QCWA WILD ROSE REPEATER

August, 2006

This marks the 14th newsletter since May 2002.

REPORT ON QCWA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION-2006

Convention pre-registrations are rolling in fine business! As I write this - we have 63 registrants coming in from BC, AB, ON, NB, MA, TX, MO, GA, FL, and PA. This all before pre-registration deadline of August 1, 2006! Things are really shaping up for a Fun time!

Remember - convention date is September 28 - 30, 2006. and the entire QCWA National Board and Executive will be in attendance. (Mark your calendar NOW!) A phrase that is used these days - "Save The Date!"

The convention hotel is at the Port O' Call Inn, a Best Western, located at 1935 McKnight Blvd (48 Avenue) 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.

Pre-registration date was August 1, 2006 but, it is still not too late to register. This way we can have your convention package ready when you arrive. If you wish to take in any tours, the Friday evening "Meet & Greet" or the Saturday evening banquet - we must have your registration by September 5th, 2006.

All convention information, including the programs and registration form (on-line registration is also available) can be found on our web site at:

http://www.obsd.com/qcwa-chapter151

From here there is a link to the convention web page (near the top) where you will find everything you need to know. If you have any questions - contact convention chair Ken Oelke - VE6AFO at ve6afo@rac.ca

VE6QCWA - CONVENTION SPECIAL EVENT STATION

Now that is a unique call sign! Would you like to put VE6QCWA on the air to promote the QCWA International Convention-2006? The convention committee requested this call sign from Industry Canada and we have received authorization to use VE6QCWA from September 1 to September 30, 2006. Since it cost $60.00 for this one time use - let us maximize the time it is on the air. All QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151 Members and Friends, residing in Alberta, are eligible to use this call sign from your home station or for that matter - from your mobile or cabin! If you want to take a shift or two - please contact Ken Oelke, VE6AFO at ve6afo@rac.ca or call 403-226-5840 to arrange a schedule.

REPORT OF NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS

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

As I write this report - more and more Amateurs are joining QCWA and Wild Rose Chapter 151. We now have 41 Full members and 16 Friends of Chapter 151. This is nearing an 'all time membership high' for Chapter 151 which took place back in the late 1980s to the early 1990s!

So, we welcome and introduce our 4 new members and 2 friends since our last newsletter.

Max Farmer, VE6SL joined as a Life Member and was born in Calgary, AB. He was first licensed in 1968 as VE6AWU. Max is enjoying retirement after working as a broadcast technician and Chief Engineer for CFCN Television. Max enjoys Amateur TV (fast scan television), slow scan TV, HF, VHF and working the satellites.

Gerry Linton, VE6PL was born in Alsask, SK and was first licensed in 1956. He is married to Flo, KD7ATS and both reside in Strathmore, AB. Gerry retired with Alberta Government Telephones (now Telus) as a communications worker. Gerry started his own security business which specializes in communication security. His main amateur radio interest is DXing and he enjoys chewing the rag. Gerry currently is president of the Calgary Communications Club.

Don Wilcox, VE6CG was born in Los Angeles, CA and was first licensed in 1960 as WV6MKB. He has held calls WA6MKB and VE6CQB. He is married to Lorna and they reside in Calgary, AB. Don retired from Telus as a Mobile Radio Technician and enjoys amateur radio while working HF, VHF, UHF. Don was with the Coast Guard in the mid 1960s and is a member of the Coast Guard CW Operators Association. Don is currently the Vice President of the Calgary Communications Club.

Arnold (Arny) Rivett, VE6CN was born in Prince Rupert, BC and was first licensed in 1963 as VE7BOU. He has held several calls over the course of his amateur radio career. Arny is married to Gale, VE6GLE and they reside in Calgary, AB. Arny is presently employed with Husky Oil and is an Exploration Geophysicist. Most weekends Arny spends time at his Pigeon Lake cabin working DX (he has DXCC) and enjoys working CW. Arny is currently president of the Calgary Amateur Radio Association.

And - we welcome our two new friends for this quarter.

Chris Cutrara, VA6CJC was licensed in 2000 and resides in Calgary, AB. He enjoys working HF and 2 metres from his downtown apartment. With his compromise HF antenna (Hamsticks off the balcony) - Chris does real well working stations from all over.

Darrell Dickinson, VE6DDE was licensed in 2003. He is married to Theresa and they reside in Calgary, AB. Darrell enjoys working DX , VHF and UHF from both home and his well equipped mobile. With his high location (higher than Nose Hill) - using a Hygain TH6DXX and a Yaesu FT 1000MP - Darrell can hold his own in pile-ups.

As well - renewals have been received from members Bob Roske, N0UF and Jack Ambler, VE6CAQ. Thank you folks for your continued support in Wild Rose Chapter 151!

CHAPTER 151 QCWA JOURNAL REPORT

Secretary Jack Ambler, VE6CAQ submitted a Chapter 151 report by the July 1, 2006 deadline for the QCWA National Journal. Watch for it in the 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. Our submission deadlines to QCWA National are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year.

EDITORIAL

Wanted - dead or alive - editor for "QCWA Wild Rose Repeater" ! It is now going on 4 1/2 years since I have been editing this newsletter. Surely, there must be someone amongst the rank and file who could muster doing this newsletter? I know the talent is out there (who cares about talent anyway - anybody will do!) so, think about what you can do for your chapter. Your contribution will further help to build QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151!

And on another topic... for those who receive the QCWA Journal will notice that among the list of QCWA Executive and Directors, my name is on the Director list.

As you know - this is election year for the QCWA Executive and Board and all ballots were to be in by midnight July 31, 2006. So - how did my name get in there before the ballots were counted? I can explain. Director Jerrel Jones, W5TUU resigned before his term ended and the Board filled the vacany in accordance with the QCWA bylaws. My name and one other name was put before the Board to fill the interim vacancy. Well...my name surfaced to the top as the winning candidate.

All of the ballots will be counted on August 1, 2006 and an announcement will be made shortly thereafter. Visit the QCWA Website for a list of the winning candidates. By the way - for those who did not notice - my name was on the ballot.

Until next time...on behalf of the QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151 Executive - Happy Trails. See you all at the convention in September!

73

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