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
Bertrand Zauhar VE2ZAZ Secretary FN25bk Yes Yes
Lawrence Dobranski VA3IQ Vice President FN25 Yes Yes
Mike Kennedy VA3TEC President FN25 Yes Yes
Glenn MacDonell VE3XRA Treasurer FN25dj Yes Yes
Ray Perrin VE3FN Member FN25dk Yes Yes
Norman Siemens VE3NPP Member FN25 Yes Yes
Rémi De Cristofaro VA3DRI Member FN25 Yes Yes
Clayton Smith VE3IRR Member EN82qb Yes Yes
Wayne Getchell VE3CZO Director FN25dh Yes Yes
Georges-A. Chaudron VE2VAB Member FN25 Yes Yes
John McGowan VA3JYK Member FN25 Yes Yes
Jeremy Jones VA3ZTF Visitor FN25 No -
Andrew Hart VE3NVK Visitor FN25 No -
Alfio Ferrara VA3FAF Visitor FN25 No -

Opening

The meeting was opened by the President, Mike (VA3TEC), at 7:08 pm. There were three visitors attending the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

The meeting agenda, which these meeting minutes rigorously follow, was published on the groups.io mail reflector on March 12th. Mike (VA3TEC) moved that the agenda be adopted as published. Bert (VE2ZAZ) seconded. A unanimous vote in favour of the motion took place, and the motion was carried.

Secretary’s Report

  • Bert could not produce the January 2025 regular meeting minutes at the February meeting. He instead posted a draft version of those meeting minutes on the Club website prior to this meeting. Moved by him that the January 2025 meeting minutes be adopted as posted on the website. The motion was seconded by Glenn (VE3XRA). A unanimous vote in favour of the motion took place, and the motion was carried.
  • Bert posted a draft version of the February 2025 regular meeting minutes on the Club website prior to this meeting. Moved by him that the minutes be adopted as posted on the website. The motion was seconded by Wayne (VE3CZO). A unanimous vote in favour of the motion took place, and the motion was carried.

Treasurer’s Report

Glenn is working on a system that will allow members to pay their dues via an Interac email transfer, with the money automatically deposited into the Club bank account. The arrangement with the bank is almost ready. As soon as it is, Glenn will send payment instructions on the Club groups.io email reflector. The 2025 dues are $30, payable as soon as possible.

Vice President’s Report

  • Lawrence updated the activity calendar on the Meetings page of our Club website. It lists the monthly meeting dates and planned speakers and topics, the proposed breakfasts and MAD days, and the “VHF and above” contest dates.
  • Upcoming monthly meeting presentations:
    • Being Planned:
      • Rich (VE3KI): A presentation of the new QSY feature in the WSJT-X software;
      • Lawrence (VA3IQ): N1MM+ radio control functionality;
      • A presentation on the microwave Canadian Coastal Radar project.
  • This year’s Smiths Falls Hamfest (on May 17th) will still take place at the Civitan Club.
  • We will have a Microwave Activity Day on April 5th: The recommendation is to go to the Diefenbunker. Bert (VE2ZAZ) will ask the Bunker staff for permission to setup there.
  • Microwave Update (MUD) 2026 will take place in Toronto. The organizers are looking for volunteers to help during the event.

Director’s Report

The Director had nothing to report.

President’s Report

The President had nothing to report.

Presentation(s)

Jeremy Jones (VA3ZTF): His prototype azimuth/elevation tracking system for satellite operation.

Old Business

Bert (VE2ZAZ) contacted the Kinburn Association to reserve the Kinburn Centre for our June VHF contest. The 2025 contest dates are now booked in their event calendar. He expects to receive the contract during the month of March.

New Business

Bert (VE2ZAZ) suggested that we could integrate a Google Calendar onto our website, as was done by another HAM club in the area. Clayton (VE3IRR), our webmaster, will explore what is possible to be done. Mike will also look for various other possibilities.

Show and tell

  • Bert (VE2ZAZ) showed a small RF relay (Omron G6Z-1F-A) available at a low cost on AliExpress.
  • Mike (VA3TEC) showed the EnjoyDigital M2 slot LiteX SDR board, and how to compile the code for its on-board FPGA.

Ask the Club

Alfio (VA3FAF) asked about frequency measurement of his GPSDO. He also asked about how to verify one voltage reference he owns.

Adjournment

The President observed that there was no further business; the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.