Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors Meeting 2017-01-17

Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multi Purpose Room 1. Called to Order at 19:05 by Chris VE3NRT. Board members attending: Chris VE3NRT Pres, Geoff VA3GS, Eric VE3EB, Steve VE3UT, Doug VE3ATP, Rick VA3VO, David VA3DCY Secty. Absent: Barry VA3LLT, John VE3IPS V. Pres. John VA3JI Treasurer. Others attending: None

1. Approval of agenda and declaration of conflict of interest: Chris VE3NRT. Additions: None. Motion to adopt the agenda, moved Eric VE3EB, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.
   
2. Minutes: David VA3DCY. Minutes of the 2016/12/20 meeting to be adopted at the February meeting.
   
3. Treasurer's Report: Geoff VA3GS for John VA3JI.
   
   • Opening Balance 2016/01/01 [Available to members on request to Secretary]
     
   • Income: Dues $80.00
     
   • Refund from Markham Fair $1,856.00
     
   • Total income $1,936.00
     
   • Expenditures: None $0.00
     
   • Closing Balance 2017/01/17 [Available to members on request to Secretary]
     
   • Note: The December statement received and balanced. JI
     
   • Moved by Geoff VA3GS, seconded by Steve VE3UT to adopt the treasurer's report. Carried.
     
4. Meetings: Geoff VA3GS. The speakers planned for the upcoming general meetings are: February - Steve VE3EZ, March - Mike VE3MKX, April - Bob VE3WY and May John VA3KOT.
   
5. Winter Field Day: Steve VE3UT. WFD will have 6 people attending. The proposed budget is $140 for food and $100 for gas. Rick VA3VO's trailer will be used for cooking and there will be 2 trailers for radios. Norma, the owner of Al's Tack Shop, enquired about the club's insurance, since the site may be icy. David VA3DCY will contact the insurance company to provide Norma with proof of our insurance.
   
6. Repeaters: Steve VE3UT
   
   • There have been some recent D-STAR outages, likely caused by a malfunctioning firewall.
     
   • The UPS at the site is being upgraded.
     
7. Trillium Grant Proposal
   
   • Eric VE3EB. Eric is waiting for proposals from EmComm. Steve VE3UT: There are no available pairs available in the GTA for a DMR repeater. We could use the UHF pair from the D-Star repeater. Chris VE3NRT asked is there DMR coverage or adequate coverage in the GTA? It was noted that a used Motorola DMR repeater costs approximately $850 US on E-Bay.
     
   • Should replacement of one or more existing analogue repeaters be included in the Trillium Grant proposal? The existing repeaters are older than 30 years and it is difficult to replace parts. Replacements could include: 2 VHF repeaters, 1 UHF repeater, 3 controllers and switching power supplies. The radios should be commercial frequency agile radios. The priority for replacement is the VE3YRC VHF repeater.
     
   • Chris VE3NRT proposed including a HamWan 'back-bone' data network.
     
   • Eric VE3EB suggested upgrading the club web site.
     
8. D-Rats: Although D-Rats works on D-Star, it can only send files 'point-to-point', ie from one radio to another. Files can not be sent through an intermediate station, ie from radio 1, via 2 to 3.
   

General Meeting Minutes - 2015-11-03

Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall.Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 45

1. Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT
   
2. Adoption of Minutes from the general meetings 2015/09/01 and 2015/10/06, both motions moved by Rick VA3VO and seconded by Rob VE3RQB. Carried.
   
3. Treasurer’s Report – John VA3JI.
   
   • Expenditures: $1094.04 insurance, $1415.00 hamfest
     
   • Revenue: $1555.88 hamfest, $335.00 dues
     
   • Balance at 2015/10/31 [available to members upon request to club Secretary].
     
   • Moved to adopt the Treasurer's report John VA3JI, seconded Garrett VA3PYP. Carried.
     
4. Membership Report – Alf VA3BLE: To date 62 members have paid.
   
5. Public Service Report – Eric VE3EB: We need someone to haul the trailer for the Newmarket parade on Nov 14 and the Aurora parade on Nov 21. No other events are planned until Spring.
   
6. EmComm Report – Don VE3IXJ
   
   • Don attended a York Region training event on Oct 21 with regional officials. Topics included problems with interoperability between various emergency services, dealing with terrorist activities and gun related violence.
     
   • There will be a SET exercise on Nov 7.
     
   • We received a cheque for $1000 from the Lake Simcoe REACT group, via Ron McCracken KG4CVL, in support of EmComm activities.
     
7. Repeater Committee Report – Steve VE3UT and Chris VE3NRT
   
   • The 6m repeater was unlinked just prior to the hamfest, and relinked to the other repeaters after the hamfest to avoid unnecessary use of the 6m repeater. The battery backup project is underway.
     
   • The Echolink/IRLP upgrade project is progressing. We now have an interface cable for the Raspberry Pi and the Echolink board is now ready. The D-STAR network issues have been resolved.
     
8. Hamfest Report – Geoff VA3GS: The Hamfest was Saturday October 31. Approximately 600 members of the public attended and 150 vendors participated. Setup time was about 2 hours and tear-down time was 2 plus hours. Move details to follow.
   
9. Other Business
   
   • Doug VE3VS and Rob VA3RBM have activated 2 more islands. Island ON-298 is Narrows Island (FN04dt66), near the outlet of Glouchester Pool on the Trent-Severn waterway. 26 40m contacts were made. Island ON-299 is Darling Island (FN04dt75) near Narrows Island. 38 40m contacts were made. (It was noted that Doug should also activate island 300.)
     
   • Doug VE3VS reported the results of exams held at the hamfest. 7 people took the basic exam and 1 person took the advanced exam. 7 of the 8 passed.
     

Break: 20:10 Guest Speaker: Dave VE3KCL spoke about Amateur Radio High Altitude Balloons.

• Weather balloons are expensive. They are latex balloons, are filled with helium, carry a payload of several kg, and continue to rise until the balloon eventually explodes.
  
• Amateur balloons are more moderately priced. They are mylar coated which prevents the balloon from expanding after being inflated, are filled with hydrogen which is cheaper than helium, are limited to a much lighter payload, and rise to approximately 8 to 10 km.
  
• Due to the restricted payload, only a lightweight processor (Arduino Nano), GPS module, fine gauge antenna (reinforced) solar cells and battery could be used.
  For more information see: http://qrp-labs.com/ultimate3/ve3kcl-balloons.html
  

In Search of the Great Channel Debate

YRARC has had a standardized VHF/UHF channel list for about 2 years now. It was mostly driven and developed through the efforts of Don, VE3IXJ and has made public service and EmComm operations simpler by allowing us to select repeater and simplex channels without having to memorize frequencies, CTCSS tones and the like, or figure out how to program someone else's radio when the main task is to actually communicate.

Many of us thought it would be a good idea to have some common frequencies so that clubs could also communicate with each other, especially in an emergency, but it has been difficult for clubs to even begin discussing the issue, much less come up with a plan that everyone is willing to implement.

Why is this so difficult? Let us not underestimate the challenges. I see a number of realities and possibilities.

1. Clubs in the area don't talk to each other all that much. Maybe that's because we don't have a common channel list! Seriously though, while clubs do compete for members and hamfest vendors and attendees to a certain extent, and there is no wider organization other than RAC that represents radio clubs, other than through ARES there are no formal channels for clubs to coordinate activities or share ideas.
2. ARES/EmComm groups in the region do talk to each other as RAC has district managers and emergency coordinators but reports so far indicate there is little agreement on the topic.
3. "NIH" (not invented here) is also a possibility. I know we at YRARC like our list (although I wish our D-STAR repeater channels were a little closer to our analogue repeater channels - there's a lot of knob twisting to go from one to the other). It's natural that we all think our own ideas are the best - at least initially. Also our club radios are suited to this list - no cross-band capability but lots of channels available.

But the questions we should really be asking ourselves are:

1. Why do we want a common channel list? How do we think that will benefit us?
2. If we had common channels, how would we coordinate their use? In a major disaster, for instance, how would we organize ourselves with nothing but radio, possibly just simplex radio, to do it with? Once organized, how would participants develop situational awareness and be able to brief each other and potentially other agencies, especially NGOs which don't necessarily have access to the communications facilities that we do.
3. What are the issues that each club has in developing a channel list, and how do we get this issues on the table for discussion?
4. What are the compatibility problems we face? Clearly not every region has D-STAR repeaters like YRARC does, but likewise YRARC has no System Fusion or DMR repeaters. Many radios available to EmComm members, like the ones we have in club inventory, lack cross-band capabilities. Other regions may be VHF-only. 
5. What are the coverage issues? Our EmComm group wants to know the coverage of our repeaters, but coverage means different things to different people. Are we looking for full quieting 100% of the time? Is communication with vehicles sufficient or do we need to understand coverage to hand held radios with a rubber duck? At what power level? Our club handhelds have 4 levels from 100mw to 5 watts, and at the highest power level battery life isn't good and the radio gets hot when you talk.
6. How do we facilitate the discussion that can fully account for each clubs' needs, understand the issues, and drive toward a solution that everyone can live with?

We might even need to ask ourselves more fundamental questions than these before we can get this resolved, about how we are called out in emergencies and by whom, or whether we need to self organize. Do we see ourselves as a "guard network" for official communications or do we need to assist other agencies like St. John Ambulance, the Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and others, and when do we show up at their door to help?

As you can see I have lots of questions. I can't wait for the debate! I'm hopeful that the August 23rd GTA ARES/EmComm meeting will move the ball forward in a meaningful way.

MADD Poker Run - May 31, 2015

Well it wasn't the best of weather. Not the best at all. The high of 13C was reached overnight, with a high of 10 for the remainder of the day. It was also raining - sometimes heavily, but it was mostly just a persistent drizzle. When you're riding a motorcycle though, light rain can be like a fully clothed dip in the pool - and a cold pool at that. The hardy souls that turned out were dressed for the occasion and made the most of the situation.



Consequently the turnout wasn't great. We had 11 motorcycles, 1 motor scooter, and one trike. Plus a few cars, and an OPP SUV and motorcycle rider who drove the route to help keep them safe, and of course observing all relevant statutes. Rob VE3RQB and Carlos VA3CAZ stationed themselves at Mount Albert Public School. Two Steve's, VE3UT and VE3EZ were at the Udora Community Hall, while John VE3POJ ensconced himself at Tim Horton's in Keswick after following the first wave of MADD riders along the first part of the route. Me? I stayed behind at the Newmarket Town Hall to be net control using VE3YRK VHF with D-STAR.



One of the riders turned out to be Jay, VA3COW, and Gary VE3NMI was on the organizing team and we had plenty of time to chew the rag about radio subjects. Everyone made it back to Newmarket Town Hall for the barbecue after the riders had all returned safely. Gary is on the left in this picture.



The ride itself was uneventful. We keep track of when the groups arrived at the checkpoints. We were a little concerned when the second group's chase car arrived at the second checkpoint in Udora before the bikes did, and they were 10 minutes overdue. Fortunately they showed up before we had organized a search party. Then they arrived at checkpoint 3 in Keswick before the first group - quite a feat as they were 40 minutes behind them. It turns out they took a shortcut which at least meant that everyone would arrive back at the Community Hall at about the same time for the food. From left to right Carlos VA3CAZ, Steve VE3UT and Rob VE3RQB.



At about 1:30 we called it a day and headed back to our warm abodes. While the WX wasn't the greatest we had a good time and let the organizers know we'd be back next year - hopefully to a warm sunny day like previous years.

73 de Chris

Cool Stuff at the York Region Emergency Preparedness Fair

Lots to see at the Fair today. Don VE3IXJ impressed the East Gwillimbury Fire Department with his $100 portable simplex repeater. The paint can is not only inexpensive but waterproof, which is an important requirement when your job is to make everything wet!



We were also impressed by the York Central Fire's mobile antenna platform. It also serves as a pretty good ladder. Maybe next year we'll shunt feed it for 160m operation.



Both East Gwillimbury Fire and the YRP have air boats. We don't have a lot of swamps and definitely no gators but a standard boat propeller doesn't work too well through a layer of ice.



Also check @yr_amateurradio on twitter for more pictures.

Live from the York Region Emergency Preparedness Fair

The 4th annual York Region Emergency Preparedness Fair is on today, and for the fourth time our Club has participated with an exhibit. This year we have an HF station and D-STAR demonstrations operating from our communications trailer. If you have the opportunity, please stop by! More reports and pictures will be posted later today.

York Region Emergency Preparedness Fair

REMINDER

On May 2nd, 2015 the trailer will be present at the York Region Emergency Preparedness Fair at the York Region Municipal Headquarters on Yonge Street in Newmarket. The purpose of the club's presence at this event is to promote community safety, provide visibility to YRARC and its EmComm team, and to liaise with York Region's emergency management personnel. The VE3YRC UHF repeater will be monitored throughout the event. Contact for the event is Robert VA3BXG, acting EmComm Chair.

The club will be demonstrating the capabilities of the trailer using D-STAR over the global reflectors and also HF operation if that is determined to be practical upon arrival at the site.

Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors, February 17, 2015

Meeting held in the Newmarket Community Centre. Called to order at 19:00. Chaired by Chris VE3NRT. Board members attending; Chris VE3NRT, Rob VE3RQB, Chris VA3DXZ, Eric VE3EB, Barry VA3LLT, Steve VE3UT, David VA3DCY, John VA3JI. Board members absent; Geoff VA3GS. Guests attending; Russell VA3WTR

1. Adoption of Jan 21, 2015 board meeting minutes
   
   • Motion 2015-02-17-01 by Barry VA3LLT to adopt Jan 21, 2015 board meeting minutes as published in the splatter blog at http://yrarc-splatter.blogspot.ca/, seconded by Rob VE3RQB. Motion carried.
     
2. Agenda
   
   • Motion 2015-02-17-02 by John VA3JI to adopt agenda, seconded by David VA3DCY. Motion carried
     
3. Governance
   
   • Treasurer’s report – John VA3JI
     
     • Bank balance at January month end is [available to club members on request to club secretary]
       
     • No transaction activity in February
       
4. Property – Rob VE3RQB
   
   • Hilomast– Rob VE3RQB and Barry VA3LLT to discuss a plan to deal with the frozen mast
     
5. Property Insurance – John VA3JI
   
   John VA3JI will report back to the board on the additional cost to cover club property
6. Repeaters
   
   • VE3YRK – Chris VE3NRT
     
     • Move of the registrations from VE3YRK to VE3LSR is under process. An issue has been found which Chris is talking to US Trust about.
       
     • DTMF linking is in place
       
     • Chris VE3NRT is looking into talk groups
       
   • 6m Repeater – Steve VE3UT
     
     • The club has received a donation of a 6m repeater which is targeted to be installed at the Mackenzie Health (Formerly York Central ) hospital with the antenna to be installed on the existing mast.
       
   • VE3YRC-UHF – Steve VE3UT
     
     • Still off the air on the bench at Steve VE3UT’s home. RC-85 controller is malfunctioning. The cost to repair the unit is expensive and it must be shipped to and from the USA for repair.
       
     • Steve VE3UT proposed that the club would be far better served by the purchase of an S-COM 7330 repeater controller (the same unit in operation at VE3YRC-VHF and VE3YRA)
       
     • The S-COM 7330 is a 3 port controller which will support the linking to the VE3YRC-VHF, VE3YRA and the new 6m repeater.
       
     • The cost of the S-COM 7330 is $499.00 USD plus taxes and shipping.
       
     • Motion 2015-02-17-03 by Steve VE3UT that subject to approval by the club, the board allocate $600.00 for the purchase of the S-COM 7330 to replace the faulty RC85, seconded by Eric VE3EB.
       
     • John VA3JI asked if there was a computer based solution available that could be used rather than dedicated hardware. Chris VE3NRT is aware of asterisk based systems but these require internet access
       
     • Eric VE3EB indicated that he felt it was a good idea to purchase the same controller used at other YRARC repeater sites
       
     • Motion carried
       
7. Events and Public Service – Steve VE3UT
   
   • Winter Field Day
     
     • The summer field day generator would not start. The unit should be started periodically
       
     • Event came in under budget. A surplus of $52.80 has been returned to the club treasurer
       
   • Summer Field Day
     
     • Planning is in the preliminary stages
       
     • There was a short discussion concerning whether or not the club should stick with a similar approach as last year. Steve VE3UT is open to other ideas.
       
8. Membership
   
   • Motion 2015-02-17-04 by John VA3JI to enter into contract with the Markham Fairgrounds for the 2015 Hamfest Oct 31st seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Motion carried.
     
   • Presentations for upcoming meetings
     
     • March: Antenna Patterns
       
     • April: Contest Club
       
     • May: Dr. Paul Delaney
       
   • Call for Harvey Bell Award nominations to take place at the next general meeting
     
9. Other Business
   
   • EMCOMM – Russell VA3WTR
     
     • Ambulance proposal is targeted to be ready for review by the board in April. Terry VE3ODM is running with this and is using operating data from Red Cross and to build a proposal that will be reviewed by EMCOMM and then sent to the board for review
       
     • YRP has amateur radio repeater in their command vehicle and would like assistance from the club in fitting their new trailer with an amateur repeater
       
     • The EMCOMM frequency list is being updated
       
     • The board requested a copy of the parking agreement that is sitting with York EMS. Russell VA3WTR will send a copy of the document to the board.
       
   • VE3YRC VHF and UHF repeater call signs – Steve VE3UT
     
     • Steve VE3UT has confirmed that the club does not need separate call signs for the VE3YRC-VHF and UHF repeaters
       
   • There was a short discussion on ideas for a future Trillium grant application
     
10. Motion 2015-02-17-05 by Chris VA3DXZ to adjourn meeting, seconded by John VA3JI. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 21:01
    

VE3YRK Gateway will be down for a while

Following some scheduled maintenance we need to do another site visit before the gateway will be back on line. This will be done as soon as it can be coordinated. Until then, the repeater is operational but its link to reflectors and other repeaters is out of service.

Thanks to Steve for all the hard work (past, present and future) for knocking our repeater systems into shape.

73,
Chris

Repeater Report - Steve VE3UT

In the past, I headed up our club's repeater committee and now, once again, the Board of Directors has given me this task. Our club has a very good collection of machines but we have a number of challenges ahead. The departure of Bruce VE3BV, who has moved North to the Parry Sound area, has left a void to fill. The club has relied on Bruce's technical expertise and “connections” for the past 30+ years and we need to assemble a team of people with various skills to fill that void and keep us on the air. The challenge of keeping our sites or gaining access to new sites will also be an issue in the coming years.

The VE3YRC (147.225+ PL 103.5) site is not likely to remain available and coming up with ideas to keep it on the air from another location is a priority. YRC is the club's flagship repeater. The relocation of VE3YRA (145.350- PL 103.5) to its current temporary home has kept it on the air but ultimately it would be good to see us back at the original site with its superb coverage.

An idea that is just starting to be discussed is the possibility of have YRA and YRC permanently linked with one machine in the West end of York Region (the original YRA site) and another in the East end (actually North East). This would provide seamless VHF coverage of York Region and beyond with some overlapping coverage in places. Gaining a site in Georgina for YRC would solve the problem of spotty coverage there and other eastern locations.

With a link permanently on, users in the southern, western, and central areas of York Region would be able to select YRA or YRC depending on the coverage at their respective locations. For example, Bob WY and Brynn VOD could operate on YRA and talk to me UT and Barry LLT in the East on YRC. I mention these names because we all live or travel through noisy locations.

The club owns four repeater controllers, two 7330 units (on YRC and YRA) and a ACC RC85 (on YRC UHF) and a ACC RC96 (in the club trailer). The 7330 controllers are newer than the obsolete ACC units. The first 7330 was programmed and installed on YRC by Bruce BV and one was installed a couple of years ago on YRA when its ACC unit malfunctioned. Bruce was the only expert in the club on programming these controllers with me having a limited knowledge. But with Bruce's move, I have stepped up to the plate and am getting fairly proficient at programming them.

At this time, YRC is doing a fair bit of chatting at us. Some of the messages are regular daily messages and some are temporary for special club activities. They all serve the same purpose, to keep membership informed of upcoming activities. Please support our club and volunteer to help out at some of the events. Message schedule on YRC:

• :00 Time and chimes
  
• :10 Hamfest message, last week of October only
  
• :15 Month long Hamfest message commencing October 1
  
• :17 Tuesday club meeting message, last week of the month only
  
• :20 Wildcard message – currently Run for the Cure event
  
• :25 Wildcard message – currently Emcomm event at Markham Fair
  
• :30 Time and ``this is VE3YRC repeater home of the YRARC``
  
• :40 Same as:10
  
• :45 same as :15
  
• :47 same as :17
  
• :50 same as :20
  
• :55 same as 25
  

Last but not least...VE3YRK B and VE3YRK C, our D Star repeaters, great coverage and connect to international gateways. Check them out! borrow a club radio and get on the air!! These radios have FM and can also be used with YRA and YRC. [Note from Chris VE3NRT: Some members have already requested club radios which will be fulfilled at the next meeting]

A New Canadian D-STAR Reflector

I recently received this email from Jeff VE6EFR in Alberta.

My name is Jeff Bishop and my call is VE6EFR.

I am contacting the various D-STAR repeater owners to let everyone know that we now have a DPlus reflector available Canada wide use. The reflector is on a high bandwidth server and is based out of BC. Services are being provided by the British Columbia Frequency Modulation Communications Association (BCFMCA).

The idea behind the reflector is to provide a place for Canadian hams to be able to talk with other Canadians. Granted we have XRF021 however not everyone has the ability or desire to install the needed software for use with their repeaters, DV Dongles, DVAP or hotspots. If you would like to link your repeater to the network, connect to REF026 module B.
The reflector is available for nets, ARES activity as well as general amateur use.

Let me know if you have any questions. I hope to see your repeater on the reflector.

73 - Jeff VE6EFR


The club's D-STAR repeater, VE3YRK, has access to the XRF reflectors, including XRF021, but this new reflector is accessible from all D-STAR repeaters so would provide broader coverage of Canadian D-STAR repeaters than an XRF reflector. The true value of the reflector will depend on how many Canadian repeaters choose to use it. YRARC D-STAR users may want to try connecting to it. If any interesting nets start up on the reflector then I will schedule the connection to happen automatically.

D-STAR / D-RATS Net

A short note to update you on the D-STAR / D-RATS tests conducted last night by Brad VE3HII and me. We chatted for approximately an hour using a combination of Simplex on 145.670 and the DStar repeater VE3YRK @ 147.180.

Brad and I were easily able to connect on simplex from his location in Richmond Hill to mine in Uxbridge and spent most of the time on that frequency.

We conducted several tests including chat - file transfers and broadcast messages and had great results.

Specifically, the broadcast message feature where we demonstrated the ability to transmit a message – that would be received by all on frequency – that was several paragraphs in length and contained a great deal of text and information. A larger three paragraph message was sent in 12 seconds.

Not only that BUT we did this on simplex AND on the repeater AND while transmitting voice at the same time. The D-STAR radios that the club have are of course easily and seamlessly able to toggle back and forth between voice and data with ease.

This broadcast feature in combination with voice is of course a great tool and easily established ad hoc network in the event of an EmComm – EMO situation…. When all the smartphones are dead…

In order to “exercise the muscle” as they say and have more folks try and get comfortable with this – Brad and I are going to meet on 145.670 and/or 147.180 each Monday night @ 8:30 pm – Following the 6M net for those that do both. Perhaps using the D-STAR broadcast to post the 6M results.

If you are interested in joining in – I would highly recommend this for EmComm members – Brad and I will meet you there. We have lots of other things that we would like to test try and get comfortable with such as linking through other repeaters like LSR.

BR and 73

Steve – Ve3eZ

Links of the month - January 2014

1. The ACLU on the impact of sensor technologies on privacy. [Steve VA3SRV]
   
2. Chirp - free software for programming radios. [Steve VA3SRV]
   
3. Contextual Electronics - On-line hands-on electronics education. [Steve VA3SRV]
   
4. Video: SDR HT. [Patrick VE3WST]
   
5. Inexpensive 4 band mobile radios. [Russell VE3TWR]
   
6. New ICOM Touch Screen D-STAR Radio. [Steve VA3SRV]