Minutes: YRARC General Meeting 2017-10-03

Meeting held in the Sharon Temperance Hall. Called to Order at 19:30 by Chris VE3NRT. Total members and guests attending: 36

1. Welcome & Introductions – Chris VE3NRT. Chris presented Don VE3IXJ with the Harvey Bell Award for his past and present contributions to the club.
   
2. Treasurer’s Report – Charles VA3TTB
   
   Opening Balance 2017/09/01 [Balance is available to members upon request to Secretary]
   • Income
     
     • York Arts Music Festival: $600.00
       
     • Dues $780.00
       
     • Field Day refund: $354.20
       
     • Hamfest table rental $70.00
       
     • Total: $1804.20
       
   • Expenditures:
     
     • Bank Fees: $2.33
       
   • Closing Balance 2017/10/01 [Balance is available to members upon request to Secretary]
     Charles also spoke about a proposed project night.
     
3. Public Service Report – Eric VE3EB
   
   • We supported Run for the Cure (year #8) with parking and vehicle management. It was a successful event for the organizers.
     
   • The club received letters of appreciation from the Mount Albert Sports Day and the Run for the Cure organizers, for our participation in their events.
     
   • The next events will likely be in the spring of 2018.
     
4. EmComm Report – Mike VA3MCT. On October 14 there will be an Ontario wide SET. The York Region EOC will be activated, and members are encouraged to make check-ins during the SET. Further details to be provided closer to the event. Communication on 40m and 60m will be attempted using NVIS antennae.
   
5. Membership Report – Barry VA3LLT. This is the last day to pay membership dues, before your membership expires. The Go-kits are being refurbished.
   
6. Hamfest Report – Geoff VA3GS
   
   • Our annual hamfest will be held on November 4 at the Markham Fairgrounds. This year we will use Hall 2 as the entrance as before, and this year, all exhibits will be in Hall 1.
     
   • We will need lots of help, on Friday for preparation, on Saturday morning to run the event and also for tear-down. When we do the cleanup, we save ourselves money.
     
   • We especially need help with security, parking and admissions.
     
7. Winter Field Day – Steve VE3UT. Winter Field Day will happen in January 2018. It is both a contest and an emergency preparedness event. We will be operating outdoors again this year, with antenna and station setup done as a team. The intent is to be able to erect antennae as quickly as possible. It is proposed that the club pay for gas and beverages and that meals be the responsibility of the participants. The proposed site will be Al's Tack Shop, 4812 Vandorf Rd in Stouffville.
   
8. Repeater Committee Report – Steve VE3UT. IRLP and Echolink are running. Steve gave a demonstration of IRLP and Echolink with the help of Bruce VE3BV who was at home. See IRLP.org for a list of IRLP nodes. Also mentioned, there is an Echolink app for Android and Apple devices.
   

Guest Speaker Hugh VE3AYR – “Vimy 100”. Hugh talked about Vimy 100, an event to commemorate the 100thh anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Planning started back in 2011 for a special event with amateurs from across Canada running a commemorative station from locations across Canada.

A special, non-standard call sign was obtained: VE100VIMY, along with a corresponding French call sign TM100VIMY. Although the site of the Vimy Memorial is Canadian territory, the air waves are not, thus the use of the French call sign.

The Canadian operation ran from 2017 Jamuary 01 to 2017 March 31. In April 2017, the operation moved to Arras France, the closest town to the Vimy Memorial. The station in France ran from 2017 April 01 to 2017 April 09.

Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors Meeting 2017-08-15

Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multipurpose Room 1. Called to Order at 19:02 by Steve VE3UT.
Board members attending:

• Barry VA3LLT
  
• Charles VA3TTB
  
• Chris VE3NRT
  
• David VA3DCY
  
• Eric VE3EB
  
• Geoff VA3GS
  
• John VE3IPS
  
• Mike VA3MCT
  
• Steve VE3UT.
  

Absent: Rick VA3VO. Others attending: none

1. Approval of Agenda & declaration of conflicts of interest. Amendments: none. Motion: To adopt the agenda. Moved Eric VE3EB, seconded Chris VE3NRT. Carried.
   
2. Minutes: Motion: To adopt the minutes of Board Meeting 2017/07/18. Moved Charles VA3TTB, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.
   
3. Election of President: Moved by Eric VE3EB, seconded by Charles VA3TTB that Chris VE3NRT be nominated for the office of president. No one else stood for election. By a unanimous vote, Chris VE3NRT becomes the new president. Carried. As newly elected president, Chris now chaired the meeting.
   
4. Election of Treasurer: Moved by Barry VA3LLT, seconded by Steve VE3UT that Charles VA3TTB be nominated for the office of treasurer. There were no other nominations. By a unanimous vote, Charles VA3TTB becomes the new treasurer. Carried.
   
5. Actions arising from previous board meeting: Steve VE3UT.
   
   • David and Steve met to finish the Summer Field Day accounts.
     
   • The Markham Fair cheque has been delivered.
     
   • The go-kits are to be re-called.
     
   • Inventory tags – to be followed-up.
     
   • Access updated to allow new board members access to the membership database.
     
   • Outreach by Mike and Eric at the farmer's market – Newmarket Music Festival booth.
     
   • Cheque for trailer insurance has been sent.
     
   • Bank signatures for the new executive need to be done.
     
6. Treasurer’s Report: Not available.
   
7. Committee Reports:
   
   1. Trailer: Barry VA3LLT. The trailer needs a clean-up. Some storage containers have been broken during transit. Barry will buy new replacement containers. Motion: 2017-08-15-7a to allot $200.00 for trailer maintenance. Moved Barry VA3LLT, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.
      
   2. Repeaters: Steve VE3UT.
      
      • Steve needs to travel at times to get test equipment from Bruce VE3BV, and requested re-approval to pay for gas for extended travel. Approval unanimous.
        
      • Mike VA3MCT asked about repeater operation during the during the planned SET where there will be no power for an extended period. Only VE3YRA would have extended operation, the other repeaters have only battery backup.
        
      • Motion: 2017-08-15-7b to allot $200.00 for repeater maintenance. Moved Steve VE3UT, seconded Geoff VA3GS. Carried.
        
   3. Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS. Information is on the RAC web site, and information will be passed out at Junk-in-the-Trunk on August 25. Mailings are to be sent.
      
   4. Web Site: Mike VA3MCT. Mike has built a new web site with information from the existing site. He will present it to the board for comments and approval. Next step will be to check the domain, but the site will not go on-line until after the hamfest.
      
   5. Property: Rick VA3VO. No report.
      
   6. Public Service: Eric VE3EB
      
      • A past event was at the Sharon Temple on July 22.
        
      • Eric and Mike attended the Newmarket Farmer's Market and distributed “QSL” cards with interest from the public.
        
      • The upcoming Newmarket Music Festival needs additional help from members.
        
      • Sunday October 2 is the date for Run for the Cure.
        
   7. EmComm: John VE3IPS. Mike VA3MCT will become the new RAC Emergency Coordinator for York Region instead of John. We should do our own “SET” like exercise within York Region to test our own internal communication.
      
   8. Field Day: Steve VE3UT
      
      • Motion: 2017-08-15-7ha to pay $50.49 to David VA3DCY for gas for field day generators. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded John VE3IPS. Carried.
        
      • Motion: 2017-08-15-7hb to pay $71.85 to Rick VA3VO for gas for field day generators. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded John VE3IPS. Carried.
        
8. Other Business:
   
   • Possible donation of a trailer: Steve VE3UT. Steve offered a tent trailer to the club for the club's use. It was noted that there would be problems (costs) if owned by the club, and potential storage issues if parked with the EmComm trailer and the tower trailer. Geoff suggested parking it at Al's Tack Shop. Steve will investigate.
     
   • IRLP: Chris VE3NRT wishes to pass the IRLP construction to someone else. He will maintain/update the software on the Raspberry Pi. Steve VE3UT offered to take over the project. Chris would host the finished project.
     
   • Harvey Bell Award: We need to get the Harvey Bell Award returned, and make a new label and award it to DonVE3IXJ at the September meeting.
     
   • The Secretary, David VA3DCY will issue a recall notice for the Go Kits.
     
   • Barry VA3LLT mentioned a new tower to be erected in Georgina. He will investigate.
     

Meeting adjourned 20:40. Moved Geoff VA3GS, seconded Eric VE3EB. Carried

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.

Final Call for Nominations - 2017 Harvey Bell Award

NOTICE TO ALL YRARC MEMBERS

Each year about this time, the members of our radio club have the opportunity to nominate a member by contacting the club secretary no later than May 15th, 2016. Nominations may be presented by individuals, or may be co-signed by several members, to be honoured with this award.

Your nominations should be made in writing or by email to the club secretary David Craig VA3DCY, and should include your description, explanation or citation related to the nominee, and be presented to the

At the January, 1971 meeting of the York North Radio Club, the membership established an award in memory of the late Harvey Bell, VE3AFK, of Aurora.

It was the wish of the members that this award be presented annually to a member in good standing with this club, in recognition of substantial achievement involving Amateur Radio, particularly in connection with the York North Radio Club.

The winner would hold the trophy for one year, and would also receive a certificate, or other citation outlining the achievement.

Any club member would be eligible to nominate any other club member for the award. Nominations will be considered by the 2017 Board of Directors.

Harvey Bell died unexpectedly in December of 1970. At that time he was in the process of making his third attempt at keeping the club together and active. He had been a club member for almost ten years, enjoyed the fellowship and the sharing of technical information regarding Amateur Radio. He was especially interested in the Morse Code, and CW operation, but was also very involved with the fairly new SSB technology that was growing with leaps and bounds. During the late 1960’s activity in the club seemed to wane, and Harvey Bell, along with a couple of other area hams kept up a steady contact with other hams in Newmarket and surroundings. Invitations were sent out on at least three occasions in a an attempt to keep the club active and growing. He had just succeeded, in the fall of 1970, to get the membership back together again, and had turned the leadership over to Frank Rusholme.

His influence and his leadership in club affairs will long be remembered by the Amateurs in this area who knew him personally. In addition to being an active 80 metre DX chaser, Harvey was also involved in RTTY (radio teletype), VHF, and had one of the outstanding stamp collections in the region.

The award, which honours his name, is consider the highest acclaim that the club can give to one of its members.

Minutes YRARC Board of Directors 2016-07-18

Meeting held in the Magna Centre, Multipurpose Room 1. Called to Order at 19:05 by Chris VE3NRT. Board members attending: Chris VE3NRT, John VA3JI, Geoff VA3GS, Barry VA3LLT, Eric VE3EB, Doug VE3ATP, Rick VA3VO, David VA3DCY. Absent: Steve VE3UT, John VE3IPS.
Others attending: Peter VE3PBT

1. Agenda: Chris VE3NRT. Moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Rick VA3VO to adopt the agenda. Carried.
   
2. Election of President. Moved by Rick VA3VO, seconded by Barry VA3LLT that Chris VE3NRT be nominated for the office of president. There were no other nominations. Chris VE3NRT becomes the new president. Carried.
   
3. Election of Officers
   
   • Moved by Barry VA3LLT, seconded by Rick VA3VO that David VA3DCY be nominated for the office of secretary. There were no other nominations. David VA3DCY becomes the new secretary. Carried.
     
   • Moved by Barry VA3LLT, seconded by Eric VE3EB that John VA3JI be nominated for the office of treasurer. There were no other nominations. John VA3JI becomes the new treasurer. Carried.
     
   • Moved by Geoff VA3GS, seconded by Eric VE3EB that John VE3IPS be nominated for the office of vice president. There were no other nominations. John VE3IPS becomes the new vice president. Carried.
     
   • Minutes: David VA3DCY. Moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Geoff VA3GS to adopt minutes of Board Meeting dated 2016/06/21. Carried.
     
4. Other appointments:
   
   • Repeater: Steve VE3UT and Doug VE3ATP
     
   • WYNSORC: Geoff VA3GS
     
   • Public Service: Eric VE3EB
     
   • EmComm/ARES: John VE3IPS
     
   • Membership: Barry VA3LLT and John VA3JI
     
   • Property: Rick VA3VO
     
   • Trailer: Barry VA3LLT
     
   • Media & Communications: Eric VE3EB, VE3IPS and Chris VE3NRT
     
   • Field Day: Steve VE3UT
     
   • Meeting Programs: Geoff VA3GS and Chris VE3NRT
     
   • Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS
     
   • Moved that the positions be filled by the directors listed above, by Doug VE3ATP, seconded by Eric VE3EB. Carried.
     
5. Membership: Chris VE3NRT. Chris has the current membership materials, and will turn them over to Barry VA3LLT and John VA3JI. Rick VA3VO paid his $25 membership for the new year.
   
6. Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS
   
   • Geoff announced the prices for the coming event – Tables will be $28 each and admission will be $7 per person.
     
   • The door prizes have been purchased, and Geoff will visit the Markham Fair Grounds soon.
     
   • Flyers have been distributed at the Milton Hamfest, and 2 tables have been sold already.
     
7. Field Day: Steve VE3UT (Report next meeting). Motion 2016-07-19-6c to approve payment of $170.19 for Field Day gas. Moved by Geoff VA3GS, seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Carried. (previous motion 2016-06-21-4c2 that $100.00 be allocated for gas for the generators)
   
8. Treasurer's Report: John VA3JI Opening Balance 2016/06/01 [available to members upon request to Secretary]
   
   • Income: Field day food from members $370.00
     
   • Membership dues: $25.00
     
   • Surplus food sold at Field Day $40.00
     
   • Expenditures: Field day toilet $135.60
     
   • Repeater expenditures: $75.09
     
   • Trailer expenditures: $26.98
     
   • Trailer highway insurance: $811.00
     
   • Field Day gas and miscellaneous: $171.19
     
   • 1st deposit for Hamfest: $1,165.00
     
   • Door prizes, Hamfest $99.07
     
   • Closing Balance 2016-07-19 [available to members upon request to Secretary]
     
   • Field day food (preliminary)
     
     • Float issued for food: $1000.00
       
     • Collected June 7 meeting:$170.00
       
     • Collected at Field Day: $220.00
       
     • Surplus food sold to members: $40.00
       
     • Final total: $590.00
       
   • Moved by John VA3JI seconded by Rick VA3VO to adopt the treasurer's report. Carried.
     
9. Motion 2016-07-19-6d to approve payment of $811.00 for trailer insurance. Moved by John VA3JI, seconded by Eric VE3EB. Carried.
   
10. Property: Motion 2016-07-19-6e to approve purchase of a lock for the container, not to exceed $50.00. Moved by Geoff VA3GS, seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Carried.
    
11. Repeater
    
    • Repeaters: Steve VE3UT (Report next meeting)
      
    • YRK Gateway: Chris VE3NRT. The IRCDDB gateway software has been installed, and is now working for D-Star. It is open source with good support. Thanks to Keith VA3YC. CentOS 5 needs to be upgraded.
      
    • IRLP: Chris VE3NRT. IRLP is troublesome. The processor is hanging-up.
      
12. Public Service: Eric VE3EB
    
    • Past events have included the MADD poker run, the Mount Albert run, 2 events at the Sharon Temple, Aurora Street Fest.
      
    • Future events in the fall include the Newmarket Jazz Fest, the Sharon Temple, Run for the Cure and Animal Sanctuary.
      
13. Club Submission regarding Distracted Driving:Chris VE3NRT. We should get letters of support from served agencies, in support of Amateurs being exempted from Ontario's Distracted Driving laws (on a permanent basis).
    
14. YRLAB (York Region Maker Group). Maker day is September 10 (brochures?). A balloon launch is scheduled? We should support YRLAB with miscellaneous equipment and parts.
    
15. Programs and Classes: Geoff VA3GS. Geoff VA3GS is offering a Ham class in September. 2 meeting programs are covered for the fall.
    Should we continue with the “Junk meeting” in January, or should it be cancelled?
    
16. Harvey Bell Award Discussion; 2 nominations were made for the award; Following a discussion, it was moved by Geoff VA3GS, seconded by Barry VA3LLT that the award be presented to Rob VE3RQB. Carried. The announcement will be made at the September general meeting.
    
17. 2015/2016 Audit – Actions:
    
    • Membership and record keeping concerns will be addressed by Barry VA3LLT and John VA3JI.
      
    • Property concerns will be addressed by Rick VA3VO, and will use a new lock on the container.
      
18. Other Business
    
    • For Canada's 150 birthday celebrations, all amateurs will be able to use alternate call signs. “VE” call signs will be able to use the prefix “CG” and “VA” call signs will be able to use the prefix “CF”.
      
    • Doug VE3ATP noted that since our trailers have dual axles and are 'commercial' vehicles, we may be subject to CVOR regulations.
      

Minutes: General Meeting - June 2nd, 2015

Meeting held at the Sharon Temperance Hall. The meeting was called to order at 19:30. Chaired by Chris VE3NRT. 37 members and 1 guest in attendance

1. Reminder that proxies must be given to the secretary prior to AGM
   
2. Adoption of the minutes
   
   • Motion 2015-06-02-01 by Bill VE3QB to adopt the minutes of the May 5th general meeting minutes, seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Motion carried.
     
3. News and Opinion
   
   • Congratulations to Jack VA3UU for qualifying for “Worked all Pacific”
     
   • Thank you to EmComm for participation in the SET exercise & the May 29th exercise
     
   • Chris raised the question of whether or not the club should continue meeting on the first Tuesday of each month or look at the option of finding an alternate date for club meetings. Based on a few responses during our meeting, it seems club members would prefer that the meetings continued on the first Tuesday of each month.
     
4. Public Service - Eric VE3EB
   
   • Eric VE3EB reported that we need 6 additional volunteers for the Aurora Street Festival this Sunday.
     
   • Chris VE3NRT reported that the MADD event went well and thanked Rob VE3RQB, Carlos VA3CAZ, Steve VE3UT, Steve VE3EZ, and John VE3POJ
     
5. Field Day - Steve VE3UT
   
   • Brad VE3HII and Alex VA3ASE have confirmed they will be operating satellite
     
   • Set up will begin after lunch on Friday. We need lots of help on Saturday morning for final set up
     
   • All stations will be on the air at 2pm
     
6. Emcomm – Barry VA3LLT. Barry VA3LLT reported that during the RED Cross SET there was some difficulty getting to Peel Region but the organizers praised Emcomm for how quickly Emcomm was able to setup and begin operation on FL Digi
   
7. Appointment of the AGM chair. Bill VA3QB nominated Ron KG4CVL for AGM chair
   
8. Appointment of the AGM secretary. Chris VE3NRT nominated Chris VA3DXZ for AGM Secretary
   
9. Harvey Bell Award – Chris VE3NRT
   
   • This year’s nominees were all board members
     
   • Two winners were selected this year, Eric VE3EB and Steve VE3UT
     
   • Congratulations to both Eric and Steve
     

Meeting was adjourned and the Annual General Meeting was opened