The meeting was called to order with 12 members present.

Motion to accept the minutes from August by Walt, seconded by Suzanne, and accepted.

Treasures Report: Suzanne reported that the club has $1,047.96 remaining in the Club Treasury.

Motion to accept the Treasures Report by Victor, seconded by Edgar, and accepted.

Club computers The packet computer was replaced with a 486mhz computer, VGA Monitor, Mouse, and large printer thanks to the generous donation from South Eastern Michigan Gas Co. A recommendation was made to send a letter of appreciation for the donation. Another note on donations: please see that the proper Red Cross documentation is secured and used, and make sure that any donations of equipment can be sold to generate operation money for the club.

FUND RAISING: Immediate efforts for fund raising are being held up for now. We have learned that some appropriation may be coming soon for our operation. Brock indicated that a small grant might be available from a local company for an equipment purchase. Mark suggested that some of the old computers (suitable for packet) and related hardware be sold on the Traders Net to make room.

NET: Check-ins for the ARCARS and the Thumb International Traders Net are starting to increase. It was suggested that the PL be turned off when the nets are in progress. Discussion indicated that the PL is usually off, but may have been overlooked due to the recent band openings.

Rodger Catt our County EC has requested that we make a net report so we can register our net with the ARRL.

Newsletter / Web Site: There were some suggestions for additional local information to be added to the Web Site www.bignet.net/~arcars. The web site is to add a local net information page with frequencies for local repeaters and their tones, and a Traders Net page. The Traders Net Page is to be updated periodically during the month as the information changes. Assistance was requested to prepare the hard copy of the newsletter.

Projects: The initial order is to be made for the crystals to prepare on of the 12 radios the club purchased to evaluate the performance. Several members indicated that they were ordering like crystals to get their radios synchronized with the one that is to be put into operation. Members will be tuning and restoring the radios as a club project after a future meeting when the crystals are available (initial order expected arrival in 6-8 weeks). These radios are capable of 50 watts output and require at least a 35-amp power supply. The selected frequencies are 444.900 (repeater), 444.550 (repeater), and 446.800 for our simplex call-up.

The 146.800 (NA8I /ARCARS) repeater is working well and the improvement project will be completed when time permits. The packet station (KC8CXJ) is still working well in spite of the missing top section of the tri-band antenna. A new tri-plexer will be needed for the new proposed 2m/440/6m antenna. The 220 radio is to have its own antenna.

The antenna for 2m, 70cm, 6m voted on in August is going to be provided by Brock. He has one that he is not using at home and offered it to the club. Thank you Brock!

TOWER UPDATE: Steps have been taken to install the tower section that had been procured for the Red Cross emergency communication station. Height was an issue, as a variance may be needed to effectively install the required antennas. When the height issue is resolved, we will be able to determine the amount of cement will be required.

Our annual election of officers is to be held at the October meeting. Anyone interested in any of the positions is encouraged to contact Dennis Jackson dennisj@bignet.net or Mark Edward n8egj@bignet.net.

A letter drafted by Paul (KG8OU) was read in the meeting regarding observations made during the Annual Scotty Hanton Marathon. Our local amateur community had provided radio support for the event.

A new 5000-watt generator has been purchased for emergency power for the Red Cross Chapters use.

Motion to adjourn: by Walt, seconded by Gene, accepted.

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

VE EXAM at the St. Clair County Library October 8^th at 10am. Look for future announcements on upcoming exam dates.

Victor (WD8DWR) recommended that everyone give some consideration to installing an all house surge protector at the load side of the meter. This protects both legs/phases to ground, costs about $35.00, and can protect all of your electronic gear from a damaging surge.

The 486 computer was put into service after the meeting.

The Web Page improvements have been made.