Location: Polytechnic University, Farmingdale, N.Y.

The LIDXA President, Marty, NN2C, called the meeting of March 17 to order at 8:15 PM. Marty welcomed the XYLs of members N2DXJ and N2JE to tonight’s meeting.

Marty introduced a new member of the LIDXA, José Rivera, KP4YM, who attended this meeting with his XYL. The membership warmly welcomed José and his XYL to the club.

On the subject of Good and Welfare, it was reported that member Lenny, KB2HK was in the hospital for the treatment of a heart arrhythmia. Also member Lou, N2TU was recuperating following surgery on his foot. Finally member Art, K2ENT, and his XYL were recuperating after a bad case of the flu and viral infection.

In terms of DX, specific activities mentioned:

• The station VKØMM from Macquarie Island has been showing up regularly on 20 meters according to his posted schedule. The operator usually issues his operating schedule weekly, on his Web page at http://www.geocities.com/vkØld/3.html, for the times and areas of the world that he will listen for contacts. He expects to be on the island until the end of the year, and will issue QSLs at that time.
• A DXpedition to Chesterfield Island in the New Caledonia group, under the unofficial callsign TXØDX, is expected to begin around March 22. This island may satisfy the requirements for a new DXCC entity.
• Effective March 1, the country of East Timor has been granted separate DXCC status. The only operation so far has been from some of the UN peacekeepers. Operators 4W6UN, 4W6MM, and 4W6EB have been noted. Several other portable operations may be imminent.
• A DXpedition to Pratas Island (BQ9P) is expected in early April.
• Bill Kennemer has left his post as ARRL DXCC manager. It is not certain who will be filling Bill’s position at the League.

The LIDXA Secretary, Ed, K2MFY, handed out minutes of the February 18 meeting to the membership since these minutes were not included in the mailed February meeting notice. In addition, thanks to the efforts of LIDXA Vice President, Pat, KE2LJ, these minutes also appear in the LIDXA Web site: http://www.qsl.net/lidxa. The February minutes were accepted as written.

Since the LIDXA Treasurer, Russ, W2RL, was not at tonight’s meeting, so there was no Treasurer’s report. It was not certain which members still had not paid their 1999–2000 dues. Last month Russ indicated that with the club’s present expenses, a total of 44 dues-paying members were required for the club to break even.

Ed reported that conditions were excellent for the weekend of the ARRL DX contest–SSB mode (March 4–March 5). On 10 meters, DX stations were heard all the way from 28.300 through 29.100 MHz.

Marty reported that since the first "Ham Radio Forum," which was held in the Babylon Town Hall Annex in North Babylon on January 23, was so successful, it was decided to plan for another forum in the early part of 2001.

In terms of our noisy repeater, there was no new status. In the meantime the LIDXA has use of the Grumman repeater, on 146.745 MHz. It was hoped that when the Melville Fire Department brings a rigger to inspect some of the antennas on their tower, the LIDXA could arrange to use his services to inspect our present antenna. It was also anticipated that a temporary antenna could be placed up on the tower at that time. It was estimated that to call in a private rigger, the charges would to the LIDXA would be about $1000.

A discussion arose on the possibility of Nassau County reassessing properties. It was rumored that a reassessment may require those hams who own towers without building permits, to apply for such permits.

Marty mentioned that the June 16 LIDXA meeting is scheduled to have a "Chinese Auction" or "Blind Auction." Members of the club will donate various items related to ham radio, computer software, electronics, test equipment, etc. to be "auctioned" off, sight unseen. Bids for these items would start 50 cents and higher. Marty said he would try to coordinate efforts so that the sufficient advertising could be generated. Recommended forums include packet radio, the Internet, local nets, etc. Marty urged all members to look around for items that could be auctioned, and in turn, raise needed revenues for the club. Since our past "auctioneer" Frank, N2FF, would not be able to make this meeting, Marty said he is looking for another volunteer to conduct the session.

It was noted that the April meeting, which is scheduled for April 21 falls out on Good Friday and the middle of the Passover holiday. As such the club’s constitution permits this meeting to be rescheduled. The April meeting was then decided to be moved back to April 28. Since elections for all officers of the club (years 2000–2002) must occur at the May meeting, nominations for all positions must take place during this important April 28 meeting. It was also pointed out that the May meeting, which is scheduled for May 19, falls out during the Dayton HamVention. It was decided to also postpone this meeting one week to May 26, at which time LIDXA elections would occur. The new officers of the club would be effective at the June meeting.

At this point in the meeting a demonstration was shown to the membership by Dan, WA2NDP, on a new portable antenna system. The antenna used, which was a Hustler HF model (20, 15, and 10 meters) vertical antenna, was screwed into a "ground plane device" which was manufactured by Alpha Delta Communications. This Alpha Delta apparatus unfolded to place three ground-like radials for the vertical antenna. These radials also supported the entire structure. Dan mentioned that he had used this configuration from an apartment house and also for use while vacationing. He worked well over 100 countries with this setup.

This portion of the meeting concluded at 9:00 PM. A video on the amateur activity from Indonesia (especially YB3ASQ) was shown to the membership. The video also presented an excellent overview of the present country (circa 1998), which of course, omitted the area of East Timor.

This meeting concluded at around 9:25 PM after all the scheduled business and entertainment had finished.

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