Minutes of General & Exec. Meetings
secretary@kwarc.org

Recording Secretary Bill Graham VE3ETK

Minutes of the April 2nd /2001 general meeting of the Kitchener Waterloo Amateur radio Club.

President Bob VA3MCK called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

An announcement was made by Harold Braun of the upcoming QCWA Spring meeting, with an invitation for anyone qualified to join.

Roll Call was then held.

Ben VA3BNY introduced Bill VE3ETK as the new club Program Chairman.

Bill in turn introduced Paul VE3SY as our guest speaker, on the subject of “The QSL, then and now”. Please see the bulletin sidebar on Paul’s presentation.

Following the presentation Bob VA3MCK briefly turned the microphone over to Bruce VE3BWX who announced that he was turning in the coffee maker and challenged the membership to find his replacement in a hurry.

Rich Clausi VE3DCC requested volunteers for parking duty at the Flea Market.

Paul VE3SY explained briefly of the often unknown value of ham memorabilia, and in particular the case of one old Collins manual.

Fred Louwe VE3QTB announced Field Day and requested volunteers.

Bob VA3MCK announced Break at 8:45

The meeting was recalled to order at 9:00

Charles made the 50/50 draw, with Ted VE3CD winning $26.50.

Ron, VA3TVS, our Canwarn Coordinator explained (via an internet item) how Amateur operators got to be called ‘Hams”.  See http://crick.com/hamu/yhams.html for the item.  Then Ron explained his handout of weather terminology.  If you missed the handout, see http://www.spc.noaa.gov.  There will be a simulated emergency situation on April 21/01 via VE3KSR.  …… VE3AJI will assist.

Ron VE3DBD reported that the latest Basic course was progressing well, with the exam soon to come.  Gord VE3EOS reported that the “coffee table” Advanced Course is also doing fine.

Larry VE3LGN gave a brief Packet report, the details will be printed in the bulletin.

There was no Treasurers report – he had to leave early.

Bill VE3ETK gave a brief report of the programs planned to date.

Ben VA3BNY reported that the latest technical report was in the bulletin, but that he and Tedd VE3TJD attended the Southern Ontario/Western New York Repeater Council meeting with regard to the lasted repeater frequency coordination.

Dave VE3NXD, who had been travelling to South Carolina, told us about an exciting situation that occurred on the Maritime Net (14.300) over a six and a half hour period involving pirates boarding a private vessel, shooting an occupant, destroying the communications gear, and leaving only ham radio as a way for the then abandoned sailors to request help.  Dave has promised a sidebar for the bulletin.

Paul VE3SY has a Dayton room and a pair of Admission Tickets available – contact him or Marg directly if interested. (519) 634-5139

Famous mobiler Marv VE2PK was introduced as a new KWARC member.  He in turn commented briefly on his mobile gear.

Bill VE3WFR moved for adjournment at 9:23

Executive Board Meeting Tuesday April 3rd/2001
Ratz-Bechtel Family Center

Present: President Bob McKie VA3MCK, Vice President Dennis Tabbert VA3DLT, Webmaster Paul Cassel VE3SY, Treasurer Dave Schwartz VA3DGS, Packet Director Larry Gorman VE3LGN, Technical Director Ben Sasiela VA3BNY, Program Chairman Bill Graham VE3ETK, ARES Co-ordinator Robert Gissing, VE3ZLV, Ken VE3AKI

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM

VE3SY Paul commented about the ham in Elliot Lake who was charged with mischief, and of how he (Paul) had cleaned up our web site re info on this situation.

VE3ZLV Bob commented re REACT meeting and the upcoming simulated emergency.

VE3DBD Ron commented re CANWARN and the April 21 simulated emergency.

VE3LGN Larry Gorman will be the assistant ARES coordinator.

VA3DGS Dave reported as Treasurer that income is almost exactly matching outgo. All accounts are up to date and all bills paid.

VE3AKI Ken read the Awards List in preparation for this year's presentations. There was discussion about getting the Awards Committee together to proceed with this.

VE3MCK opened discussion on our ruling that, with elections, committees are terminated and must be reformed for the new term. The Club Constitution was consulted re the proper process for Election of the Executive and Directors, and hence the naming of various persons to chairs.

VE3DLT brought up the matter of a 2 year limit on Directorship (mentioned earlier by Bob VE3MCK). Consensus was reached that no limit is needed, that the Club Constitution covers such situation appropriately.

VE3SY Paul spoke to the matter of having VE3RBM open or closed regarding codes. Agreed that codes should remain closed.

VA3BNY Ben spoke about the need of leaving the node up on VE3RBM. Some in depth discussion resulted, and it was felt, in the end, that VE3RBM is a tertiary repeater in terms of usage and that it can be devoted to IRLP, hence there was no problem leaving the node up at this time.

VE3ETK Bill reported on the upcoming programs. VE3SY Paul is doing IRLP for May. The June guest is still in question and that situation will be clarified in a few days.

VE3LGN Larry commented that funds are still trickling in re Packet.

VA3BNY Ben reported that:

1. Crystals have been ordered for the new NASA transmitter, and for future VE3KSR replacement.

2. On his attendance at the Repeater Council, and that a contribution of $40.00 was made to the Council. Moved by Ben and seconded by Larry VE3LGW that a cheque be issued from KWARC. Approved.

3. 147.150 NASA link is up and running. It will run simultaneous to VE3RCK, with a phased crossover with appropriate announcements on each transmitter. At the present the link is putting out 110 watts from Manheim. It was suggested by VE3SY Paul that a letter be issued on Club letterhead over Bob's signature and be sent to Bell Canada (along with a picture of the operational transmitter) to thank them.

4. Ben spoke about also using this transmitter for CANWARN purposes.

5. Ben related that there should be no further expenses for this project, except for the installation of a phone line.

VE3SY Paul requested more frequent updates to the CANWARN web page.

VA3BNY Ben also mentioned that the technical committee is looking for a good but inexpensive digital answering machine.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 PM