QCWA WILD ROSE CHAPTER 151 (Luncheon Meeting Minutes - September 22, 2007)

Minutes of Chapter 151 Meeting Held On September 22, 2007
German Canadian Club (Heidelberg Restaurant)
2626 - 23 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta

 

Introduction of New Members, Friends and Guests

Ken Oelke, VE6AFO, introduced Guests Terry Paden, VE6TEP, and first time attendee Dwight Williams, VE6PK. Present again was Earle Smith, VE6NM, President of Radio Amateurs of Canada, who had driven down from Grande Prairie. There were 31 members, friends and guests who signed in.

President's Report

Ken Oelke, VE6AFO, said he was pleased with the membership renewals. He announced that the Calgary Military Museums Society still need more volunteers to help set up a CW demo for students touring the Museum.

The next QCWA National Convention will be held in Denver, Colorado - October 5-7, 2007.

Chapter 151 Secretary's Report

The minutes of the April 28, 2007 meeting were distributed to those present. Moved by Bill Metcalfe, VE6BF and seconded by Gerry Linton, VE6PL that the minutes be approved. Carried.

Chapter 151 Treasurer's Report - Financial Update and Membership Update

Treasurer John Smith, VE6AI was not in attendance so President Ken Oelke, VE6AFO issued the report to all members present. From April 1, 2007 to August 31, 2007, total income was $4,356.24 and the total expenses $910.57. The bank balance on August 31, 2007, was $6239.46. The large amount of income is due to a transfer of $3618.06 from the QCWA Convention-2006 account, which was closed after all expenses were paid.

We currently have a total of 33 paid up full members and 10 friends. Renewals due September 1, 2007, include 7 full members and 6 friends bringing the possible total to 56. Moved by Mitch Goodjohn, VE6SM and seconded by Earle Smith, VE6NM, to accept the report. Motion passed. Ken Oelke, VE6AFO mentioned that Leslie Kawamura, VE6ET, recently joined as a new member and Andy Webb, VE6EN recently joined as a new friend.

Old Business

The Calgary Military Museums Society sent a letter of appreciation for our $300.00 donation.

Ongoing Business

QCWA Chapter 151 donated $300.00 to the Calgary Military Museums Society that was enough to buy six code practice oscillators (MF J557 at $39.95) to go with the five other MFJ 557 the Museum had. The $300.00 donated by the Calgary Communications Club (our partner in this program) would buy headsets and other equipment. Newly licensed Terry Paden, VE6TEP helped Carolyn Foard of the Museum set this equipment up. Larry Chapple, VE6KC helped with a demonstration of Morse code on September 21 to 12 of the 90 young students who toured the Museum (two students per code practice oscillator) having them to send their names in CW.

New Business

The membership discussed future meeting venues. Since the German Canadian Club priced has increased to $22.00, with the Chapter subsidizing $4.00, the cost was only $18.00 for this particular meeting. Ken and Linda-Lou Oelke, VE6AFO and VE6LGO, have investigated different meeting places. The new venue decided on is the Tuxedo Community Association, which should bring the cost down to $12.00 each. Chapter 151 will cater their own luncheon with the help of Linda-Lou Oelke, VE6LGO, Valerie Hepburn, VE6VMH and Doreen Hammond, VE6GQ.

Silent Keys

At this time, 11:00 AM, to coincide with the memorial service in Toronto for Tom Atkins, VE3CDM - a moment of silence was held for Silent Keys Frank Clements, VE6AY, Mel Ekland, VE6VS, and Tom Atkins, VE3CDM.

Election for Officers (Past President Les Card, VE6CA)

Past President Les Card, VE6CA conducted the nominations for the next 2 year term of the Chapter 151 Officers. Ken Oelke, VE6AFO agreed to continue as President. No other nominations were received for President. The position of Vice-president is still vacant. Mitch Goodjohn, VE6SM, was elected Secretary by acclamation and Gerry Linton, VE6PL, was elected Treasurer by acclamation. Bill Metcalfe, VE6BF thanked the outgoing Secretary Jack Ambler, VE6CAQ and Treasurer John Smith, VE6AI for their service to Chapter 151.

33-33-33 Ticket Draw ($17.50 in Pool From Last Meeting)

The first ticket was drawn by Max Farmer, VE6SL, with 1/3 of the ticket sales of $29.66 going to him. The second ticket was drawn by Don Eaglesham, VA6DJE, who cut the deck of cards for the other 1/3 of ticket sales. Having not drawn an ace (a requirement to win the 'big pool') for the remaining $29.66, this amount will go back into the 'big pool' to be drawn at our next meeting in the spring of 2008. Each time a card is drawn from the deck, it is discarded making it easier to draw an ace the next time. Whoever eventually draws an ace gets the entire pool at that time. The remaining 1/3 - $29.66 goes to the Chapter.

Max Farmer, VE6SL later announced that he was donating his 1/3 winnings back to the Chapter. Thank you Max!

Adjournment

Jack Ambler, VE6CAQ moved to adjourn the meeting.

Program - "High Altitude Ballooning" - Tony Rafaat, VA6TNY

Tony was introduced by Ken Oelke, VE6AFO. Tony teaches at the Outreach School in Hanna, AB. The program was very interesting, as generally they are at our meetings. The weather balloon is attached to a Styrofoam container holding a camera, an APRS tracking device and a VHF amateur radio to send down elevation and location data plus a parachute to lower the balloon and container after the balloon bursts.

The first two launches were unsuccessful but the third launch on August 11, 2007, from Sherwood Park, AB, travelled to a location north of Vegreville, AB and at an altitude of 117,587 feet. Hundreds of photos (one per minute) showed excellent views at various altitudes and the photo at maximum height showed the earth curvature.

Jack Ambler VE6CAQ
Secretary QCWA Chapter 151