The President's Report
by Bob McKie VA3MCK president@kwarc.org 

There are presently 3 North American Reflector links that can be turned on to carry the 440M signal across the country to various nodes by turning one of the reflectors on from VE3RBM.  Each node has a code that is then programmed by the club member into VE3RBM.

There is also 1 node in Europe (UK).   It's similar to high speed Packet only on FM voice.  I was on mobile talking to one VE7  60 miles north of Vancouver and one VE7 mobile in downtown Vancouver.  It was as clear as talking on RCK or KSR.

The codes are to be KWARC confidential.   Please DO NOT RELEASE THE CODES to anyone not a KWARC member. Paul is setting up a club confidential directory for worldwide codes as they become available.  If you have KWARC membership and a 440M set contact Paul at ve3sy@kwarc.org  for codes.  

A special thanks to Paul Cassel who paid for this and set it up by himself.

Another news flash: Ron Gravelle VA3TVS has volunteered to be our Canwarn Chair.  Ron is well versed in weather watching as he is a member of the US storm chasers in Texas for a couple of weeks each year, and will be taking off soon for this years two week stint.   Ron will be calling Canwarn practice sessions soon!  He and John Schreiter VE3DOS will be sharing Net Controller duties.

Last month's meeting was a success, and there is every likelihood that the rest of the season will match. Also another news flash. Bill Graham VE3ETK has volunteered to be the new Program Chairman replacing Ben VA3BNY.    Thank you sincerely Ben for the three years of excellent meetings.  Ben stays on as Tech Director. Bill of course has presented many excellent programs himself and has many contacts in the hobby. You can look forward to a continuation of the same interesting high quality meetings!

Robert Gissing VE3ZLV is updating our local ARES and will also be getting the members together for ARES practice sessions soon.

Our Technical Committee under Ben VA3BNY, Tedd VE3TJD,  Terry VE3NEJ, Frank VE3OFH are setting up a new simplex station to carry the NASA link fed from committee member Terry Taylor VE3NEJ to rebroadcast for the schools.   All repeaters are running well now. Tedd VE3TJD has been doing a wonderful job of fixing things up and repairing equipment.  Ben will have more in his report.

Both Ron Gimbel VE3DBD has the Basic course well under way at St Mary's, and Dr. Gord Hayward VE3EOS reports the Advanced seminar around his kitchen table is under way.

Packet continues well and Larry VE3LGN will have a report in the Kilowatter.

Our finances are gradually returning, reports our treasurer Dave Schwartz VA3DGS.  And that after we undertook the biggest project in this clubs history!!!  I have had the pleasure of working with an excellent Executive and the best committees the club has ever had!!!  What club interaction cooperation and spirit.  Thank you all!!!

That's it for now . See you at the April meeting!!!

Sincerely, Bob McKie VA3MCK President
president@kwarc.org