Minutes - YRARC General Meeting 2017-03-07

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

1. Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT
   
2. Adoption of the Minutes from the 2017/01/03 and 2017/02/07 general meetings, moved Rick VA3VO and seconded Jack VA3UU. Carried.
   
3. Treasurer’s Report – John VA3JI
   
   • Opening Balance 2017/02/01 [Available to members on request to club Secretary]
     
   • Income: Membership dues $25.00
     
   • Expenditures: None
     
   • Closing Balance 2017/03/07 [Available to members on request to club Secretary]
     
   • Moved the treasurer's report be adopted, by Glen VE3AU, seconded Jack VA3UU. Carried
     
4. Trillium Grant – Eric VE3EB. We will probably not have a proposal by June, for a July submission.
   
5. Field Day – Steve VE3UT.
   
   • 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.
     
   • 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.
     
   • 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.
     
   • We will need to know by the AGM how many members will want meals at Field Day in order to purchase adequate food.
     
6. 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
   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.
   
7. Membership – Barry VA3LLT. We have 3 new members, 40 regular members, 5 associate members, 17 family members and 9 life members. Total members 71.
   

Break 20:04 – 20:20

Guest Speaker Mike VE3MKX. Mike spoke on one his other hobbies - Weather Observation and Recording.

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.

The data obtained could just be retained for personal reference, or shared with others.

Popular web sites include weather.gc.ca (Cdn weather) ncdc.noaa.gov (US weather) lightningmaps.org and wundergound.com

Minutes - General Meeting 2017-04-04

Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members attending: 32

1. Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT
   
2. Adoption of the Minutes from the 2017/03/07 general meeting postponed until May.
   
3. Harvey Bell Award: Nominations for the Harvey Bell award should be forwarded to the board and/or the secretary for consideration.
   
4. Bylaws: Suggestions for changes or amendments to the bylaws should be forwarded to the board and/or the president for consideration.
   
5. 3D Printing: The Barrie ARC has been making useful amateur related items such as PowerPole breakouts and Pi cases using a 3D printer. Mike VE3MKX had some of the items for sale and display. See also http://barrie-wax-group.dyndns.org/
   
6. Field Day and Repeater Report – Steve VE3UT:
   
   • Summer Field Day will be at the same location as last year – Al's Ride on Vandorf Rd. Steve will visit the site in the next few weeks to plan a new layout, since the property has been subdivided and we will need to fit our stations within the new boundaries.
     
   • Food Costs are increasing, with a possible increase in the price of 'food tickets'.
     
7. There has been recent malicious interference on our repeaters, resulting in a letter being sent to IC, making a formal complaint about the offender. Since IC may now be monitoring our repeaters, each user is reminded to properly identify and use proper operating procedures. If necessary, we may possibly be required to shut down links between repeaters, or shut down repeaters.
   
8. Field Day Food – Peter VE3PBT: Food costs were $814 in 2014, $844 in 2015 and $864 in 2016. For 2017 the expected cost will be $976 (almost $1000). In order to purchase the proper amount of food, we need a commitment of the numbers attending SFD and wanting to be fed by the AGM in June. Doug VE3VS asked 'how many would be attending' and the answer was approximately 50 based on past attendance. Doug proposed charging $15 per person this year (50 x$15 = $750) to better cover the food costs. A show of hands supported his proposal.
   Peter's daughter Sherri, is currently in hospital, recovering from surgery. In past years she has helped Peter in the Field Day Kitchen, but will likely not be able to participate this year. As a result, this year Peter will need extra help in the kitchen from club members.
   
9. Treasurer’s Report – John VA3JI
   
   • Opening Balance 2017/03/01 [Balance available to members on request to Secretary]
     
   • Income: Membership dues $75.00
     
   • Expenditures: New projector $536.73
     
   • Closing Balance 2017/04/04 [Balance available to members on request to Secretary]
     
   • Moved the treasurer's report be adopted, by John VA3JI, seconded Brian VE3IBW. Carried
     
10. Auditor: We need a new auditor, since our present auditor is not able to continue in the position. The auditor can not be currently on the board, but professional accreditation is not required. Doug Smith VE3XV, a new member, volunteered for the position.
    
11. Public Service – Eric VE3EB. There are currently 9 public service events posted on the Yahoo group. Other events need to be confirmed.
    
12. EmComm – Robert VA3BXG. The last 2 EmComm meetings have been cancelled due to low participation. The next meeting will be cancelled, due to the Easter weekend. There will be a SET (simulated emergency test) on Saturday May 27 for the Golden Horseshoe area, including the Western New York and Barrie areas. Instead of activating areas like EOCs, the focus will be on setting up temporary stations (probably outside) at arenas, community centres or similar locations in your own neighbourhood, where emergency shelters could possibly be located. Communication will be made using 2m equipment (subject to change). The SET would run from 08:00 to 13:00.
    

Break 20:10 – 20:25

Guest Speaker Bob VE3WY – “Antennae for Limited Space”. A 1/4 wave 80m vertical antenna would be approximately 62ft high, and the ground radials would be approximately 60ft long (in all directions). Guying the tower at 60 degrees would require 70 ft of ground space. If the height of the antenna was reduced to 30ft and bottom loaded, the match would be bad. If centre loaded the match would improve, and with a top hat, the match would be better. All of the radiation patterns would be similar.

A 30ft tall, 100ft horizontal inverted “L” antenna would also have gain.

An 80m horizontal dipole would be approximately 128 ft long, with an impedance of approximately 72 Ohms (in free space). Height above ground affects impedance and the radiation pattern. At 15ft above ground the impedance would be only 7.4 Ohms and the pattern would be vertical. At 30ft above ground, the impedance would be 26.6 Ohms, at 60ft above ground, 75 Ohms and at 100' above ground, 95 Ohms. At greater heights, the pattern would become less vertical and more horizontal.

If the dipole was shortened to 60ft long with loading coils 15ft from centre, the impedance would be 44.4 Ohms (in free space). The result: it is possible to fit an antenna into limited space (including the attic of a townhouse, and watch the cable company go crazy looking for their faulty installations).

Meeting adjourned at 21:05.

Minutes YRARC Board of Directors 2017-04-18

Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multi Purpose Room 1. Called to Order at 19:10 by John VA3JI – meeting later chaired by John VE3IPS. Board members attending: John VE3IPS V. Pres. John VA3JI Treasurer, Steve VE3UT, Geoff VA3GS Eric VE3EB, Doug VE3ATP, David VA3DCY Secty, Rick VA3VO, Barry VA3LLT. Absent: Chris VE3NRT Pres. Others attending: Doug VE3XV

1. Approval of agenda and declaration of conflict of interest: John VA3JI. Motion to adopt the agenda, moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Eric VE3EB. Carried.
   
2. Minutes: David VA3DCY. Motion to adopt the minutes of the 2017/03/21 meeting, moved David VA3DCY, seconded Barry VA3LLT. Carried.
   
3. Treasurer's Report: John VA3JI
   
   • Opening Balance 2016/04/01 [Available to members on request to secretary]
     
   • Income: Dues $50.00
     
   • Expenditures: None $0.00
     
   • Moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Geoff VA3GS to adopt the treasurer's report. Carried.
     
4. Summer Field Day: Steve VE3UT.
   
   • Steve is working with Peter VE3PBT to create a food budget. At the last general meeting it was proposed that we charge $15 per person for food for the weekend meals. Following a discussion it was decided to charge $15 per person for Field Day food if payment is received by the annual general meeting (AGM) in June. The charge would increase to $20 per person if payment is received after the cut-off date. The purpose of having 2 different prices, is to encourage members to commit early, so that Peter can better estimate the quantity of food to buy. We will issue wrist bands at check-in as proof of payment.
     
   • Moved by Steve VE3UT, seconded by Geoff VA3GS that we charge $15 per person for Field Day food, if paid by the AGM, and $20 per person if paid after the AGM. Carried.
     
5. Trailer Hilomast: Barry VA3LLT
   
   • The top section of the mast needs repair. Barry VA3LLT and Steve VE3UT removed the top section of the mast and brought it to the meeting to show the damage. They had previously taken the mast section to 'Rob the machinist' a friend of Rob VE3RQB.
     
   • The mast had split along the very thin section where a key way was cut into the material, likely caused by water entering the tubing, remaining there during the winter and freezing.
     (There was discussion about removing the top section, draining it and adding antifreeze to prevent future damage.)
     Rob gave them several options to repair the mast section.
     
   • Welding the crack was not an option since the heat would likely bend the tubing making it useless as a mast section.
     
     • Option 1 – insert a solid bar inside to reinforce the existing tube. Cost about $40 to $50
       
     • Option 2 – make a new tube from thicker aluminum. Cost about $230
       
     • Option 3 – make an new top section from solid aluminum with a 10” hole drilled in the top. Cost about $250
       
   • The 3 options were voted on to determine which option to choose. Option 1 – 2 votes, Option 2 – 5 votes, Option 3 – 2 votes.
     
   • Moved by Rick VA3VO, seconded by Steve VE3UT that we proceed with option 2 to have the mast section repaired locally with a cost of $300 max. Carried
     
   • Moved by Rick VA3VO, seconded by Barry VA3LLT that because we need the repairs done a quickly as possible, this should be considered an emergency repair, and it would not need to be approved in advance by the membership. Carried
     
6. Public Service: Eric VE3EB
   
   • There will be no MADD ride or EMS ride.
     
   • The first event will be the Mount Albert 5K Walk/Run on June 3.
     
   • Future events include: Mount Albert 5K Walk/Run - June 3, Aurora Street Festival – June 4, Sharon Temple Heritage Celebration - June 8, Sharon Temple Canada Day - July 1,
     Sharon Temple Sharon Soundbites - July 23, Newmarket Music Festival (returned to the old location - Riverwalk Commons) – Aug. 25, 26 & 27, Sharon Temple Illumination - Sept. 8, Sharon Temple Weaving Words - Sept. 17 and Run for the Cure Richmond Hill - Oct 1.
     
   • Eric would like to have pamphlets to hand out at public service events, and will investigate the cost.
     
   • The web site needs to be updated. Someone with Joomla experience is needed. It was suggested that a contest for students (similar to the contest for a new club logo a few years ago) might be a possibility.
     The web site should be downsized to make it more manageable.
     
   • Moved by Rick VA3VO, seconded by John VA3JI that Geoff VA3GS and Eric VE3EB explore updating the web site. Carried
     
7. Auditor: Doug VE3XV
   
   • Doug presented his interim audit report.
     
   • There were procedures where he found them to be acceptable.
     
   • Some items such as inventory and insurance would need further investigation before his final report.
     
8. Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS
   Geoff proposed that for the hamfest this fall, that we rent halls 1 and 2 and not halls 2, 3 and 4.
   Hall 1 is now available and would be large enough to hold all of the vendors that have been in halls 3 and 4. Hall 2 would continue to be the assembly area before the event opened. Further discussion to be held at a later time.
   
9. Foxhunt: John VE3IPS. No further foxhunts are being planned at this time.
   
10. EmComm: John VE3IPS. The status of further EmComm meetings is unknown. The Trillium Grant proposal is on hold.
    
11. D-Star: John VE3IPS. There is an upgrade to D-Star. John will investigate.
    
12. Hammond Museum: John VE3IPS. The date for the visit to the museum is Saturday June 17.
    
13. Trailer repairs: Rick VA3VO. The brakes on the railer need to be adjusted. This will be discussed at the nest meeting.
    

Meeting adjourned at 21:30. Moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Steve VE3UT. Carried