QCWA WILD ROSE REPEATER

April, 2006

What a flurry of activity there has been these days! Since the December 2005 newsletter, where we reported on the December 2nd International Space Station contact, there was another contact with ISS Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR on March 21, 2006.

NEXT LUNCHEON MEETING - APRIL 29, 2006

Now is the time to make plans to attend our spring meeting. The spring luncheon meeting will be held at the #264 Royal Canadian Legion, in the Royal Kensington Room, located at 1910 Kensington Road NW. Pre-meeting coffee, and eyeballing, begins at 10:00 AM.

We need to have a firm and 'paid up' commitment for the luncheon. All tickets must be purchased by April 25, 2006. Send a cheque, bank draft or money order for $15.00 each made out to 'QCWA Chapter 151" and mail to Ken Oelke, 729 Harvest Hills Drive NE, Calgary, AB T3K 4R3. We will hold your tickets at the door.

We will be having a very interesting program by the Calgary Rocket Club. Many of the members involved acquired their ham radio licence to do radio telemetry from the rocket launch back to earth. They build their own equipment (not very often seen today) and interface all this with amateur radio. As this will be the only meeting this year, because of the convention in September 2006, mark your calendar now!

For luncheon meeting updates visit your website at: http:/www.obsd.com/qcwa-chapter151

REPORT ON QCWA NATIONAL CONVENTION-2006

The third meeting of the QCWA Convention-2006 Planning Committee took place on April 4th, 2006 at Devry Institute. According to everyone on the committee - all things are pointing to a very exciting and successful convention. Door prizes are coming in at a furious rate thanks to many that have taken it upon themselves to ask many of our local businesses. We have secured the major ham door prize - an Alfa Spid Rotor (valued at over $900.00) courtesy Alfa Radio and the major door prize for the ladies - an Ammolite Pendant (valued at $500.00) courtesy Korite Mining Corporation.

Remember - convention date has been set for September 28 - 30, 2006. (Mark your calendar NOW!)

The convention hotel will be the Port O' Call Inn, a Best Western hotel, located on the corner of McKnight Blvd (48 Avenue) and 19th Street N.E. The Convention-2006 Committee have negotiated an excellent guaranteed guest room rate of $100.00 (all taxes included!) But, you must book by August 26, 2006 to be guaranteed this rate.

REPORT OF NEW MEMBERS

Treasurer John Smith, VE6AI brings us his report of new members and friends since the last newsletter.

We have no new members joining as of this report however - we have received a few renewals. Renewals have been received from Rick Zabrodski, VE6GK, Jean Smith, VE6CDS, Al Smith, VE6OX and Bill Metcalfe, VE6BF. Thank you folks for your continued support!

Unfortunately I must report that 3 of our long supporting members have chosen not to renew with Chapter 151 - though one is a Life Member of QCWA National. President Ken Oelke, VE6AFO have contacted these past members to try and encourage their continued support. Ken has this to add to my report. " It is unfortunate when age becomes a determining factor in one's life while making a decision to continue in something in which you have believed in for almost 75 years! Yes - this is the reality of life on earth and it is hopeful we all can find refuge in life beyond."

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

Finally we receive some good news from one of our newer members! It is good to learn what our members have been up to and report on their achievements.

Member news for this newsletter comes from Jim Anderson, VE6JWA, who recently joined QCWA and Chapter 151. He proudly reports his achievement award which pretty well sums it up in the plaque awarded to him. Having known you for many years Jim - your steadfast in the area of emergency communications is an example for the next generation to follow. After all - sixteen years is a significant part of your amateur radio career. Congratulations from QCWA and Chapter 151!

Jim Anderson, VE6JWA's Achievement Award

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION CONTACT - DECEMBER 2, 2005 AND MARCH 21, 2006

For those subscribing to the QCWA National Journal, you will notice the front cover showing the ARISS radio team and the 10 kids from the December 2nd ISS contact. As well - QCWA printed an article I had submitted. This is excellent publicity for Chapter 151.

Also - those who are members of Radio Amateurs of Canada will have noticed the front cover of the March/April issue of The Canadian Amateur, along with an article on the ISS contact. Once again - more publicity for Chapter 151.

And to top off ARISS activities, before Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR returns to earth, the Sir James Lougheed Elementary School kids and administration were just elated when the Calgary ARISS Team made contact on March 21, 2006 at their school. Who would have thought we would be having back to back ISS contacts within 4 months of each other? This considering it takes some 2 years for a school to schedule an ISS contact. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time for both the Ralph McCall Elementary School in Airdrie, AB and Sir James Lougheed Elementaty School in Calgary, AB submitted their application almost the same time without either of them knowing the other school had!

CHAPTER 151 QCWA JOURNAL REPORT

Secretary Jack Ambler, VE6CAQ submitted a Chapter 151 report by the January 1, 2006 and April 1, 2006 deadline for the QCWA National Journal. Watch for them.

If you have something you wish to see published in the QCWA National Journal please feel free to submit your views and or pictures to your Chapter Executive for future submission. Our submission deadlines to QCWA National are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year.

THIRTY-TWO YEARS AGO IN CANADA

From the January 1, 1974 issue of QSO - SARL (Saskatchewan Amateur Radio League) publication - and credit to "The Canadian Amateur" - November 1973 issue.

'Beginning of Quote'
IT SEEMS TO US - P. Cassel, VE3AVY (Kitchener-Waterloo ARC President)

WHY? ... should we be concerned about the proposed takeover of part of the American 220 MHz band. As you may be aware the FCC Docket Number 19759 proposes 40 new CB Channels in the 220 MHz Band.

WHY? ... should the Americans not give up part of their Ham bands and since the same will probably occur in Canada, why should we worry about giving up part of ours. The CB Operator can, and quite frequently does, offer short notice communications while the Hams sit back and make fun of the "cookie busters" playing radio. You may say WHY can't the FMers offer the same service. We can, but when less than six hams show up during an emergency exercise, one does wonder about our public service spirit that spills out all over in CB circles.

WHY? ... well unless we can pull up our public service socks and show the DOC we can make better use of the 220 MHz band than the so-called "cookie busters", we can almost certainly sign our own death certificate to part or all of the 5 MHz in the 220 band and see it given to someone who will use it.

WHY? ... don't you start giving some serious thought to participating in our EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS meetings and exercises so when the DOC starts to ask us WHY? in Canada, we can show them WHY.
'End of Quote'

Well....! Who ever would have thought we would keep this band intact 32 years later since FCC docket number 19759 was released? And no - the CBers did not get it! It would be interesting to go back 32 years and learn exactly what happened to that FCC docket number. However - 32 years later commercial enterprise (land mobile) did get 2 MHz of the 220 MHz band and, will they get the other 3 MHz 32 years from now? Something to think about. Use it or lose it!

Until next time...on behalf of the QCWA Chapter 151 Executive - Happy Trails!

73

Ken Oelke, VE6AFO - President
Jack Ambler, VE6CAQ - Secretary
John Smith, VE6AI -Treasurer