Minutes: General Meeting 2016-11-01

Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 35 including 1 guest and 3 new members.

1. Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT
   
2. Adoption of Minutes from 2016/10/04 general meeting. Moved by Doug VE3VS, seconded by John VA3JI. Carried.
   
3. Announcements: Setup for the hamfest starts at 13:00 Friday Nov 4. We received a cheque for $175 from the Central Ontario ARC for our participation in a recent COARC event.
   
4. Treasurer’s Report – John VA3JI
   
   • Opening Balance 2016/10/01 [Available to members on request to secretary]
     
   • Income: Hamfest vendor fees: $1230.00; Membership dues: $185.00; Donations (US currency conversion): $7.02; Total:$1422.02
     
   • Expenditures: Hamfest - prizes: $171.50; Hamfest - Markham Fair Grounds: $4329.60; Hamfest – float: $750.00; Repeater $75.00; Bank charges for PayPal $7.74; Total Expenditures: $5333.84
     
   • Closing Balance 2016/11/01 [Available to members on request to secretary]
     
   • Additional income to be deposited: Hamfest vendor fees: $40.00; Membership dues: $155.00; Membership dues:$35.00; Donation $5.00; Bank Fees: -$1.57
     
   • It was suggested from the floor that we charge extra when payments are made by PayPal. No action to be taken at this time.
     
   • Moved the treasurer's report be adopted, by John VA3JI, seconded Bill VA3QB. Carried
     
5. Repeater Report – Steve VE3UT
   
   • We need to check on the noise source at the Sharon Temperance Hall before winter field day.
     
   • We spent $75 on a link antenna at the MacKenzie Health Unit (to link the VE3YRA site with the hospital site).
     
   • The Field Day announcement, which has been running in error, has been turned off.
     
   • This morning it was discovered that that the link transmitter at the VE3YRC-V site has failed. The VE3YRC-V repeater (147.225 MHz) is now running in stand-alone mode.
     
6. EmComm Report – Robert VA3BXG, John VE3IPS
   
   • At the recent GTA set, we had limited participation, and did a test call-out. The next EmComm meeting will be on November 10, at the Newmarket Community Centre.
     
   • The Fox Hunt, with help from Brian VE3IBW, will likely be held on November 19. Planning will be done at the next EmComm meeting.
     
7. Other Business
   
   • Barry VA3LLT's wife is in hospital, in serious condition. Move by Steve VE3UT and seconded by Eric VE3EB, that we send flowers to Barry's wife. Carried.
     
   • Doug VE3VS is preparing name tags for those wishing tags.
     
   • Next year, CLARA will be holding its 50th birthday and preparation for the event is underway.
     

Guest Speaker – John VA3KOT

John spoke on outdoor QRP. His interest in QRP started with scanning and listening to satellites, which lead to his interest in amateur radio, especially QRP. His rules for operating QRP include an efficient antenna, elevation, using CW or digital modes instead of phone, endurance, the use of spotting web sites (to give advance notice to listen), and good propagation conditions.

Since he operates in public spaces, health and safety are important considerations. The passing public needs to be kept safe from RF high voltages etc. and 'no trace' operating means leaving the site tidy when finished.

When hiking, he keeps it simple with a Yaesu FT-817 radio, minimal batteries for lighter weight and a choice of several antennae including vertical, end-fed, loop and NVIS antennae.

John can be contacted at va3kot -at- gmail -dot- com for further information.

Minutes: Board of Directors Meeting 2016-11-15

Meeting held in the Magna Centre, multi purpose room. Called to Order at 19:04 by Chris VE3NRT. Board members attending: Chris VE3NRT Pres, John VA3JI Treasurer, John VE3IPS V. Pres., Geoff VA3GS, Barry VA3LLT, Eric VE3EB, Steve VE3UT, Doug VE3ATP, Rick VA3VO, David VA3DCY Secty. Others attending: None

1. Approval of agenda and declaration of conflict of interest: Chris VE3NRT. Additions: 8 WYNSORC. Motion to adopt the agenda, moved Rick VA3VO, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.
   
2. Minutes: David VA3DCY. Moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Eric VE3EB to adopt minutes of the Board Meeting 2016/10/18. Carried.
   
3. Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS
   
   • The non-final results from the hamfest – we made a profit of approximately $2400 plus any possible deposit refund. Geoff thanked all involved for their efforts.
     
   • The question was asked 'should we consider another venue?' The answer was 'yes' if we can find a suitable location with ample parking.
     
   • The Lions Club sold out of their food.
     
   • Renting the third hall costs only $200, and it is good to have a place to keep the attendees out of the rain/cold.
     
4. Meetings: Geoff VA3GS
   
5. Bring non-perishable food items to the December meeting for the food bank.
   
6. There will be no speaker for the January meeting, but there will be time for '5 minute' show and tell presentations.
   
   • Dr. Delaney will be the guest speaker in February or March.
     
   • Mike VE3MKX will be the guest speaker in March or February.
     
   • Cliff VE3KOP will be the guest speaker in April.
     
   • Bob VE3WY will be the guest speaker in May.
     
   • The AGM will be in June.
     
   • Motion 2016-11-15-3b to approve $200.00 (maximum) for food at the December meeting, moved by Rick VA3VO, seconded by Eric VE3EB. Carried.
     
7. Treasurer's Report: John VA3JI
   
   • Opening Balance 2016/10/31 [Available to members on request to secretary]
     
   • Income: Hamfest tables $1455.00; Dues:$365.00; Auction: $140.25; Donation (COARC): $175.00; Hamfest door: $4614.90; Silent auction (Nov Mtg): $113.00; Total Income: $6863.15
     
   • Expenditures: Hamfest prizes: $196.00; Bank fees (Pay Pal): $1.03; Repeater (WYNSORC): $10.00: -$207.03
     
   • Closing Balance 2016/ 11/15 [Available to members on request to secretary]
     
   • Membership to date: Full voting: 33; Associate: 5; Family:17; Life: 9; Total: 60
     
   • Moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Geoff VA3GS to adopt the treasurer's report. Carried.
     
8. Repeaters: Steve VE3UT
   
   • The CW identifiers on VE3YRC-V and VE3YRA have been lowered.
     
   • The Fox Hunt is being announced on the VE3YRC-V and VE3YRA repeaters.
     
   • The link radio at the Bloomington site is now working, levels have been set up, but may need some final adjustments. We need to return to using the mic input on the link radio for better audio.
     
9. John VE3IPS: Members from the DDO will be attending the Fox Hunt. The starting location will be 12916 Yonge St. on November 19.
   
10. Public Service: Eric VE3EB
    
    • There are no public service events at the moment.
      
    • Eric would welcome suggestions from the membership and the board for the QSL cards.
      
    • Certificates of recognition will be prepared.
      
    • Barry VA3LLT: Should we have coffee mugs, either with the club logo only, or logo and the individual member's name and call? He will check prices, in possible lots of 10, 20 and 30, and enquire about interest at the next meeting. Chris will check the Costco prices as well.
      
11. Winter Field Day: Steve VE3UT. The David Dunlap Observatory might be a possible site for Winter Field Day. Steve will check to see if it is available, and we could also include the Maker's Group and Astronomy Group in WFD. Paul Mortfield is the astronomy contact.
    
12. Summer Field Day: Steve VE3UT. Peter VE3PBT may possibly not be available to cook be due to health concerns, however he may be able to advise and/or assist. Geoff has enquired if the Aurora Lions might be able to provide 3 or 4 meals, and is awaiting a reply.
    
13. Hammond Museum: John VE3IPS. At the next general meeting,John will propose a trip to the Hammond Museum.
    
14. PACTOR for EmComm: John VE3IPS. John is exploring the cost of PACTOR modems 1, 2 and 3. – Pactor 1 is the least expensive, Pactor 3 is the most expensive. It might be an item for a wish list on a Trillium Grant application, but a good business plan would be needed.
    
15. WYNSORC: John VA3JI and Geoff VA3GS. The annual dues of $10.00 are now due. Motion 2016-11-15-8 to approve $10.00 for WYNSORC dues, moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Carried.
    

Meeting adjourned at 21:00. Moved Barry VA3LLT, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried

Minutes: 2016-12-06 General Meeting

Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 39 including, 1 new member, 1 amateur guest and 2 family guests.

1. Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT. Adoption of the Minutes from the 2016/11/01 general meeting was postponed until next January.
   
2. Announcements: CLARA will be celebrating its 50 anniversary in 2017. To celebrate, a year long contest will be held. For information, see the CLARA web site: clarayl.ca
   
3. Fox Hunt – John VE3IPS: The fox hunt was held on November 19, with Ian VE3YRP the winner. More fox hunts will be held in 2017 (and they may get harder).
   
4. Hammond Museum – John VE3IPS. A trip to the Hammond Museum could be in the works. Details to follow.
   
5. Trillium Grant – Eric VE3EB. Eric is looking for interested members to be part of a committee which will investigate applying for a Trillium Grant.
   
6. Repeater Report – Steve VE3UT. Several visits have been made to the VE3YRC-V site as well as a visit to the VE3YRC-U site to make some fine adjustments. All 3 linked repeaters (including the VE3RYA repeater) are working well and sounding good. The D-Star repeaters have had network connectivity problems, but are now working properly.
   
7. Winter Field Day – Steve VE3UT. Winter Field Day will be held on January 28 and 29. The first location choice, the David Dunlap Observatory, is not available. The regular Summer Field Day site is the second choice and Steve will be soon be in contact with the owners. There are rule changes this year regarding setup, however it was suggested that we set up just before the contest begins, to simulate setup in a real emergency. We plan to use simple antennae to keep the setup simple and have a maximum of 4 stations. A quick show of hands showed 8 members were interested at the moment.
   
8. Treasurer’s Report – John VA3JI
   
   • Opening Balance 2016/11/01 [Available to members on request to secretary]
     
   • Income: Hamfest vendor fees: $1455.00; Hamfest admissions: $4614.90; Donations COARC+ Anonymous+REACT: $680.00; Membership dues: $365.00; Auction plus club table $248.25; Hamfest grand prize tickets: $670.00; Total $8,033.15.
     
   • Expenditures: Hamfest - prizes $196.00; WYNSORC fees: $10.00; Bank charges for PayPal: $1.03; Total expenditures: $207.03
     
   • Closing Balance 2016/12/06: [Available to members on request to secretary]
     
   • Additional expenses: December Christmas party - food $158.20
     
   • Moved the treasurer's report be adopted, by John VA3JI, seconded Rick VA3VO. Carried
     
9. EmComm Report – Robert VA3BXG
   
   • EmComm participated in the recent Municipal Exercises and the York Region Conferences.
     
   • The next meeting will be on the Thursday December 8, at the Newmarket Community Centre. Planning for next year including more fox hunts will be discussed.
     
10. Other Business – Geoff VA3GS. Geoff thanked everyone involved with the hamfest for their help, and noted that at the January meeting we will have short, 5 minute talks, and show and tell sessions.
    

YRARC Fox Hunt on November 19th!

Hunt Logistics

Date:	November 19, 2016
Start Time:	09:00 am
Duration:	2.0 hours
Fox transmit power:	5 Watts
Hound start location:	Wimpys Diner, 12916 Yonge St, Richmond Hill

Frequency 146.565 MHz

Boundaries

North	Davis Drive
East	Highway 404
South	19th Avenue
West	Dufferin Street

Rules

1. DURATION - The exercise ends after two (2) hours or when all hounds have either found the fox or conceded, whichever is the earlier.
   
2. FOX’S OPERATION - The fox will transmit on one of the above FM frequency signals from a fixed location, on unrestricted public property, and within the above declared boundaries.
   The fox will use an Omni directional, vertically polarized signal. The fox’s effective radiated power will be such that any hounds starting towards the centre of the area in a reasonably high and clear location shall be assured of receiving the fox’s transmission. The fox’s transmitted power will remain constant throughout the hunt. The fox may issue clues to his location. The fox will transmit the location at the end of the exercise.
   
3. HOUND’S OPERATION - The hound is a person or team in one vehicle using one set of equipment. The hounds may start from any location. Taking bearings from home is not permitted. Hounds without transmission capability should make their participation known in advance.
   
4. RESTRICTIONS - The YRARC is a responsible club with an enviable reputation. Hounds will adhere to the terms of their transmitting license, all driving laws, the Highway Code, and local Bylaws. YRARC members must satisfy themselves on relevant matters of law and insurance. They participate in these foxhunt exercises at their own risk and on the strict understanding that all participants agree to indemnify YRARC Officials, the Fox Hunt Committee and the YRARC Inc. for any accident or other damage arising from the event.
   

Check the following for home brew direction antennas for 2m: NT1K Blog OR WB2HOL RDF Optimized tape measure beam