The group met in the Kanata Room at Sobey’s.

The following members and guests were present (in random order):

Name Call Sign Position MH Grid
Doug Leach VE3XK   FN15wg
Harold Hamilton VA3UNK   FN25dg
Dean Denter VA3CDD   FN15
Tom Zinck VA3NFA President FN25bh
John Christensen VE3IAO   FN25xi
Graham Ide VE3BYT Secretary FN25ch
Ken Asmus VA3KA Treasurer  
Les McCready VA3BZQ    
Brad Smith VE3BSM    
Dale Hennigar VE3XZT    
Manfred Kahle VA3WK    
Rene Kahle VA3XK    
Duane Avery VA3ODD Guest  
Rick Bandla VE3CVG V.P. / Webmaster  

Ken, VA3KA, has booked the Kanata Room for August. We’ll try for a few months ahead.

Introductions were made around the room. Duane, VA3ODD, suggested joint activities with other hobbies, and noted that OVMRC, the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club, has a trailer.

Ken gave a financial report. Costs include RAC insurance, registration of the WCC domain name, and memberships in AMSAT and TAPR.

The 903 MHz beacon is no longer on the Lee Valley Building at Greenbank and the Queensway. Currently it is in Tom’s, VA3NFA, basement. A new site will have to be found, preferably a central location in the area.

Doug, VE3XK, mentioned the Canada Day Contest. In the June VHF contest Ken did very well, and his best ever. Bob, VE3KZ, had only one more contact. The Rover helps a lot for contacts. Tom worked 6 grids with good conditions including a thunderstorm. One mast fell over on the van. One more rover would be useful. Schedules should be made for contacts on 2 meters simplex. Tom is going to describe his rover operations at the OVMRC.

Brad, VE3BSM, says that APRS is restructuring. 144.390 is too congested in some areas, with too many repeats.

Manfred reported 8 full time users. It was born of necessity as users in the boonies were getting about 24K on dialup on a good day.

Rick, VE3CVG, suggested 10 GHz equipment be considered for the next club project.

Dale, VE3XZT, mentioned the new digital audio box for around $300-$400 made by AOR. Several members are interested in experimenting with this mode.

The meeting adjourned at around 9:20PM.

The next meeting will be on Aug. 2, 2005.

Graham Ide VE3BYT
Secretary.