From: NY4N
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 21:04:40 EDT
To: tcg@k4ro.net
Subject: [TCG] TCG April meeting minutes

   The April 2002 meeting of the Tennessee Contest Group began at 3:30 pm on
6 April at the Old Country Buffet in Hendersonville. The following members
were present and accounted for:

NY4N         Jeff
AF4QB        Becky
KA1DWX       Don
K4OOO        Larry
K1KY         Tom
N7DLS        Dan
WB9BSH       Jerry
W9WI         Doug
K4RO         KirK
W4NI         Russ

There were only a couple of items that dealt with Group business. The
following was discussed:

(1) The Group may make comments on the proposed new constitution until the
May meeting. At the May meeting, the new constitution will be presented to
the Group for consideration. Then, at the June meeting, the Group will take a
vote. It is urged that as many members as possible attend the next two
meetings.

(2) KA1DWX, Don, requested and received membership in the Tennessee Contest
Group.

   Other items of a lighter note.

In show and tell, Don, KA1DWX, showed the group a medalion he had won from a
contest in Europe.

Russ, W4NI, displayed a variable capacitor, a rather large one, that came
from a local AM radio station. Several of the interlocking fins were severely
damaged, from some unknown source. Not all were damaged, however. Interesting
topic of discussion.

Discussion of the advantages the Northeastern hams on the low bands to
Europe. May be in the water (ocean).

Discussion of soil conductivity of different areas of the country, and how it
effects RF signals from these different locations.

K4RO recommended the reading of a book about the station and antennas from
W6AM.

It was suggested that a tour of the WSM-AM 650 radio station broadcast center
may be something the Group may consider in the future.

Discussion of the Dayton hamfest, who's going and who's not.

Discussion of the recent failure of the PRB-1 in the Tennessee House and
Senate. It was the consensus of the Group that the ham radio community didn't
have time to get well organized and educate local lawmakers on the
contributions amateur radio makes in our communities. The bill may be brought
back in the 2003 session.

Local hospitals may consider using amateur radio as back-up communications at
a State wide level.

Local TV stations and HDTV.

   The meeting ending about 5:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Jeff  NY4N   EA