and date of the next regular meeting.

Motion to Adjourn: by Gene (NA8I), seconded by Paul (KG8OU).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

There is to be a SET (Simulated Emergency Test) this coming week. Additional information will be available as soon as Walt sends Mark (N8EGJ) updates. Check the web sites www.bignet.net/~arcars or www.qsl.net/arcars.

The Friends of Marconi group meets every Friday at 11:30 am at My Place
Restaurant in downtown Port Huron. Everyone is welcome to attend. See the web page http://www.tir.com/~kb8wwe.

VE Exams are available at USECA. They use computers to complete the tests. Contact on the USECA Repeater 147.180. You can also find testing information at www.hamtest.com.