Links of the Month - March 2014

The following links were submitted by club members in March.

• Boefeng radio supplier [Ron KG4CVL]
  
• Latest Industry Canada Amateur Radio Exam Generator [Patrick VE3WST]
  
• Raspberry Pi as an FM band transmitter [Chris VE3NRT]
  
• A new blog from a new ham. [Warren VE3WPX]
  
• Transatlantic 2-metre attempt[Steve VA3SRV]
  
• Mining bitcoins with Raspberry Pi Cluster. Throw in some Beaglebones for good measure. Go figure. [Chris VE3NRT]
  
• How not to take down a tower.
  
• Arc Fault Circuit interrupters are now required by the electrical code and have RFI issues. [Geoff VA3GS]
  
• Detailed descriptions of OTH Radar from different countries.[Chris VE3NRT]
  

Here is a waterfall snapshot of the suspected OTH signal on the 30 metre band on March 23rd. Bandwidth is about 20KHz, right over the digital segment of the band.

Minutes, YRARC Board Meeting, March 18th, 2014

Meeting held in the multipurpose room of the Magna Centre. Called to order at 19:00. Chaired by Chris VE3NRT

• Board members attending; Chris VE3NRT, Rob VE3RQB, Chris VA3DXZ, Barry VA3LLT, Steve VE3EZ, Geoff VA3GS, Publius VE3XS, John VA3JI, Eric VE3OIC
  
• Board members absent; Richard VE3NSD
  
• Guest attending; Steve VE3UT
  

1. Agenda
   
   • Agenda as proposed by Chris VE3NRT (Attachment #1)
     
   • Motion 2014-03-18-01 by Geoff VA3GS to adopt agenda seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Motion carried.
     
2. Adoption of Feb 18, 2014 board meeting minutes
   
   • Motion 2014-03-18-02 by John VA3JI to adopt the minutes of the Feb 18th board meeting seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
     
3. Treasurer's report John VA3JI
   
   • Report detailed bank balance and transactions in February. Information is available to members upon request.
     
   • 1 cheque outstanding for 88th Baden Powell. Geoff, VA3GS, will ask them to cash it.
     
4. Old Business
   
   1. Antenna Trailer – Rob VE3RQB
      
      • Contractor is estimating 20-30 hours at $70.00 per hour plus an estimate of $1,000 for material for outriggers, all plus HST. Rob VE3RQB intends to be there to assist
        
      • Discussion concerning how high the tower could be deployed with/without outriggers and/or guy wires. It was agreed that outriggers should be included for added safety. There was an agreement that the board would create a policy to set out the maximum deployable height with and without guy wires to ensure safe operation of the tower trailer. There was further discussion about whether a mechanical means could be installed to limit the deployed height of the tower. This idea will be discussed with the contractor.
        
      • Motion 2014-03-18-03 by Eric VE3OIC to bring to the membership a motion to authorize $3,500 for services and materials rendered by Trick Toys to repair the antenna trailer (outriggers, and other modifications) to make it ready for field day and other events, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
        
   2. Bylaws – Eric VE3OIC and Geoff VA3GS
      
      • Updated draft to be finalized and sent to board members by Mar 19th
        
      • Comments by the board required by Mar 26th
        
      • The bylaw committee will communicate through the Splatter Blog and Yahoo group that interested club member should contact the club secretary for a preliminary copy of the bylaws for review prior to the AGM, not withstanding that the Preliminary draft will also be sent to the membership 3 weeks prior to AGM
        
      • Publius VE3XS will send membership list to the club secretary to validate club members requesting a copy of the preliminary draft
        
   3. Hamfest Location – Geoff VA3GS
      
      • Geoff is targeting Nov 8th
        
      • Location is not finalized.
        
      • Geoff has requested a quote from Markham Fairgrounds
        
      • Geoff is looking for additional parking that could be made available near the Newmarket Community Centre
        
   4. Storage – Rob VE3RQB
      
      • Quotation for 20’L x 8’W x 8.5’H “construction grade” container is $1,700.00
        
      • Peter VE3PBT has volunteered to store the unit on his property
        
      • Costs range from $225 to $290 to transport the container to Peter VE3PBT’s property
        
      • Geoff to research monthly storage costs so the board can compare an upfront purchase option vs on-going rental fees for storage
        
   5. Field Day Budget – Steve VE3UT
      
      • Steve VE3UT presented the field day budget. Very slight increase planned over 2013 expenditure.
        
      • Motion 2014-03-18-04 by Geoff VA3GS to allocate $1,200 for Field Day expenses seconded by Rob VE3RQB. Motion carried.
        
   6. Membership Drive – Steve VE3EZ / Publius VE3XS
      
      • Steve presented a mock up of the proposed mailing card for feedback
        
      • There was a discussion concerning the anticipated increase in postage costs planned by Canada Post. It was agreed that if the cards were mailed prior to the increase, they would arrive far too early to be effective in drawing amateurs out to field day. It was agreed that the cards would be mailed 3 weeks before field day.
        
   7. Status of IRLP – John VA3JI
      
      • Tower is inaccessible. John will repair cable and re-locate the antenna as soon as he can access the tower.
        
5. New Business
   
   1. Harvey Bell Award – next steps – Chris VE3NRT
      
      • One nomination has been received
        
      • Chris VE3NRT will send a reminder note
        
   2. YRARC QSO Award – support from the board – Chris VE3NRT
      
      • Chris VE3NRT will create a form listing club members and bands for interested members to use to track points
        
   3. Life Membership Award Criteria
      
      • Wording in the current Bylaws was reviewed and deemed acceptable for its purpose
   4. Equipment Donation from VE3RTO – Chris VE3NRT
      
      • VE3RTO is a silent key who’s son donated his amateur equipment to YRARC
        
      • Proposal by Chris VE3NRT to lend (or rent cheaply) the equipment to a newly licensed amateur or failing that, to be sold with funds to go into the club treasury
        
      • Geoff VA3GS to come back with a suggested recipient
        
      • In the mean time the equipment will be held by the club and be made available for loan to club members
        
6. Motion 2014-03-18-05 by John VA3JI to adjourn meeting, seconded by Rob VE3RQB. Motion carried at 21:02
   

March 2014 General Meeting - Minutes

Meeting held at the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to order at 19:32. Chaired by Chris VE3NRT

1. Introductions completed. 35 members and 1 guest in attendance
   
2. Minutes Feb 4th general meeting; motion by Richard VE3NSD to approve the minutes, seconded by John VA3JI. Motion carried.
   
3. Reports
   
   1. Treasury – John VA3JI
      
      • Balance is [Available to members on request]. Two memberships paid in February otherwise no other transactions in the month
   2. Field Day – Steve VE3UT
      
      • Peter VE3PBT has volunteered to run the kitchen this year. Peter VE3PBT has prepared a menu and Steve VE3UT will provide an estimate of the number to be accommodated for dinner.
        
      • Location: Preference is to continue using the field behind Al’s Tack Shop
        
   3. By-law Committee – Geoff VA3GS, Eric VE3OIC
      
      • Minor clean up and corrections completed. Member input has been consolidated. There is a concern that in its current form, there will be insufficient time at the AGM to discuss and vote on all the proposed changes. The by-la committee has proposed to hold a town hall meeting for interested members to review all changes with a goal to finalize the list of changes to be put to a vote at the AGM.
   4. Trailer – Barry VA3LLT
      
      • New RCMP tower, spoke with manufacturer of tower stripped down trailer $17K
        
      • Looking at old trailer, RCMP tower is 300lbs vs old tower is ~1,000 lbs.
        
      • Rob VE3RQB, Barry VA3LLT and welding contractor went to look at the old trailer. The Welder will supply an estimate. The trailer will not be moving until there is an okay from the BOD to do the work.
        
      • If estimate is approved, the target is to have the trailer fitted with new tower for field day.
        
4. Member QSO awards – Bob VE3WY
   
   • Started June 2006 9pm however, only one certificate issued to date. The goal is to work as many York region amateur club members on as many bands as possible. There was a strong show of interested hands at meeting. Club members are encouraged to review the rules and begin making QSO’s. Bob VE3WY will issue certificates at the general meetings. Bob’s presentation will be placed on the Splatter Blog.
5. Project Night – Brad VE3HII, Steve VASRV
   
   • Brad VE3HII presented an overview of his and Steve VA3SRV’s proposal to re-activate project night. The plan is to begin mid April. Project nights to be held at the Newmarket Girl Guides office or the Newmarket Community Centre on Wednesday evenings 7-9pm. Looking for a minimum of 6 participants. Initial project will be an introduction to micro controllers with the objective to build a simple proto typing system estimated to cost between $30 and $50. Presentation will be posted on the Splatter Blog.
6. EMCOMM project Plan – Russell VE3WTR
   
   • Russell VE3WTR presented an update on EMCOMM activities and structure. EMCOMM is looking for volunteers. No specialized training is required. Looking for people to fulfill core roles, EOC site owners, or general responders. Presentation will be posted on the Splatter Blog.
7. Digital voice communications – Chris VE3NRT
   
   • Chris presented an overview of Open Source Digital Voice Communications. Presentation will be posted on the Splatter Blog.

Meeting adjourned at 21:14

The Harvey Bell Award - Call for Nominations

At the January, 1971 meeting of the York North Radio Club, the membership established an award in memory of the late Harvey Bell, VE3AFK, or Aurora.

It was the wish of the members that this award be presented annually to a member in good standing with this club, in recognition of substantial achievement involving Amateur Radio, particularly in connection with the York North Radio Club.

The winner would hold the trophy for one year, and owuld also receive a certificate, or other citation outlining the achievement.

Any club member would be eligible to nominate any other club member for the award. Nominations would normally be considered by the Board, or alternatively, the selection of a recipient could be voted on by the members present at a regular meeting.

Harvey Bell died unexpectedly in December of 1970. At that time he was in the process of making his third attempt at keeping the club together and active. He had been a club member for almost ten years, enjoyed the fellowship and the sharing of technical information regarding Amateur Radio. He was especially interested in the Morse Code, and CW operation, but was also very involved with the fairly new SSB technology that was growing with leaps and bounds. During the late 1960's activity in the club seemed to wane, and Harvey Bell, along with a couple of other area hams kept up a steady contact with other hams in Newmarket and surroundings. Invitations were sent out on at least three occasions in an attempt to keep the club active and growing. He had just succeeded, in the fall of 1970, to get the membership back together again, and had turned to leadership over to Frank Rusholme.

His influence and his leadership in club affairs will long be remembered by the Amateurs in this area who know him personally. in addition to being an active 80 metre DX chaser, Harvey was also involved in RTTY (radioteletype), VHF, and one of the outstanding stamp collections in the region.

The award, which honours his name, is considered the highest acclaim the club can give to one of its members.

Notice to all YRARC members

Each year about this time, the members of our radio club have the opportunity to nominate a member to be honoured with this award.

Your nominations should be made in writing, and should include your description, explanation or citation related to the nominee, and be presented to the club secretary no later than April 2014 general meeting. Nominations may be presented by individuals, or may be co-signed by several members

IMS-100 Training

On Monday March 10 at 9:00 AM, a group of club members met in Newmarket to attend a training session at the York Region Headquarters building on Yonge St. This training was an introduction to incident management and was presented by Greg Stasyna of York Region Emergency Management. Some of you may know Greg from his other role, the commander of the military people that have been attending our Field Day for the past few years.

Greg presented this course to a class of 18 people including the four representatives of our club, Geoff (VA3GS), Richard (VE3NSD), Steve (VE3UT) and Bob (VE3WY). Greg's positive comments about amateur radio's role in emergency management were quite encouraging and showed amateur radio in a positive light to the region staff and guests present. The instruction explained ham radio in a support role and the command structure used during incidents and made for a very interesting and informative morning. The IMS-100 certification can be obtained from the province of Ontario by writing an online examination. A certification will be valuable for our members who may wish to participate in emergency radio communications support in the future.

There are higher levels of certification such as IMS-200, IMS-300 etc which we may be able to get trained for by the region in the future.

Steve VE3UT

Project Nights: Starting mid-April

Steve VA3SRV and Brad VE3HII have offered to restart project nights on Wednesdays starting in mid-April in Newmarket. These have been very popular in the past and allowed YRARC members to get some hands-on experience with electronics construction.

This is a great opportunity to get some experience with the inexpensive but powerful microcontrollers that are now available. These can be put to all sorts of interesting uses and the first project will be able to perform some useful tasks around the shack.

You can also come to project night and get some assistance with any other electronic project (like that Softrock kit you never built?) you're trying to complete.

Please get in touch with Steve or Brad to express your interest, or just leave a comment right here.

73,
Chris

YRARC Members QSO Awards Program

Thanks to Bob VE3WY for suggesting the resurrection of this program, introduced at 9pm on June 6, 2007. I've asked Publius to get a current membership list (first name and call) for each club member to keep track of their progress. Please join us on the 6 metre net Monday nights (and the D-RATS net immediately afterward) to get a head start.

The award is available to anyone. There are separate classes for members and non-members. Each group has the same objective, contacts with members on as many bands as possible.

• Purpose: Work as many different York Region Amateur Radio Club members on as many different amateur bands as possible.
  
• Contacts:Once per amateur band regardless of mode. Repeater contacts can be counted (no cross-band contacts)
  
• Exchange: Callsign and Name
  
• Eligibility: Must be a licensed amateur radio operator
  
• Two classes of award
  
  • Member: Must be current (at the time of log submission) paid up member or Life Member of the York Region Amateur Radio Club
    
  • Non-member: Any amateur who is not a member of YRARC
    
• Points: One point for each contact between club members
  
• Amateur Bands: 25 different amateur bands available
  
• Awards: Certificate for a minimum of 50 band-contacts. Endorsements available for additional multiples of 25 band contacts (e.g. 75, 100, 125, … )
  
• Presentation of certificates at club meetings
  
• Eligible contacts: From June 6, 2006 (9:00pm EDT)
  
• Submissions: log books not required – Honour System. Submit log pages to Bob Morton, VE3WY at meetings or by email.