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
Lawrence Dobranski VA3IQ Vice President FN25 Yes Yes
Bertrand Zauhar VE2ZAZ Secretary FN25bk Yes Yes
Robert Boyd VE3BE Director FN25 Yes Yes
René Barbeau VE2UG Member FN35gs Yes Yes
Randy Nordlund VE3AX Member FN25jg Yes Yes
Tom Zinck VA3NFA Member FN25 Yes Yes
Clayton Smith VE3IRR Member EN82nh Yes Yes
Ted Reinhardt VE3EDE Member FN25 Yes Yes
Ray Perrin VE3FN Member FN25dk Yes Yes
Norman Siemens VE3NPP Member FN25 Yes Yes

Opening

The meeting was opened by the Vice President, Lawrence (VA3IQ), at 7:10 pm. There were no visitors attending the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

The meeting agenda was displayed prior to the meeting, and is reproduced below. Lawrence (VA3IQ) 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 posted a draft version of the January 2026 regular meeting minutes on the Club website prior to this meeting. Moved by him that the minutes be adopted as posted. The motion was seconded by Robert (VE3BE). A unanimous vote in favour of the motion took place, and the motion was carried.
  • The 2025 Financial Statement and President Report were posted the Club website by Clayton (VE3IRR), our webmaster.

Treasurer’s Report

  • Glenn, the Treasurer, was absent.
  • The Vice President reported that Mike (VA3TEC), our President, is working on reconstituting the detailed members list, which allows us to track the membership, dues and contact information.

Vice President’s Report

  • Lawrence (VA3IQ) is working on organizing an in-person regular members meeting the Spring of 2026. Robert is working with the Diefenbunker on this matter, however he had no update to report.
  • May MAD: Lawrence is trying to set up a group event for the May Microwave Activity Day. This is a good rehearsal for the various upcoming contests.
  • Upcoming monthly meeting presentations:
    • Being Planned (speakers shall provide a synopsis of their presentation to Lawrence):
      • Wayne (VE3CZO) - Selecting the right capacitor for an application.
      • Mike (VA3TEC) - IP400 Presentation.
      • Tom (VA3NFA) / Ted (VE3EDE) / Lawrence (VA3IQ) - AREDN Status.
      • Lawrence (VA3IQ) - How to not brick AREDN nodes.
      • Lawrence (VA3IQ) - Logging software acting as Rover controller.

Director’s Report

Robert had nothing to report.

President’s Report

The President was absent.

Presentation(s)

None this month. A discussion on ongoing projects took place instead.

Old Business

  • Update the Officer signatures (President and Vice-President signatures) on file at the Alterna bank, as we have had a change of directorship at this AGM. No progress to report on this item. Open item.
  • Glenn (VE3XRA), Tuesday evening SSB net: Lately, Glenn has had a harder time hosting the net due to personal matters. He suggested that the Club Officers discuss, in the upcoming months, whether to carry on with holding the net. Lawrence is considering taking over the duties. Shared net control duties is also considered. Open item.
  • Bert (VE2ZAZ) on using the Corkery Community Centre for our June VHF Contest outing. He reached out to the Centre’s manager, and they replied with positive news on building availability. They are waiting for the rental fee structure, and will come back to us in March with a firm weekend fee. We should expect it to be in the $300 range. Open item.
  • Bert requested that the Treasurer create a members spreadsheet and post it online for the Officers to consult or modify. A Google Sheet located on a Google Drive would be the ideal medium. Open item.

New Business

  • Lawrence (VA3IQ) will issue a survey on our WCARC groups.io. The survey will ask the members about using Microsoft Teams instead of Zoom for our monthly meetings. The Zoom licensing cost is of more than $200, whereas using Teams is free. In no case will a transition occur before we fully test the Teams solution.

Show and tell / Round Table

  • René (VE2UG) showed a 150W DF9IC 20dB gain 1296MHz amplifier to pair with his new transverter.
  • René (VE2UG) showed a Radio-Berry, an SDR HF transceiver based on the Raspberry Pi 4. It is sold on Ali-Express for $118.
  • Ted VE3EDE detailed a small SPDT absorptive switch to interrupt the output of the ADF4351 on 1296 MHz for CW sending purpose.
  • Bert showed a Williams 200 ps pulse generator he put together. It is used to check oscilloscope bandwidth.

Ask the Club

No questions were asked.

Adjournment

The Vice President observed that there was no further business. Bert (VE2ZAZ) moved that the meeting be adjourned. Randy (VE3AX) seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.

WCARC Regular Members Meeting Agenda - February 16th, 2026

  1. Call to Order @ 7 pm (Recording Reminder)
  2. Opening Statements, Take attendance
  3. Approve Agenda
  4. Secretary’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Financial Statement
  6. Vice President’s Report
  7. Director’s Report
  8. President’s Yearly Report
  9. Presentation: None; group discussion instead
  10. Old Business
  11. New Business
  12. Show and Tell / Elmer Questions / Trade-Swap-Sell
  13. Closing - Final remarks