Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Take notice that the Annual General Meeting of the members of the York Region Amateur Radio Club, Inc., will be held at the usual meeting place, the Sharon Temperance Hall, 18974 Leslie Street, Sharon, at the usual hour of 7:30pm on Tuesday June 7th, 2016 for the purposes of approving the financial statements for fiscal year 2015 and the election of directors to hold office for 2 years commencing July 1st, 2016.

Regular, family and life members are advised that they have the right to attend and vote in person at this meeting, in accordance with the usual rules of order, and further, in the event of a member’s absence, the member has the right to appoint a proxy to vote on his or her behalf. An appropriate form is included at the end of this publication. Members who are unable to attend the Annual General Meeting may complete, date and sign a proxy form, which must be delivered to the Secretary prior to the call to order of the Annual General Meeting, to be eligible for voting.

For those wishing to mail a proxy, please send it to David Craig, VA3DCY, .

Dated this day May 15th, 2016 at Aurora, Ontario.
Chris Sullivan, VE3NRT, President.

PROXY

The undersigned being a current member of the York Region Amateur Radio Club, Inc. hereby appoints


(Name of Secretary or other person) _____________________________________________ as proxy to attend the Annual General Meeting of the York Region Amateur Radio Club, Inc., on June 7th, 2016 and vote on my behalf on each and any question brought before the assembly, or at any adjournment thereof, and I do hereby revoke and make void any former instrument appoint a proxy on my behalf.


Dated at _______________ this ___________ day of _____________, 2016.


Name and call of member (print) __________________________________


Signature of member __________________________________

Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors 2015-07-21

Meeting held in Multipurpose Room 1 of the Magna Centre. Called to order at 19:01. Chaired by Chris VE3NRT.

Board members attending:

• Chris VE3NRT, Steve VE3UT, John VA3JI, Geoff VA3GS, Barry VA3LLT, David VA3DCY, Rob VE3RQB, Alf VA3BLE, Doug VE3ATP.
• Absent: Eric VE3EB.
• Club members attending: Chris VA3DXZ, Peter VE3PBT.

Review of the agenda as proposed by Chris VE3NRT. Moved by Geoff VA3GS, seconded John VA3JI to adopt the agenda without changes. Carried. [2015-01-21-01]

Pro-term chair and secretary for elections: Moved by Chris VE3NRT, seconded by Rob VE3RQB that Geoff VA3GS serve as pro-term char and secretary. Carried. [2015-01-21-02]

Elections:

• Chris VE3NRT, nominated for president by Steve VE3UT, moved Steve VE3UT, seconded John VA3JI, Carried. No further nominations for president.
• Steve VE3UT, nominated for vice-president by Rob VE3RQB, moved David VA3DCY, seconded Chris VE3NRT, Carried. No further nominations for vice-president.
• John VA3JI, nominated for treasurer by Barry VA3LLT, moved Steve VE3UT, seconded Chris VE3NRT, Carried. No further nominations for treasurer.
• David VA3DCY, nominated for secretary by Steve VE3UT, moved Steve VE3UT, seconded Chris VE3NRT, Carried. No further nominations for secretary.

All of the above agreed to serve, no other nominations were made and the positions were filled by acclamation. (There was no need for an election.) [2015-01-21-03]

Minutes: Moved by Barry VA3LLT, seconded by Geoff VA3GS to adopt minutes of the board meeting held on 2015/06 /10. Carried.            [2015-01-21-04]

Committees: The following were chosen to act as chairs and vice chairs for the following committees:

• Property: Rob VE3RQB
• Trailer : Barry VA3LLT
• Repeaters: Steve VE3UT, Doug VE3ATP.
• Hamfest: Geoff VA3GS, David VA3DCY
• Membership: Alf VA3BLE, Barry VA3LLT
• Events : Eric VE3EB
• EmComm: Barry VA3LLT, Chris VE3NRT
• Field Day: Steve VE3UT

Moved by Rob VE3RQB, seconded by John VA3JI. Carried. [2015-01-21-05]

Treasurer Report:

• John VA3JI reported as opening balance (2015/05/30) [Club members may request the bank balance by contacting the Club Secretary]
• Income $75.00, Expenditures  FD toilets $253.13 Repeaters $300.19 (total $553.31)
• Closing balance (2015/06/30) $14,807.40 (includes $205 prepaid dues for 2015/16).
• Upcoming expenses: Insurance $814.00, Trailer maintenance $100.00
• Future balance  [Club members may request the bank balance by contacting the Club Secretary]
• Moved by Geoff VA3GS, seconded by Barry VA3LLT to adopt the treasurer’s report. Carried. [2015-01-21-06]

Property:

• Rob VE3RQB reported the cost of the 'drive-on' anchor brackets exceeded the original quote. He has donated the excess cost of the brackets.
• David VA3DCY proposed to make trailer additions – add phone and data circuits, a new circuit breaker, receptacles, and an exterior mouse hole for miscellaneous cables/extensions.
• Moved by David VA3DCY, seconded by Geoff VA3GS to proceed, with the cost not to exceed $50.00  . Carried [2015-01-21-07]

Trailer Insurance:

• Moved by Barry VE3LLT, seconded by Rob VE3RQB to pay the trailer insurance $874.00, due in August. Carried. [2015-01-21-08]

Repeaters:

• Steve VE3UT reported the second battery charger at VE3YRC-C site appears to be defective. A Kenwood power supply is now installed to power the link radio at Yonge/Bloomington. All repeaters are currently linked. [2015-01-21-09]
• EchoLink has not been working for approximately 5 weeks. The current server has failed (and is both old and too large). It was suggested to use a Raspberry Pi for IRLP or a Klaus Rung thin client solution. Chris VE3NRT will investigate. [2015-01-21-09]

Events:

• Barry VA3LLT reported that volunteers are still needed for the Newmarket Jazz Festival. Contact Don VE3IXJ. [2015-01-21-10]

EmComm:

• There have been no recent meetings, and no report. [2015-01-21-11]

Membership

• Moved by Steve VE3UT, seconded by Geoff VA3GS that name plates for Harvey Bell award and the field day Melted Coffee Pot award be ordered. Cost not to exceed $50.00. [2015-01-21-012]

Field Day: 

• Steve VE3UT submitted the field day results and gave a preliminary report of field day results, with the official report to follow.  Steve VE3UT and Peter VE3PBT made the following observations about Field Day.

1. Field day food money collected from members should be handled by a 3rd party and deposited into the club bank account.
2. All money to purchase food should come from the bank account as an advance, not partly from the club and partly from participants.
3. Rent only one toilet next year to reduce costs
4. A better kitchen shelter is needed.
5. The club BBQ needs to be repaired, however it may be cheaper to purchase a new BBQ. [2015-01-21-13]

Other Business:

• Chris VE3NRT asked that committee chairs submit a preliminary budget for each     committee's estimated expenditures – due at the next meeting in August.
• Geoff VA3GS suggested a generator as a hamfest grand prize.
• Geoff VA3GS is looking at getting speakers for the fall meetings.

Meeting adjourned at 20:42. Moved by Geoff VA3GS, seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Carried.

YRARC Board Minutes - June 16, 2015

Meeting held in the Magna Centre. Called to order at 19:06. Chaired by Chris VE3NRT. Board members attending; Chris VE3NRT, Rob VE3RQB, Chris VA3DXZ, Steve VE3UT, David VA3DCY, John VA3JI, Geoff VA3GS. Board members absent: Barry VA3LLT, Eric VE3EB. New board members attending (terms beginning July 1, 2015); Alf VA3BLE, Doug VE3ATP

1. Motion 2015-06-16-01 by John VA3JI to adopt agenda, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
   
2. Motion 2015-06-16-02 by Geoff VA3GS to adopt May 19, 2015 board meeting minutes as published in the splatter blog at http://yrarc-splatter.blogspot.ca/, seconded by Steve VE3UT. Motion carried.
   
3. New board member orientation (Chris VE3NRT)
   
4. Governance
   
   • Treasurer’s report (John VA3JI)
     
     Balance at May 31 2015 [Available to members by request to Secretary]
     • Income $50.00
       
     • Expenditures $553.31
       
     • Balance as of Jun 16, 2015 [Available to members by request to Secretary]
       
     • Motion 2015-06-16-03 by John VA3JI to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
       
5. Property (Rob VE3RQB)
   
   • The communications trailer was deployed to the Aurora Street Sale. The generator was found to be low on fuel.
     
   • Rob VE3RQB requested that the communications trailer generator fuel tank be topped up prior to return to the Bales Road site for storage.
     
   • Rob will advise those persons authorized to tow the trailer, of this new requirement.
     
   • Motion 2015-06-16-04 by Rob VE3RQB that Carlos VA3CAZ be added to the list of authorized towers for the communications trailer, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
     
   • Chris VE3NRT will create an email distribution list for the authorized towers, update the Trailer Policy and distribute it to the authorized towers list.
     
   • Motion 2015-06-16-05 by Rob VE3RQB that the club allocates $90.00 for the purchase of 3 parking pad’s which would be used to anchor the tower trailer guys when deployed on pavement or other hard surfaces, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
     
6. Repeaters (Steve VE3UT)
   
   • 6m diplexer is now tuned to Tx 53.49 MHz with -1 MHz offset for Rx 52.49 MHz with 110dB isolation. There is no PL tone.
     
   • Level of the link radio in Aurora was adjusted
     
   • Reconfiguration of batteries at VE3YRC-VHF site
     
     • The DC power supply feeding the batteries was found to be introducing noise.
       
     • The batteries were isolated so that one battery now feeds the link radio and the remaining battery feeds the VE3YRC-VHF repeater. The power supply DC continues to feed the VE3YRC-VHF repeater battery and a trickle charger was installed and connected to the link radio battery.
       
     • As a result of these changes, the battery backup time for the VE3YRC-VHF repeater is reduced.
       
     • Steve reported that a total of $199.79 has been spent against the $200.00 repeater float.
       
     • Motion 2015-06-16-06 by Geoff VA3GS to increase the repeater float (Motion 2015-03-17-06) from $200.00 to $300.00 to accommodate the purchase of a trickle charger for the link radio battery, seconded by David VA3DCY. Motion carried.
       
7. Events – No report
   
8. Emcomm
   
   • Chris VE3NRT reported that the May 29th York Region 'Back 2 Basic' exercise went well and drew attention to Robert VE3BXG’s report emailed earlier to the board (see attached)
     
   • Steve VE3UT discovered the Thornhill Amateur Radio Club’s 2m antenna discarded on the roof of the MacKenzie Health Centre. Steve suggested we request direction from Emcomm on what to do with the antenna.
     
9. Membership
   
   • Field Day: Motion 2015-06-16-07 by Steve VE3UT that the club allocates $253.12 for the rental of toilets for field day, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
     
   • Guest speakers;
     
     • Sept 2015 Rocketry / AM Radio
       
     • Oct 2015 - Dr. Delaney
       
     • Nov 2015 – Barry VE3ISX remote stations
       
     • Need suggestions for remaining meetings
       
10. Trillium Goals: Chris VE3NRT reported that at the last Emcomm meeting, they discussed the next phase of infrastructure that the club should consider for a future Trillium grant.
    
11. Other business
    
    • John VA3JI requested that the job of property valuation be handled by the property manager going forward
      
    • John VA3JI reported that the IRLP is unstable with the TX locking on after a power reset. He is looking into options to replace it or repair it.
      
    • Geoff VA3GS responded to a question from Steve VE3UT confirming that he had not yet received a response from WYNSORC.
      
    • Doug VE3ATP confirmed he will tow the tower trailer to the field day site next Tuesday
      
12. Meeting adjourned
    

Harvey Bell Award - Update

Below are the winners from the past. There may be more we don't know about.

• Howard Morton VE3AQL 1973
• Maurice Challenger VE3GBN 1974
  
• John Epworth VE3GQF 1975
  
• Doug Holmes VE3CWO 1976
  
• Bob Knowles VE3DLJ 1977
  
• John Cutts VE3INP 1978
  
• Ted Dubois VE3HOI 1979
  
• Heather Holmes VE3HQH 1979
  
• Eileen Madden VE3KQQ 1980
  
• Geoff Smith VE3KCE 1981
  
• Elman Campbell VE3IET 1982
  
• John Ellison VE3WHY 1989
  
• Bruce Clements VE3AAY 1989
  
• Murray Powell VE3ATO 1989-90
  
• Rick Simpson VE3LSZ 1991
  
• David Adams VE3HBF 1992
  
• Al Dike VE3AFW 1994
  
• Chris Dean VE3TBP 1996
  
• Dave Marzetti VE3SLM 1997
  
• Ron Gibson VE3CGR 1998
  
• Jan Gibson VE3ZYL 1999
  
• Tom Bygnes VE3JPN 2000-1
  
• Roger Miller VE3ROG 2002
  
• Dave Oman VE3HCR 2004
  
• Judy Yanocko VE3JYF 2006
  
• Neil Macklem VE3SST 2007
  
• Doug Holmes VE3CWO 2009
  
• Bob Morton VE3BFM 2010
  
• John Meskes VE3POJ 2011/12
  
• Steve Brady VA3SRV 2013/14
  
• Steve Holland VE3UT & Eric Brown VE3EB 2014/15
• Rob Barnett VE3RQB 2015/2016
• TBA 2016/2017
• Peter Burgess VE3PBT 2017/18
• Brian Waterworth VE3IBW 2018/19
• Alex Sutherland VA3ASE 2019/20
• David Craig VA3DCY 2020/21
• Barry Byrom VA3LLT 2021/22
• Steve Holland VE3UT 2022/23
• Benny Muus VE3MUU 2023/24

Update (2015-08-13). I discovered in a list I made a couple of years back the name of Howard Morton, VE3AQL as the 1973 winner. Based on club history I believe there may have been one or two earlier winners, as the award was established at the January 27th, 1971 meeting. (2024-07-13) I'm also missing 2016. I will have to dig through the records. I'm sure it must be somewhere.

Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors Meeting - November 18, 2014

Meeting held in the Magna Centre. Called to order at 19:16. Chaired by Chris VE3NRT. Board members attending; Chris VE3NRT, Rob VE3RQB, Chris VA3DXZ, Eric VE3EB, Barry VA3LLT, David VA3DCY, Steve VE3UT. John VA3JI, Geoff VA3GS. Guests attending; Russell VE3WTR

1. Review of the agenda as proposed by Chris VE3NRT (attachment #1).
   
   • Motion 2014-11-18-01 by Rob VE3RQB, to adopt agenda with the addition of 4b Trailer Ownership, and the addition of Emcomm to other business. Seconded by David VA3DCY. Motion carried.
     
2. Adoption of Oct 21/14 board meeting minutes
   
   • Motion 2014-11-18-02 by Barry VA3LLT to adopt minutes as published in the splatter blog at http://yrarc-splatter.blogspot.ca/, seconded by David VA3DCY. Motion carried.
3. Governance
   
   • Insurance coverage next steps – Chris VE3NRT
     
     • Russell has volunteered to work with RAC to determine the options for insurance coverage under the RAC program.
       
     • Chris VE3NRT will provide Russell with a letter describing the coverage needed to support club business.
       
     • Rob VE3RQB suggested the board consider using commercial towing services to tow the tower trailer since is it moved very infrequently. By doing so we would not need to purchase a vehicle policy for the tower trailer.
       
4. Finance report – There was no finance report to review.
   
   • Eric advised that he had a receipt for $27.12 for Christmas decorations for the communications trailer for the recent Santa Clause parade.
     
   • Motion 2014-11-18-03 by Steve VE3UT, to allocate $27.12 to cover Christmas decorations, seconded by David VE3DCY. Motion carried.
     
5. Property – Rob VE3RQB
   
   • Communications trailer
     
     • Trailer is now stored at Bales Rd yard, home of the York Region EMS.
       
     • Russell VA3WTR indicated there is an MOU drafted identifying the 7 people authorized to access the trailer: Barry VA3LLT, Steve VE3UT, Steve VE3EZ, Chris VE3NRT, Chris VA3DXZ, Rob VE3RQB, and Russell VE3WTR.
       
     • Russell VA3WTR to send a copy of the executed MOU to the board
       
     • Russell VA3WTR requested that when the trailer is to be removed from the yard, that he be advised beforehand so that he can update the regions calendar to show that the trailer has been signed out. If the trailer is found missing by Bales Rd staff, and not signed out on the region calendar, the regional staff policy is to report it as stolen property to the police.
       
     • Russell VA3WTR reported that we must provide York Region EMS staff with a key to the tongue lock so they can move the trailer if needed.
       
     • Motion 2014-11-18-04 by Eric VE3EB, to allocate up to $100.00 to purchase a tongue lock for the tower trailer and a lock box for the communications trailer, seconded by Rob VE3RQB. Motion carried.
       
     • The lock box will be designated for York Region EMS access and will contain a copy of the key for the communications trailer tongue lock. This will enable YR EMS staff to move the trailer if needed. A second lock box, already existing on the trailer, contains a tongue lock key and the key for the entry into the trailer. YR EMS will not have access to this lock box.
       
   • Trailer Ownerships
     
     • Rob VE3RQB is working on securing a new ownership for the tower trailer as the original ownership cannot be located
       
     • Rob VE3RQB indicated that he will sign the new ownership on behalf of the club and will also sign the seller section of the ownership to simplify the transfer of ownership in the future if / when required.
       
     • The new ownership will be left with the club secretary Chris VA3DXZ to be stored with the club files.
       
     • Rob VE3RQB provided the club secretary (Chris VA3DXZ) with the original ownership for the communications trailer to be stored in the club files.
       
6. Repeaters – Steve VE3UT
   
   • Emergency Power for VE3YRC – motion to fund
     
     • On behalf of the entire club, the board would like to thank Glen VA3AU who donated batteries, and Rick Armitage VA3VO who donated cables and other materials needed to install the emergency backup power for VE3YRC
       
     • Motion 2014-11-18-05 by Steve VE3UT to allocate up to $25.00 for miscellaneous connectors needed to complete the installation of the backup power at VE3YRC, seconded by Rob VE3RQB. Motion carried.
       
     • Steve VE3UT indicated that the link radio (linking VE3YRC UHF and VHF) operates in single duplex only and has been off the air. Bruce VE3BV has been able to determine a fix and he expects to be able to get the link radio back on the air soon operating full duplex, linking VE3YRC VHF and UHF machines. This will extend coverage well into Markham and Vaughan
       
     • Steve VE3UT is planning to hold a repeater committee meeting in January to discuss a vision for the YRARC repeaters in York Region.
       
   • Transfer of the VE3YRA call sign from Bruce VE3BV.
     
     • Steve VE3UT signed letter and returned to Chris VE3NRT. Chris VE3NRT will submit the paperwork to Industry Canada to have the call signed transferred to Steve VE3UT
       
7. Events - Eric VE3EB
   
   • Recognition Plan
     
     • Eric VE3EB reported that the tracking sheet is almost complete. It has been circulated to event leaders to supply missing information
       
     • The plan will be to recognize the volunteer contributions at the Christmas social
       
     • Eric VE3EB also reported that the Club appeared the SNAP coverage of the Run for the Cure
       
     • There are no further events planned until spring of 2015
       
8. Membership – Chris VE3NRT
   
   • Meeting schedule
     
     • Schedule was reviewed. Chris VE3NRT asked board members for ideas for upcoming presentations
       
   • Winter Field Day
     
     • Motion 2014-11-18 -06 by Steve VE3UT to allocate $200.00 to cover fuel and other miscellaneous expenses for Winter Field Day, seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Motion carried.
       
   • Christmas meeting
     
     • Motion 2014-11-18-07 by Steve VE3UT to allocate up to $300.00 for sandwiches and desserts, seconded by Rob VE3RQB. Motion carried.
       
9. Other Business
   
   • Emcomm
     
     • Ambulance donation – The club may be able to secure a decommissioned ambulance to support emergency communications. Russell VA3WTR reported that he is in discussion with the Town of Richmond Hill on this subject. The plan would be to secure an operating budget from the region and municipalities within the region to cover the annual operating costs
       
     • Russell VA3WTR requested board provide details of the club insurance policies so that he can work with the region to get competitive quotes from their suppliers. Chris VE3NRT to provide details to Russell VA3WTR
       
     • Russell, indicated the he may need a motion to indicate that Emcomm is a function of the YRARC to facilitate insurance coverage by RAC. Russell VA3WTR will confirm this point after discussing further with RAC.
       

Meeting Adjourned at 9:10pm

Minutes of General Meeting 2014-11-04

Meeting called to order 7:30 PM, Chris VE3NRT as chairman, John, VA3JI, taking minutes. Chris made introductory remarks.

1. Introduced guests and members, 25 people present.
   
2. Brian, VE3IBW, moved to accept the minutes of the October meeting, seconded by Bill, VA3QB, passed.
   
3. John, VA3JI, gave Treasurer's report and moved its acceptance. Seconded by Glenn, VA3AU, passed. We have approximately [balance available to members on request to Secretary] in the bank but some expenses for the Hamfest have not been paid. A closer estimate would be [estimate available to members on request to Secretary].
   
4. John, VA3JI, gave the financial portion of the Hamfest report. We had 565 admissions and 87 tables sold. Geoff, VA3GS, will have a fuller detailed report when he returns from Italy in December.
   
5. Steve, VE3UT, reported on Winter Field Day. Runs noon 24 Jan, 2015, to noon 25 Jan. We have arranged for use of the Sharon Temperance Hall (where we meet) but due to previous commitments for the hall, we must be cleaned up and gone by 12:45 PM on Sunday at the latest.
   
6. Eric, VE3EB, reported that 6 people wrote their exam at the Hamfest; 5 passed.
   
7. Eric, VE3EB, is arranging for the entry to the Newmarket Santa Claus parade. We will be entering the Communications Trailer in the parade. Rob will be towing it.
   
8. Don, VE3IXJ, gave the EMCOMM report.
   
9. Steve, VE3UT, provided the repeater report. We have poor coverage in Georgina and he is looking at having a secondary repeater there as a relay. He is looking at obtaining an Internet connection at the Richmond Hill Hospital site.
   
10. There is now a repeater in the Communications trailer for emergency use only. Callsign is VE3RCY and it requires a 100 Hz sub-audible tone to access it. This is on an uncoordinated frequency pair that can only be used intermittently.
    

Speaker was John, VE3IPS, who gave a presentation on the Elecraft KX3 QRP rig and its accessories. He also discussed Buddipole antennas.

Next meeting 2 December, 2014. This is the annual Christmas party. Please bring non-perishable food items for the food bank.

YRARC General Meeting Minutes 2014-09-02

Meeting held at the Sharon Temperance Hall. The meeting was called to order at 19:35. Chaired by Chris VE3NRT. 39 members and 2 guest in attendance.

1. Agenda
   
   • The agenda for the meeting was presented (attachment #1). Barry VA3LLT requested that an item be added to the agenda to discuss the trailer. Item was added.
     
2. Minutes of the last meeting:
   
   • Motion 2014-09-02-01 by Bill VA3QB to approve the minutes of the June 3rd General Meeting as published in the Splatter Blog, seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Motion carried.
     
   • Motion 2014-09-02-02 by Bill VA3QB to approve the minutes of the June 3rd Annual General Meeting as published in the Splatter Blog, seconded by Glen VA3AU. Motion carried.
     
3. Opening remarks:
   
   • Chris VE3NRT presented the new board, highlighting that there is still one open position to be filled.
     
     • Chris VE3NRT - President
       
     • Rob VE3RQB – Vice-President, Property
       
     • Chris VA3DXZ - Secretary
       
     • John VA3JI - Treasurer
       
     • Eric VE3OIC VE3EB – Events chair
       
     • Dave VA3DCY - Events
       
     • Geoff VA3GS – Membership, Hamfest, …
       
     • Barry VA3LLT - Property
       
     • Steve VE3UT – TBA…
       
     • Open
       
   • Club’s accomplishments of the last year
     
     • the purchase of a large storage container to house club property,
       
     • reconstruction of the tower trailer,
       
     • improvements to the communications trailer,
       
     • the basic license class,
       
     • the microprocessor project night, and
       
     • a very successful field day
       
   • Old news and gossip
     
     • Two letter calls OIC->EB, PIP->EZ
       
     • Brad VE3HII moved to Beeton
       
     • Chris VA3DXZ moved to Schomberg
       
     • Anthony VE3HIS put up a tower
       
     • Chris VE3NRT talked to his neighbour about maybe putting up a tower
       
     • Bruce retired to his country home in FN05
       
     • Hamfest back to Markham Fairgrounds
       
     • Equipment donations received
       
   • Goals for the coming year
     
     • Increase membership; Another class in the Spring, Marketing (mostly free) activities, Member survey
       
     • Another project night – Thanks Brad!
       
     • Special Event Station – 177th anniversary of the Toronto Rebellion
       
     • Community Service Tracking
       
     • Balanced Budget
       
4. Financial update, John VA3JI (Attachment #2)
   
   • FY 2015 Opening balance [available to members on request to Treasurer]
     
     • Income (July and August) $500.00
       
     • Disbursements (July and August) $1,215.70
       
     • Closing balance Aug 31st [available to members on request to Treasurer]
       
   • Pending items
     
     • Payments for field day
       
     • income for Hamfest tables
       
   • A special meeting will be called to approve the audit
     
5. Field day Steve VE3UT
   
   • Participation by members was up this year. A lot of fun had by many people.
     
   • Total score submitted to ARRL was 3,598, slightly higher than last year at 3,496 See Field Day report prepared by Steve VE3UT
     
6. Public service update Eric VE3EB
   
   • Eric thanked those people who volunteered their time over the summer to support the community events
     
   • Volunteers needed for upcoming events; Sharon Temple Illumination, Markham Fair, and CIBC Run for the Cure
     
7. Hamfest Geoff VA3GS
   
   • Hamfest is the largest fundraising event for the club and volunteers are needed to support the event
     
   • Don VE3IXJ thanked Russell VA3WTR for his work and support of the Markham Fair organizers which led to improved pricing for the club and the ability to relocate the Hamfest to the Markham Fairgrounds site
     
8. Communications trailer Barry VA3LLT
   
   • Barry reported that the communications trailer has been deployed to many public service events throughout the summer
     
9. 6m Net is still on 8PM Monday evenings at 50.135 USB
   

Meeting adjourned at 21:30 following a presentation by Don VE3IXJ on his work with portable repeaters. Don has been experimenting with the Surecom SR 328 Duplex Repeater Controller and the SR 112 Simplex Controllers interfaced to various HTs. The duplex controller is used with a Sinclair MR356E Duplexor (F1 458Mhz, F2 468Mhz).

Membership Bulletin - September 2014

Welcome to the first edition of YRARC Membership Bulletin, which is planned as a complement to the blog on the club website and the club’s Yahoo Group.

Membership Dues: At the September meeting many club members paid their dues for 2014-2015. This is $25 for single membership, $30 for a family membership. Those who paid in September are asked to pick up their YRARC membership cards from Barry VA3LLT and/or Geoff VA3GS. You will have another opportunity to pay your dues at the October meeting. Members are asked to complete a form that will provide the Directors with information to better manage the affairs of the club.

Hamfest: This is scheduled for Saturday 01 November, back again at the Markham Fairgrounds. We will be setting up on Friday 31 October during the afternoon. If you can assist in any capacity please advise Geoff VA3GS, either at the next meeting or by email to: hamfest@yrarc.org.

• If you have children or grandchildren who are in high school and want to earn up to 7 community service hours please bring them along to the event.
  
• The club will have a table at the Hamfest. If you have any items that you want to sell please bring them along with the price clearly marked. Let the person looking after the table know the lowest price that you are willing to accept.
  

Presentations: The following are the presentation for the next few meetings. If you have any suggestions for presentations please let us know.

• 02 September: Don VE3IXJ demonstrated his most ingenious portable repeater system, fashioned from two inexpensive HT’s and some readily available off-the-shelf hardware. If you missed the meeting please ask Don to tell you about it.
  
• 07 October: Steve VE3EZ has just shepherded the Durham Region Police Force over to a new 700 MHz digital communications system. He will be discussing the challenges of the process and demonstrating some of the new hardware that the force will be using.
  
• 05 November: John VE3IPS will be talking about lower power operation with the Elecraft KX3 and showing some of the antennas he uses.
  
• 02 December: Our Xmas Party. Members are asked to bring non-perishable food items that will be distributed to local food banks.
  
• 06 January: This is our in-house mini-fleamarket and is an opportunity to flog any ham-related items cluttering up your basement/shack. There will be a limit to the number of items that you may offer for sale; this is yet to be decided.