QCWA Alberta Wild Rose Chapter 151 Quarterly Report

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Chapter 151 held its fall lunch and business meeting on September 26, 2009 at the Tuxedo Park Community Hall, Calgary.  Although there were no Silent Keys within the Chapter, a moment of silence was held for Andy Berry (VE6NDY), who was known to many in the Calgary amateur radio community.  

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Chapter President, Ken Oelke (VE6AFO) reported that Chapter 151 had been involved in arranging for R.T. Alderman Middle School (Calgary) to have an upcoming sked with the International Space Station on September 28.  Ken also reported that another sked was being arranged with Glenmore Christian Academy between October 14 and 16.  Chapter 151 continues to be involved with Morse code instruction at the Calgary Military Museums.  Recently, a group of military cadets travelled to the Calgary Military Museums from Regina and participated in the Morse code programme.  The Calgary Military Museums reported that their motivation for presenting the programme was to teach people "a new language". The Chapter welcomes new volunteers to assist with the Morse Code programme.

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Valerie Hepburn (VE6VMH) and Howard Hepburn (VE6GT) received appreciation awards for their assistance in organising and setting up for the Chapter meetings.

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Earle Smith (VE6NM) received a QCWA certificate to recognise his 60 years as a ham radio operator, and Tony Howard, VE6QY received a QCWA certificate to recognise his 50 years as a ham operator.  

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<p align="center"><img SRC="images/CH151(23).jpg" height=275 width=360 Border=5>

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<center>(Photo courtesy Brian Hoyte, VE6IMB)</center>

<center><b> Left - Earle Smith, VE6NM presented with his 60 Year Award by Chapter 151 President Ken Oelke, VE6AFO</center></b>

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Elections were held for the Chapter 151 executive, and the results were:
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President - Ken Oelke (VE6AFO)<br>
Secretary - Mitch Goodjohn (VE6SM)<br>
Treasurer - Vacant (Gerry Linton, VE6PL agreed to continue as acting treasurer until a replacement could be found.)<br>
Les Card (VE6CA) remains as Past President.

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After the business part of the meeting, Jason Nishiyama, a science teacher and member of the Royal Astronomical Society, gave an exciting talk on "The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence".  He reviewed the theory behind calculating the probability of finding intelligent life beyond our solar system, and gave an overview of the various methods by which the searches are made, including piggy-backing onto existing radio telescopes used for radio astronomy.  Jason spoke of the SETI League, and SETI@Home programme, and told the Chapter members how they could become involved.  In view of the increasing competition for research time on radio telescopes, Jason believes that amateur radio operators have the potential to become an important component in the search for intelligent life in other parts of the galaxy.  

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<p align="center"><img SRC="images/CH151(24).jpg" height=275 width=360 Border=5>

<br>
<center>(Photo courtesy Brian Hoyte, VE6IMB)</center>

<center> Left - Chapter 151 Secretary Mitch Goodjohn, VE6SM thanking Jason Nishiyama for his program</center>

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Respectfully submitted,<br>
Mitch Goodjohn (VE6SM)<br>
Secretary