tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32585906031954499592024-03-13T20:45:51.650-04:00The SplatterThe Splatter is the on-line newsletter of the York Region Amateur Radio Club. First published as a printed newsletter in 1973, it contains club news, meeting minutes, announcements, and articles of interest to members and all Amateur Radio Operators.
York Region is situated immediately north of the City of Toronto and includes the municipalities of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-StouffvilleVE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-42918178508625181212022-01-03T18:16:00.004-05:002022-01-05T18:57:45.121-05:00SSTV from the International Space StationReceiving SSTV is one of the easier things to do when it comes to space communications. Two or three times are year the ISS broadcasts SSTV images on the 2 metre band. The most recent one finished a few days ago and was themed on Lunar Exploration. The signals are strong, and cycle constantly (2 minutes on, 2 minutes off) so there's a good chance of copying lots of them.<div><br /></div><div>Sending SSTV could be done with a old school tape player, as it is just audio. The images are likely not encoded into audio right there on the ISS, but only exist in audio form. Still, for many who never done it, it's quite fun. The majority of passes in my area were during the night, so I left the radio and computer running and just looked at what I'd received in the morning, as did other members of the club. John VE3IPS went minimalist and copied an image by holding a smartphone microphone up to the speaker of a handheld.</div><div><br /></div><div>I used my home VHF station, MMSSTV software, with an ICOM-7100 (removed from the car shortly after the pandemic shutdowns) and a Diamond X300-NA antenna at 25'. Verticals aren't idea for satellite communications but they do work. I heard the first ham transmission from the space shuttle by Owen Garriott W5LFL (SK) in 1983 using my mobile radio and a mag-mount antenna on the roof of my Volvo.</div><div><br /></div><div>I tracked the ISS using gpredict, a multi-platform free open source software package. Through the (also free open source) programs rigctld and rotorctl it can compensate for Doppler shift and point your antennas at the spacecraft. With less than 3kHz shift it is hardly necessary to do Doppler compensation but I did anyway because I could, and with a vertical I certainly didn't need the rotor control capability. </div><div><br /></div><div>One small complaint about the organization of the event was that the 12 images were almost perfectly timed with the orbital period, so I received many copies of some, few of others and none of #5. On each pass I'd received 2 to 3 images and while most of them time there was some noise, when I received 3 images one of them was usually only partially copied.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the best of each. These are unedited files. If I combined several into a single image, it could be cleaned up considerably.</div><div><br /></div><div>1/12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl_J_9Wz4cTQnjASgQ4fYtpdJwzMXpT9FpgNYyiMqbSn0AKQdeShPky8GDODl2LPqGu7K6af5vWfbA_QpLuzVAtheXs5pyig8_IHCIbxr75FuoTgbXfbT8Msip-W0fZKsjXn7dlCEvdLB7NUFiBrS6_BAtDyZyfcWAZox9zY0t5hzlA4U33WupBeAn=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl_J_9Wz4cTQnjASgQ4fYtpdJwzMXpT9FpgNYyiMqbSn0AKQdeShPky8GDODl2LPqGu7K6af5vWfbA_QpLuzVAtheXs5pyig8_IHCIbxr75FuoTgbXfbT8Msip-W0fZKsjXn7dlCEvdLB7NUFiBrS6_BAtDyZyfcWAZox9zY0t5hzlA4U33WupBeAn=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>2/12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCbx_k-aiwmiknRXM3yPEH-y1gpLwCkF55xb5SzwKrLd0Vmdf0gR_2q1cHoScL6nI3OxoLHjWqFFTmA1pvNf4Qg81YMjL2tLi_WR3AEPjR5k_K-N0lXkkSG9zK8dIAheEZy5-sZqvRlEcf3HhdlBqmLvcbgtpfBxuDyG57DpoHCku79hIRrHyfP8k8=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCbx_k-aiwmiknRXM3yPEH-y1gpLwCkF55xb5SzwKrLd0Vmdf0gR_2q1cHoScL6nI3OxoLHjWqFFTmA1pvNf4Qg81YMjL2tLi_WR3AEPjR5k_K-N0lXkkSG9zK8dIAheEZy5-sZqvRlEcf3HhdlBqmLvcbgtpfBxuDyG57DpoHCku79hIRrHyfP8k8=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>3/12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmET2gcocVT9kD29UA0-bnJ1LcTMuS9AHBiax8GV1fz4Clx6U7lY94-wn60q7RRo5vR8SWpYo0rXmj7d8NJSSxbw07DnZj1FQlWesGH4FANxb1U7U6dD2rJ-C6TWQZlCghaW5DQfM7HJd8s7ZAmwjF0akcD0wQflG0QLuw19UtFB4SaqTrdT4UYyEM=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmET2gcocVT9kD29UA0-bnJ1LcTMuS9AHBiax8GV1fz4Clx6U7lY94-wn60q7RRo5vR8SWpYo0rXmj7d8NJSSxbw07DnZj1FQlWesGH4FANxb1U7U6dD2rJ-C6TWQZlCghaW5DQfM7HJd8s7ZAmwjF0akcD0wQflG0QLuw19UtFB4SaqTrdT4UYyEM=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>4/12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiobtfjLXidYkfkhAhIIbvBiKSrENXgzGAeCjAH68V0AFEoAdP4mTwKL36GwM1u2w4-q6HQqu3iuuWezrRmv5RFrwEhRYsRJC27VFJn_mhg5mPp0XSmguqiX9AuHy-8kWVPS8yTei1Sre8Yuh1CO8zx42LjSbdjgYFvyylNXvko-KC9dV_y88cYinVd=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiobtfjLXidYkfkhAhIIbvBiKSrENXgzGAeCjAH68V0AFEoAdP4mTwKL36GwM1u2w4-q6HQqu3iuuWezrRmv5RFrwEhRYsRJC27VFJn_mhg5mPp0XSmguqiX9AuHy-8kWVPS8yTei1Sre8Yuh1CO8zx42LjSbdjgYFvyylNXvko-KC9dV_y88cYinVd=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>5/12 - I missed this one, but Mike VE3EYS copied it and sent it to me. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtVIRgh2Ib-BItAGorSYypz2ZctS9bWOJW-WZtJMnRuVqinTXfAOnZ7mHarWp7bWqlbRqyCBf8Srgz1D732-5yYGdGVULH8UQiICA79-iDHy6gah3Rx7VmCMTLQF9opX_2JpmFBrj6pfKQmk3mU__4c1614TamnoL4RMePpny-FQ03ixCojT03SHDC=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtVIRgh2Ib-BItAGorSYypz2ZctS9bWOJW-WZtJMnRuVqinTXfAOnZ7mHarWp7bWqlbRqyCBf8Srgz1D732-5yYGdGVULH8UQiICA79-iDHy6gah3Rx7VmCMTLQF9opX_2JpmFBrj6pfKQmk3mU__4c1614TamnoL4RMePpny-FQ03ixCojT03SHDC=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />I did not copy image #5</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">6/12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-0Lq0LIfr-FuySZ1vdGTHaklrkc1aqigOp3in08Me9rrRJXvIKoHVbJkRal_QGMMPA7wEOg-CCUDICNqm-_zWkB3it0r58vJhxtAiQZKFUp3meQxTMOHrtNxJzOfwv7lcakQPNVvL9EXNJUkkpOlZt-xw3RoeB3zxiPYy26N-twthQKM4K-z51tML=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-0Lq0LIfr-FuySZ1vdGTHaklrkc1aqigOp3in08Me9rrRJXvIKoHVbJkRal_QGMMPA7wEOg-CCUDICNqm-_zWkB3it0r58vJhxtAiQZKFUp3meQxTMOHrtNxJzOfwv7lcakQPNVvL9EXNJUkkpOlZt-xw3RoeB3zxiPYy26N-twthQKM4K-z51tML=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">7/12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_--FMXjsQ09-GP-trB0j3PH02Ao4-DYSrltjvHVyYXiItRDQ2XCBeA3pnrqyDCBBPD2rvy7JdnMbunDBWxAFfRHP5M9qcRf6i45jnIHlkmRduluXWo3RHvVeb1rqmGqKC9iy3-olGjM_0pFFSnBqPmrzj15RVtRV8zsm9j0lhxH4tXHokRYm6kiuE=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_--FMXjsQ09-GP-trB0j3PH02Ao4-DYSrltjvHVyYXiItRDQ2XCBeA3pnrqyDCBBPD2rvy7JdnMbunDBWxAFfRHP5M9qcRf6i45jnIHlkmRduluXWo3RHvVeb1rqmGqKC9iy3-olGjM_0pFFSnBqPmrzj15RVtRV8zsm9j0lhxH4tXHokRYm6kiuE=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">8/12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl_7KHCbG5JHQ3H5hykyEMYP6FUDB6PRdZCJORw5pqJQpAwT1uGuAFVczWT8VpxThZju7Ysh962gozSnrOIaTlij8NwiWBJjh1bgPcwsAqL2PIRSrc3AhFOR0vcG8XCw2s5-gfrnm2zpnmcZTp4hSNMv4aUg1XMT1GmDBtokjR55zIglxeiq3-FBdk=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl_7KHCbG5JHQ3H5hykyEMYP6FUDB6PRdZCJORw5pqJQpAwT1uGuAFVczWT8VpxThZju7Ysh962gozSnrOIaTlij8NwiWBJjh1bgPcwsAqL2PIRSrc3AhFOR0vcG8XCw2s5-gfrnm2zpnmcZTp4hSNMv4aUg1XMT1GmDBtokjR55zIglxeiq3-FBdk=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">9/12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhdMfexWFv06ZwviCSOCJ_qRjXbIIZNdxho8yT1kI9dfNlnmoixrAXUumCrlJjh1EYIGrx8a2QxhB48KMlOxUAogSf4ZutT_wkYG1i6CqvoDgZS6bb03E63A6A-79lvOUVdVBbNO1x5ogb7Qj3eIvgpXgwjUkNRsieZp2_aXj30JF2wllO83eL8SG8=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhdMfexWFv06ZwviCSOCJ_qRjXbIIZNdxho8yT1kI9dfNlnmoixrAXUumCrlJjh1EYIGrx8a2QxhB48KMlOxUAogSf4ZutT_wkYG1i6CqvoDgZS6bb03E63A6A-79lvOUVdVBbNO1x5ogb7Qj3eIvgpXgwjUkNRsieZp2_aXj30JF2wllO83eL8SG8=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">10/12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8Gm5xEP8KY5aK38mbjkaT5UbOb1NN4HTw1YdMhw5oyOPAzKh18hj80zVUaZkcccJ-WqfUdtsDBowpFBWid1YKwsGEdtvDg4lVlT6s-_5M6KQKqEMYAXaD33xdahY4wqO6Q_h4JaShzrTrzzX0VBfHIzNTPTwf2VUpuEAGmkj6ASes3wdCgNR0mXK8=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8Gm5xEP8KY5aK38mbjkaT5UbOb1NN4HTw1YdMhw5oyOPAzKh18hj80zVUaZkcccJ-WqfUdtsDBowpFBWid1YKwsGEdtvDg4lVlT6s-_5M6KQKqEMYAXaD33xdahY4wqO6Q_h4JaShzrTrzzX0VBfHIzNTPTwf2VUpuEAGmkj6ASes3wdCgNR0mXK8=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">11/12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGYt0xLnT-nSGeqNWVRxdkWpM_gezkRYdrmhb4NbJEwhtPYUfvpmt1WX567_VUERqtNhQ8TKU9hkIgZ3xLngGjNK472bZacKksX8TzUGjIbYDBAAQSZJlX26wFpMRjmQod5MWFoRWkXpo04JrPLbB4-Qh3XY_FFd4-_9uWcDVZh1_dLcpqLp5ioE2p=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGYt0xLnT-nSGeqNWVRxdkWpM_gezkRYdrmhb4NbJEwhtPYUfvpmt1WX567_VUERqtNhQ8TKU9hkIgZ3xLngGjNK472bZacKksX8TzUGjIbYDBAAQSZJlX26wFpMRjmQod5MWFoRWkXpo04JrPLbB4-Qh3XY_FFd4-_9uWcDVZh1_dLcpqLp5ioE2p=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">12/12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXNtkZ9FQ23aIUrZz0RICPzHbgcQ13M95IxGPFKIzqrR3f7a9DqP7nG_-lPnmnmTtoh74FPzDbhgik4y6GG8sH7qeBYODogUZ3b7J3wHGoDxM1l14CzcEj8UuBpJ2yCuoftcpFXSXbqUBsrjqTpmIzgq2F-i7kMu5WJOWCLdsOZBLaqdnrlTfI8aTQ=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="640" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXNtkZ9FQ23aIUrZz0RICPzHbgcQ13M95IxGPFKIzqrR3f7a9DqP7nG_-lPnmnmTtoh74FPzDbhgik4y6GG8sH7qeBYODogUZ3b7J3wHGoDxM1l14CzcEj8UuBpJ2yCuoftcpFXSXbqUBsrjqTpmIzgq2F-i7kMu5WJOWCLdsOZBLaqdnrlTfI8aTQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-38409813042890198822022-01-02T10:58:00.005-05:002022-01-02T10:58:54.785-05:00<h2 style="text-align: left;">Local Nets for YRARC Members</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a list of the nets that YRARC is running or in which YRARC members participate. Let me know if there are any others that should be added to list, with the criteria that at least two members should be regular check-ins.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">YRARC-Sponsored Nets</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>YRARC Health & Welfare Net<span style="font-weight: normal;">: On the VE3YRA/V (145.350-, 103.5 Hz CTCSS) and VE3YRC/U (444.225+, no CTCSS at present), every evening from 8:30 to approximately 9:15 except on club meeting nights (first Tuesday of month September to June). This net requests the status of the participants with respect to COVID-19 and the operational state of their radios, and asks a single "10 second question" on a variety of topics.</span></li><li> YRARC 6m net<span style="font-weight: normal;">: On 50.135 MHz upper sideband horizontally polarized from 8:00pm to 8:25pm Mondays and Wednesdays. Moderated discussion on recent activities by participants or anything else of interest.</span></li><li>Ragchew Ramble Net<span style="font-weight: normal;">: On VE3YRA/V and VE3YRC/U from 4-5pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Moderated by Joseph, VE3FMQ, on topics of interest to the participant, which are usually related to amateur radio. </span></li><li>New: YRARC "Fusion Friday", <span style="font-weight: normal;">will run every Friday from 8:00 to 8:25 PM on the VE3YRC/V Fusion repeater on 147.225MHz. VE3YRC repeater is also connected to the VE3YRC-ROOM, so can be connected through WIRES-X or directly through the repeater. This will initially have no net control and will run as a round-robin net.</span></li><li>New:<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span>YRARC "Simplex Saturday", <span style="font-weight: normal;">every Saturday from 10 to 11AM, on 146.550MHz (YRARC channel #24) and see who you can contact. This will initially have no net control and will run as a round-robin net. Please keep a record of who you can hear and or manage to connect to. Commences 2022-01-08.</span></li><li>New: YRARC Winlink Wednesday, <span style="font-weight: normal;">every Wednesday at any time. Use the Check-In template form to report how you have connected, e.g. Telnet, Packet, VARA, HF, ARDOP, the equipment used, the radio, TNC, Soundcard, band, mode, operating system, software client, the RMS gateway if used, and the Winlink client program. Send the email to Mike Crabtree, VA3MCT, the York Region Emergency Coordinator, who will report the results the following day.</span></li></ul></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other Nets</span></h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>ONTARS: <span style="font-weight: 400;">None of our members is currently a net controller, but several have been in the past and several current members participate in this net which runs on 3.755 MHz (80M) lower sideband every day from 7AM to 6PM. See their <a href="https://www.ontars.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">web site</a> for more information</span></li></ul></div>VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-50895560657738610032021-11-15T09:25:00.007-05:002021-11-15T09:40:07.573-05:00Edward Rogers Sr. 100th AnniversarySomewhere around December 10th, or 9th, or maybe the 11th, depending on the account, Edward Rogers Senior made the first successful transatlantic radio transmission by a Canadian amateur operator. The event was more significant than it sounds. Commercial radio was at the time using long waves, at low (LF) or very low (VLF) frequencies. The thinking of the day was "the lower the better" and radio stations for transatlantic traffic were huge undertakings. Some of the big ones used generators to produce these low frequency waves. At least one, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimeton_Radio_Station" target="_blank">Grimeton Radio Station</a> in Sweden is still operating, although only once a year.
<p>The 1921 Transatlantic tests, sponsored by the ARRL, used wavelengths around 200 metres. This is still quite low by amateur standards. It wasn't until several years ago that the lowest frequencies in use by amateurs were in the 160 metres band, although now we have small 630 and 2200 metre for experimentation at low power. The tests proved that long distance communication was possible with a tabletop station rather than a building full of equipment.
<p>Edward made this historic transmission from his lodgings at Pickering College, on Main Street in Newmarket, Ontario, right in the centre of York Region using a 500W spark set and call sign 3BP. He was heard by Paul Godley, operating a receiving station in Ardrossan, Scotland, using a Beverage antenna. Rogers was the only Canadian station to be heard during that weekend of testing.
<p>The York Region Amateur Radio Club is celebrating the 100th anniversary of this event by running station CF3BP. Club members will be operating on various bands and modes from November 13th to December 12th. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW, qrz.com, and others. We are also in the midst of designing a QSL card for anyone in our logs. Canadian amateurs can send us an SASE. Outside Canada, please send $3 or equivalent to cover postage.
<p>Edward went on to found Rogers Majestic, a very successful radio manufacturing company, a vacuum tube company, and AM radio station CFRB, located in Aurora, Ontario (also in York Region and the city that I live in). CFRB was heard all over North America and exists to this day. Edward's son, Edward "Ted" Jr., founded Rogers Communications in 1960, which is a principal player in the Canadian telecommunications industry.
<p>See you on the air!
<p>73,
<br>Chris VE3NRT
<br>President, YRARC
<p>Update - the first electronic QSL has been received. Thanks Marcel!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucqcAl7bWkIkQvn9GU0scrGhf0RjLmptr-YygcI0FlDvLCBO7_Jk5d5QqG0AA6QcAh7PmTWc4LCk4z7fwY1Mu5a-C41Dq0H2Q7xxr1EiJL7qy8S_mO8w2wa0M-GXmaoYtIjmvGw-5duk/s1700/CF3BP_ON7DY_FT8_saNuh6V3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="480" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucqcAl7bWkIkQvn9GU0scrGhf0RjLmptr-YygcI0FlDvLCBO7_Jk5d5QqG0AA6QcAh7PmTWc4LCk4z7fwY1Mu5a-C41Dq0H2Q7xxr1EiJL7qy8S_mO8w2wa0M-GXmaoYtIjmvGw-5duk/s320/CF3BP_ON7DY_FT8_saNuh6V3.jpg"/></a></div>VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-31588810077794942332021-06-19T08:00:00.001-04:002021-06-19T08:00:00.209-04:00N1MM Logger for ARRL Field Day<p>It seems that the two most popular logging software programs are N1MM Logger+ and N3FJP Logger. Both operate only on Microsoft Windows, so if you're using Linux you either need to use Wine or a different logging program.</p><p>I've used N1MM for contest logging for a long time, but I feel I've only scratched the surface of its capabilities. It has hundreds of features designed to shave fractions of a second from the contest exchange and logging process. Calling it a logger is an understatement, as it can also control and operate the radio by sending CW or recorded voice messages. It also knows how to interoperate with WSJT-X or JTDX for use with FT8/FT4 and other modes.</p><p>N3FJP is also very popular. It is simpler than N1MM+ and has fewer features, although its capabilities have been increasing steadily. Most of our operators on Field Day use it. It costs around $10-20 for a perpetual licence including updates.</p><p>Let me give an example of shaving fractions of seconds from the exchange. The CW in N1MM+ messaging facility will send CQ for you, as well as the contest exchange (e.g. "5A GTA" that the club station uses on field day) and the final thank you at the end of the exchange as well as messages like "AGN?" which can be useful from time to time. The CW can be tailored to speed up when there's something that is totally expected by the other station, like his own call sign, then slow down again when the exchange information is sent. Another example is that the spacing between CW characters can be changed from the standard 7 dits to 6 dits. That might reduce the message time by 50ms or so, which might add up to 5 or 10 more contacts over a 24 hour contest.</p><p>Learning N1MM+ can be daunting, but well worth the the time invested. The first time I used it I had it set up for RTTY in a hour or so. Support by N1MM himself and the team is excellent on the Google group and the program is free-of-charge (but not open source). I don't use N1MM+ for my general logging but after the contest I can produce an ADIF format file for upload to my regular logger which I then use to confirm the contacts in ARRL Logbook of the World.</p><p>It is truly an amazing and comprehensive tool to make your contest experience fun and productive. Here's a link to a video by the RATPAC team (who have lots of great videos) on using N1MM+ on ARRL Field Day.</p><p><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Topic: N1MM Logger for Field Day</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Speaker/Presenter: <a href="http://www.qrz.com/db/K8ZT">Anthony Luscre, K8ZT</a><br />
View Video: <a href="https://vimeo.com/561658305">https://vimeo.com/561658305</a><br />
Download Video: <a href="https://vimeo.com/user107547861/download/561658305/d3de10fd9e">https://vimeo.com/user107547861/download/561658305/d3de10fd9e</a><br />
Documents: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1mvexqaudmkd4jc/AABgFaleuXUzwDVtiK8XZek0a?dl=0">https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1mvexqaudmkd4jc/AABgFaleuXUzwDVtiK8XZek0a?dl=0</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-71377680311851348392021-06-18T10:21:00.007-04:002021-06-18T10:21:52.825-04:00Field Day is ComingThe York Region Amateur Radio Club board has decided to cancel our Field Day operations again this year out of caution with the pandemic and compliance with Ontario guidelines. We are optimistic that we will be able to hold the event in 2022. <div><br /></div><div> Meanwhile, club members are encouraged to operate a Field Day station either from home or an outdoor location, either on AC power, battery or generator, on HF or VHF, on CW, Phone or Digital, and to submit their score to the ARRL, specifying "York Region Amateur Radio Club" as their home club. As well as recognizing the individual scores, the ARRL will also recognize the overall club score when they publish the results in QST magazine. RAC will also publish the results for the Canadian stations in TCA ("The Canadian Amateur") magazine. I'd love to see a good turnout of members. </div><div><br /></div><div>The ISS will be operating a repeater on Field Day which you can use to make 1 (and only 1) contact for credit for the event. The limit of 1 contact is because the ISS is overwhelmed by Field Day activity so the limit will give more stations a chance at making a successful contact. The repeater, part of <a href="https://www.ariss.org/" target="_blank">the ARISS project</a>, operates on FM and contact can be made with a dual-band mobile radio and vertical antenna. A fairly clear view of the horizon is advisable as a vertical antenna does not radiate much straight up so contact is most likely when the ISS is at lower elevation angles. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the announcement from the ARRL </div><h4 style="text-align: left;">International Space Station to be in Cross-Band Repeater Mode for Field Day</h4><div><br /></div><div>The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) cross-band repeater will be available for ARRL Field Day, June 26 - 27. </div><div><br /></div><div>Contacts will count toward Field Day bonus points as satellite contacts and Field Day contacts.
Field Day rules limit stations to one contact on any single-channel FM satellite. Note that contacts made during Field Day by ISS crew would only count for contact credit, but not for satellite bonus points. </div><div><br /></div><div>ISS cross-band repeater contacts are also valid AMSAT Field Day satellite contacts.
The ARISS cross-band repeater uplink is 145.990 MHz (67 Hz tone), with a downlink of 437.800 MHz.
ARISS suggests that those unfamiliar with the ISS repeater may want to practice with it prior to Field Day. </div><div><br /></div><div>ARISS had planned to switch modes to the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) during the second week of June, but this won't happen until after the first ARISS school contact following ARRL Field Day. The ARISS ham station will be off-air during spacewalks on June 16 and June 20.</div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">Copyright © 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes
require written permission.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div>VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-61493990589219630972020-10-10T08:59:00.001-04:002020-10-10T08:59:34.703-04:00Pablo VA3HDL Tower ProjectPablo's presentation is now <a href="https://youtu.be/wZnKqEq0Gcg" target="_blank">up on YouTube</a>. In it you will learn how Pablo, with no previous experience with erecting an antenna support structure, completed the installation of a 48' used tower during the Summer of 2020. You can also <a href="https://www.va3hdl.com/projects/antenna-supporting-structure">refer to his web site</a> for more information. The minutes of the general meeting will be published in the members'-only section of the <a href="https://www.yrarc.org/" target="_blank">club web site</a> when available.
The next club meeting will be on Tuesday, November 3rd. Notice will be give in the <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/yrarc.org/g/yrarc.group" target="_blank">club Google group</a>, the <a href="https://www.yrarc.org/" target="_blank">club web site</a> (where you can also become a member), and by email to members. The link to the virtual meeting will be sent to members by email, and available to those who wish to attend as guests by emailing <a href="mailto:secretary@yrarc.org">the club secretary</a>.
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-4683644893423364372020-09-29T19:50:00.005-04:002020-09-29T19:51:37.667-04:00YRARC General Meeting, 7:30pm EDT Tuesday October 6th, 2020<p>Until further notice we are meeting on-line to comply with COVID-19 regulations and recommendations.
<p>The meeting link and other access information will be sent to the membership email list. If you do not receive the message by the morning of Monday, October 5th, please contact our club secretary (secretary@yrarc.org) to register. The meeting is open to club members and everyone with the genuine interest in ham radio (just like our in-person meetings).
<p>The speaker this month will be Pablo, VA3HDL, with a presentation on the tower project he completed this summer.
<p>Look forward to seeing you on-line!
<p>73, ChrisVE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-37660998348692533772020-08-30T15:05:00.007-04:002020-08-30T15:05:48.100-04:00YRARC General Meeting, 7:30pm EDT Tuesday September 1st, 2020The meeting link and other access information have been sent to the membership email list. If you did not receive the message please contact our club secretary (secretary@yrarc.org) to register for the meeting. The meeting is open to club members and everyone with the genuine interest in ham radio (just like our in-person meetings).
73,
ChrisVE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-47959838751749274352020-08-21T08:54:00.002-04:002020-09-13T21:57:09.586-04:00General Meeting: September 1st, 2020The club's next general will be held on Tuesday, September 1st on-line at 7:30pm. We will have the usual format of the business meeting followed by the presentation. This month's presentation topic will be Winlink. The meeting link will sent to all club members several days prior to the meeting.VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-30949939690120720102018-04-30T07:12:00.000-04:002018-04-30T07:12:52.041-04:00YRARC General Meeting - Minutes 2018-04-03Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:35 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 32.<br />
<ol><li>Welcome & Introductions: Chris VE3NRT<br />
<li>Adoption if minutes from 2018/03/06. Moved Bill VA3QB, seconded Brian VE3IBW. Carried.<br />
<li>Treasurer's Report: Charles VA3TTB<br />
<ul><li>Opening Balance 2018-03-01 [available to members upon request to secretary]<br />
<li>Income: None<br />
<li>Expenditures: None<br />
</ul><li>Antenna analyzer update VA3TTB. The circuit board that Charles was planning to use has some flaws, and he is searching for an improved board.<br />
<li>Repeaters: Steve VE3UT. Due to the recent interference (noise) on the repeaters, causing them to transmit continually, Eric VE3EB shut down VE3YRC-V and VE3YRA. Steve VE3UT will investigate. VE3YRK-V update: a replacement antenna will be on site in approximately 2 weeks, and will be installed when a rigger can climb the tower.<br />
<li>Summer Field Day: Steve VE3UT. It may be difficult to operate the kitchen as done previously. Assistance will be needed in the kitchen on Field Day weekend, as well as assistance with shopping. Options to be discussed are – reducing the number of meals, a lighter lunch, or possibly preparing only dinner. It was suggested that we invite a Scouting Venturer group to assist.<br />
</ol>Break 20:00 – 20:20
<p>Guest Speaker: Bob VE3WY. Bob spoke about his trip last summer to Zone 2 in northern Quebec, north of the 50th parallel, to grid square FO10le. Bob and fellow VHF fans from Canada and the US set up a special event station VC2EME in a normally quiet park, to work as many stations as possible Earth-Moon-Earth. June 21 was the chosen date since the moon was closest to the earth without Jupiter or the sun behind the moon. Unfortunately the date coincided with other visitors celebrating St. Jean Batiste Day, and they found a choice camping spot beside the toilets. In spite of vehicle difficulties experienced by the US amateurs, and the limited space available, the trip was a success.<br />
<br />
<br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-38526110271683051132018-04-05T20:29:00.000-04:002018-04-05T20:29:14.441-04:00Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors Meeting - 2018-02-20Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multipurpose Room 4. Called to Order at 19:15 by Chris VE3NRT. Board members attending: Chris VE3NRT (P), Steve VE3UT (VP), Charles VA3TTB (T), Barry VA3LLT, John VE3IPS, Mike VA3MCT, David VA3DCY (S). Absent: Geoff VA3GS, Rick VA3VO, Eric VE3EB. Others attending: None<br />
<ol><li>Approval of Agenda & declaration of conflicts of interest. Amendments: None. Conflicts of interest declared: None. MOTION: To adopt the agenda, Moved Barry VA3LLT, seconded Steve VE3UT. Carried.<br />
<li>Minutes: MOTION: To adopt minutes of Board Meeting date 2018/01/15. Moved Steve VE3UT, seconded Barry VA3LLT. Carried.<br />
<li>Actions arising from minutes: None<br />
<li>Committee Reports:<br />
<ol><li>Treasurer’s Report: Charles VA3TTB<br />
<ul> Income Expenditures Balance
<li>Opening Balance 2017/12/01 [is available to members from Secretary on request]<br />
<li>Memberships $25.00 <br />
<li>Total income $25.00<br />
<li>Cheque $20.00<br />
<li>Total expenditures $20.00<br />
<li>Interim balance 2017/12/19[is available to members from Secretary on request]<br />
<li>MOTION: To adopt the treasurers report. Moved Charles VA3TTB, seconded Barry VA3LLT. Carried.<br />
</ul></ol><li>Insurance: Charles VA3TTB. The Directors and Officers insurance is due on March 15. This policy does not automatically renew, and must be applied for each year. Again the need for this insurance was debated, since according to RAC and their insurance provider, D&O insurance is not necessary for amateur radio clubs, since we have no shareholders, no employees and not other other parties who would rely on the club for income or other funding. The topic of renewing the insurance was debated. MOTION: To renew the D&O insurance. Moved Barry VA3LLT, seconded Mike VA3MCT. Carried.<br />
<li>Repeaters: Steve VE3UT. The power supply for VE3YRA is on hand, and ready to be installed. VE3YRK VHF is still off air due to the 4:1 SWR. A new antenna should be available in the spring. Chris VE3NRT noted that the D-Star operating system is no longer maintained.<br />
<li>Winter Field Day: Steve VE3UT. Steve presented his WFD cost summary:<br />
<table><tr><th>Item</th><th>Advance</th><th>Expenditures</th><th>Refund</th></tr>
<tr><td>Advance</td><td>$275.00</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Gas bought Steve VE3UT</td><td></td><td>$90.00</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Gas bought David VA3DCY</td><td></td><td>$23.40</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Propane</td><td>$15.00</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Name plate for Melted Coffee Pot award</td><td></td><td>$8.00</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kitchen expenses (drinks/snacks) Peter VE3PBT</td><td></td><td>$54.20</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Total expenses</td><td></td><td>$190.60</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Excess gas purchased Steve VE3UT</td><td>$21.00</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Total money received</td><td></td><td>$296.00</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Cash returned to treasurer</td><td></td><td>$296.00 - $190.60</td><td>$105.40</td></tr>
</table><ul><li>Winter Field Day cost: $190.60 - $21.00 = $169.60</ul><li>Web Site: Mike VA3MCT. The new web site is ready to go and we have access to thee products and services offered by Tech Soup, such as 'Google for non-profits'.<br />
<li>ARES: Mike VA3MCT. There has been no recent activity, but we have been invited to the Barrie ARES Central Ontario meeting on April 7 and have been asked to bring our trailer. MOTION: To allow the trailer to leave York Region to go to Barrie for April 7. Moved Mike VA3MCT, seconded John VE3IPS. Carried. John VE3IPS will attend a GTA ARES meeting in February.<br />
<li>Auditor: Charles VA3TTB. Charles VA3TTB met with John VA3JI and Doug VE3XV to discuss the auditor's requirements and to establish procedures and guidelines. Charles distributed a draft of the proposed procedures.<br />
</ol><br />
<br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-43315961017954857402018-04-05T19:26:00.000-04:002018-04-05T19:26:48.796-04:00Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors Meeting 2018-01-16Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multi Purpose Room 4.. Called to Order at 19:10 by Chris VE3NRT Board members attending: Chris VE3NRT (P), Steve VE3UT (VP), Charles VA3TTB (T), Geoff VA3GS, Barry VA3LLT, Eric VE3EB, David VA3DCY (S), Mike VA3MCT. Absent: Rick VA3VO, John VE3IPS. Others attending: None<br />
<ol><li>Approval of Agenda & declaration of conflicts of interest. Amendments: None. Conflicts of interest declared: None. MOTION: To adopt the agenda, Moved Barry VA3LLT, seconded Steve VE3UT. Carried.<br />
<li>Minutes: MOTION: To adopt minutes of Board Meeting date 2017/12/19. Moved Mike VA3MCT, seconded Steve VE3UT. Carried.<br />
<li>Actions arising from minutes<br />
<ol><li>Rick to attempt to sell hardline on Kitchener swap net – no update.<br />
<li>Alex to be reimbursed $20 for stolen item at Hamfest. Cheque will be written.<br />
<li>Set up recording of the repeater with time stamping – no progress to date. There seems to be no jamming at the moment.<br />
<li>Establishment of a dollar value threshold to record assets. The value would be the current value. MOTION: That $100 be established as the threshold in determining when to record an item as an asset. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Steve VE3UT. Carried.<br />
<li>Geoff VA3GS will get a quote for QSL cards.<br />
</ol><li>Treasurer’s Report: Charles VA3TTB. MOTION: To adopt the treasurers report. Moved Charles VA3TTB, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.<br />
<ul><li>Opening balance - members may request balance from Club Secretary<br />
<li>Memberships $305.00 <br />
<li>Markham Fair rebate $460.45<br />
<li>Hamfest 2016 $100.00<br />
<li>Hamfest 2017 $270.00<br />
<li>Other $80.00<br />
<li>Go-kit item replacements -$51.83<br />
<li>Hamfest expenses -$842.82<br />
<li>Trailer repair parts -$51.56<br />
<li>Winter Field day 2018 -$275.00<br />
<li>Food for December gathering -$196.09 <br />
</ul><li>Insurance: Charles VA3TTB<br />
<ul><li>RAC insurance is provided by AON. $5 million liability insurance for a club costs $160/year plus $1 for each RAC member and $10 for each non RAC member. The coverage includes members and visitors.<br />
To include a name insured, there is a $75 one time charge for each named insured. <br />
<li>RAC property insurance rates are 1% of the insured value per year.<br />
<li>Vehicle insurance is not available from RAC.<br />
<li>Director's insurance according to AON is likely not required for our club.<br />
</ul><li>Banking: Charles VA3TTB We need a signing director (in addition to Charles) to sign a bank form to allow Charles (the treasurer) to have read-only access to our bank balances. Steve VE3UT will provide the second signature.<br />
<li>Auditor: Charles VA3TTB. Charles VA3TTB and John VA3JI will meet with Doug Smith to discuss the auditor's requirements and to establish procedures and guidelines.<br />
<li>Trailer: Barry VA3LLT. The trailer is currently at Al's Tack Shop. It was moved there after the Scout winter camp at nearby Shadow Lake, to be on site for Winter Field Day. <br />
We may need to repair a speaker connector.<br />
Repeaters: Steve VE3UT. There have been no changes to the repeaters. Gf VA3GS has submitted the repeater information to WYNSORC for this year.<br />
Web Site: Mike VA3MCT. Mike asked the board to look at the new website and send him comments. He will resend the site URL.It may be possible to send e-mail to members via 'Google for business' or Mail Chimp. <br />
Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS. No report, the hamfest is finished for the year.<br />
<li>Property: Rick VA3VO. No report.<br />
<li>Public Service: Eric VE3EB. At the recent Scout winter camp, Brian VE3IBW and Eric were in the trailer demonstrating APRS to the older youth, and Geoff and David were in the main building teaching phonetics and code to the younger youth.<br />
<li>ARES: Mike VA3MCT. No report.<br />
Winter Field day: Steve VE3UT: Steve noted there are 2 weeks left before Winter Field Day. Setup will be on Friday January 26 and the trailer is already on site. $55 has been given to Peter VE3PBT to purchase refreshments, and $220 is on hand to pay for fuel. The 40m dipole needs to be repaired – wires re-soldered to the balun. Steve noted that we should do an equipment check following each event to check for damaged or missing equipment.<br />
<li>Basic qualification course: Geoff VA3GS. There will be a new course next fall.<br />
<li>Membership: Barry VA3LLT We have approximately 70 members.<br />
<li>New Business:<br />
<ul><li>Meeting Attendance. A review of board members attendance was discussed.<br />
<li>A Stouffville Scout group would like us to do a presentation at one of their Thursday meetings. The presentation would be approximately 1 to 1.5 hours long. Code/voice/APRS to be determined. The date to be determined.<br />
<li>Gas used at the previous Scout winter camp. MOTION: To reimburse David VA3DCY for gas purchased upon presentation of a receipt, value not to exceed $30. Moved Steve VE3UT, seconded Eric VE3EB. Carried.<br />
<li>USB – RS232 adaptor for D-Star trailer radio. MOTION: To reimburse Steve VE3UT for the purchase of the USB adaptor $30 max. The motion needs to be presented at the next General meeting.<br />
<li>Club event vests: Eric VE3EB - Eric proposed purchasing identical vests with the club ID/logo, to be worn by club members at club public events. He suggested purchasing 16 to 20 vests that would be owned by the club, and members could also purchase their own vests. He also proposed purchasing an open tracker in the future.<br />
</ul></ol><br />
<br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-30154909173948167232018-04-02T16:20:00.000-04:002018-04-03T19:24:08.049-04:00Minutes - YRARC General Meeting - March 6, 2018Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:35 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 28.<br />
<ol><li>Welcome & Introductions: Chris VE3NRT<br />
<li>Adoption of minutes from 2018/02/06. Moved Brian VE3IBW, seconded Rick VA3VO. Carried.<br />
<li>Treasurer's Report; Charles VA3TTB. Members may obtain the opening and closing balances from the club secretary. Receipts: Excess money from Winter Field Day $105.00; Expenditures: Serial port adapter $28.24, Scout Winter Camp Gas: $23.39.<br />
<li>Insurance: Charles VA3TTB. Our membership at RAC has expired, and membership in RAC could have benefits with the future purchase of insurance. MOTION: That YRARC join Radio Amateurs of Canada as an affiliate club for an annual cost of $27.95 plus GST. Moved Rick VA3VO, seconded John VA3JI. Carried.<br />
<li>Repeaters: Steve VE3UT: VE3YRA will be off the air on Wednesday March 7, at 09:00 for approximately one hour, to replace the power supply that had recently failed. The repeater has been on air using a temporary supply. Doug VE3ATP is waiting for better weather to replace the VE3YRK antenna. Don VE3IXJ mentioned there is a new DMR repeater north of Bradford.<br />
</ol>Guest Speaker: Due to last minute circumstances, the scheduled guest was unavailable. Charles VA3TTB filled in with some of his thoughts on weather radar. Being an enthusiastic bird watcher, weather radar is of interest to him. Weather radar has an approximately 1 degree beam, which is elevated just above the horizon. At a given distance away from the radar station, the beam will be at a certain height above ground. The pulses can be reflected by small objects such as rain, snow, small insects such as bees and also birds. One of his pictures showed a ring of objects. They were birds, flying at their normal height above the ground. Another picture showed a concentration of migrating birds along the Niagara Peninsula. In conclusion, he wanted us to know that a doctor gave us a talk on the birds and the bees.<br />
<br />
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VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-55723693021067436902018-03-03T16:11:00.000-05:002018-03-03T16:11:01.475-05:00Minutes - YRARC General Membership Meeting 2018-02-06Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 38.<br />
<ol><li>Welcome & Introductions: Chris VE3NRT<br />
<li>Trailer and Membership Report: Barry VA3LLT. <br />
<ul><li>The club trailer was used at Winter Field Day, and a small clean-up is needed.<br />
<li>We have a total of 73 paid members, including life members.<br />
</ul><li>Trailer Item Purchase: Steve VE3UT. MOTION: To approve payment of $28.24 for a USB to RS232 adaptor, purchased for the D- Star radio in the club trailer. Moved Steve VE3UT, seconded Rick VA3VO. Carried.<br />
<li>Adoption of minutes from 2017/12/05 and 2018/01/02. Moved Brian VE3IBW, seconded Steve VE3UT. Carried.<br />
<li>Treasurer's Report: Charles VA3TTB. Due to an incompatibility between a USB drive and a computer, there was no official report, only a verbal summary.<br />
<li>Insurance: Charles VA3TTB. We have 3 insurance policies, liability insurance, trailer road insurance and directors insurance. Charles is investigating getting us coverage at better rates.<br />
<li>Public Service: Eric VE3EB. <br />
<ul><li>There are planned events for the year 2018, including but not limited to, the Mount Albert Run, the Newmarket Music Festival, the Aurora Street Sale, Run for the Cure, and various events at the Sharon Temple.<br />
<li>We participated at the recent 2nd Markham Scouts Winter camp. Steve VE3UT, Geoff VA3GS and David VA3DCY set up on the Friday (in winter conditions). On Saturday Geoff VA3GS and David VA3DCY introduced younger youth to Morse Code and the phonetic alphabet. For the older youth, Eric VE3EB and Brian VE3IBW demonstrated APRS and digital modes with the help of Steve VE3EZ (who was off site).<br />
</ul><li>Winter Field Day: Steve VE3UT<br />
<ul><li>WFD weekend was on January 27 and 28. Set up started on Friday with the club trailer, Steve VE3EZ's trailer and one section of the summer shelter. We operated as 3Oscar (maximum 3 transmitters at one time and Outdoors).<br />
<li>In 2015 our score was 3573, in 2017 our score was 6348 and for 2018 we claimed 10,690. The total number of QSOs were 239 with a multiplier of 7, for a QSO score of 2345. We claimed 1500 bonus points each for non-commercial power (generators), operating outdoors, away from home and a minimum of one satellite QSO. We made 3 Satellite QSOs (although only 1 counted).<br />
</ul><li>Repeaters: Steve VE3UT. VE3YRA was off the air recently due to a failed power supply. It was returned to air using a temporary supply. A replacement supply will arrive soon.<br />
<li>ARES (EmComm) Report: Don VE3IXJ. The UHF frequencies used on the cross-band repeaters at the EOCs, may conflict with digital frequencies. Don is working to resolve the situation.<br />
</ol><p>Break: 20:10 – 20:25
<p>Guest Speaker: Alex VE3ASE
<p>Topic: Amateur Radio Satellites.
<p>It can be inexpensive to start working satellites with a minimum of equipment. Alex started with a simple 'tape measure' yagi and a dual band handheld radio. Satellites can be worked regardless of band conditions, since they are worked with line of sight VHF and UHF communications. The satelites are in low-earth orbit (not geosynchronous orbit like communications satellites) and have a 10 to 20 minute maximum window when they can be 'seen'.
<p>FM satellites operate on 1 cross-band channel, and like a terrestrial repeater, allow only one QSO at a time. Linear satellites have a 50 to 100 kHz bandwidth and allow multiple SSB/CW QSOs.
<p>For FM satellite operation, the handheld radio should be capable of full duplex operation, first to ensure you are actually being heard by the sattelite and secondly to be able to respond quickly to a QSO. Alternately 2 separate radios could be used. Because of the satellite movement, you can expect a doppler shift, so at least 5 pre-programmed transmit and receive frequencies are necessary – (2 lower, 1 on frequency, 2 higher). In addition, a voice recorder is necessary to record the exchange in the QSO. In order to know when satellites will be 'visible', satellite pass prediction software is invaluable.
<p>The most critical antenna is the downlink antenna. It should be a high gain Yagi. While the antennae can be hand-held, it can also be permanently mounted, and motor driven as done by Brad VE3HII. The setup can also be more expensive.<br />
<br />
<br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-15138305333533678102018-02-05T06:30:00.000-05:002018-02-05T06:30:22.758-05:00Minutes - YRARC General Meeting 2018-01-02Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 26<br />
<ol><li>Welcome & Introductions: Chris VE3NRT<br />
<li>Adoption of minutes from 2017/12/05. Postponed until February 2018.<br />
<li>Repeater Committee: Steve VE3UT<br />
<ul><li>The voice IDs on the repeaters are now muted when the repeater is in use. VE3YRK-V is still off the air due to a 4:1 SWR.<br />
<li>Winter field day will be on January 27 and 28, and we will be at Al's Tack Shop on Vandorf Rd. A show of hands indicated approximately 10 people plan to attend. The cost of fuel and snacks will be covered by the club. Peter VE3PBT will prepare a light meal for those wishing to stay for supper at a cost of $3 per person.<br />
</ul><li>Don VE3IXJ noted that VE3BAL is now on a new frequency.<br />
</ol><br>Break: 19:50
<p>Guest Speaker: Don VE3IXJ
<br>Topic: The Power of the HT Repeater.
<p>Don demonstrated a simplex repeater, Surecom SR-112, costing approximately $80 Cdn bought on eBay from China. It attaches to the mic/speaker of the HT radio. On receive it records the audio, then re-transmits the recorded audio. It is a very simple solution for use in a local environment. Then Don demonstrated a crossband repeater, Surecom SR-628, costing approximately $90Cdn. The lightweight and inexpensive repeater could be set up easily and quickly in a typical emergency where simplex operation might be ineffective.
<p>The crossband repeater was connected to an inexpensive Chinese radio capable of crossband. Anything received on VHF was retransmitted on UHF, and anything received on UHF was retransmitted on VHF. To extend the range, Don added a second crossband repeater/radio combination and then a third repeater/radio combination. From end to end a typical path would be VHF Freq#1 – repeater – UHF Freq#2 – repeater – VHF Freq#3 – repeater – UHF Freq#4.
<p>A conversation could be heard on any frequency along the path. A radio in the middle could transmit on UHF Freq#2 or VHF Freq#3 and be heard at both ends of the path on VHF Freq#1 and UHF Freq#4.<br />
<br />
<br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-64142199957850458972018-02-04T20:40:00.000-05:002018-02-04T20:40:04.440-05:00YRARC General Meeting - Minutes 2017-12-05Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 27<br />
<ol><li>Welcome & Introductions: Chris VE3NRT<br />
<li>Adoption of minutes from 2017/11/07. Moved Rick VA3VO, seconded Jack VA3UU. Carried<br />
<li>Ontario VHF Association: Bob VE3WY; The Ontario VHF Association is having a 1 day meeting in June, with antenna testing in the morning, and technical talks in the afternoon, followed by dinner. Bob asked if we as a club would host the event.<br />
<li>ARES Report: Mike VA3MCT; The recent SET in Markham was based on a 5 day power outage. Messages were passed using only simplex communication, however hand written messages using standard voice relaying are slow, and not the way to go forward. Eric VE3EB and others are experimenting with Fldigi to transfer messages of UHF and HF. Steve VE3UT and others have tested D-Star to transfer messages. John VE3IPS would also like to encourage the use of NVIS antennae for short range HF links.<br />
<li>Treasurer’s Report: Charles VA3TTB; There was no working projector and no definite treasurers report, just figures from memory. Charles spoke about a proposed project night Arduino antenna analyzer. He has been sourcing parts for the project, and the cost should be approximately $100.<br />
<li>Repeater, Winter Field Day Reports: Steve VE3UT; The D-Star VHF repeater is off the air until further notice. The antenna has a 4:1 VSWR. Steve asked for a headcount of potential WFD participants, to estimate refreshment requirements (approximately 10 to 12). Proposed bands for operation will be 160m, 80m, 40m and 20m...Phone, CW and digital modes. Rob VE3RQB wanted to know when the 'brag messages' on the repeaters would be lowered when there was a conversation in progress.<br />
<li>Public Service Report: Eric VE3EB; There are still items remaining from the estate of Bernie VE3OTR. John VE3POJ is disposing of the assets. Contact Eric for details.<br />
<li>Hamfest Report: Geoff VA3GS; Geoff thanked all who were involved with the Hamfest. He also noted that as of December 1, all cell phones can be unlocked without charge for the unlock code.<br />
<li>Membership Report: Barry VA3LLT; We have a total of 70 paid members including life members.<br />
<li>Name Tags: Doug VE3VS;Anyone a name tag, please contact Doug. When there are enough orders, the name tags can be made. There is a DXpedition at the Galapagos Islands, and Doug received his Vimy 100 certificate.<br />
</ol><br>Meeting adjourned at 20:15. Moved Rick VA3VO, seconded Jack VA3UU. Carried.
<p>The Christmas party followed the business meeting.<br />
<br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-8629128547642692782017-12-15T12:18:00.000-05:002017-12-15T12:18:31.669-05:00Minutes - YRARC General Meeting 2017-09-05Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRTTotal members and guests attending: 42<br />
<ol><li>Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT. Adoption of the Minutes from the 2017/05/02 and 2017/06/06 general meeting postponed until October.<br />
<li>Public Service – Brian VE3IBW for Eric VE3EB. Past events included the Canada Day celebration at the Sharon Temple and the Newmarket Music Festival. We received a $600 honorarium for our participation at the music festival. Upcoming events include the Sharon Temple Illumination on September 8 and Weaving Words, also at the Sharon Temple on September 17. Run for the cure is on October 1 and we will need 10 to 14 volunteers to run this event.<br />
<li>Treasurer’s Report – Charles VA3TTB. Charles stressed the need to pay our dues and support the Hamfest, since we have many expenses including insurance and rental costs for the Hamfest which occur throughout the year.<br />
<ul><li>Opening Balance 2017-09-01 [available to members on request to club secretary]<br />
<li>Income: None<br />
<li>Expenditures: None<br />
<li>Closing Balance 2017-09-01 [available to members on request to club secretary]<br />
</ul>
<li>Hamfest – Geoff VA3GS. Our annual hamfest will be held on November 4 at the Markham Fairgrounds. This year we will use Hall 2 as the entrance as before, and this year, all exhibits will be in Hall 1. We will need lots of help, on Friday for preparation, on Saturday morning to run the event and also for tear down. When we do the cleanup, we save ourselves money.<br />
<li>Ham Classes – Geoff VA3GS. Information about upcoming classes – TBD.<br />
<li>Summer Field Day – Steve VE3UT<br />
<ul><li>Steve gave a quick summary of Summer Field Day, noting that it was a success with many bands operated, more QSOs and a record breaking number of Satellite contacts. This was in spite of having to shut down early because of severe weather.<br />
<li>Plans are underway to hold Winter Field Day in January with details to follow.<br />
<li>We have been invited to attend a Scout Winter Camp, the weekend before WFD. This will be a 'low key event'.<br />
<li>We have also been asked to participate at a Scout JOTA camp at Woodland Trails (Kennedy Rd north of Bloomington) on October 21.<br />
</ul><li>Repeaters – Steve VE3UT. The IRLP node should be working within a few weeks.<br />
<li>Co-ax and 6m Net – Johnn VA3JI. John has some 7/8” Heliax available, and would also be willing to reactivate the 6m Net if there is sufficient interest.<br />
<li>ARES / EmComm – John VE3IPS, Mike VA3MCT. There is a GTA SET on Saturday October 14. York Region will be holding an emergency exercise on Wednesday and Thursday November 15 and 16. The scenario will involve a simulated 5 day power outage and will be at the Markham EOC. Check-ins are encouraged during the event.<br />
<li>Co-ax and TV tower – Doug VE3VS. Doug has some co-ax and TV tower sections available.<br />
</ol>Break 20:30 – 20:45
Guest Speaker Grant VE3XTV – “Amateur TV Repeaters”. Grant talked about his amateur TV repeaters. He has plans for a hybrid analogue/digital repeater and spoke about some of the challenges and potential obstacles in getting his repeater up and running. For the moment the repeater input would accept analogue signals, and the repeater output would be a digital signal. Much of the equipment used would be old broadcast equipment, available at bargain prices, along with some custom made items. Future plans are for an all digital repeater.
<p>Meeting adjourned at 21:30.<br />
<br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-57614210677784490232017-12-15T11:28:00.001-05:002017-12-15T11:28:58.553-05:00Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors Meeting 2017-10-17Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multipurpose Room 1.. Called to Order at 19:00 by Chris VE3NRT<br />
Board members attending: Chris VE3NRT (P), Steve VE3UT (VP), Charles VA3TTB (T), Geoff VA3GS, Barry VA3LLT, Eric VE3EB, David VA3DCY (S), Rick VA3VO. Absent: John VE3IPS, Mike VA3MCT.<br />
Others attending: None<br />
<ol><li>Approval of Agenda & declaration of conflicts of interest. Amendments: None. MOTION: To adopt the agenda: Moved Rick VA3VO, seconded Steve VE3UT. Carried.<br />
<li>Minutes: MOTION: To adopt minutes of Board Meeting date 2017-09-19. Moved: Geoff VA3GS, seconded Barry VA3LLT. Carried.<br />
<li>Actions arising from minutes<br />
<ol><li>Bank signatures for the new executive. Done.<br />
<li>'Form 1' needs to be submitted to Service Ontario with updated director information.<br />
<li>Canvassing of membership for Hamfest duties. Geoff has reissued a request.<br />
<li>Sign-out sheet for club equipment. Done.<br />
<li>Mike VA3MCT to contact York regional personnel regarding ARES requirements and participation. Deferred to November meeting.<br />
<li>JOTA Event October 21 (trailer/personnel). Geoff VA3GS to attend the event.<br />
<ul><li>MOTION: To authorize Steve VE3UT as an additional trailer trainer (to Rob VE3RQB). Moved Barry VA3LLT, seconded Rick VA3VO. Carried.<br />
<li>MOTION: To train Charles VA3TTB and David VA3DCY as trailer pullers. Upon successful completion of the training, be authorized to haul the trailer. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Rick VA3VO. Carried.<br />
</ul><li>Investigation of Project Night. Charles VA3TTB reported that Gary VE3NMI would be happy to run a project night. Projects might include an Arduino type antenna analyzer (approx cost $50) or an Arduino clock project.<br />
</ol><li>York region battery and hardline donation. Steve VE3EZ has picked up the batteries and hardline. They are in his trailer and the batteries will be charged and tested. The batteries are approximately 100 Ah glass mat sealed batteries and the hardline is 100' sections of 1/2” 50 Ohm coax. It was decided to allocate the first batteries to the repeaters and trailer – 3 batteries for YRC-V Bloomington, 3 batteries for YRK Ballantrae and 1 for the trailer. Rick VA3VO has 3 solar panels to exchange for 2 batteries. It was suggested that the batteries be sold at $40 to members and $75 at the hamfest. The price for the coax was to be determined.<br />
<ul><li>MOTION: To allocate 7 batteries for club use and sell the remaining batteries and hardline, first to members, and then at the hamfest. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Steve VE3UT. Carried.<br />
</ul><li>Committee Reports:<br />
<ol><li>Treasurer’s Report: Charles VA3TTB (several months contained herein). MOTION: To adopt the treasurers report: Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Steve VE3UT. Carried.<br />
<ul><li>Opening Balance 2017-07-01: [Available to members on request to Secretary]<br />
<li>Hamfest table rental: $43.00<br />
<li>Trailer Insurance: ($811.00)<br />
<li>Membership Dues: $50.00<br />
<li>Hamfest table rental: $86.00<br />
<li>Banking Fees: ($3.10)<br />
<li>York Music Festival: $600.00<br />
<li>Field Day revenues: $354.20<br />
<li>Hamfest table rental: $70.00<br />
<li>Membership Dues: $780.00<br />
<li>Banking Fees: ($2.33)<br />
<li>Hamfest table rental: ($115.00)<br />
<li>Banking Fees: ($2.93)<br />
<li>Closing Balance (available to members on request to Secretary)<br />
</ul><li>Trailer: Barry VA3LLT. All is OK, no report.<br />
<li>Repeaters: Steve VE3UT. All is OK, no report. Steve gave a receipt to Charles for $10 for the Harvey Bell award label.<br />
<li>Web Site: Mike VA3MCT. Deferred to November meeting.<br />
<li>Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS<br />
<ul><li>On Thursday Nov 19 Geoff and David will make a trip to the Markham fairgrounds.<br />
<li>Trevor VE3SLT will look after coffee, the Lions Club will serve breakfast, Terry VE3ODM will look after admissions, Chris VA3DXY will be in charge of admissions for next year.<br />
<li>Bill VA3QB will look after security, Brian VE3IBW will look after parking and Barry VA3LLT will look after talk-in.<br />
<li>The door prized have been bought, and the grand prizes will come from Durham Radio, Radioworld and Maple Leaf Communications.<br />
<li>Internal communications will be on 446.075 MHz (ARES 43)<br />
<li>Admissions float cash should be $300 in $2 coins and $300 in $5 and $10 bills.<br />
<li>Grand prize float cash should be $200 in $5 bills and $200 in $10 bills<br />
<li>Setup on Friday will be 13:00 at the fairgrounds and arrival on Saturday morning 06:00. (EmComm trailer and container items: P/U Friday morning, Geoff/David Saturday 05:00)<br />
<li>MOTION 2017-10-17-4e: To pay $2,464.51 - the final instalment for the Markham fairgrounds. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Rick VA3VO. Carried.<br />
</ul><li>Property: Rick VA3VO. No report.<br />
<li>Public Service: Eric VE3EB. The Run for the Cure had 1600 participants, with 13 volunteers (10 club members, 3 others). It was a problem-free event.<br />
<li>EmComm: Mike VA3MCT. No report.<br />
<li>Winter Field Day: Steve VE3UT. Steve VE3UT, Peter VE3PBT and David VA3DCY met to discuss WFD. Band conditions, cost of gas, weather conditions and the number attending could all affect the WFD costs. It was proposed that the club pay for fuel and refreshments at WFD. Those attending would be responsible for their own meal(s). MOTION 2017-10-17-4i: To pay $275.00 for WFD fuel and refreshments. Moved Steve VE3UT, seconded Rick VA3VO. Carried. The motion to be approved by the general membership, and payable in January 2018.<br />
<li>Basic Qualification Course: Geoff VA3GS. There were 6 at the last class, where the participants built a J-Pole antenna. They will write exams soon.<br />
<li>Membership: Barry VA3LLT. We have 51 paid members, 8 life members, and 24 unpaid members at the moment. Barry transferred $300.00 for membership to Charles<br />
</ol><li>Other Business:<br />
<ol><li>Liability and Property Insurance: David VA3DCY. We have the insurance bill to pay immediately.MOTION 2017-10-17-5a: To pay $1,112.40 for Liability and Property Insurance. Moved David VA3DCY, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.<br />
</ol><li>Meeting adjourned.<br />
</ol>VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-14874682705617333272017-12-04T17:21:00.000-05:002017-12-04T17:21:34.354-05:00Minutes, YRARC General Meeting 2017-11-07Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Steve VE3UT. Total members and guests attending: 31<br />
<ol><li>Welcome & Introductions – Steve VE3UT<br />
<li>Adoption of minutes from 2017/10/03. Moved John VE3IPS, seconded John VA3JI. Carried<br />
<li>Treasurer’s Report – Charles VA3TTB<br />
<ul><li>Opening Balance 2017/09/30 [available to members on request to club secretary]<br />
<li>Income<br />
<ul>Memberships $330.00
<li>Hamfest $308.00<br />
<li>Total Income: $638.00 <br />
</ul><li>Expenses:<br />
<ul><li>Markham Fair Rental $3,643.21<br />
<li>Liability Insurance $1,112.40<br />
<li>Canada Post box rental $250.86<br />
<li>Misc $12.92<br />
<li>Total Expenses: $5,019.40<br />
</ul><li>Closing Balance 2017/10/31 [available to members on request to club secretary]<br />
</ul><li>EmComm Report – Mike VA3MCT<br />
<ul><li>On October 14 there was an Ontario wide SET. The York Region EOC was activated, and communication on 40m and 60m was attempted using NVIS antennae.<br />
<li>On November 15, there will be a Markham SET. We need support for this event.<br />
</ul><li>Winter Field Day – Steve VE3UT<br />
<ul><li>Winter Field Day will happen in January 2018 and the proposed site is Al's Tack Shop, 4812 Vandorf Rd in Stouffville. The board approved payment for gas and beverages only, and meals would be the responsibility of the participants.<br />
<li>Motion that the club pay $275 for gas and beverages, moved Alex VA3ASE, seconded John VE3IPS. Carried.<br />
</ul><li>Public Service Report – Eric VE3EB. No report<br />
<li>Repeater Committee Report – Steve VE3UT<br />
<ul><li>IRLP is off the air momentarily.<br />
<li>One repeater is announcing the Hamfest message – to be investigated.<br />
</ul><li>Membership Report – Barry VA3LLT. We have a total or 61 paid members and 8 life members.<br />
<li>Hamfest Report – Geoff VA3GS. Geoff was away, but there was a short discussion on what went well and where improvements could be made.<br />
</ol>Guest Speaker John VA3KOT – “Narrow Band Emergency Message System”<br />
<br />
John talked the need for emergency communications, not for ARES types of disaster events, which occur very infrequently, but for something that is likely to happen more often, like an ice storm or winter snow storm where power and communications are disrupted.<br />
<br />
Is voice radio communication the answer? 2M or 70cm repeaters may be down without power, simplex has limited range and it uses bandwidth.<br />
Winlink? It works only with Windows and not open source software, depends on the internet, is email based and needs a 'connection' to function.<br />
<br />
CW works and uses less bandwidth than voice, but not everybody knows Morse Code.<br />
<br />
There are other digital modes that use less bandwidth than CW and work under the noise floor.<br />
<br />
NBEMS is an open source, free, multi platform that can be 'connectionless', ie the signal is broadcast to whoever is receiving, or with a 'connection' to only one receiver for security.<br />
Remember, email does not need to be sent over the internet.<br />
<br />
FLDigi (Fast Light Digital) and the suite of products, like FLMsg (Message), FLArq (Automatic Repeat Request), FLWrap (to drag and drop messages), FLAmp (Amateur multicast protocol, for connectionless transfer of files).<br />
<br />
FLDigi is open source, run on multiple platforms (Windows, MAC, Linux and more) on powerful processors down to a RaspberryPi, using a soundcard and supports many digital modes.<br />
<br />
John demonstrated the use of FLDigi with a RaspberryPi, interfaced to a handheld radio, and received buy cheap off-shore radio, acoustically coupled to an old android smart phone running AndFLMsg. It worked and was done with inexpensive devices.<br />
<br />
<br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-6568450219541534602017-11-06T07:23:00.003-05:002017-11-06T07:23:58.415-05:00Minutes: YRARC General Meeting 2017-10-03Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 36<br />
<ol><li>Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT. Chris presented Don VE3IXJ with the Harvey Bell Award for his past and present contributions to the club.<br />
<li>Treasurer’s Report – Charles VA3TTB<br />
<ul>Opening Balance 2017/09/01 [Balance is available to members upon request to Secretary]
<li>Income<br />
<ul><li>York Arts Music Festival: $600.00<br />
<li>Dues $780.00<br />
<li>Field Day refund: $354.20<br />
<li>Hamfest table rental $70.00 <br />
<li>Total: $1804.20<br />
</ul><li>Expenditures:<br />
<ul><li>Bank Fees: $2.33<br />
</ul><li>Closing Balance 2017/10/01 [Balance is available to members upon request to Secretary]<br />
Charles also spoke about a proposed project night.<br />
</ul><li>Public Service Report – Eric VE3EB<br />
<ul><li>We supported Run for the Cure (year #8) with parking and vehicle management. It was a successful event for the organizers.<br />
<li>The club received letters of appreciation from the Mount Albert Sports Day and the Run for the Cure organizers, for our participation in their events.<br />
<li>The next events will likely be in the spring of 2018. <br />
</ul><li>EmComm Report – Mike VA3MCT. On October 14 there will be an Ontario wide SET. The York Region EOC will be activated, and members are encouraged to make check-ins during the SET. Further details to be provided closer to the event. Communication on 40m and 60m will be attempted using NVIS antennae.<br />
<li>Membership Report – Barry VA3LLT. This is the last day to pay membership dues, before your membership expires. The Go-kits are being refurbished.<br />
<li>Hamfest Report – Geoff VA3GS<br />
<ul><li>Our annual hamfest will be held on November 4 at the Markham Fairgrounds. This year we will use Hall 2 as the entrance as before, and this year, all exhibits will be in Hall 1.<br />
<li>We will need lots of help, on Friday for preparation, on Saturday morning to run the event and also for tear-down. When we do the cleanup, we save ourselves money.<br />
<li>We especially need help with security, parking and admissions.<br />
</ul><li>Winter Field Day – Steve VE3UT. Winter Field Day will happen in January 2018. It is both a contest and an emergency preparedness event. We will be operating outdoors again this year, with antenna and station setup done as a team. The intent is to be able to erect antennae as quickly as possible. It is proposed that the club pay for gas and beverages and that meals be the responsibility of the participants. The proposed site will be Al's Tack Shop, 4812 Vandorf Rd in Stouffville.<br />
<li>Repeater Committee Report – Steve VE3UT. IRLP and Echolink are running. Steve gave a demonstration of IRLP and Echolink with the help of Bruce VE3BV who was at home. See IRLP.org for a list of IRLP nodes. Also mentioned, there is an Echolink app for Android and Apple devices.<br />
</ol>Guest Speaker Hugh VE3AYR – “Vimy 100”. Hugh talked about Vimy 100, an event to commemorate the 100thh anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
<p>Planning started back in 2011 for a special event with amateurs from across Canada running a commemorative station from locations across Canada.
<p>A special, non-standard call sign was obtained: VE100VIMY, along with a corresponding French call sign TM100VIMY. Although the site of the Vimy Memorial is Canadian territory, the air waves are not, thus the use of the French call sign.
<li>The Canadian operation ran from 2017 Jamuary 01 to 2017 March 31. In April 2017, the operation moved to Arras France, the closest town to the Vimy Memorial. The station in France ran from 2017 April 01 to 2017 April 09.<br />
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_jF6-GSvtMLtRQjp6mSnxZmNTd7AHidE6WmC4CVVJotEH1n_dLAEiw3ym2mllYatu0nLdFH2QcrdUbQmXlaJvTEAuInCtke0bEqEnsiy_ZpUuRz4z7Wmnh8RnQUqu66OjHFn9CooSvU/s1600/0611-2017-07003569954301292.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_jF6-GSvtMLtRQjp6mSnxZmNTd7AHidE6WmC4CVVJotEH1n_dLAEiw3ym2mllYatu0nLdFH2QcrdUbQmXlaJvTEAuInCtke0bEqEnsiy_ZpUuRz4z7Wmnh8RnQUqu66OjHFn9CooSvU/s400/0611-2017-07003569954301292.jpeg" width="400" height="307" data-original-width="1476" data-original-height="1134" /></a><br />
<br />
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VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-67030009404803275592017-09-19T16:00:00.000-04:002017-09-19T16:00:20.282-04:00Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors 2017-06-20Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multi Purpose Room 1. Called to Order at 19:00 by Chris VE3NRT<br />
Board members attending: <br />
<ul><li>Chris VE3NRT Pres. <br />
<li>John VE3IPS V. Pres. <br />
<li>John VA3JI Treasurer<br />
<li>Geoff VA3GS<br />
<li>Eric VE3EB<br />
<li>Doug VE3ATP<br />
<li>David VA3DCY Secty<br />
<li>Rick VA3VO<br />
<li>Barry VA3LLT<br />
</ul>Absent: Steve VE3UT
Other attending: Charles VA3TTB, Mike VA3MCT
Secretary's note: Board members finishing their terms are Chris VE3NRT, John VA3JI, Doug VE3ATP and Steve VE3UT.
Newly elected board members are Chris VE3NRT, Steve VE3UT, Charles VA3TTB and Mike VA3MCT
<ol><li>Approval of agenda and declaration of conflict of interest: Chris VE3NRT<br />
<ul><li>Additional item: Internet link for trailer- Doug VE3ATP<br />
<li>Motion to adopt the agenda, moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Barry VA3LLT. Carried.<br />
</ul><li>Minutes: David VA3DCY. Motion to adopt the minutes of the 2017/05/16 meeting, moved John VA3JI, seconded John VE3IPS. Carried.,<br />
<li>Treasurer's Report: John VA3JI<br />
<ul><li>Opening Balance 2016/06/01 (Balance available to members on request to secretary)<br />
<ul><li>Income: Field Day food (pre-pay) $300.00<br />
<li>Field Day food (pre-pay) $15.00<br />
<li>Total income $315.00<br />
</ul><li>Expenditures: Barry – gas for trailer gen. $7.54<br />
<li>Geoff – AGM food $46.97<br />
<li>Info cards (printing) $135.60<br />
<li>Field Day food $1050.00<br />
<li>Total expenditures -$1,240.11<br />
<li>Closing Balance 2017/06/20 (Balance available to members on request to secretary)<br />
<li>Moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Rick VA3VO to adopt the treasurer's report. Carried.<br />
</ul><li>Field Day Report: Rick VA3VO<br />
<ul><li>We have purchased the non-perishable food items.<br />
<li>The tower trailer has been delivered by Doug VE3ATP.<br />
<li>The meat has been purchased.<br />
<li>The 30lb propane tank has been filled, but it expires next month. We will need to replace the tank.<br />
<li>It is undecided what band(s) to use for GOTA.<br />
<li>Invitations to area officials have been sent, but no response has been received yet.<br />
</ul><li>Public Service Report: Eric VE3EB. Past events were the Mount Albert 5K Walk/Run, June 3 and the Aurora Street Sale, June 4, with both events having a good turnout from members. Unfortunately the Police Venturers were not able to attend the Aurora event as hoped. Upcoming events include the Sharon Temple Heritage Day on June 8, the Sharon Temple Canada Day celebration on July 1 and the Newmarket music festival in mid August.<br />
<li>Trailer: Barry VA3LLT. Motion 2017-06-20-6 to approve payment $126.00 for gas for the trailer generator. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Rick VA3VO. Carried.<br />
<li>Board Officers and Responsibilities: Chris VE3NRT. Chris gave a brief explanation of the duties of officers of the club, including the president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary, plus other board and committee responsibilities.<br />
<li>Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS<br />
<ul><li>Geoff announced the new prices for admissions at the hamfest. Admission, now $8 per person (up $1 from $7) and the price for tables, now $27 (down $1 from $28).<br />
<li>The Aurora Lions Club will again be asked to do the catering.<br />
<li>The date is Saturday November 4.<br />
</ul><li>Trailer Internet: Doug VE3ATP<br />
<ul><li>Doug offered the club an available antenna on his tower at 300' for an internet link to the trailer.<br />
<li>Two 900 MHz radios would be needed – one at his site and one in the trailer.<br />
</ul><li>EmComm: John VE3IPS. For the recent SET, the trailer was used at the Bales Drive as the hub of the operation. Communication was set up with the regional EOC and with mobiles around the region. Markham needs work to reach Bales Drive (little or no communication possible). John is in contact with Bonnie to coordinate future events.<br />
</ol>Meeting adjourned at 20:00 Moved by Eric VE3EB, seconded by John VA3JI. Carried<br />
On-Line Motion 2017-06-22-1 to approve payment $785.80 for Markham Fair hamfest deposit.<br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-14835107770900419092017-09-18T17:40:00.000-04:002017-09-18T19:20:31.697-04:00Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors Meeting 2017-08-15Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multipurpose Room 1. Called to Order at 19:02 by Steve VE3UT. <br />
Board members attending:<br />
<ul><li>Barry VA3LLT<br />
<li>Charles VA3TTB<br />
<li>Chris VE3NRT<br />
<li>David VA3DCY<br />
<li>Eric VE3EB<br />
<li>Geoff VA3GS<br />
<li>John VE3IPS<br />
<li>Mike VA3MCT<br />
<li>Steve VE3UT.<br />
</ul>Absent: Rick VA3VO. Others attending: none <ol><li>Approval of Agenda & declaration of conflicts of interest. Amendments: none. Motion: To adopt the agenda. Moved Eric VE3EB, seconded Chris VE3NRT. Carried.<br />
<li>Minutes: Motion: To adopt the minutes of Board Meeting 2017/07/18. Moved Charles VA3TTB, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.<br />
<li>Election of President: Moved by Eric VE3EB, seconded by Charles VA3TTB that Chris VE3NRT be nominated for the office of president. No one else stood for election. By a unanimous vote, Chris VE3NRT becomes the new president. Carried. As newly elected president, Chris now chaired the meeting.<br />
<li>Election of Treasurer: Moved by Barry VA3LLT, seconded by Steve VE3UT that Charles VA3TTB be nominated for the office of treasurer. There were no other nominations. By a unanimous vote, Charles VA3TTB becomes the new treasurer. Carried.<br />
<li>Actions arising from previous board meeting: Steve VE3UT.<br />
<ul><li>David and Steve met to finish the Summer Field Day accounts.<br />
<li>The Markham Fair cheque has been delivered.<br />
<li>The go-kits are to be re-called.<br />
<li>Inventory tags – to be followed-up.<br />
<li>Access updated to allow new board members access to the membership database.<br />
<li>Outreach by Mike and Eric at the farmer's market – Newmarket Music Festival booth.<br />
<li>Cheque for trailer insurance has been sent.<br />
<li>Bank signatures for the new executive need to be done.<br />
</ul><li>Treasurer’s Report: Not available.<br />
<li>Committee Reports:<br />
<ol><li>Trailer: Barry VA3LLT. The trailer needs a clean-up. Some storage containers have been broken during transit. Barry will buy new replacement containers. Motion: 2017-08-15-7a to allot $200.00 for trailer maintenance. Moved Barry VA3LLT, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.<br />
<li>Repeaters: Steve VE3UT.<br />
<ul><li>Steve needs to travel at times to get test equipment from Bruce VE3BV, and requested re-approval to pay for gas for extended travel. Approval unanimous.<br />
<li>Mike VA3MCT asked about repeater operation during the during the planned SET where there will be no power for an extended period. Only VE3YRA would have extended operation, the other repeaters have only battery backup.<br />
<li>Motion: 2017-08-15-7b to allot $200.00 for repeater maintenance. Moved Steve VE3UT, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.<br />
</ul><li>Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS. Information is on the RAC web site, and information will be passed out at Junk-in-the-Trunk on August 25. Mailings are to be sent.<br />
<li>Web Site: Mike VA3MCT. Mike has built a new web site with information from the existing site. He will present it to the board for comments and approval. Next step will be to check the domain, but the site will not go on-line until after the hamfest.<br />
<li>Property: Rick VA3VO. No report.<br />
<li>Public Service: Eric VE3EB<br />
<ul><li>A past event was at the Sharon Temple on July 22.<br />
<li>Eric and Mike attended the Newmarket Farmer's Market and distributed “QSL” cards with interest from the public.<br />
<li>The upcoming Newmarket Music Festival needs additional help from members.<br />
<li>Sunday October 2 is the date for Run for the Cure.<br />
</ul><li>EmComm: John VE3IPS. Mike VA3MCT will become the new RAC Emergency Coordinator for York Region instead of John. We should do our own “SET” like exercise within York Region to test our own internal communication.<br />
<li>Field Day: Steve VE3UT<br />
<ul><li>Motion: 2017-08-15-7ha to pay $50.49 to David VA3DCY for gas for field day generators. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded John VE3IPS. Carried.<br />
<li>Motion: 2017-08-15-7hb to pay $71.85 to Rick VA3VO for gas for field day generators. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded John VE3IPS. Carried.<br />
</ul></ol><li>Other Business:<br />
<ul><li>Possible donation of a trailer: Steve VE3UT. Steve offered a tent trailer to the club for the club's use. It was noted that there would be problems (costs) if owned by the club, and potential storage issues if parked with the EmComm trailer and the tower trailer. Geoff suggested parking it at Al's Tack Shop. Steve will investigate.<br />
<li>IRLP: Chris VE3NRT wishes to pass the IRLP construction to someone else. He will maintain/update the software on the Raspberry Pi. Steve VE3UT offered to take over the project. Chris would host the finished project.<br />
<li>Harvey Bell Award: We need to get the Harvey Bell Award returned, and make a new label and award it to DonVE3IXJ at the September meeting.<br />
<li>The Secretary, David VA3DCY will issue a recall notice for the Go Kits.<br />
<li>Barry VA3LLT mentioned a new tower to be erected in Georgina. He will investigate.<br />
</ul></ol>Meeting adjourned 20:40. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Eric VE3EB. Carried<br />
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VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-9223278119383134272017-08-18T06:00:00.000-04:002017-08-18T06:00:29.951-04:00Upcoming Club MeetingsWe begin another meeting season on the first Tuesday of September at the Sharon Temperance Hall at 7:30pm. Our Fall meeting presentations have been set as follows.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>September 5th: Grant VE3XTV will be bringing along ATV hardware to show what it can do. If you have a receiver bring it with you. The receivers used are standard free to air Satellite receive, for analog FM or digital DVB-S with a Mpeg2 decoder, the IF range is 950 to 2150 MHz; our 23cm band is from 1240 to 1300 MHz. As for the 13cm band (2.3 GHz up to 2.45 GHz) he will bring along a few Satellite down-converters to receive the repeater output at 2370 MHz.<br />
<br />
<li>October 3rd: Hugh VE3AYR will talk about the VIMY100 special event station.<br />
<br />
<li>November 7th: John VA3KOT will give a presentation on NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Message System).<br />
</ul>We are in need of presentations for the club meetings January - May 2018. If you have one that you like to make or know of some one who might do one please let me know.
<p>Thank you Geoff VA3GS for putting this together.</p><br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-89748244248131963682017-08-16T17:38:00.000-04:002017-08-16T17:38:11.500-04:00Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors 2017-07-18Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multipurpose Room 1. Called to Order at 19:15 by Geoff VA3GS. Board members attending: Barry VA3LLT, David VA3DCY, Eric VE3EB, Geoff VA3GS, Mike VA3MCT, Rick VA3VO, Steve VE3UT. Absent: Charles VA3TTB, Chris VE3NRT, John VE3IPS. Others attending: John VA3JI.<br />
<ol><li>Approval of Agenda & declaration of conflicts of interest. Amendments: There was no prepared agenda.<br />
<li>Election of President. There was no one elected as president<br />
<li>Election of Officers. <br />
<ul><li>Moved by Rick VA3VO, seconded by Eric VE3EB that Steve VE3UT be nominated for the office of vice-president. There were no other nominations. Steve VE3UT becomes the new vice-president. Carried.<br />
<li>There was no one elected as treasurer.<br />
<li>Moved by Steve VE3UT, seconded by Eric VE3EB that David VA3DCY be nominated for the office of secretary. There were no other nominations. David VA3DCY becomes the new secretary. Carried.<br />
</ul><li>Other appointments:<br />
<ul><li>Repeater: Steve VE3UT<br />
<li>WYNSORC: Geoff VA3GS<br />
<li>Public Service: Eric VE3EB<br />
<li>EmComm/ARES: John VE3IPS and Mike VA3MCT<br />
<li>Membership: Barry VA3LLT<br />
<li>Property: Rick VA3VO<br />
<li>Trailer: Barry VA3LLT<br />
<li>Media & Communications: (not filled)<br />
<li>Field Day: Steve VE3UT<br />
<li>Meeting Programs: Geoff VA3GS<br />
<li>Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS<br />
<li>Web Site: Mike VA3MCT<br />
<li>Training: Geoff VA3GS<br />
<li>Moved that the positions be filled by the directors listed above by Geoff VA3GS. Seconded by Mike VA3MCT. Carried. As newly elected vice-president, Steve VE3UT now chaired the meeting.<br />
</ul><li>Minutes: David VA3DCY. Motion: To adopt minutes of Board Meeting 2017/06/20. Moved Barry VA3LLT, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.<br />
<li>Treasurer’s report: John VA3JI (past treasurer)<br />
<ul><li>Balance at end of Fiscal Year 2017: [Balance available to members on request to club secretary]<br />
<li>Transferred to Fiscal Year 2018: [Balance available to members on request to club secretary]<br />
<li>There were no transactions.<br />
<li>Closing Balance 2017/07/18: [Balance available to members on request to club secretary]<br />
<li>Motion: To adopt the treasurer’s report and to thank John VA3JI for a job well done. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Steve VE3UT. Carried.<br />
</ul><li>Field Day: Steve VE3UT<br />
<ul><li>Steve mentioned that Peter VE3PBT will not be able to cook next year. We will need other arrangements.<br />
<li>Steve and David will meet to complete the field day accounts.<br />
These are the results of Summer Field Day 2017:<br />
<table style="border-style: solid;"><tr><td>160m –3 qso</td><td>20m cw – 32 qso</td></tr>
<tr><td>80m cw – 55 qso</td><td>20m dig – 37 qso</td></tr>
<tr><td>80m dig – 12 qso</td><td>20m ph – 455 qso</td></tr>
<tr><td>80m ph – 183 qso</td><td>15m ph – 12 qso</td></tr>
<tr><td>40m cw – 476 qso</td><td>Sat – 64 qso (an all time record)</td></tr>
<tr><td>40m dig – 181 qso</td><td>GOTA – 22 qso</td></tr>
<tr><td>40m ph – 142 qso</td></tr>
</table>We also received bonus points for running on generators, media, agency, youth involvement,copying the W1AW bulletin and safety.<br />
</ul><li>Public Service: Eric VE3EB<br />
<ul><li>Eric thanked those who participated at the Canada Day event at the Sharon Temple.<br />
<li>There will be another Sharon Temple event on Sunday 2017/07/23.<br />
<li>The Newmarket Music Festival will return to the Newmarket Riverwalk Commons with new dates 2017/08 /25 to 27.<br />
</ul><li>Trailer: Barry VA3LLT. The trailer needs a clean-up and a complete inventory. <br />
<li>Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS. Information has been sent to vendors, and is also on the RAC website. On-Line Motion: 2017-06-22-1 to pay $785.80 for the Markham Fair - Hamfest Deposit. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded David VA3DCY. Carried.<br />
<li>Property: Rick VA3VO<br />
<ul><li>We need to decide what goes on the inventory list.<br />
<li>It was decided to recall all go-kits and replace any missing items. The go-kits will be recalled for the September meeting.<br />
<li>The new inventory list of equipment should include serial numbers (if available) and inventory tags should be added to all equipment, including power supplies and repeaters.<br />
<li>John VA3JI suggested creating an on-line data base, accessible to all board members, and John volunteered to set up the data base.<br />
</ul><li>Programs and Classes: Geoff VA3GS. At the September meeting, Grant VE3XTV will be our speaker.<br />
<li>Repeaters: Steve VE3UT. Doug VE3ATP has a 900 MHz antenna that could be used for an ATV repeater and a data link radio. Motion: That Grant VE3XTV be allowed to operate at TV repeater, and use the call sign VE3YRC for a period of one year. Moved Mike VA3MCT seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.<br />
<li>Membership Database: John VA3JI. John will update the list of board members who will be allowed access to the database<br />
<li>Trillium Grant: Eric VE3EB<br />
<ul><li>Eric suggested that we hold off until the fall, before proceeding with a grant proposal and application.<br />
<li>Eric also suggested using a Drop-box for board documents.<br />
</ul><li>Outreach: Mike VA3MCT. We need to approach the public to create awareness of our club, typically a table at a library or a farmer's market, to pass out information to the public.<br />
</ol>Meeting adjourned at 21:05. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Eric VE3EB. Carried.
<ul><li>Trailer insurance: On-line Motion: 2017-07-21-1 to pay $811.00 for trailer insurance. Moved David VA3DCY seconded Chris VE3NRT. Carried.<br />
<li>On-line Motion: 2017-07-21-2 that we authorize John VA3JI to act as interim treasurer, and give him the authority to sign the cheque for the trailer insurance on behalf of the board. Moved David VA3DCY seconded Chris VE3NRT. Carried.<br />
</ul><br />
VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258590603195449959.post-70127945523449171622017-06-04T08:32:00.000-04:002017-06-04T08:32:42.335-04:00Minutes - YRARC General Meeting 2017-03-07Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:32 by Chris VE3NRT<br />
<ol><li>Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT<br />
<li>Adoption of the Minutes from the 2017/01/03 and 2017/02/07 general meetings, moved Rick VA3VO and seconded Jack VA3UU. Carried.<br />
<li>Treasurer’s Report – John VA3JI<br />
<ul><li>Opening Balance 2017/02/01 [Available to members on request to club Secretary]<br />
<li>Income: Membership dues $25.00<br />
<li>Expenditures: None<br />
<li>Closing Balance 2017/03/07 [Available to members on request to club Secretary]<br />
<li>Moved the treasurer's report be adopted, by Glen VE3AU, seconded Jack VA3UU. Carried<br />
</ul><li>Trillium Grant – Eric VE3EB. We will probably not have a proposal by June, for a July submission.<br />
<li>Field Day – Steve VE3UT.<br />
<ul><li>At Winter Field Day, Charles VA3TTB made his first ever QSOs. Our final score (6348) was much better than 2 years ago (2015), however the ground rods were frozen into the ground after thaw/freeze cycles, and we need a solution to lower our generator fuel costs. For Summer Field Day, Steve will be away in May and June, and Rick VA3VO will be in charge. We will be at the same location – Al's Tack Shop, 4812 Vandorf Rd. The property has been divided and all stations will be on one property.<br />
<li>Peter VE3PBT has checked food costs, which were up by 3.7% in 2015 and up 2.3% in 2016. The increase for 2017 could be 13% over last year because of rising food costs and basic supplies (plates, knives, forks) also need to be replaced.<br />
<li>The cost per person for food could possibly increase from $10 to $15 or $20 if he club only pays for fuel and toilets, and does not subsidize the food costs.<br />
<li>We will need to know by the AGM how many members will want meals at Field Day in order to purchase adequate food.<br />
</ul><li>Projector – Steve VE3UT. We need a new projector, and the proposed cost is $500 plus tax. Moved by Mike VE3MKX, seconded by Rick VA3VO, that we purchase the projector for $500 plus tax. Carried<br />
EmComm – John VE3IPS. At the last Fox Hunt, 15 people participated. The next Fox Hunt will be on March 25, meeting at McDonalds in Aurora, between 08:00 and 08:30. All go-kits need to have their batteries charged. There will be an EmComm SET in May.<br />
<li>Membership – Barry VA3LLT. We have 3 new members, 40 regular members, 5 associate members, 17 family members and 9 life members. Total members 71.<br />
</ol>Break 20:04 – 20:20
<p>Guest Speaker Mike VE3MKX. Mike spoke on one his other hobbies - Weather Observation and Recording.
<p>He spoke about the data that can be collected with a weather station and observation, including temperature, precipitation, wind speed and direction, visibility, atmospheric pressure, hours of sunshine, cloud cover and types of clouds. Quality equipment is better, since it will often last longer and can yield more accurate information that lower end equipment.
<p>The data obtained could just be retained for personal reference, or shared with others.
<p>Popular web sites include <a href="weather.gc.ca">weather.gc.ca</a> (Cdn weather) <a href="ncdc.noaa.gov">ncdc.noaa.gov</a> (US weather) <a href="lightningmaps.org">lightningmaps.org</a> and <a href="wundergound.com">wundergound.com</a>
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VE3NRThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03495664566826092253noreply@blogger.com0