The ARVARF meeting of December 21, 2004 was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by outgoing President Roger Sayer, AC5YG. Roger introduced the new president, Loretta Morgan, KB5OHF who presided over the rest of the meeting. There were  so many members present at Western Sizzlin that the staff had to bring an extra table.

The minutes of the November meeting were not approved because it appeared that they had been omitted from the newsletter. They will be approved at the January meeting.

Nick Kennedy, WA5BDU had nothing specific to report on the Ham Fest Preparations. He expects to increase efforts after the beginning of the year.

Wayne Van de Pol, N2WV Reports that the radio class a Arkansas Tech University will begin on January 11, 2005. He has emailed clubs around the state so that they can help get the word out about the class.

Andy Ward, KD5QJQ reports that the materials to repair the Mt. Nebo repeater site have not been purchased yet. He would like for the club to plan a work date at the next club meeting.

Charles Shinglur, K5NRC was not present to report on the status of the 146.82 repeater on Mt. Nebo. Several members reported that the repeater was not working properly but it is not known what type of repairs are needed.

New business:
Loretta Morgan, KB5OHF announced first board meeting will be Tuesday January 4, 2005 6:30 p.m. at Loretta Morgan's house.

Roger Sayer, AC5YG asked for a volunteer to draw a name from a "hat" to select a prize for a random person who checked into the Tuesday Night Net. Anna Schaefer did the honors of drawing the name and the winner was Debbie Mc Entire, KC5BVO from Little Rock. The prize was a Amateur Radio Theme clock purchased from Razorback Radio, Clarksville.

The secretary, Philip Morgan, N5RQD collected the first membership dues for the new season from George  Murphree, KC5BJN of Yell County. Please welcome George to our fine club.

Net controls recruitment for the 2005 Tuesday net have begun. The first three volunteers are:
January: Ben Hillis, W5HH
February: Phil Morgan, N5RQD
October: John Evans, WB5BHS

Motion to adjourn by Ben Hillis, W5HH and seconded by Andy Ward, KD5QJQ.
Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

The program for the night was given by Dennis Schaefer, W5RZ. He discussed the challenge of recruiting new members to ARRL and would like to see more grass roots efforts to recruitment. Dennis donated an ARRL handbook for raffle after the meeting. It was won by Aulton White, N4OWB.

Bob Battershell, K0JWT commented on an article in QST about improving the sensitivity of a receiver by biasing a diode. He feels that experiments such as this are vital for improving interest and participation in amateur radio.

Philip Morgan, N5RQD took several photos before the meeting. They will be available on his web site http://www.cswnet.com/~n5rqd/temp as a zip file or in a folder for about one month.

Submitted by Phil Morgan, N5RQD