QCWA WILD ROSE REPEATER

August, 2003

From the lack of an Indian Summer (as mentioned in December 2002 QCWA Repeater) to a very late and wet Spring to almost unbelievable record high temperatures for July and August! We just are never happy, are we? Oh well - at least the grass, trees and flowers are happy and the watering costs are way down - that was until mid July came along!

Again, a brief newsletter to inform every one of recent QCWA Chapter 151 happenings. First we have recruited a new secretary in the name of Al McNeil, VE7BJA. Since the position of treasurer and secretary is now shared by two separate people, this will require ratification at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of the members on September 20th, 2003. Thank you Al for stepping up to the challenge.

Memberships still roll in to the mailbox of treasurer John Smith, VE6AI. For those not in the know, John is recovering nicely from his knee surgery but shortly after had a nasty fall that caused a very bad hip injury. This resulted in hospitalization once again and from here to therapy. John is now back home slowly convalescing.

REPORT OF NEW MEMBERS

It is with deep sadness to report shortly after April 7, 2003, when Al Simpson, VA6AS joined as Life Member of QCWA and member of Chapter 151, he suddenly become a Silent Key. Al passed away on June 22, 2003. Al and his wife Lise did attend the April 16th luncheon meeting where all in attendance had a chance to meet both of them. Al was first licensed in 1948 and predeceases his brother Ernie Simpson, VE6QK. Our condolences go out to his wife Lise and family. An aside to the above, we just learned that Ernie Simpson, VE6QK became a Silent Key on July 3, 2003.

We would like to welcome and introduce Tim Ellam, VE6SH who joined since the last newsletter. Tim was licensed in 1977 and had served on the executive of now dissolved Canadian Radio Relay League (CRRL) and later Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) and is currently Area "A" Director for International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 (IARU-R2).

Also please welcome our new supporting members by way of being a 'Friend' - Ron Leech, VE6TV and John Bley, KD7MAQ. Ron was licensed in 1988 and John was licensed in 2001. By the way, John has a very interesting background and will be our guest speaker at the upcoming Annual General meeting scheduled for September 20, 2003. See further details in this newsletter.

47th ANNUAL QCWA QSO PARTIES - October 4, 2003

The second half of the QCWA QSO Party will soon be upon us. Mark your calendar now for October 4th, 2003 beginning at 18:00 UTC. Did you participate in the first part of the QCWA QSO Party on April 5th? I did and had a blast! I met some real interesting folks both young and some not so young. If you are looking for some fun with a laid back style of operating then the QCWA QSO Party is for you! For more details and logging sheet - refer to the Spring edition of the QCWA Journal, page 10 and 11, or visit the QCWA National Website at http://www.qcwa.org

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING LUNCHEON - SEPTEMBER 20, 2003

Please mark your calendar now and plan to attend the upcoming Luncheon Meeting this September 20, 2003. It would also be nice if those planning to attend could let their executive know for easier planning on their part. The location will be at the Royal Canadian Legion #264 on Kensington Road NW, Calgary. Don't forget - spouses are most welcome and encouraged to join us for lunch. Our program (Neuron Waves) will be presented by John Bley, KD7MAQ, and promises to be interesting for the ladies. Stay tuned to Chapter 151 website at http://www.qsl.net/ve6afo for updates.

QCWA WILD ROSE CHAPTER 151 WEBSITE

Since changing the website address, all popular search engines have now located the new URL at: http://www.qsl.net/ve6afo

As mentioned before - the website will always be a 'work in progress' and those who wish to contribute and or assist, will be most welcomed. (Still waiting.....)!

QCWA WILD ROSE CHAPTER 151 NET

The QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151 Net is supposeto take place every Monday evening on 3747 kHz at 7:00 pm MST or MDST, whichever the case may be. I must admit yours truly has not checked in very often but then - when I did listen in conditions were absolutely deplorable. Personally, Monday evening just seems to be awkward in that other ham radio meetings are taking place in Calgary or, I just have not gotten in to the 'beginning of the week' routine and had found 7:00 pm long past and once again missed the net! I know...I can claim to be absent minded along with the rest of the gang. So - suggestions are welcomed on this subject. Did you happen to check in when I was not on? As well you may wish to take on running the net, YES?

CHAPTER 151 QCWA JOURNAL REPORT

A Chapter 151 Report appears in the Summer 2003 QCWA Journal. 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. Submission deadlines are July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1 of each year. Secretary Al McNeil, VE7BJA has submitted a report for the July 1 deadline. Watch for it in the next Journal.

While on the subject of Chapter 151 Journal Reports - Chapter 151 executive have come to realize that not all of our members subscribe to the QCWA National Journal. Since this is an 'opt out' option for Canadian members (QCWA National membership can be obtained without subscribing to the Journal), it was decided that we could possibly add the Chapter report to the website after it appears in the Quarterly Journal. For those who do not subscribe to the Journal, an additional USD 25.00 will get you 3 years or 12 issues. Personally I have found some very interesting articles over the years that makes the addition worthwhile. Of course this is of personal opinion!

REPORT ON CALGARY FLEAMARKET - APRIL 26, 2003

What a fleamarket! This day had to be the worst weather we had seen in ages. Though roads were closed (Red Deer to Calgary) and snow was up to one's knees, 120 people amazingly showed up and set up 25 tables with good old equipment. And of course yours truly plowed through the snow and set up a table for Chapter 151.

REPORT ON RED DEER PICNIC - JUNE 14, 2003

As was done last year, Chapter 151 set up a table along with the banner. Some brochures were handed out and hopefully we will see fruits of our labour. Life Member Earle Smith, VE6NM was down and we had a very nice visit with him.

REPORT ON GLACIER/WATERTON HAMFEST - JULY 19, 2003

Yours truly attended this very enjoyable hamfest. The weather was perfect! At this hamfest there usually is a QCWA Forum put on by an Amateur representing one of the Chapters in the USA. This year the person who was to host the forum did not show up. I suspect he never made it to the hamfest. I saw this as an opportunity to host the QCWA Forum on behalf of Chapter 151. I brought and set up the banner and other QCWA goodies to pass out. With 7 in attendance (some Canadians) it was a very pleasant and informative forum. I believe everyone went away feeling more rejuvenated to make their local chapter more active.

THE POSITVE SIDE OF LIFE

Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun each year.

MORSE CODE IN MUSIC

While listening to your favorite music, don't be surprised if you hear those strange and annoying sounds of that terrible Morse code! Case in point, on Joe Walsh, WB6ACU's solo album "Songs for a Dying Planet" is a song titled "Vote For Me". The song is preceded with Morse code that pounds out "REGISTER AND VOTE FOR ME AR". The same message appears on Joe's first album "Barnstorm" in a song titled "Mother". Joe holds an Advanced class Amateur license and recently donated a large sum of money to the ARRL "Big Project" - a program introducing and installing amateur radio in schools.

Stay tuned for other 'Morse code in music' which will be featured in future issues of the QCWA Repeater.

Until next time...on behalf of the QCWA Chapter 151 Executive,

73

Ken Oelke, VE6AFO - President

Al McNeil, VE7BJA - Secretary

John Smith, VE6AI - Treasurer