Minutes of the Regular Meeting on November 21st, 2022
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 | Vice President | FN25 | Yes | Yes |
| Rémi De Cristofaro | VA3DRI | Member | FN25 | Yes | Yes |
| Mike Kennedy | VA3TEC | Member | FN25 | Yes | Yes |
| Mark Biegler | VA3CPB | Member | FN25be | Yes | Yes |
| Ray Perrin | VE3FN | Treasurer | FN25dk | Yes | Yes |
| Clayton Smith | VE3IRR | Member | EN82qb | Yes | Yes |
| Wayne Getchell | VE3CZO | Director | FN25dh | Yes | Yes |
| Mike Kassay | VE3MKX | Member | FN14st | Yes | Yes |
| Norman Siemens | VE3NPP | Member | FN25be | Yes | Yes |
| Graham Ide | VE3BYT | Visitor | FN25 | No | - |
| Louis | VA3LUI | Visitor | - | No | - |
Opening
The meeting was opened by the President, Charles (VA3CPY) at 7:08 pm. There were two visitors attending the meeting.
Secretary’s Report
Bert (VE2ZAZ) posted a draft version of the October 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.
Treasurer’s Report
- On October 31st, the balance for our chequing account was $2,456.36. There is also $2,000 which is split up into two term deposits. One has a maturity date of August 21st, 2023. The other matured on October 21st. It was rolled over into a new one-year deposit earning 3.40% interest. This is up from 0.85% that it had been previously earning.
- There are 21 members as of today. There are also three life members.
Vice President’s Report
Meeting presentations in planning:
- The History of the Ten-Tec Corporation
- A presentation on the technical side of POTA, such as recommendations on radios and antennas
- A presentation on transatlantic 2m communications
Director’s Report
- We have lent out and retrieved some Club-owned test equipment. This was the first equipment borrowing in a long time.
- Wayne visited Ken (VA3KA)’s place and inventoried the tower sections on the premise. This topic is covered more in detail in Old Business section.
President’s Report
Other than with some old business actions, things have been quiet.
Presentation
None at this meeting, as the presenter did not show up.
Old Business
- 902/1296 MHz Beacons: Bert (VE2ZAZ) is waiting for an update from Jeff (VE3EFF) on the opportunity to retrieve our beacons from the YMCA rooftop site. Bert will contact Jeff (VE3EFF) again to see whether there is some development.
- VE3ODG D-STAR equipment: Phil (VE3HOA) and Jeff (VE3EFF) would like to recover the VE3ODG D-STAR equipment located at the YMCA. The equipment would be reused by the Almonte Club. Back in 2007, WCARC gave $300 to support the VE3ODG D-STAR project. This would explain why he is contacting us. During this meeting, it was agreed that the WCARC would not use that equipment in the future, and that they were welcome to recover the equipment.
- 432 MHz Yagi Antenna procurement: No update. Bert (VE2ZAZ) will contact Ken (VA3KA) in March to remind him of our needs. Ken will have two 432 MHz long boom yagis for sale in the spring.
- WCARC badges: Lawrence (VA3IQ) mentioned that no progress had been made on that matter since the last meeting.
- Leftover Club tower sections at VA3KA’s place: Ken (VA3KA) informed the Club that there still were WCARC-owned tower sections in storage on his property. Wayne (VE3CZO) went to Ken (VA3KA)’s place and inventoried the tower sections on the premise. There are five steel sections (40 feet total), one section has a top shelf but no rotator shelf. There are also four aluminum tower sections (30 feet total) on the premise. Finally, there is a smaller diameter steel section. The Club will offer the aluminum tower sections back to Luc (VE3JGL), who was the original owner. We shall also make the steel tower sections available to anyone in exchange for a donation to the Club. We will address this in the spring.
New Business
- WCARC Winter POTA (Parks On The Air): Laurence (VA3IQ) proposed a one-day activation at the Baxter Conservation Area shelter. We would set up inside a cabin. The rental fee for the cabin is $65 per day. We could deploy an end-fed antenna with a triplexer splitter for the 40m, 20m and 10m bands. It would likely be a battery operation. The members present at the meeting showed interest in the activity. Lawrence will visit the site in advance and report back to the Club.
- RAC YOTA (Youth On The Air) Summer Camp: Charles (VA3CPY) informed us that RAC is organizing a YOTA summer camp to be held in July 2023. This could be an interesting activity for the Club to get involved in. More to follow.
Show and tell
- Wayne showed a prototype of his laser communicator, a device that can replace the Ramsey units that we use during the summer VHF contest. It will be a complete transceiver on one board.
Ask the Club
- Mike (VA3TEC) showed a 902 MHz antenna and asked for some input on the type and polarization of the antenna.
Adjournment
The President observed that there was no further business; the meeting was adjourned at 9:07 pm.