QCWA WILD ROSE REPEATER

August, 2004

In the last newsletter I said spring had sprung when in essence, it really did no such thing! That was the longest session of cool weather I can remember but it sure did in the grasshopper infestation. Now as I write this (July 19th) it is too hot!

Since the last issue your editor, along with chapter member Tim Ellam, VE6SH, attended Dayton Hamvention on May 15th weekend. Again, attendance and dealer/fleamarket displays were notably less in numbers. Yours truly attended the Friday evening QCWA dinner featuring a talk on building a replica of the Wright Brothers Flyer engine. The presenter brought the operational engine to the meeting and later fired it up outside of the motel front entrance. Without a muffler the noise was horrendous and this all happening at 10:00 PM!

FALL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & LUNCHEON - September 25, 2004

As a side note, Chapter 151 was chartered May 18th, 1984. Since we did not celebrate our 20th anniversary at the May 8th meeting, the upcoming AGM will be a celebration of this significant milestone. An anniversary cake will be cut and served to commemorate this special occasion. Bring your cameras.

So mark your calendar now and plan to attend the upcoming AGM & Luncheon Meeting on September 25, 2004. The venue is at the Royal Canadian Legion #264 located at 1910 Kensington Road NW, Calgary. This is the same place we held our last meeting on May 8th, 2004.

Tickets are now on sale and we need a firm commitment by September 22nd for the exact number of meals. Lunch will be tossed salad, breast of chicken with rice and a vegetable medley, tea/coffee and desert all for $13.00 (GST & gratuity included). Visit our website at http://www.qsl.net/ve6afo for more details.

And don't forget - spouses are most welcome and encouraged to join us for lunch. Our program will be a video of the 3B9C DXpedition to Rodrigues Island, 2004. This particular operation made over 150,000 contacts, including EME and Satellite on several modes.

Here are some quick facts about Rodrigues Island.

Location: 650km east of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean
Size: 18km by 8km
Capital: Port Mathurin
Population: 35,000
Time: GMT + 4 hours
Currency: Mauritian Rupee
Languages: French, Creole, English

REPORT ON QCWA NATIONAL CONVENTION - 2006

Your executive had a brief meeting on May 10th to discuss preliminary items pertaining to the upcoming convention. Things are coming together nicely. We still need more volunteers to head up the various committees.

One item of discussion was to have the convention earlier than October to better accommodate our travelling friends. In this regard we are targeting September 28-30, 2006. This date will need to be confirmed with the hotel and International QCWA Board of Directors and Executive.

NEW QCWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE ELECTED

2004 QCWA Election Results can be viewed at: http://www.qcwa.org/2004-election-results.htm

Congratulations to our new Canadian Director Tom Atkins, VE3CDM.

REPORT OF NEW MEMBERS

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

We welcome and introduce 3 new members and 3 new friends.

Dave Watson, VE6EH joined as a Life Member. Dave was born and licensed in Ontario as VE3DGG in 1953. Dave is married to Betty and they reside in Calgary. Dave was a military and commercial pilot and is now retired. Dave is also a member of the Royal Astronomy Society of Canada.

Brian Davies, VA6BD joined as a Life Member. Brian was born in Alberta and licensed as VE8WT in 1976. Brian is an electrician/electronic technician. Brian and Carol Linder reside in Innisfail, AB.

Pierre Mainville joined as a Life Member. Pierre was licensed in 1972 as VE3LPM. He worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway for 36 years; 10 years as an agent/operator (telegrapher), 2 years as an office clerk, and 24 years as an inspector before retiring. He is now working for Radio World in Toronto on a part time basis but admits he is working just a many hours as when he worked full time for the railroad. Pierre is married to Gladys and lives in Brampton, ON and is currently the RAC VP Field Services. Welcome Dave, Brian and Pierre to Chapter 151! We also are pleased to welcome new members by way of being a 'Friend'. The Ferguson Family, Dad - Don Ferguson, VE6DWF, Mom - Heather Ferguson, VA6TAZ and daughter Elizabeth (Liz) Ferguson, VA6LIZ . This family of amateur radio operators received their licence in 2002. Liz was our guest speaker at our May 8th meeting. We thank the Ferguson Family for their support in our chapter.

48th ANNUAL QCWA QSO PARTY - September 18, 2004

Your editor finally took first place in Canada in the April 3rd Spring QCWA QSO Party. A nice certificate arrived in the mail for proud display.

QCWA changed the Fall QSO Party from October to the third weekend of September. This in order to get around the very busy and active California QSO Party which took place on the same October weekend. For 2004 this places the Fall QSO Party on September 18th.

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 log sheet - refer to the QCWA Journal or visit the QCWA National Website at http://www.qcwa.org

QCWA WILD ROSE CHAPTER 151 WEBSITE

As would be expected, the website will always be work in progress with frequent updates. Most recently, archived Chapter 151 Reports submitted to the QCWA Journal is now on line. This is a good place to stop and learn of new happenings. By the way - I am still looking for help in retyping archived items to be added to the website. I still have no takers on this front. While on the subject of help - we are looking for a newsletter editor. The pay is excellent and benefits are exceptional. Resumes or request for more information may be submitted to Ken Oelke, VE6AFO at ve6afo@rac.ca.

CHAPTER 151 QCWA JOURNAL REPORT

Secretary Al McNeil, VA7QQ submitted a Chapter 151 QCWA National Journal report for the July 1, 2004 deadline. Watch for it.

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 January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year.

REPORT ON CHAPTER 151 SPONSORSHIP IN THE RAC YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM

Chapter 151 and Chestermere Lake Middle School recently submitted an application for an ISS school contact. The waiting period can be up to two or more years. So all that is left now is to wait!

Lindsay Gavel, VE6GAV and Bruce Reynolds, VE6BR have offered to assist with equipment and help when the actual ISS contact is scheduled. Of course there is always room for more assistance and loaning of equipment for this event. Anyone who can assist please contact your Chapter 151 Executive.

As well, Chapter 151 and Chestermere Lake Middle School have submitted answers, along with suggestions, to the annual RAC Youth Education Program questionnaire. This will be made available on the QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151 web site.

MORSE CODE IN MUSIC

There is badly formed Morse code on Kate Bush's album "Hounds of Love". The song "Watching You Without Me" contains Morse code "SOS". On this track there also is some RTTY going in and out of tune.

And on the album "Saving the Wildlife" by Mannheim Steamroller, there is a track that very much sounds like "CQ" in Morse code.

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

Until next time...on behalf of the QCWA Chapter 151 Executive have a safe and wonderful summer.

73

Ken Oelke, VE6AFO - President
Al McNeil, VA7QQ - Secretary
John Smith, VE6AI - Treasurer