Room CE1305 (Richardson Oilseed Room), Lethbridge Polytechnic
Present: Larry VE6WL, David VE6DRL, Dave VA6SYS, Gary VE6CV, Cory VE6COR, Scott VA6JSR, Barry VE6BGR, Charlie VE6KN, Wayne VE6WEK, Gary NoCall, Ron VE6PAP, Stan VE6SYS, Forbes VE6FMP, Ed VE6EKG, Blair VE6AGH, Peter VA6ARI
Call to order by Dave DRL at 10:04 am, seconded by Charlie.
Reading of the minutes of March 28, 2026, AGM by Peter.
- No errors or omissions.
- Motion to approve minutes by Dave DRL, seconded by Ron. All in favour.
Treasurer’s Report by Dave.
- Motion to approve treasurer’s report by Dave SYS, seconded by Wayne. All in favour.
Events Report Barry in Renze’s absence.
- Christmas supper will be held at Mings Chinese Cafe in Coaldale, 4 – 6 pm. Date TBA.
FIELD DAY. If you want a specific campsite, let Cory COR know.
- will try to get Fort Macleod Gazette out to do a story for extra points.
Repeater Committee Report by Barry in Cory’s absence.
- went out last Tuesday and did winter-to-summer conversion. Did a 10 amp load test on batteries, which tested out good. Cleaned the solar panels. Also took measurements for a wind turbine. Added 5″ whisper fans for shack airflow. Swapped the Yaesu back in.
- won’t hear squelch tail on C4FM.
- repeater may have shut down over last few days of cloudy weather. Barry sees two courses of action: wind turbine to supplement power, or get rid of the Yaesu.
- Ron asked about trying to bypass the AC. Repeater controllers run off the AC board so it cannot be bypassed.
- Ron suggested a better inverter.
- Cory COR asked why the Kenwood was switched out. Issue with the power switch, when it gets cold. Might be able to jumper out the switch.
OLD BUSINESS
1) Antenna project
- we have $8,500 in the fund and so we are going ahead.
- Barry sent out a quotation request to Dave Siggelkow
- A) Fundraising
- we have a commitment for another $500. Wayne has donated his tower to the SAARC club and Barry has a bid for $250 on it.
- B) Equipment Sales
- Dave DRL suggested a thank you note to be sent Mrs. Burke. Barry passed around a letter for everyone to sign.
2) The joint LSCO/SAARC flea Market confirmed for May 30.
- tables $10, entry $5 which includes door prize ticket. Setup at 9, out by 1 pm.
- all the SAARC equipment will be there.
- Don Plunket will be organizing the tables.
NEW BUSINESS
1) Wind Turbine
- Ron says there will be more liability issues because things fly apart. Also will have more noise and so will have to talk to land owner.
- Dave SYS suggested a marine turbine.
- Dave DRL has plans to put a small turbine on the corner of the building on a tower with supports.
2) Gary has set up and demonstrated ahis Educational website: ve6dok.net
3) Basic License Training
- Ron has someone interested. Gary has 4 or 5.
- Barry will look into it.
Motion to close the meeting by Wayne at 11:09 am.
Dave SYS presented on the Artemis II high-speed data links that were used during the recent mission.
Next meeting: May 23, 2026.
Barry won’t be at the next meeting.
Comments