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
Norman Siemens VE3NPP Member FN25 Yes Yes
Mike Kennedy VA3TEC President FN25 Yes Yes
Randy Nordlund VE3AX Member FN25jg Yes Yes
Tom Zinck VA3NFA Member FN25 Yes Yes
Luc Pernot VE3JGL Member FN25ek Yes Yes
Ray Perrin VE3FN Member FN25 Yes Yes
Ted Reinhardt VE3TD 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. Norman (VE3NPP) 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 July 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 Randy (VE3AX). A unanimous vote in favour of the motion took place, and the motion was carried.

Treasurer’s Report

Glenn (VE3XRA), the Treasurer, was absent. Mike (VA3TEC), our President, is helping out with the Treasurer duties. Mike visited the Alterna Bank, and they provided him with a printed update of our bank accounts. As of July 21st 2026, the Club had $3,084.17 in the checking account, and held a five-year term deposit of $1,204.93. Mike is still trying to sort out the online account access issue.

Vice President’s Report

  • Upcoming monthly meeting presentations:
    • Being planned (speakers shall provide a synopsis of their presentation to Lawrence):
      • October: René (VE2UG) - Slot antennas for 1.2 GHz
      • Corey from Q5 Signals
      • Tom (VA3NFA) / Ted (VE3TD) / Lawrence (VA3IQ) - AREDN Status
      • Lawrence (VA3IQ) - How to not brick AREDN nodes
      • Mike (VA3TEC) - His Roving Trailer
  • We shall decide soon where to hold our AGM.

Director’s Report

Prior to this meeting, Robert sent an email to the Officers in which he stated he had nothing to report.

President’s Report

Mike had nothing to report.

Presentation(s)

No presentation was given.

Old Business

  • Tuesday evening SSB net: Lawrence (VA3IQ) will take over the duties once his antenna stack and mast are installed, which is currently happening. He will be active on four bands and with 25 watts of output power. He is planning on resuming the Net in the fall. However due to a health issue, he will not be able to host the net in September. Open item
  • Mike (VA3TEC) to report back on the Club’s finances. He will do so at the August meeting, or before. Update: He did at this meeting. Closed item
  • Lawrence (VA3IQ) and our Christmas party. Lawrence will follow up with the RAC staff to see if we can book the meeting room at the RAC HQ. Open item
  • Lawrence (VA3IQ): There is some confusion on whether our Club score can count in the Ontario VHF Association’s submission for the ARRL June VHF Contest. Some of our participants did not show up as being OVHFA members. We will report back when we have more information. Open item

New Business

  • Carp Hamfest. Open item
    • Bert (VE2ZAZ) confirmed that a table is reserved for WCARC.
    • Members are expected to man the table. Lawrence (VA3IQ), Randy (VA3AX), Ted (VE3TD), and Tom (VA3NFA) volunteered to take turns in manning the table.
    • Lawrence (VA3IQ) will bring a computer showing AREDN, weather and so on.
    • Mike (VA3TEC) will bring his 10 GHz gear.
  • Randy (VE3AX) proposed to have Club polo shirts and T-shirts made. Lawrence will issue a poll to gauge the interest. Open item

Show and tell / Round Table

  • Bert (VE2ZAZ) provided an update on his a 10 GHz Beacon. He now has all the hardware needed to put together the beacon. He is designing the controller PCB. It should be up and running on the tower before the winter.
  • Randy (VE3AX) announced that the Eastern Ontario Hamfest in St-Albert will take place on October 3rd.
  • Lawrence showed a 60 GHz waveguide switch he purchased from France. He will use it on his 47 GHz setup.

Ask the Club

Lawrence asked the group about the value of old laptop computers, and whether it would be worth selling them. The consensus was that there is little interest in trying to sell laptop computers that are many CPU generations old.

Adjournment

The President observed that there was no further business. Bert (VE2ZAZ) moved that the meeting be adjourned. Lawrence (VA3IQ) seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

WCARC Regular Members Meeting Agenda - August 17th, 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 Report
  9. Presentation: No presentation was given. A round table discussion was held.
  10. Old Business
  11. New Business
  12. Show and Tell / Elmer Questions / Trade-Swap-Sell
  13. Closing - Final remarks