The February 14 meeting was called to order at 19:35, a few minutes late due to the snowstorm outside.
Guests were:
Corrections to January minutes: It seems that FreeBSD is not like Linux, Linux is like FreeBSD.
New business: We need a person to chair (be) the nominating committee for the 2007-08 executive. Someone has to convince people to volunteer for the club executive. VA3DB has CDs of the HamFreeSBIE software demonstrated at the January meeting.
VE3FFK noted the project parts are in. People can collect them on payment of the balance. The project build location and time were decided.
OARC Name badges were distributed to those who hadn't picked them up in January.
VE3CVG, assisted by VA3NFA presented a talk on the DSTAR system, including the capabilities, equipment availability and the progress of the Ottawa Amateur Radio Digital Group in getting a DSTAR repeater system running in Ottawa. It will not be re stated here, but see http://www.wcarc.on.ca/oardg . Much of the needed hardware has been purchased with a New Horizons grant. More amateurs, especially "seniors" (over 50) to share the management or other parts of the project work would be welcome. Their largest current need seems to be for a site that has good access, power, phone and internet connectivity. Antenna height would be nice to have also. They are also looking for someone to write an article for TCA, as well as someone to do ongoing progress reports to RAC and TCA.
Harold, VA3UNK presented a well illustrated synopsis of the 2007 Canadian Ski Marathon. Despite the large changes from a "routine" marathon, the radio end of things went very well with over 50 hams assisting about 2000 skiers. Early morning conditions were -20s and windy.
Haves and wants: John Cook stated that he has a quantity of tubes to dispose of. VE3CZO offered to convey them to the vintage radio club tube bank. One person wanted summer to arrive, and another wanted a donation of a DSTAR radio.
The 50-50 draw, for $15.50, was won by Ernie, VA3OEB.
Meeting adjourned at 21:05
-mk VE3FFK