Nine amateur radio operators were present, including William Basham (KG4SQD), Kenneth Garrett (KA4IWV), Harold Gillim (WE4G), Everett Greer (KD5ACO), Ray Patton (N4RLU), John Payne (N4COT), Paul Vaughn (KF4ACQ), Jim Wedding (KF4PSP), and Jim Mason (KG4RCX).

Harold (WE4G) was nominated and elected to preside as acting president and Jim (KG4RCX) was nominated and elected as acting secretary until an official election can be held. The name suggested for the new club was Hancock Amateur Radio Club.

It was decided without dissension that the regular monthly meeting of the new organization be held on the first Tuesday of each month convening at 6:00 p.m.

The organizational meeting of the club will be held on January 7, 2003 at which meeting there shall be an election for the offices of president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer; the adoption of by-laws for the club; the name of the club; and setting the amount for membership dues.

Acting president Harold and Paul (KF4ACQ) reported that they had met that day with Hancock County Emergency Management Services (EMS) Director Jim Inman who has agreed to assist the club with a location for a repeater and HF station, as well as a location for future meetings. Harold and Paul also reported that local EMS office has funds to purchase a HF transceiver and has requested that the club make a recommendation for the make and model of the radio that the EMS Director should purchase. Director Inman has stipulated that the radio be capable of communicating with the state EMS office in Frankfort.

Ray (N4RLU) suggested that the club recommend that the EMS office acquire an Yaesu FT-100D which covers all the HF bands as well as VHF and UHF bands.

There was a discussion of the currently available repeaters servicing the Hancock County area. There is a 2-meter repeater in Hawesville transmitting on 145.330 and a 2m repeater in Lewisport transmitting on 145.130. For the time being, those present agreed that the Lewisport repeater (145.130) would best serve the needs of the club until such time that it could acquire its own repeater.

Acting president Harold announced that he had applied to be a registered instructor with ARRL. Harold also distributed information concerning the Citizens Corp Councils which bring together a community's first responders, firefighters, emergency health care providers, law enforcement, emergency managers, and the volunteer community (including amateur radio operators) to involve all citizens in emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, crime prevention, and emergency medical training.

Harold announced, for those interested in upgrading to a higher license class, that the Owensboro Amateur Radio Club (OARC) would be offering tests during 2003 on February 8, April 26, July 19, September 27 and December 6. Tests are given at the Red Cross office located in the Elizabeth Mundy Center on West Second Street in Owensboro.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Minutes taken and reported by acting Secretary Jim Mason (KG4RCX)

December 10, 2002