Meeting called to order by President Dick Heismann, at the Henderson Fire Station #1 Conference Room.

Old news:  the newly-started 2 meter net (second session) set for Friday evening, March 18, at 1900 on the W4FHU repeater.  This net will be held once monthly, on the Friday night following the Club meeting (3rd Thursday night).  If anyone knows a ham that needs some help with a project, etc., let the Club know, and will try to sked some help.  Ron gave update on W4FHU ARES bus.  Much progress been made on interior work, cabinets, table tops, etc., as well as wiring improvements.  Hope to have the bus 90-95% completed by Fox Hunt time (if we have a Fox Hunt).  The bus is fully functional now.  Will be fully ready for Field Day.

New news:  The Union City, TN, Hamfest will be this Saturday, March 19.  A new Technician License class coming up March 24 @ 1900.  Set to go for ten weeks, but will be abbreviated somewhat.  Need more students to sign up for the class.  The first two classes will be held at the Chester Co. Rescue Squad building, on East Main St., near the Co-op facility.  The rest of the classes will be at Henderson Fire Station #1 Conference Room.  Cost is $40.00, including the class itself, an FCC Rule Book, and the Technician Class Course Book.  This $40.00 will also cover the cost of the VE examination at the end of the class.  These classes will be held each Thursday night at 1900.

Next VE exam will be Saturday, April 16, at the Pinson Church of Christ.  Need to bring 2 forms of identification, any existing ham license, and $15.00.

Next meeting is April 21 at 1900.  Joe, AG4QC, will demonstrate Fox Hunting techniques.  If there is enough interest in doing a Fox Hunt, we can do one on the following Saturday, April 23.

Joe, AG4QC, presented the program for the evening, home-building a J-Pole 2 meter antenna from 300 ohm twin lead, and a 6 foot piece of RG-58 for the feed line.  A small ferrite bead choke balun used at the feedpoint, to help isolate rf energy from the shield of the feed line.  The kit cost was $10.00, and was furnished by Joe.  The J-Pole makes a great roll-up VHF antenna for back-packing, emergency useage, or for the regular home QTH base antenna.  Simple, and offers about 3 db. gain over a dipole.  Several were finished during the meeting.  A great little antenna.  Thanks, Joe, for the great program presentation.  We all enjoyed it.

In attendance:  Joe and Sue Loucka, Richard and Martha England, Mike and Louise Burkhead, Kevin Roeder, Bill Baldy, Jeremy Malone, Mike Hurst, Daniel Sullivan, Teresa Sullivan, Lauralei Russell, E. Branscum, Richard Heismann, Ron Means, Mark Clark, Tom Goodman, and Elmer Granger.  I hope I included everyone, and that I spelled the names correctly.

A great meeting, enjoyed by all in attendance!  73 all!

Mike Burkhead, Secretary

Chester Co. Amateur Radio Club