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 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

Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors Meeting 2016-12-20

Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multipurpose Room 1. Called to Order at 19:03 by Chris VE3NRT. Board members attending: Chris VE3NRT Pres, John VA3JI Treasurer, John VE3IPS V. Pres., Geoff VA3GS, Eric VE3EB, Steve VE3UT, Doug VE3ATP, Rick VA3VO, David VA3DCY Secty. Absent: Barry VA3LLT. Others attending: None

1. Approval of agenda and declaration of conflict of interest: Chris VE3NRT
   
   • Additions: 7 Floral motion.
     
   • Motion to adopt the agenda, moved Eric VE3EB, seconded Rick VA3VO. Carried.
     
2. Minutes: David VA3DCY. Moved by Steve VE3UT, seconded by Rick VA3VO to adopt minutes of the Board Meeting. 2016/11/15. Carried.
   
3. Meetings: Geoff VA3GS
   
   • The January general meeting will consist of a short business meeting, with a mini “for sale” table, and following the break there will be 5 minute talks from members.
     
   • The speakers planned for March, April and May are Mike VE3MKX, Bob VE3WY and Cliff VE3KOP.
     
   • We need a February speaker, or the meeting may be devoted to the proposed Trillium grant.
     
4. Treasurer's Report: John VA3JI
   
   • Opening Balance 2016/12/01 [Available to members on request to secretary]
     
   • Income: Dues $25.00
     
   • Expenditures: Flowers for Barry's wife $45.20
     
   • Food for Christmas party $187.71
     
   • Total expenditures: $232.91
     
   • Closing Balance 2016/12/20 [Available to members on request to secretary]
     
   • Moved by Rick VA3VO, seconded by Eric VE3EB to adopt the treasurer's report. Carried.
     
   • John went on to explain why we need to control our expenses so that we do not deplete our bank balance, and also because of the recurring expenses that need to be paid throughout the year, before we receive any income from dues or the hamfest.
     
5. Repeaters: Steve VE3UT
   
   • All repeaters are working well.
     
   • Chris VE3NRT may have time to work on the hardware for the IRLP and Echolink. The software is OK.
     
6. Winter Field Day: Steve VE3UT
   
   • The WFD site is now confirmed – it will be the same site as used for Summer FD at Al's Tack Shop. The dates are January 28 and 29.
     
   • Steve proposed a budget assuming 20 people would attend: Food $350, Propane for cooking and heating $100, Toilet $125 and Gasoline $300.
     
   • Geoff suggested having members indicate at the January meeting if they would attend, and collect food money from each member wanting to attend.
     
   • Moved by Rick VA3VO, seconded by Eric VE3EB that the board postpone approval of any motion to fund WFD until the membership approved of any funding. (There was no motion made to fund WFD following John VA3JI's cautioning about club expenses.)
     
   • Of interest for Summer FD, the property (Al's Tack Shop) has been subdivided and a portion of the property has been sold. This means future SFD station layouts will be different from past years.
     
7. Hammond Museum: John VE3IPS. There are probably no fees for entrance to the museum. Hours are 09:00 to 12:00. April could be a possible time to visit. Car pooling was suggested.
   
8. Trillium Grant Proposal: Eric VE3EB. There may be a new structure for seeking a grant. June is the target date for submitting a proposal. A financial statement may be required in the proposal. We will need letters of support from served agencies. A Yahoo group has been set up to communicate with members of the committee. We need committee members and each will be assigned with a responsibility. he committee will report to the board and membership monthly. Eric is asking for a proposed list of what should be included in the application.
   
9. Floral Motion: John VA3JI. Motion 2016-12-20-7 to approve payment $45.20 for flowers sent to Barry's wife. Moved by Geoff VA3GS, seconded by Eric VE3EB. Carried
   Fox Hunts: John VE3IPS. A winter date will be chosen with possibly 4 events for the year, perhaps once per month, and participation could be opened to other clubs.
   
10. Other business:
    
    • John VA3JI. Will replacing batteries in the existing D-Star radios be a club expense or will it be included in a Trillium grant?
      
    • John VE3IPS would like to get a D-Star radio to be loaned to a new member.