Steve Wooten, KC0QMU, the Emergency Coordinator, presided over the monthly St. Louis County ARES^® meeting held on May 16, 2005.

Steve said that the group was trying to increase membership any way it could. He had obtained mailing labels from the ARRL containing the names and addresses of all St. Louis County amateur radio operators. He is also looking into posting free notices in local newspapers.

Steve said that he planned to have an ARES^® table at four hamfests during the year: the Zero Beaters Hamfest in Washinton, Missouri in July; the Halloween Hamfest in Kirkwood, Missouri in October; the St. Charles Hamfest in St. Charles, Missouri in August; and Winterfest in Collinsville, Illinois in January.

Steve said that he had sent out questionaires to 50 area repeater trustees and had received 14 replies so far. The Boeing Amateur Radio Society (BEARS) seemed most interested in working with ARES^®.

Steve said that the Planning Committee was looking into a possible fox hunt event and a possible survey to hand out at hamfests.

Steve talked about the possibility of obtaining used UPS batteries from an area hospital.

Gary, KB0H, said that the group was working on promotional items such as posters, hand-out cards, and QSL cards. He handed out some samples, and Jim, N0OBG showed one of the posters.

Craig, K0CMH, asked if ARES^® was going to do anything with APRS. He highly recommended doing so. Steve replied that he was attempting to arrange for a speaker to give a presentation on the topic.

Eric, N0UIH, noted that some people in north county have trouble reaching the 146.850 repeater. He said that the repeater used a dipole antenna that had somewhat of a 'null' toward the northeast.

Craig, K0CMH, won the door prize.

Jim, N0OBG, installed Anderson Powerpoles on equipment that some attendees had brought with them. He also made 'Powerpole kits' available.

© 2012 St. Louis County ARES^®

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