Technical Committee Minutes by Ben VA3BNY

In attendance were Tedd Doda VE3TJD, Ben Sasiela VA3BNY, Dave Johnson VA3MRJ

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss three agenda urgent items as follows.

1. Application was received from the Stratford Club proposing to install a voter for their repeater in Kitchener
2. Operation of VE3KSR problems and recommendations for fixes/replacement etc
3. Comparisons of repeater controllers and recommendations to the club

Resolutions Item 1. Stratford Club Application
The technical committee evaluated this request and determined that the best location for the Stratford Voter would be to locate it on the Baden Hill.

This would permit a good clear path back to Stratford, as well as satisfactory receiving. WE will be contacting Tom McKay VE3KVD of Stratford and inviting him to our exec meeting for a full report, with the recommendation of the tech committee.

Resolution No. 2 Operation of VE3KSR Repeater.
Several ideas and course of actions have been suggested. The tech committee will attempt to re-set all of the operating options of this repeater, in the even that something was incorrectly set, and had caused the problem. 

The second route would be to again, remove this repeater as soon as weather permits, and place it on a repair bench to re-adjust and verify all levels, in hopes of rectifying the recent problems. If satisfactory repairs cannot be made, the third route would be to remove the repeater entirely from service and temporary install a backup GE exec II that the tech committee has, without controller, to continue operation until a replacement can be found. 

The technical committee is also suggesting that the club embark on a program to purchase a new controller and repeater transceiver and retire the old Maggorie from service. It has become increase difficult to maintain acceptable service of the old repeater. The technical committee will be researching as to obtain the best-suited equipment for this replacement, and will report back to the clubs exec team with recommendations.

Resolution No 3 Comparison or Repeater Controllers.
The tech committee has been asked by the club exec team to report and make recommendations for the purchase of a repeater controller that would be suitable for kwarc need now and in the future. After evaluating approx 5 brands of controllers taking into account costs, features, support, warranty and several other considerations, the tech committee has narrowed the choice down to the products produced by Computer Automated Technologies. 

The tech committee will be making a recommendation to procure a CAT 1000 controller with a few options. This will be discussed at the exec level for final concurrence.

Meeting adjourned at approx 8.30 pm

Minutes by VA3BNY