As usual, prior to the meeting a few gathered for an enjoyable dinner at the local Swiss Chalet Restaurant.

The meeting was held in Kanata Room in Sobey's, at the SW corner of Hazeldean and Terry Fox Drive.

The following people were present:

NameCall SignPositionMH GridRACWCARC
Dean DenterVA3CDDMemberFN15wlYesYes
Tyler TidmanVA3DGNGuestFN25Yes
Ken AsmusVA3KATreasurerFN15wgYesYes
Peter JagoVA3PJMemberFN25YesYes
Harold HamiltonVA3UNKMemberFN25djYesYes
Bert ZauharVE2ZAZMemberFN25Yes
Graham IdeVE3BYTMemberFN25chYesYes
John ChristensenVE3IAOGuestFN15xiYesYes
Andy HartVE3NVKMemberFN25bhYesYes
Travis HeinVE3THZGuestFN15
Doug LeachVE3XKVice PresidentFN15wgYesYes
Glenn MacDonellVE3XRAMemberFN15djYesYes
Al PenneyVO1NOPresidentFN24cwYesYes
Opening:

The meeting was opened by President Al Penney(VO1NO) at 19:30 hours. Barney VA3BGB, Secretary, and Rick VE3CVG Webmaster were absent. Al VO1NO, welcomed our guests, and everyone IDed themselves around the table.

Reports:

- Secretary:

The minutes of the January meeting were approved - Motion VE3BYT, Seconded VE3XK.

- Treasurer:

Ken, VA3KA, reported that the club has 20 paid members.

Beacons Project: Doug, VE3XK, reported he had installed a heater and thermostat in the beacons housing, and now the internal temperature is quite stable. The caps on the ventilators will need to be opened or closed occasionally each year.

The Beacon frequencies are: 50.009 MHz, 144.297 MHz, 222.068 MHz, 432.358 MHz and 903.365 MHz. The first four of these are located at VE3XK, FN15wg.

Note: Expenses recently incurred on the Beacon project will be addressed at the March meeting.

Al reminded everyone about the June contest. Our group was #1 in Canada last year, operating portable near Cobourg ON. Al will give a presentation to those who are interested in participating this year.

Balloon Project: Graham, VE3BYT, brought members up to date on the potential high-altitude balloon project, slated possibly for this spring. Graham noted that while quite a few members and others have expressed an academic interest in the project, very few have indicated they will work actively on it. Nobody has shown any interest in tracking and recovering the flight package. Given these considerations, he would not at this time ask the Club to support the project financially. To make it a reality, some financial support would be necessary to offset the cost of a balloon and helium. The project is being put on a back burner at present, with some hope that it might be possible to send up an instrumented balloon in the fall of 2009.

The antenna for the IRLP link on the club repeaters has been installed at John's QTH, VE3IAO.

Graham mentioned that the coordinated status for VE3DVQ at Lavant is suspended and soon subject to being revoked, as no Technical Information Report has been filed with the Saint Lawrence Valley Repeater Council. In fact, no reports have been provided to the Council for DVQ since 2003. It was pointed out that this repeater is not WCARC's but is one of the stable of repeaters belonging to the Lanark North Leeds ARES Group, based in Perth.

Al gave a rundown on the numerous upcoming events and contests. Members may refer to the WCARC web site for detailed information. Notably, the Nearfest is scheduled for May 1 and 2.

Other Business:

Travis, VE3THZ, brought a large box full of radio books and donated them to the WCARC. Doug, VE3XK, will catalogue these and make them available on loan to club members. Many thanks, Travis!

Presentation(s)/Activity:

The group watched the very interesting DVD of the 2006 3Y0X DXpedition to Peter I Island (Norwegian) off the coast of Antarctica. The expedition members spent 2 weeks at the island, and the effort generated 86,888 QSOs on bands from 160 M to 2 M !! The website commemorating the event is at http://www.peterone.com/. This site has many interesting photographs and videos.

Closing:

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2009.

Graham Ide, VE3BYT, for

Barney Baker, VA3BGB, Secretary WCARC.