The meeting was held in the meeting room in Sobey's 840 March Rd.

The following people were present:

NameCall SignPositionMH GridRACWCARC
Barney BakerVA3BGBMemberFN25aiYesYes
Tyler TidmanVA3DGNMemberFN25aiYesYes
Ken AsmusVA3KATreasurerFN15wgYesYes
Peter JagoVA3PJMemberFN25agYesYes
Stan MadoreVA3SMMMemberFN15vzYesYes
Margaret TidmanVA3VXNGuestFN25aiYes
Valentin DorogaVA3WOMemberFN25ciYesYes
Bert ZauharVE2ZAZDirectorFN25bkYesYes
Graham IdeVE3BYTMemberFN25chYesYes
Rick BandlaVE3CVGWebmasterFN25hmYesYes
Wayne GetchellVE3CZOGuestFN25dhYes
David FrankVE3DMUMemberYes
John ChristensenVE3IAOMemberFN15xiYesYes
Geoff JohnsonVE3KIDMemberYes
Clare FowlerVE3NPCMemberFN25YesYes
Andy HartVE3NVKVice PresidentFN25bhYesYes
Doug LeachVE3XKMemberFN25bfYesYes
Glenn MacDonellVE3XRASecretaryFN15djYesYes
Bryan CampbellVE3ZRKGuestFN25Yes



Opening:
The meeting was opened by Vice President Andy Hart(VE3NVK) at 19:30 hours.


Secretary's Report:
Secretary Glenn MacDonel l(VE3XRA) introduced the minutes of the previous meeting. Moved by Glenn MacDonell (VE3XRA) that the previous minutes as published on the web pages be approved. Seconded by Ken Asmus (VA3KA).
Motion approved.


Treasurer's Report:
Treasurer Ken Asmus (VA3KA) reported that since the last meeting WCARC gained one new member Fred Chamberlaine (VE3CFZ). The bank balance at present is $584. A payment of $246 for liability insurance for next year is due RAC on December 1st so we will enter the last month of the present year with a balance of about $338. The only other outstanding expenditure this year is our Christmas party at the December meeting. Membership renewals for the new year begin in January.


VicePresident's Report
Vice President Andy Hart (VE3NVK) reported that finding meeting rooms has continued to be difficult. The usual meeting room in the Sobeys on Terry Fox Drive was unavailable for the November meeting (and this was only confirmed a few days before the meeting time). Most stores were unwilling to take reservations more than a week before the meeting. Members thanked the Vice President for his efforts that had ensured we had a place for every meeting. The March Road Sobeys had just opened recently and provided very good service. Members agreed by a show of hands to try to make this our regular meeting place for future meetings.



Old Business:
None


New Business:
Annual General Meeting 6 December 2011
Notice was given that 3 executive positions will be open for election at the Annual General Meeting that takes place on the first Tuesday of December. WCARC Executive terms are 2 years and terms are staggared so half of the executiove is elected each year. The posiitions to be filled this year are President, Secretary and Director.


General Reports:

Ottawa Antenna Policy
Glenn MacDonell (VE3XRA) reported on the involvement of Ottawa area radio amateurs in commenting on City of Ottawa's efforts to replace its 2008 by-law with an antenna policy and consultations process. The city has recognized that the federal government (Industry Canada) is the regulator with authority to decide on antenna systems and it's role is in developing a consultation process for the municipality on land use issues and expressing its views on those points to the regulator. Members of the executives of all the Ottawa amateur radio clubs met to review the city's draft policy, prepared a submission recommending how the policy could be improved and met with city staff. WCARC participants included Glenn MacDonell (VE3XRA) and Andy Hart (VE3NVK).
The proposed new process would only apply to new antenna installations or proposed increases in height of 25% for existing installations. The city would define two types of antenna systems and have differenet consultation processes for each. Amateur radio antennas would fall into the "Residential Use Antenna Systems". The city would define criteria that, if met, would mean the proposed antenna could be built without consultations. Where consultations were required the city proposed a simpler process for residential use systems than the large commercial systems.
Comments from Ottawa amateurs to the city focussed on the nature of amateur radio antennas (which are different from the large commercial antenna towers that attract a lot of criticism from nearby residents) and differences between amateur radio and commercial radio systems so that the exemption criteria make sense for amateur radio systems. Original plans called for the policy to be considered by City Councillors at a Planning Committee meeting in late October. However, as a result of comments on the draft policy the process of developing it has been delayed and it is now expected that the policy will be considered by the Planning Committee in February with subsequent discussions in the Rural and Agricultureal Committee and full City Council for final approval. His presentation can be found on the WCARC website.

Beacons
Doug Leach (VE3XK) reported the beacons continued to operate without any problems and the enclosures were recently adjusted for winter mode (limited ventilation).

D-STAR
Rick Bandla (VE3CVG) reported that experiments involving VE3EFF and VE3YH to pipe internet into the repeater server through the WMCA firewall were successful.

Grid Expedition
Andy Hart (VE3NVK) reported that the scores for the June ARRL VHF contest have been published. WCARC operated a multiop station field day style in FN04xa. Our score this year was 86 thousand - we were the #1 multi-op station in Canada.


Presentation
Bert Zauhar (VE2ZAZ) delivered a presentation "Noise figure: Definitions and Measurements" and used his measuring equipment to test VHF and YHF preamplifiers club members brought to the meeting. His presentation is posted on the club website.


Adjournment
The VicePresident Andy Hart (VE3NVK) stated that there being no further business, the meeting would be adjourned. The meeting was closed at 21:50 hours.