The OARC Monthly Meeting on May 13, 2026 had about 30 people in the room and another couple of dozen online. The meeting involved several presenters who discussed various topics from latest updates in the ham radio world to club policies.
As usual, the meeting opened with a warm welcome from OARC President, Roger, VA3EGY, followed by an updated Land Acknowledgement. He then provided some Club updates and reminded everyone that there were more details about all of them in his May “The Prez Sez” column.
Local Amateur Radio news
Before jumping into Club updates, Roger mentioned that Myles Bird, VA3MYZ, was the recipient of this year’s John Curry Memorial Youth of the Year Award. This award goes to a young person who exemplifies leadership, inspires their peers and has made a significant contribution to the community through volunteer service. Congratulations Myles, well deserved!
Also, Armin Hachmer, VA3YB, long-time member of the OARC, became a Silent Key in April. You can read his obituary here: Obituary of Armin Hachmer: An Adventurer in Every Sense.
Last but not least, the OARC will be losing access to Scouts Headquarters, which it has been grateful been able to use for free for years. We have been so fortunate to be able to hold our Monthly Meetings here, our courses and workshops and, of course, Field Day. The Board is looking for new, low-cost meeting space options and will keep you posted.
Updates on Club business
Updates on Club busienss then followed, including some about the Club’s directors, specifically that Harrie, VE3HYS, has decided not to continue as OARC Vice President. At that point in time, Craig, VE3OP, thought he would stand as an incoming Director but has subsequently decided not to. The election of Directors is a key feature of the AGM on June 10.
Speaking of the AGM, a reminder that only members in good standing can attend and vote at the AGM. To be in good standing, you must have made a membership payment between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026. You can only vote if you are in the room (in person); the Club can’t accommodate online voting yet. If you’re unsure of your membership status, use the Contact Us button on the website to ask us.
Roger then moved on to an urgent call for volunteers for Carp Hamfest on Sept 12. The event does not currently have enough people to run it successfully so, if you are planning to volunteer, please go to the OARC website and sign up. There are three places you can click on the OARC homepage to find the volunteer registration link. We also need a Carp Hamfest Co-Lead, to work with Ed, VE3WGO this year and next, to shadow him and learn how it all comes together.
Volunteering
The Craig, VE3OP, spoke about volunteering, echoing the content of his May column “The power of everyone pitching in” and he took some time to acknowledge some of the Club’s long-standing volunteers and their roles, specifically:
- Harry Jones, VE3HYS and Thane Brown, VA3TTM, course instructors
- Wayne Getchell, VE3CZO, soldering skills and kit building workshops instructor
- Eve Panagapko, VE5EVE, Web Master
- Mike Kelly, VE3FFK, Examiner, member support, programs support, columnist
- Janice Neelands, VA3PAX, Chef du cuisine, Hamfest accountant
- Greg Danylchenko, VE3YTZ, Field Day Coordinator
- Neil Herber, VE3PUE, IT support
- Joanne Egan, communications coordinator
- Monique Frigault, VA3NTB, community leadership
- Ken Galama, VE2TXZ, Elmer and New Hams support
- Douglas King, VA3GY, Meeting refreshments
- Pierre Asselin, VE3ZXX and Wendy Leonard, Meeting support
He also took some time to acknowledge some of Club’s newest volunteers and their roles, specifically:
- Bert de Bruijn, VA3PXE, Education Coordinator
- Claude Hamel, VA3LND, Membership Coordinator
- Brenda Butler, VA3HNB, Meetings support
- Myles Bird, VA3MYZ, Tech
- Alastair Francis, VA3FHQ, Tech
- Michael Silviera, VE3CGV, Tech
- David Frigault, VA3UDA, Events Photojournalist
- Mike Kelly, VE3FFK, Technical Workshops support
- Hugo Kneve, VE3KTN, Technical Workshops support
The Club continues to need an Equipment Coordinator and assistants, Activities Coordinator and assistants, a Microsoft M365 administrator, workshops Leaders and assistants, Field Day co-lead and assistants, Carp Hamfest co-lead and assistants, a Club archivist, and photo photojournalists and food assistants for Club activities. Visit the Volunteer page on the website to learn more about these vacant positions. Contact the Club any time by clicking “Contact Us” button (on the top menu bar on every page of the website).
Featured presentation: The Amazing Hex Beam – Is it for you?
Craig, VE3OP, then provided the featured presentation: ‘The Amazing Hex Beam – Is it for you?”, which was well received and had an active question and answer period at the end.
BREAK
After the break, first there was a Rapid Amateur Radio Trivia Quiz with prizes. And then we moved on to updates on deliverables under the Club’s strategic goals.
Updates on deliverables under the Club’s strategic goals
Bert de Bruijn, VA3PXE, provided Education Update, especially upcoming workshops. Barry, VA3FCQ, Repeater Project Update. Mike, VE3FFK, provided a Field Day update. Ed, VE3WGO, provided an update about Carp Hamfest.
Some show-and-tell items (we didn’t quite get to these!)
- ARRL Handbook, 1926 (First one – 100 years old!)
- ICOM ID-52A Plus D-Star Handheld
- OVRC spring live radio auction, 12 PM, May 24, Canterbury Rec Centre
- Kemptville Hamfest and Flea market – June 6
- Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour 2026 – Community Event – June 6
- RAC Canada Day Contest (at VE3RHQ) – July 1
- Industry and other News
- Hy-Gain and Cushcraft return to market!
- Step-IR returns to market!
- Hamlib – Winner of the 2026 Amateur Radio Software Award
- ISED caught up with certificates
- RAC looking for new TCA Editor
Meeting wrap-up
The meeting wrapped up with a call for any “Wants, needs or help needed” and a request for Club members to participate in local nets more often.
See you all at the next OARC Monthly Meeting which is the Club’s Annual General Meeting on June 10th. This meeting is open to members only.
Last Updated on 2026-05-31 by Eve