Minutes of the Meeting on January 05, 2010

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

The following people were present:

Opening:
The meeting was opened by President Al Penney VO1NO at 19:30 hours.

Al thanked Tom Zinck VA3NFA for the donation of a complete Ramsey Laser Communication kit to the club last fall. The kit consists of 2 receivers and 2 transmitters one of each already built and the others needing assembly. The Air Cadets currently studying to receive their Amateur Radio Licence under Al's direction will complete the kit and assemble it for use on the club's next grid expedition in June. Al and the cadets successfully tested the completed receiver and transmitter the weekend before the January WCARC meeting.


Secretary's Report:
Secretary Glenn MacDonell VE3XRA introduced the minutes of the previous meeting. Moved by VE3XRA-Glenn MacDonell that the previous minutes as published on the web pages be approved. Seconded by VE3XK-Doug Leach.

Motion approved.


Treasurer's Report:
Acting Treasurer Doug LeachVE3XK reported in the absence of the Treasure (Ken VA3KA). The club's financial situation remains as described at the previous meeting with about $1000 in the bank. Doug offered to take memberships for 2010 from any who had not yet renewed.

Old Business:
None


New Business:
Al VO1NO reported that planning had begun for the ARRL June VHF QSO party (June 13-14). As in the past 2 years the grid expedition will operate from a site in FN04xa (near Cobourg, ON) and the club hopes to continue to improve its already strong performance. In the first year our multi-op station was #1 in Canada and #2 in the ARRL Central region. In 2009 we increased our score by almost 50% to tally the highest score of any Canadian station (including rovers) and were #1 in the ARRL Central region. With increased power on most bands (800-1000w on 2m and 6m, 400w on 70cm, 150w on 1296GHz), better software and an even more experienced set of operators we aim to reach an even higher score this year.

Harold (VE3UNK) invited amateurs to participate in providing communications for the Canadian Ski Marathon (Fen 13-14). This will be the 37^th year that amateurs from Quebec and Ontario are providing the service. They would form part of a 2m net providing communications along the route beginning some time between 4 and 10 am and operating between 6 and 8 hours depending on location. More information is available at http://www.radio-1.ca.


General Reports:

Beacons
Doug VE3XK reported that all beacons were operating (6m, 2m, 1.25m, 70cm, 23cm). In response to a question he noted that there is space to incorporate a 1296MHz beacon along with those now operating from 2m-70cm but this would require a decision by the club to finance the new beacon.

5.8GHz Phones
Glenn VE3XRA reported that the project described at previous meetings is continuing. Al VO1NO and Doug VE3XK provided some additional background. Earlier tests determined that the system would meet the required 2km QSO distance using the built in antennas and present work aims to incorporate a parabolic reflector to reach greater distances. Both an 18" round and a 24"x18" elliptical parabolic reflector will be used in the tests. The system involving a base unit and 10 handsets will be used in the ARRL June contest.

D-STAR
No report.

Repeaters
No report.


Presentation(s)/Activity:

Bert VE2ZAZ described a Bluetooth-Radio Interface with PTT support implementing the audio interface as described by VE3LC (Nov 2009 meeting) and, using a PIC microcontroller, adding PTT operation using the Bluetooth headset or a wired push-button. Bert's system also adds a 2.5 min Tx timer and PTT LED and a +3.7v regulator for external battery or mobile operation. Bert designed a PCB to fit a Hammond 1551rbk enclosure. The project is described on his website at http://ve2zaz.net/Bluetooth_PTT/Bluetooth_PTT.htm.

He offered to provide club members with a kit containing specialized components (they would provide their own standard components) on a cost recovery basis. Enough members signed up at the meeting to proceed and other interested members should contact Bert.

Barrie (VE3BSB) described activities Lanark Space Agency in a presentation: "Amateur Radio Journeys to the Edge of Space" available on the WCARC website.


Adjournment:
Seeing that that there was no further business, Bernie VA3BMZ moved that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was closed at 21:20 hours.