QCWA WILD ROSE REPEATER

December, 2005

Your conductor survived the QCWA International Alaska Cruise Convention. The weather, in most part, was good for all our out door excursions. There were approximately 118 other QCWA members enjoying the cruise convention with us and we made many new friends along with meeting others whom we have read about but never had a chance to meet face to face. One of these folks was Ellen White, W1YL. She is an amazing lady who worked for the ARRL and was very instrumental in keeping amateur radio well and alive.

Your conductor also attended the Board of Director's meeting, as a guest, in Framingham, MA on October 20, 2005. As a Director Nominee QCWA International have placed me on the Administration committee standing committee as well on the Chapter Relations committee. The election of directors and executive for the next term will take place in May, 2006. Watch for your ballotts in the mail.

NEXT LUNCHEON MEETING - APRIL 29, 2006

Now is the time to make plans to attend our spring meeting. 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 done today) and interface all this with amateur radio transceivers. Mark your calendar now!

For luncheon meeting updates visit often your website at: http:/www.qsl.net/ve6afo/

REPORT ON QCWA NATIONAL CONVENTION-2006

The third meeting of the QCWA Convention-2006 Planning Committee, to take place on September 14, 2005 at Devry Institute, did not happen. As many of the convention committee members were sick or away - we decided to postpone until further notice. In the meantime many of the committee members have being doing considerable work outside of the formal committee meeting.

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

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!)

REPORT OF NEW MEMBERS

Treasurer John Smith, VE6AI brings us his report of new members and friends since the last newsletter. Our numbers are still on the rise which bodes well for Chapter 151!

We welcome and introduce 3 new friends since our last newsletter. As well we received renewals from Irene Smith, VE6VN, John Smith, VE6AI, Ernie Crump, VE3OU, Al McNeil, VA7QQ, Irene Gillespie, KC0IWF, John Erickson, VE6NB, Al Johnston, VE6WJ, Barry Middlebrook, VE6TN, Darlene Middlebrook, Bruce Collisson, VE6BAC, John Bley, VE6MAQ, Tom Kelly, VE6TDK, Bill Carpenter VA6WBC, Grant Heimbecker, VE6GH, Earle Smith, VE6NM, Linda-Lou Oelke, VE6LGO and Ken Oelke, VE6AFO,

Friend Valerie Hepburn, VE6VMH was first licensed in 1995 and was born in Stettler, AB. She is married to Howard and both reside in Calgary, AB. Valerie works at Mount Royal College as an Academic Advisor for the Undergraduate Nursing Department.

Friend Howard Hepburn, VE6GT was first licensed in 1990 and was born in Calgary, AB. He is married to Valerieand both reside in Calgary, AB. Howard works for Calgary Transit as an operator for Light Rail Transit.

Friend Doreen Hammond, VE6GQ was first licensed in 1996 and was born in Stettler, AB and lived on the farm. Doreen decided to study get her amateur radio licence when her husband Bill, VE6GQ passed on October 26, 1995. She successfully passed and was able to acquire his call and kept it in the family.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION CONTACT - DECEMBER 2, 2005

It was amazing to watch over 720 kids that really believed that 10 of their friends could actually talk to the ISS using amateur radio! The 10 students, ranging from kindergarten to grade 8, asked 18 questions of astronaut Bill McArthur, KC5ACR.

And on top of all this, the media coverage something never seen before for an amateur radio event of any sort in the Calgary and Airdrie area. News coverage was by CBC Newsworld,live nationally, CBC Radio, CBC News local, Global TV local, City TV local, CTV local, Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, 3 local Airdrie newspapers, 1 newspaper in Chestermere Lake, CHQR 770 radio interview, 103.1 Breeze interview, and CKLJ Radio in Olds, Alberta. As well, 13 IRLP Nodes were connected to the Discovery Reflector 9010 and 23 connections listening to the Shoutcast on the companion web site.

Special guests included Member of Parliament Myron Thompson, the superintendent of schools and one associate superintendent,local trustee from RVSD Board of Trustees, the mayor from the City of Airdrie, 4 Airdrie aldermen, Emerging Technologies manager from Alberta Education, School Council chairperson, local principals, local sponsors, administration from Alberta's next school proposed for an ARISS contact.

CHAPTER 151 QCWA JOURNAL REPORT

Secretary Jack Ambler, VE6CAQ submitted a Chapter 151 report by the October 1, 2005 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. Submission deadlines are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year.

MORSE CODE IN MUSIC

Randall, KE0YG, provided the following info about Morse Code in the computer game called "RED STORM RISING" by Microprose. Randall says that in the opening credits there is music which contains Morse Code which spells out "THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING" at about 18 WPM. Randall says that he can confirm this on the C-64 version (now that is going back a few years!) and he believes that the IBM version plays the CW message in the theme song.

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 - Happy Trails!

73

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