The meeting was held in the Kanata Room at Sobey’s in Kanata.

The following members and guests were present:

Name Call Sign Position
Tom Zinck VA3NFA President
Rick Bandla VE3CVG V.P. / Webmaster
Ken Asmus VA3KA Treasurer
David Conn VE3KL  
Phil St-Germain VE3CIQ Guest
Bob Clermont VE3AKV  
Harold Hamilton VA3UNK  
Barney Baker VA3BGB  
Doug Leach VE3XK  
John Christensen VE3IAO  
Al Penney VO1NO  
Jeff Milne VE3EFF  
Dale Hennigar VE3XZT  
Justin Schmidt-Clever VE3QYR  
Manfred Kahle VA3WK  
Rene Kahle VA3XK  
Robin Webb VE3UIX Guest
Brad Smith VE3BSM  
Graham Ide VE3BYT Secretary

Tom, VA3NFA, called the meeting to order at around 7:30, and asked if there was any new business.

Rick, VE3CVG, reported that the 903 MHz beacon is up again, thanks to Phil, VE3CIQ. It is located at NRC on Montreal Road, a good high site. Strong signals are being received at VE3XK and VA3KA. Graham, VE3BYT, can hear it with a 2 Meter whip antenna inside his house that is mostly shielded from RF.

There was some discussion about putting up a 902 band repeater. It was agreed that such a project would depend on a good source of reasonably-priced equipment becoming available. Suitable gear may be available at Dayton or Rochester.

Graham proposed that the club refurbish and reinstall the 222 band repeater as there are a number of members who have FM equipment for this band. Manfred, VA3WK, has not been successful in getting the duplexer to tune properly, so Graham suggested that the 222 repeater could be built with a split site, linked on 445 MHz. Phil suggested that the club speak to Sean, VE3HXP, who might assist.

Manfred noted that there is little activity on his 144 and 440 band repeaters.

Rick proposed that the club should put up beacons on the 1240 and 430 MHz bands, and perhaps 222 as well.

Ken, VA3KA, reported on finances and stated that the club has 24 members at present. Ken reported too that AMSAT is looking for money to build Eagle by 2009, a replacement for AO-40.

Brad, VE3BSM, reported that the digipeaters are working well, although the signal from Lavant is not so good NW of Almonte and needs to be investigated. There is a posibility of putting a digi on Camp Fortune in conjunction with the OARC.

Al, VO1NO, will coordinate the Field Day effort in conjunction with the West Lanark/Leeds ARES Group. Dale, VE3XZT, will assist, and others will donate equipment. Proposed is a 2A class installation with two HF stations. Barrie, VE3BSB, has a satellite station. Tom offered his 15 watt solar panel. There will be a GOTA station, and three demonstration modes - APRS, ATV and SSTV. The site will be somewhere between West Carleton and Perth.

Tom is planning Rover activity for the June 11 weekend. He will be on all VHF and UHF bands to 2.4 GHz, in 8 or 9 grids. Tom will be on 6 AND 2m while mobile.

Doug, VE3XK, gave a comprehensive and well-received talk on the basics of APRS and the equipment required, and an outline of the APRS enhancements such as messaging, weather stations and warnings, and I-Gates.

The next meeting will be on March 7, 2006.

Graham Ide VE3BYT
Secretary.