Meeting Minutes
secretary@kwarc.org

General Meeting October 1st

Meeting started by Dennis at 7:40pm, which included the introductions by all members and guests attending this evening.

Dennis started off announcing the "Jamboree on the Air" (J.O.T.A), organized by Lynda Hayward (VA3LWH). This was held on Saturday October 20th, and was an International event, with the Scouts trying to make world wide contacts. They will use 2M, 6M and our UHF Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP) link on 444.875, PL 131.8. Last year they were able to contact Brazil on 10Meters. Go get 'em guys!

KWARC Program Director, Dave Johnson, (VA3MRJ), introduced the guest speaker for this evening, our very own Fred Louwe (VE3OQB) and Ben Sasiela (VA3BNY), who presented a review of Field Day. There were operators on 6M, 10M, 20M, 40M, 80M & 160M as well. In total, we had over 700 contacts this year. 30 contacts on 6M, 110 on 10M, 121 on 20M, 454 on 40M, and on 80 to 160M, there were 67 contacts on 80M, one being on AM. 160M had 56 this year compared to 8 last year.

Gord Hayward (VE3EOS) used a Hot air Balloon up at 150 feet to get out on 160M. Bob McKie (VA3MCK) and Don Fisher (VE3ESE) transported the helium tank for Gord. Thanks guys. Dave Johnson (VA3MRJ) said the local pilots were wondering what the light was for on the balloon. Don't hit it!

Fred Louwe (VE3OQB) got to use his new BBQ to make his world famous chili and along with his wife made some rhubarb pies. Mmm good!! Fred would also like to thank Ben for all his help with Field Day. Thank you Ben.

We had Ben's (VA3BNY) 3,500 watt generator on hand which drank 20 gallons of fuel, it's noisy but does a great job.
Dave Johnson (VA3MRJ) asked for some other operators or people interested in helping out at next years Field Day, so get off the couch and help 'em! You know you want to!

Congratulations to all operators and to those who helped in the background, doing all the odd jobs, a sincere thank you to all of you. Without all your tireless efforts, we wouldn't have succeeded.
Brian Lowe (VE3TJE) won $26 in the 50/50 draw, and was picked by Ron Gravelle (VA3TVS)

We also had a special talk by Robert Gissing (VE3ZLV) who was able to make arrangements and go to New York City (NYC) and help with Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)
Robert read the ARRL notice asking for ARES help. He made radio equipment and housing arrangements. Tedd Doda (VE3TJD), Paul Cassel (VE3SY) and Ben Sasiela (VA3BNY) all supplied the requested dual band radio, antennas, cables and power supply. Thank you very much for your team work in getting the necessary communication equipment together quickly.

He took the train down to NYC, which was a 12hr ride. At the U.S./Canada border crossing, he told U.S. officials what he was doing and they let him through without any trouble. As you can imagine, communications were at a premium in NYC. When he arrived, the first thing he noticed was the smell, and it wasn't pleasant. The 576 ARES volunteers worked 16 hr days, in shifts like a well oiled machine. 

Robert was key in assisting the Red Cross in the task of creating coordination documents, coordinating of personnel, transportation scheduling and was also a personal assistant to the ARES Director, Jay Farren, who was overseeing radio and personnel relief efforts.

The U.S. Military was on hand to provide tight security of "ground zero", and to control any looting that might have taken place. One person was caught stealing a women's hand with her rings still on her fingers, the person was immediately arrested on site.
Amateur radio relief traffic was carried on 24hrs a day, seven days a week, in the assistance of Emergency Services. As the first line of communication was wiped out, the phone system, ARES provided the area with phone patches, together with radio communications for police because the trunked police system was also overloaded. This type of exercise is not written in the ARRL handbook, you see what needs to be done and you do it. People had to adapt quickly to ever changing conditions. 
Nextel donated 1,000 phones and 500 pagers, together with other equipment donations, some from computer companies, will help in the recovery process.

At the scene, some U.S. citizen's asked Robert (VE3ZLV) where he was from, he replied "I'm Canadian and I wanted to help if I could" they were very appreciative, and thanked him for his help. We would also like to personally thank Robert Gissing (VE3ZLY) for all his assistance.

Dave Johnson (VA3MRJ) made a motion to the floor. We took a vote at this nights meeting and the club will donate $100 to the ARRL education fund. All present was in favor. Thank you too all our members for your complete support.

Meeting adjourned at 9:55pm

Ron Gravelle VA3TVS
KWARC Secretary

errors or omissions to secretary@kwarc.org