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

The following people were present:

NameCall SignPositionMH GridRACWCARC
Barney BakerVA3BGBMemberFN25aiYesYes
Peter JagoVA3PJMemberFN25agYesYes
Bert ZauharVE2ZAZDirectorFN25bkYesYes
Rick BandlaVE3CVGWebmasterFN25hmYesYes
Wayne GetchellVE3CZOMemberFN25YesYes
Clayton SmithVE3IRRPresidentFN25aiYesYes
Richard FerchVE3KIVisitorFN25ceYes
Clare FowlerVE3NPCMemberFN25djYesYes
Andy HartVE3NVKTreasurerFN25bhYesYes
Paul BoltwoodVE3PLEMemberFN25bjYesYes
Christopher MurphyVE3TISMemberFN25YesYes
Doug LeachVE3XKVice PresidentFN25bfYesYes
Glenn MacDonellVE3XRASecretaryFN25djYesYes

Opening:
The meeting was opened by President Clayton (VE3IRR) at 1930hrs. He welcomed one visitor, Richard Ferch (VE3KI).

Secretary's Report:
The Secretary introduced the Minutes of the April meeting. Members pointed out errors in the Minutes and the Secretary corrected them. It was moved by Secetary Glenn (VE3XRA) that the corrected Minutes be approved. Seconded by Bert (VE2ZAZ). Motion was carried.

Treasurer's Report:
The Treasurer reported that there are now 17 paid up members and the bank balance is $762.80, before expenditures related to the upcoming VHF contest.

Vice President's Report:
The Vice President reported that future speakers have been lined up for all meetings through February 2015. The usual meeting room has been through February but the usual reservatuion book was not available and we will have to check again in August. The speaker for the June meeting will be Dave Goodwin (VO1AU and VE3AAQ), who will speak about VHF contesting and the N1MM logger. This meeting is important for those planning on operating the VE3WCC station for the June VHF Contest. Our speaker for the July meeting will be Clayton Smith (VE3IRR) aka President, on Software Defined Radio as well as a wrap-up on the June VHF Contest. In August, Dave Conn (VE3KL) will talk about antenna tuners.

President's Report:
The President reported that he intended to register the club (VE3WCC) for Logbook of the World.

Old Business:
The club's two callsigns have been transferred to Clayton (VE3IRR), therefore Industry Canada now lists him as the sponsor. The Secretary agreed that his address could be used as the club address in the Industry Canada listing and on QRZ.com.

Reports/Project Updates:

Beacons - Doug Leach (VE3XK) reported that the beacons operating on 6m through 70cm have been taken out of service for testing. Rick (VE3CVG) advised that the 903 and 1296 MHz beacons continue to operate.

D-STAR - Rick (VE3CVG) reported that the Ottawa area D-STAR system continues to operate OK.

2304 MHz Transverter Conversion - Bert reported that no one had contacted him looking for help with the project.

New Business:
Ken reported that we do not have any more QSL cards and there are outstanding requests for about a dozen QSL replies. The meeting discussed buying more. In the meantime, Rick (VE3CVG) offered to print enough to meet the immediate needs.

Announcements:
Smiths Falls Flea Market takes place on May 10, on the weekend following this meeting.

Paul Boltwood (VE3PLE) asked for volunteers to help him re-install his Cushcraft R8 vertical.

Clayton (VE3IRR) passed on a request from Tyler (VA3DGN) for radio operators to assist at the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour, June 7-8, a bicycle tour from Ottawa to Kingston and back to Ottawa. More info can be found on the emrg.ca website.

Glenn (VE3XRA) reported that Industry Canada made two announcements with implications for amateur radio on May 1:
1 - Canadian radio amateurs now have a new band at 630m or 472-479 kHz

2 - Industry Canada published comments that it had received, including one from Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), on proposed changes to its antenna siting document. Industry Canda proposed removing the exemption from consultation for antennas only for broadcasting and cellular antenna structures. Industry Canada did not announce its final decision on the proposed changes.

Rick (VE3CVG) showed us a self-contained 5.8GHz dish and radio made by Ubiquity. It may be used for point-to-point data communication and will operate in the ISM band or as a ham radio device. Ubiquity also makes a version called the Nanobridge M2 which operates at 2.4GHz. Both units will be useful for the mesh network when the firmware is finished, along with specific models of the WRT54Gx family.

Presentations
Doug Leach (VE3XK) gave us a comprehensive presentation on WCARC Plans for the 2014 June VHF Contest. He described the facilities of the new location and led a discussion that resulted in a series of decisions on equipment to be used for 50 MHz through 1296 MHz. Important information related to WCARC participation in the contest may be viewed here:
Powerpoint presentation - 2014 June VHF Contest Plans by Doug Leach VE3XK

Glenn (VE3XRA) gave a short presentation on microwave equipment to be used for the contest.

Adjournment
The President, Clayton (VE3IRR) stated that there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 21:45 hrs.