The meeting was held over the internet via a Zoom video conference. The following people were present:

Name Call Sign Position MH Grid WCARC RAC
Charles MacDonald VA3CPY President FN25ag Yes Yes
Karen Bryden VA3IGO Member FN25ag Yes Yes
Bertrand Zauhar VE2ZAZ Secretary FN25bk Yes Yes
Lawrence Dobranski VA3IQ Member FN25 Yes Yes
Rémi De Cristofaro VA3DRI Member FN25 Yes Yes
Clayton Smith VE3IRR Member EN82qb Yes Yes
Ray Perrin VE3FN Member FN25dk Yes Yes
Peter Jago VA3PJ Member FN25ag Yes Yes
G-A Chaudron VE2VAB Member FN25 Yes Yes
Wayne Getchell VE3CZO Director FN25dh Yes Yes
Luc Pernot VE3JGL Member FN25ek Yes Yes
John VA3JYK Member - Yes Yes
Fred VE3LAF Visitor - No -

Opening

The meeting was opened by the President, Charles (VA3CPY) at 7:12 pm. There was one visitor attending the meeting.

Secretary’s Report

  • Bert (VE2ZAZ) posted a draft version of the January 2022 meeting minutes on the Club website prior to this meeting. Moved by him that the minutes be adopted as posted on the website. Seconded by Karen (VA3IGO). The motion was carried.
  • Now that WCARC Officers are elected, Bert will submit updated Non-Profit Organization forms to the Ontario Government.

Treasurer’s Report

  • The balance as of January 31st was $2125.49. In comparison with last month, we had a deposit of $390 for memberships and $0.09 in interest. We had a withdrawal of $298.07 for our RAC liability insurance. There is also $2,000 which is split up into two term deposits. One has a maturity date of August 21st, 2022. The other one will mature on October 21st, 2022. We also have $15 in our “share accounts.”
  • There are 17 members as of today. There are also three life members.
  • Ray (VE3FN) expressed his concerns about the low number of members, considering the fixed expenses the Club carries. He sent a reminder email on the Club’s groups.io reflector but got no answer.
  • Ray is still collecting the 2022 membership dues. He accepts Interac email transfers and mailed-in bank cheques.

Vice President’s Report

  • Lawrence is looking for suggestions of potential contacts for our monthly presentations.
  • The March meeting presentation topic will be contest logging.

Director’s Report

Wayne (VE3CZO) has nothing to report.

President’s Report

We now have a full Board of Officers. See the Officer Election section for more details.

Speaker(s)

  • Georges-André (VE2VAB) and the Québec QSO Party. Sponsored by the Club de Radio Amateur de l’Outaouais.
  • Karen (VA3IGO): Comparison of HF reception on her three backyard antennas.

Officer Election

All Officer positions are now filled.

  • Vice President: Lawrence (VA3IQ) has come forward as a candidate for the Vice President position. As he is the only candidate for that position, he is elected by acclamation.
  • Director: Wayne (VE3CZO) confirmed his candidacy for the Director position. As he is the only candidate for that position, he is re-elected by acclamation.

Old Business

  • VHF/UHF Beacon:
    • Bert (VE2ZAZ) measured the UHF beacon frequency remotely. The objective was to assess the impact temperature has on its transmitted frequency. At +1° Celsius, the frequency was 432.3571 MHz, the publicized frequency being 432.357 MHz. From +1° Celsius to -21° Celsius, he measured a -915 Hz drift. It would then be expected for the frequency to drift upward by about 1 kHz as the temperature reaches +25° Celsius. Considering that it is centred at zero Celsius and that there is an absence of radio congestion on the 432 MHz band, Bert concludes that the existing drift is acceptable, and that there is no need to activate the beacon enclosure heating system.
    • The beacon move is On Hold until we get further notice from the DARC officers.

Reports / Club Project Updates

None.

New Business

  • Via email from Rick (VE3BK): VE80LAM GB80LAM VK80LAM Special event stations for 80 years since the first sortie from Great-Britain during World War II will take place in March. He would like people to contact him if interested. Charles (VA3CPY) will post the information on the WCARC Groups.io.
  • Lawrence (VA3IQ): If the Club intends to participate to the upcoming June VHF contest, we should consider reserving the Corkery Community Center. Bert (VE2ZAZ) suggested that we wait until the March meeting before taking that decision.

Show and Tell / Announcements

Lawrence (VA3IQ): German Rothammel’s Antenna Book. A compendium of more than 1600 pages. Very good.

Ask the Club

This period in the meeting offers an opportunity to ask technical questions and get answers from knowledgeable Club members.

Adjournment

The President observed that there was no further business; the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.