Minutes - YRARC General Meeting - 2016-03-01

Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 28 Guests attending: 2 (note: winter storm that evening)

1. Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT. There were no reports or other announcements made, but we proceeded directly to our guest speaker.
   
2. Guest Speaker – Mike VE3MKX from YRP, who spoke on fraud, how to recognize it and how to protect yourself from being a victim of fraud.
   
3. Adoption of Minutes from 2016/01/05 general meeting, moved Barry VA3LLT, seconded John VE3IPS. Carried
   

Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors Meeting 2016-01-19

Meeting held in the Magna Centre, multi purpose room 1. Called to Order at 19:00 by Chris VE3NRT
Board members attending: Chris VE3NRT, Steve VE3UT, John VA3JI, Geoff VA3GS, Eric VE3EB, Barry VA3LLT, David VA3DCY, Rob VE3RQB, Doug VE3ATP and Alf VA3BLE. Others attending: none

1. Agenda: Chris VE3NRT. Agenda adopted without changes. Moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Steve VE3UT to accept the agenda. Carried
   
2. Minutes: David VA3DCY. Moved by Alf VA3BLE, seconded by Steve VE3UT to accept the minutes of the 2015/12/15 BoD meeting. Carried
   
3. Treasurer's Report: John VA3JI.
   
   • Opening balance 2016/01/01 [Available to members on request to club secretary]
     
   • Revenue: None
     
   • Expenditures: None
     
   • Balance Unchanged
     
   • Moved by John VA3JI seconded by Geoff VA3GS to adopt the treasurer's report. Carried.
     
4. Repeaters: Steve VE3UT. A work party was at the Hospital VE3YRC-U site on Monday Jan 18. 4 batteries were brought to the site for the repeater and 1 battery for the link radio. Old cabinets and junk were removed. A new repeater link map is ready and was shown to the board, copies to be emailed to the board members.
   
5. IRLP/Echolink: Chris VE3NRT. Equipment is being build and scripts loaded (RaspberryPi). We will keep the same node number and the IRLP portion will be done first, since the IRLP project supports IRLP only, not IRLP/Echolink. When working, a backup will be made, and then progress to IRLP/Echolink. Next steps, install the software, modify the IRLP board, test with a radio and run an antenna cable.
   
6. Membership: Alf VA3BLE reported we added 5 new members at the January general meeting: 3 regular and 2 family memberships. We now have 73 members total, 70 voting members.
   
7. Meeting Schedule: Geoff VA3GS.
   
   • On February 2, Trevor VE3SLT will speak on his trip west.
     
   • In March Mike VE3MKX will speak on fraud (possibly at the beginning of the meeting).
     
   • Bob VE3WY will be the April speaker
     
   • Jeff VA3DOC is scheduled for May to talk about drones (possibly at the beginning of the meeting).
     
   • The January mini hamfest had little for sale or trade, and should we have something different next year?
     
   • The Makers Group will be holding a self-study course, led by John VE3IPS with help from Mike VA3MCT.
     
8. Property: Rob VE3RQB will change the codes on both trailers (EmComm and tower), and possibly change the lock on the storage container. Rob will mention at the next general meeting, if anyone is planning to bring material to the storage container, or remove material from the container, to please contact him first. There are still D-STAR radio to be programmed. Rob will continue to request that they be returned at the next general meeting (and meetings to follow if required). Geoff VA3GS noted there may potentially be a new frequency list for GTA wide use with repeater and simplex frequencies, plus a block allocated for individual clubs and groups to use.
   
9. Other business: None.
   

Meeting adjourned at 20:12. Moved by Geoff VA3GS and seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Carried.

Minutes - YRARC General Meeting 2016-02-02

Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:34 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 37 Guests attending: 3

1. Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT
   
2. General Announcements – Chris VE3NRT.
   
   • Adoption of minutes will be postponed until next meeting.
     
   • The 6m net continues on Monday night.
     
   • Upcoming contests include CQ Worldwide, RTTY, ARRL DX CW, CQ 160m SSB, and North American QSO party (RTTY).
     
   • The Makers's Lab is holding a self-study licensing class led by John VE3IPS with assistance from Mike VA3MCT who is also connected with the Maker's Lab. The class starts February 03 at the David Dunlap Observatory.
     
   • Mike VE3MKX will be next month's speaker.
     
3. Treasurer’s Report – John VA3JI
   
   • Opening Balance 2016/01/01 [Available to club members on request to club secretary]
     
   • Income: $160
     
     • Dues from the January meeting: $135.00
       
     • Dues from new member VE3MPI: $25.00
       
   • Expenditures: None
     
   • Closing Balance 2016/02/01: [Available to club members on request to secretary]
     
   • Motion that the treasurer's report be adopted, moved John VA3JI, seconded Rob VE3RQB. Carried.
     
4. Membership Report – Alf VA3BLE: We now have a total of 77 members, 74 voting members.
   
5. Public Service Report: VE3EB. There will be a 5k run in May in Georgina. Details later.
   
6. EmComm Report: Robert VA3BXG. The January EmComm meeting had a presentation from Urban SAR group in Toronto. At the February meeting there will be a presentation by York Region EMO on personal and family preparedness. The meeting will be at the Newmarket Community Centre.
   
7. Repeaters – Steve VE3UT
   
   • There was a repeater work party at the Richmond Hill site to deliver batteries and remove the old cabinets and junk. Rick VA3VO has built Low Loss Powergates for the link radios for both the Richmond Hill and Aurora sites. The 6m repeater will not have backup power, otherwise all repeaters and links will soon have battery backup.
     
   • Rick could build more power gates for members if requested.
     
   • IRLP/Echolink (Chris VE3NRT). The old Sun computer has been replaced with a Raspberry Pi, tied to an IRLP board, an Icom 2100 radio and a USB sound card. The IRLP/Raspberry Pi is still wired in a temporary fashion until it can be packaged permanently. The Echolink is temporarily at Steve VE3UT's QTH. Eventually both IRLP and Echolink will be run on the Raspberry Pi.
     

Guest Speaker: Trevor VE3SLT and his great grandson Alexzander. Trevor spoke about his road trip with his family, to the N.W. Territories, Yukon, Alaska and BC, travelling in a 2003 Astro Van, with a 15' trailer behind his vehicle. The outbound trip was via Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and then through Peace River, Yellowknife, (by way of MacKenzie and Liard Highways). They visited Joe and Mickey McBryan (Ice Pilots) from Buffalo Airways, in Yellowknife. The route dipped into northern B.C., and back into the Yukon, Whitehorse, and Dawson City. From there they went to Fairbanks Alaska (by way of "Top of the World Highway"), and Mt. McKinley, and Anchorage, At Haines Alaska, they took the Alaska Marine Highway to Skagway and back again into the Yukon and B.C. They then continued to Telegraph Creek, Stikine River, Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Smithers, and Vancouver BC. They visited relatives in Vancouver. On their return trip they passed through Washington State, Alberta, Montana, Minnesota, back to Rainy River and the northern route through Ontario. In total, they travelled 20,330 kms in six weeks, and crossed the border into the USA 4 times, and back into Canada for another 4 times.

Trevor travelled with lots of extra gas (100 extra litres) and spare tires (plural), though remote regions, on less travelled gravel roads, with long distances between settlements. Cell phones are almost useless for emergencies, because of the lack of coverage in remote areas. A heavy wire mesh was installed on his grill to protect his radiator from stones and screening to filter the bugs. The trailer ran on 12VDC (no 120V generator) and the trailer batteries were charged by his vehicle when driving. They make the trip with only one vehicle window replacement. The trip was panned well in advance with Microsoft Streets and Trips. Reservations at RV parks was done for every night before the trip started, for the first three weeks up to Vancouver. They never missed any RV park reservations. The application was run continuously on a laptop with a 120VAC inverter. A USB-GPS antenna gave their location and recorded their trip.

Stay tuned for his next trip, through along the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Labrador, (by ferry, across the Strait of Belle Isle) to Newfoundland, St. Pierre and Miquelon. The Return trip is through Nova Scotia, PEI, Magdalen Islands, New Brunswick and back via the coastline of the Gaspe.

Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors Meeting - 2016-02-16

Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multipurpose Room 1. Called to Order at 19:00 by Chris VE3NRT.
Board members attending: Chris VE3NRT, John VA3JI, Eric VE3EB, David VA3DCY, Rob VE3RQB, Alf VA3BLE, Doug VE3ATP. Absent: Steve VE3UT, Geoff VA3GS, Barry VA3LLT. Others attending: none

1. Agenda: Chris VE3NRT. Moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Rob VE3RQB to adopt the agenda. Carried
   
2. Minutes: David VA3DCY. Moved buy Alf VA3BLE, seconded by Eric VE3EB to adopt minutes of Board Meeting date 2016/01/19. Carried
   
3. Bylaws: Chris VE3NRT. Some comments have been received from members re wording and clarity. The updated bylaws will soon be ready to circulate, and may be ready for the AGM.
   
4. Treasurer's Report: John VA3JI.
   
   • Opening Balance 2016/02/01 [available to members on request to club secretary]
     
   • Income: Peter PBT instalment for radio purchase $100.00
     
   • Expenditures: None $0.00
     
   • Closing Balance 2016/02/16 [available to members on request to club secretary]
     
   • Moved by John VA3JI seconded by Rob VE3RQB to adopt the treasurer's report. Carried.
     
5. Property: Rob VE3RQB
   
   • The lock box codes for both trailers have been changed.
     
   • Rob received an email from Brad VE3HII noting that all equipment from CT had been returned.
     
   • An updated list of property is needed when asking for a quote from the insurance company.
     
6. Repeaters: Postponed until the next meeting.
   
7. IRLP/Echolink: Chris VE3NRT
   
   • The IRLP is working on the Raspberry Pi,, although it occasionally needs rebooting. The final packaging still needs to be done. Steve VE3UT is running a temporary separate Echolink.
     
8. Events & Public Service: Eric VE3EB. Thee calendar of upcoming events is being populated on the club web site.
   
9. Membership: Alf VA3BLE. There are no changes to the number of members.
   
10. Field Day: Eric VE3EB. We need to involve new members, including prospective new amateurs from the Makers Lab. Eric noted he had received a comment from an anonymous member who was feeling he/she might be 'left out' of field day. We should post a 'help wanted' notice to be sure everyone is welcome and can be involved.
    
11. Other business
    
    • Chris VE3NRTThe projector may soon need to be replaced. The price may be between $500 and $1000. Chris will investigate.
      
    • Rob VE3RQB. We should buy 'corner' fittings for a 30' x 40' shelter. We could buy the necessary conduit locally to construct the frame. Rob will contact the supplier for quotes for a complete frame and parts/fittings only.
      
    • John VA3JI. We have an open motion to purchase or repair a BBQ. What is happening? Rob to enquire about the purchase or repair.
      
    • Doug VE3ATP. We should re-open the PIC repeater issue regarding linking the PIC repeater to the existing YRA/YRC repeaters.
      

Meeting adjourned at 20:12 Moved John VA3JI, seconded Rob VE3RQB. Carried

Minutes, YRARC General Meeting - 2016-01-05

Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:35 by Steve VE3UT. Total members and guests attending: 39. Guests attending: 4

1. Welcome & Introductions – Steve VE3UT
   
2. Adoption of Minutes from 2015/11/03 and 2015/12/01. Moved by John VE3IPS, seconded Rick VA3VO. Carried.
   
3. Treasurer’s Report – John VA3JI. Presented by Geoff VA3GS
   
   • Opening Balance 2015/12/01 [Available to members upon request to secretary]
     
   • Income
     
     • Facilities refund Markham Fairgrounds $502.51
       
     • Dues $150.00
       
   • Expenditures
     
     • December meeting food (Barry) $158.20
       
     • December meeting food (Geoff) $51.62
       
     • Hamfest reimbursement (Geoff) $4,901.35
       
     • Trailer maintenance $28.28
       
   • Closing Balance 2016/01/01 [Available to members upon request to secretary]
     
   • Motion that the treasurer's report be adopted, moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Garrett VA3PYP. Carried.
     
4. Property – Rob VE3RQB requested a go kit inventory check for tonight, after the break. Missing items will be replaced at a later date. Eric VE3EB will reprogram the radios tonight.
   
5. EmComm Report: none
   
6. Public Service Report: none
   
7. Membership Report – Alf VA3BLE: We now have a total of 73 members with an additional $80.00 collected in membership dues.
   
8. Repeaters – Steve VE3UT
   
   • Motion by Steve VE3UT that the board be authorized to spend up to $200.00 for the purchase of two LowLossPWRGates and necessary connecting cables, for the link radios at Richmond Hill and Bloomington Rd. These units would be inserted between the power supplies, batteries and link radios to keep the radios running during a power failure, and allow the batteries to recharge when power returns. Moved Charlie VE3SYK, seconded Benny VE3MUU. Carried.
     
   • VE3YRK (D-STAR) has malfunctioned recently, however after a reset and no fault found, it is still working. The repeaters will now default to 'local' when not in use (ie not connected to reflectors). This was done to keep the transmitters from running almost continuously, in an effort to reduce the hydro costs for the site owner. It will be necessary to establish a link when required, and the links should be shut down when finished (code 73).
     
9. Winter Field Day: Steve VE3UT: The conditions were poor (RF noise) at last year's Winter Field Day, with often few contacts being made. The organization that ran last year's event is no longer running WFD. It was decided to nor repeat the event this year.
   
   • 2015 Winter Field Day results for VE3YRA:
     
   • QSO's – 143, Multiplier – 11, Bonus – 2000 (away from home on emergency power)
     
   • Total score – 3577, Top score was – 15,145 by W8MAI, VE3YRA placed 26th out of 75 participating stations
     
   • We might consider the RAC Canada Winter Contest (held in December) and possibly use the Bales Rd location.
     
10. HF Report:
    
    • The ARRL National Parks on the Air event in 2016, a year long event is similar to the ARRL Centennial event in 2014. Report P5 (North Korea) activity. North Korea (P5): Dom, 3Z9DX (from Poland) operated unexpectedly from P5 on Dec 20th on 10, 15, 20 meters with 100 watts into a vertical tied to a 7' tall fencepost (surrounded by high rise buildings) with 100 watts. Noise level was high and prop was poor due to geomagnetic storm. The equipment was left in Pyongyang when he flew out on Dec 22. Plans are to return in February and possibly operate from a different location.
      
    • Jack VA3UU has worked all Africa (with cards to prove it).
      
    • Doug VE3VS mentioned that CY0 on Sable island will be going on air soon.
      
    • 6m has open recently, and there is a new 6m repeater in Parry Sound.
      

After the break the annual January Mini Hamfest & Go Kit Inspection was held. Meeting adjourned at 20:10. Moved by Brian VE3IBW, seconded Jack VA3UU. Carried.

IRLP Progress

Bruce VE3BV and I have been working through the issues on the new Raspberry Pi based IRLP node. As I write the node is operational but it is running off an antenna that is not only used frequently in my shack but is also not designed for 2m. Fortunately the coax is so lengthy and lossy that we don't have a mismatch problem. Nor is the loss itself a problem because I live so close to the repeater.

In the photograph, you can see the IRLP transceiver, an Icom 2100 on the top right. Immediately below it is the Raspberry Pi, with the Ethernet cable running off to the left then up, and the 8GB memory stick in the USB port. In the USB port below the memory stick, there's a short USB extension cable that runs to a tiny USB sound "fob" that has the audio connectors plugged in. Those audio connectors are cabled to the 2 small transformers sitting next to the fob, although there is about 3 feet of cable connecting the two running out of the picture on the left.

These transformers are connected to the coiled orange CAT 5 cable that runs to the radio Mic/PTT input, where there are a couple of extra wires. The grey wire goes to the speaker output of the radio, while the thin orange wire is patched into a COR (Carrier detection) output on the inside of the radio.

The transformers are also connected through the the wire going to the DB9 connector at the bottom of the picture, which connects to a ribbon cable, which connects to the IRLP board. This board handles DTMF decoding and conversion of the PTT and COR signals to TTL levels. The board was modified to run from 3.3V supply provided by one of the pins on the GPIO ports of the Raspberry Pi, The board also communicates to the Pi through the short cable built by Gary VE3NMI and interfaces through other pins on the GPIO port.

The only purpose served by the black wire with alligator clips on each end is to hold a resistor in place that we were using to test levels. The audio coming from the radio to the computer is a little too hot, so we have about 32K of resistance in the circuit right now. 

The Raspberry Pi is the original model that came out a couple of years ago. It was running several housekeeping tasks on my home network, like email and telephone switching. As I've upgraded my home 'server' to a Raspberry Pi model 2, the original was available for IRLP use. It will use a lot less power and take up much less space than the computer it replaces.

The Pi is running and unmodified version of the latest edition of the Raspbian (a varian of Debian Linux customized for the Pi) called "Jessie". Installation and configuration is reasonably straightforward once you figure out the 20 or so settings that need to be just so.

Once this is all tidied up and boxed, with its own external antenna it will be ready for production use. After that we'll look at adding Echolink as well. This is just additional software and runs on exactly the same platform as IRLP. Bruce also suggested we might want to spin up another Pi just for Echolink, so that both could be used at the same time.

Meanwhile, when it is connected, you can connect to VE3RLP in Parry Sound by using DTMF to send 2480. Or try out some other node on this list of Canadian repeaters. When done, 73 will disconnect the link, although it will also disconnect itself after a few minutes of inactivity.

Happy New Year 2016