HO MOD SIG MONTHLY MTG. MINUTES, Sept 13, 2008, Black Bear Diner in Redmond
by Norm C, Chairman

COMMENTS:
1. Meeting Date: The next meeting is Oct 11, ‘08, 8:30 am, breakfast at Black Bear Diner in Redmond.

PAST SHOWS:
2. None

NEXT SHOWS:
3. Show’s status: Norm
Lynden: Pete, contacting. We are ready to go. Watch for an update coming out soon with the times, etc. Pete requested that participants arrive on Friday, as it will likely take more time to set up.
Maple Valley: Ross, confirmed
GTE: Puyallup, Nov 15-17, Mike, We are on "the list" (Free layouts have priority)
NETC: Norm, Maybe November (preferred). We’ll have to wait and see.
MTF: (Model Train Festival, Tacoma). They have requested photos, so we have made contact. As this pays $$, we’ll want some of our best, most sceniced modules there. This should include completed backboards.
4. Trailer disposition this fall: Norm,
I’ll contact Rob for possibilities. So far, Pete is taking the trailer to Lynden and back to my place. Either Rob or I will take it from my place to Maple Valley. Hopefully Rob can take it from Maple Valley home then to GTE. From there it depends on the next show, either NETC or MTF.

NEW BUSINESS:
5. Setup/Take down (SU/TD) training and manual: Norm,
There is a need for better instructions on SU/TD especially for the Lynden show where no experienced "experts" are going. Next Saturday, Sept 20, 9:00 am at my house, I will be holding a training session for interested people, especially those going to Lynden. At the same time, we’ll be looking at existing SU/TD written materials currently on the WEBSITE and PowerPoint documents to see where they can be enhanced.
6. World’s Greatest Hobby Show: Norm
If you haven’t heard, one of the WGHS’s will be held in Puyallup, November 21-22, 2009. This is exciting news. Since it falls in the same time frame as the GTE show, Mike told us that they are under the same umbrella and headed by the same person and the WGHS will replace the GTE that year. Mike will be talking to them for clarification at the appropriate time. It’s interesting that their planning is more than a year in advance.
7. Layout at the Puyallup Fair, Ross
Ross looked into the possibility of our modules at the fair next year. The show specs are: 17 days, about 10 am to 10-11pm, parking free, 10’ by 20’ max. We’ll discuss this more during our annual next year show planning sessions, generally at the Dec breakfast.
8. Plexiglas: Frank
Frank will have some excess Plexiglas available for sale. Contact him if you would like to get some of it. We’ll (4d) be getting one piece to replace a broken outside corner piece as soon as we get the dimensions.

OLD BUSINESS:
9. Status NCE RADIO UPGRADES: Norm
We are still waiting until we have a gap in shows to send them in and there may be a waiting period. We may send in half of them after GTE as we won’t need many during NETC or the MTF shows. If you have a radio cab, you may want us to send it in at the same time as all cabs have to be the same.
10. Status DCC Packet Analyzer: Allan
Waiting for access to a laptop and a show.
11. Module handling system: Paul
Paul has revised the original system and demonstrated the improved version. We were impressed with the design, as it was strong and functional. We’ll try to get some pictures posted on our WEBSITE.
12. OPS at Cherry Valley: Tom
Tom held a kickoff BBQ at Cherry Valley today (9/13) to kick off the 2008-09 season. A lot more areas have been completed like the turntable, car ferry, and Black Diamond. Along these lines, my revised ops distribution list for this year has the following names: Allan, Bob B, Norm, & Dave. If you want your name to be added, let me know.