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PACKETEERING @ KWARC |
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PACKETEERING @ KWARC |
 The packet
people have been busy conducting surveys in the last month. Of the dozen members queried,
there appears to be no standard preference in Terminal Node Controllers. Baycom, MFJ and
Tiny 2 are equally matched with 2 users each. Pro Com, KPC and Savant were also
represented. Choice boils down to personal recommendations, and how much you want to
spend! Money continues to trickle into our coffers at a slow but steady pace. It was suggested By VE3UVR that perhaps this money should be put to a more constructive use than generating interest in a GIC. A further idea was that we consider sending two reps to the Millenium Packet Conference being held in Los Vegas next April. VE3LGN has contacts for discount mid week 3 day return flights to this destination that we could probably access for this purpose as the flights are usually somewhat under booked around tax accounting time. VE3EOS offered to pursue the details of the conference and report back. After a very interesting discussion a vote was taken. It was agreed in principle that we will underwrite two and possibly three packet users for the 3 day conference. The choice of candidates will be made at our June meeting. It will be in the form of a draw open to all who put their name in as being available on the conference dates. Harold was assured that QCC members would not be excluded as being to old for the discount flight package. The VE3EOS portable antenna project has been a success. We now have a band of packeteers ready for ARES emergency conditions such as heavy ice and RSL (remote station locations). Gord reported that he is anticipating doing some research on a radically new concept in antenna design. He isn't saying much as his proposal is still in the works for an NRC grant. Suffice to say that it involves laser technology in the blue- green spectrum. Dr G. is hoping to work on a new cooling technology that will slow down impulses to suitable pickup speed for current rigs (when the appropriate module is retrofitted). Regarding the Y2K problem for those of you who are concerned about the digital clock in your HF rig. QRZ magazine reports in an upcoming issue that with a minor adjustment the current impulse velocity factor of 0.66 microns can be slowed to 0.60 microns thus eliminating all of the problems of January 2000. Our next Packet Group meeting will
be on Tuesday 6 April @7PM in the Ratz-Bechtel Family Centre. Join us. de Larry Gorman
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