The September 18, 2004 meeting was held at Red Coach Restaurant in Newton. The meeting was called to order at 9:11am by Vice-President Kent Stutzman. Present were Ko Bartel, Lon Buller, Dave Duerksen, David Godshall, guest Vern Heinsohn, Sean Kelly, Bob Ogden, Kent Stutzman, and Roger Wilson.

Minutes: Minutes were accepted without corrections.

Treasurer's Report: No change to the Treasurer's report of $538.37 in the checking account and $120 in petty cash.

MCC Flatlanders Bike Ride: Roger Wilson was the only HAM operator helping with the ride. One rider took a tumble near the beginning, requiring some facial stitched, another one dropped out in the middle, otherwise uneventful.

Route 66 Expedition: Roger reported on the WARC expedition to Riverton, KS for the Route 66 Special Event on Labor Day. Band conditions were not great and only worked a small number of other Route 66 stations, but enjoyed the trip.

Antenna Work: Roger reported his tower work was completed and everything is working fine. Kent Harder went up using a boom lift instead of having to climb the tower.

Amateur Radio Awareness Day: Kent Stutzman reported that today, September 18, is Amateur Radio Awareness Day. This day was declared by the Department of Homeland Security to showcase Amateur's involvement in emergency management and is part of the National Preparedness Month.

Mobile Command Centers: Seeing the Harvey County Interurban vehicle outside inspired a comment about how it would make a good mobile command center, sparking off discussion about possible mobile command centers, some existing ones that need work and possible funds from Homeland Security that might enable Lon to buy one. A place would need to be located to house such a vehicle.

Hazardous Materials: There's discussion about an idea about removing or painting over hazardous materials designators in an attempt to thwart terrorists from knowing which vehicles to target, however doing so would severely affect the ability for emergency workers to properly deal with accidents and emergencies involving hazardous materials.

AGCO Disaster Communication Center: Sean Kelly has initiated discussion with AGCO to re-activate their communications center, possibly trying to get the callsign WB0AGH (for AGco Hesston).

Lon Buller: Lon is researching if there are ways to get some Homeland Security funds to help upgrade RACES or ARES equipment and would appreciate suggestions on what might be useful should funds become available. Kent Stutzman suggested getting APRS operational in Harvey County to aid in knowing the exact location of field operatives during emergency or storm spotter activations. A mobile command center as discussed earlier would be another idea. Lon would welcome other ideas, especially ones that would enhance Amateur Radio's ability to help in emergency situations.

Guest: Vern Heinsohn, WA0ZWW, saw our ham radio car tags and came in near the end of the meeting to see what was going on and say hi. He's passing through town attending a 66th High School reunion.

Upcoming events: Tomorrow is Sand Hills Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, 24-25 is the Nebraska State Convention in Norfolk, October 9 is the 5th Annual Valley Center Hamfest, and October 18-19 is the Boy Scouts Jamboree on the Air. Kent Stutzman will check with Roger Jost to see if we can get details about participating with the Jamboree. November 6 is the Enid Hamfest.

RACES Resources: As a RACES club we need to have a full inventory on what equipment is available. Kent and David and Lon will try to put together a questionnaire to hand out or E-Mail club and RACES members to try to compile this list.

Meeting adjourned at 10:28am