Volunteers needed for Sharon Temple Event

The radio club is in need of volunteers for the following event.

Event: Wedding Show at the Sharon Temple Grounds
Date:  Sunday September 18th.
Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Role: Communications and Vehicle Management
Support: 2-4 Volunteers

Please contact me at the following address if you are able to support this event.
Events.YRARC@Gmail.com

Thank you

Eric Brown VE3EB
Director, Public Service Events
York Region Amateur Radio Club

AGM Barbeque

Due to time constraints organizing the general meetings (regular and annual) I only took one picture at the Annual General Meeting on June 2nd. However, it's an important one. Thanks to Peter VE3PBT (shown manning the barbecue while the rest of us enjoy the good weather) and Robert VA3AOP for their tireless efforts in feeding the masses at our events. We are all lucky and grateful to have them in our club.

Minutes - YRARC Board May 19th, 2015

Meeting held in the Magna Centre. Called to order at 19:03. Chaired by Chris VE3NRT. Board members attending; Chris VE3NRT, Rob VE3RQB, Chris VA3DXZ, Eric VE3EB, Steve VE3UT, David VA3DCY, John VA3JI, Geoff VA3GS. Board members absent: Barry VA3LLT. Guests attending; Bob Rennie VA3BSJ

1. Agenda (attached)
   
   • Motion 2015-05-19-01 by John VA3JI to adopt agenda, seconded by David VA3DCY.
     
     • Steve VE3UT requested that Field Day be discussed under other business
       
     • John VA3JI requested that the audit report be added as item b under governance
       
     • Eric VE3EB requested that the board discuss a recent EmComm email
       
     • Motion carried.
       
2. Adoption of Apr 21, 2015 board meeting minutes
   
   • Motion 2015-05-19-02 by Eric VE3EB to adopt Apr 21, 2015 board meeting minutes as published in the splatter blog at http://yrarc-splatter.blogspot.ca/, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
     
3. Governance
   
   • Treasurer’s report (John VA3JI)
     
     • No change in the bank balance vs that last reported at the general meeting
       
     • Auditor’s report (John VA3JI)
       
       • Conclusion stated in the report "While my examination of the records did not unearth any major concerns there are a few administrative items to which I have provided to the Board of Directors with my recommendations"
         
       • The board, together with the auditor discussed the auditor’s recommendations
         
       • The auditor’s report is attached for further reference
         
4. Property
   
   • In reference to motion 2015-04-21-05 that Chris VE3NRT contact EMS at Bales Road, to determine who we should contact or notify to access our trailers, Chris VE3NRT reported:vHe called the general number 905 830-4444 x74750 April 22 and was put through to security where he spoke with Adam. Adam was not aware of any restriction on access or protocol to be followed at this time and advised that we speak with Blair Croker (Commander & Program Manager) at x74744 for further information or questions if necessary.
     
   • Club generator repair: Rob VE3RQB reported that the spark plug threads on the black generator last used at the winter field day had been repaired and that the generator is working properly. He determined that the electrical output breaker needs to be “OFF” in order to start the generator and that this may have been the cause of the trouble starting the generator during field day.
     
   • Disposal of equipment cabinets: Motion 2015-05-19-03 by Geoff VA3GS that we accept Doug VE3ATP’s offer to dispose of the 2 surplus equipment cabinets (excluding the fans which will be retained for spares) located at Mackenzie Health in Richmond Hill, seconded by Steve VE3UT. Motion carried
     
   • “Drive-on” antenna support bracket
     
     • Rob VE3RQB suggested that the club should consider purchasing two additional drive-on antenna supports. These could be used in combination with the existing unit in the communications trailer to secure guy ropes for the tower trailer when deployed on surfaces where it is not possible to drive anchors into the ground (example would be a deployment on pavement).
       
     • Rob VE3RQB will investigate our options and report back to the board
       
5. Repeaters (Steve VE3UT)
   
   • The 6m repeater cans are with Rob VE3RQB and ready to be taken to Bob VE3WY for adjustment / tuning
     
   • Trevor VE3SLT has volunteered to retune the 6m radio to the repeater frequency
     
   • Steve VE3UT reported that he has spent $142.28 against the maintenance float of which $128.00 was on parking at the Mackenzie Health site. Additional funding is needed to purchase the 6m antenna.
     
   • Motion 2015-05-19-04 by John VA3Ji to allocate $150.00 for the purchase of the 6m antenna, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
     
6. Events (Eric VE3EB)
   
   • May 31 York - Simcoe Riders MADD Charity Ride - Volunteers are secured
     
   • June 5 Mt. Albert Sports Parade - 5 of 8 volunteers secured
     
   • June 6 Mt. Albert 5K Run - 6 of 8 volunteers secured
     
   • June 7 Aurora Street Festival
     
     • 11 of 16 volunteers secured
       
     • Eric VE3EB to announce the deployment of the communications trailer for the Aurora Street Festival via Yahoo group
       
7. EMCOMM
   
   York Region emergency preparedness fair May 2
   • Very successful event with EmComm participating once again
     
   • The communications trailer was deployed to the site
     
   • The EmComm team on site were able to supply power from the communications trailer generator to the York EMS team
     
8. Membership (Geoff VA3GS)
   
   • AGM
     
     • Steve VE3UT will ask for permission to operate the barbeque once again for the AGM
       
     • Steve VE3UT will secure a volunteer from the club to chair the AGM
       
     • John Dundas (Pan Am Communications) has volunteered to present at our meeting. Eric VE3EB will discuss with him. We anticipate that there will be time for a short presentation.
       
   • Harvey Bell Award
     
     • Chris VA3DXZ reported that three board members had been nominated by club members for the Harvey Bell award. There were no other nominations.
       
     • Motion 2015-05-19-05 by Chris VA3DXZ that the Harvey Bell Award nominees excuse themselves from the board meeting to allow the remaining board members to review the nominations and select a winner, seconded by David VA3DCY. Motion carried.
       
     • After a lengthy review of the nominations, Chris VA3DXZ moved (Motion 2015-05-19-06) that Eric VE3EB and Steve VE3UT be selected as co-winners of the 2015 Harvey Bell Award, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
       
   • “For Sale” policy for the Yahoo group
     
     • The board discussed setting conditions under which it would allow club members in good standing to post amateur radio equipment for sale onto the yahoo group. This would be in addition to the capability already in place allowing club members to upload ads to the files section of the group.
       
     • Chris VE3NRT will announce the change in policy
       
9. Trillium Grant Ideas (Chris VE3NRT)
   
   • Next generation high bandwidth data communications system employing fixed point to point links between EOC’s and remote amateur EmComm operations
     
   • Chris VE3NRT will report further high speed communications technology the next board meeting
     
   • Involvement with Scouts and Rangers
     
     • The question was raised as to whether or not there was a badge awarded for amateur radio communications and if so, would the club be interested in supporting this
       
     • Eric VE3EB will investigate and come back to the board
       
10. Other Business
    
    • Field Day (Steve VE3UT) - Motion 2015-05-19-07 by Steve VE3UT that the club allocates $800.00 for field day expenses, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
      
11. Motion 2015-05-19-08 by Eric VE3EB to adjourn meeting, seconded by John Va3JI. Motion carried
    

Meeting adjourned at 21:36

Minutes - YRARC Board of Directors - 2015-03-17

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; Robert VA3BXG

1. Adoption of Feb 17, 2015 board meeting minutes
   
   • Motion 2015-03-17-01 by Chris VA3DXZ to adopt Feb 17, 2015 board meeting minutes as published in the splatter blog at http://yrarc-splatter.blogspot.ca/, seconded by David VA3DCY. Motion carried.
     
2. Agenda
   
   • Motion 2015-03-17-02 by Steve VE3UT to adopt agenda, seconded by John VA3JI. Motion carried
     
3. Governance
   
   • Treasurer’s report – John VA3JI
     
     • Bank balance at February month end is [available to members from Secretary upon request]
       
     • Income: $100.00 in donations, $25.00 in dues
       
     • Expenses: $649.08 directors and officers Insurance, $600.00 for the repeater controller, $28.15 for trailer maintenance, $181.87 for repeater maintenance, $48.16 for trailer maintenance
       
     • Bank balance as of Mar 17, 2015 is [available to members from Secretary upon request]
       
   • Club Audit– John VA3JI
     
     • John VA3JI will meet with Bob Rennie VA3BSJ this week.
       
     • John VA3JI requested that the board confirm the audit period.
       
     • Chris VE3NRT indicated that the audit should align with the fiscal year of the club. No one present could confirm the fiscal year period for the club. Chris VA3DXZ took the action to review the articles of incorporation to confirm the fiscal year for the club.
       
     • Chris VE3NRT advised the board that there are legislative changes proposed for not for profit corporations that the Board will need to familiarize itself with.
       
     • Motion 2015-03-17-03 by Chris VA3DXZ that the audit period be May 1 2014 to April 30 2015, seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Motion carried.
       
   • Property Insurance – John VA3JI
     
     • Motion 2015-03-17-04 by John VA3JI to increase existing insurance coverage to cover the balance of the equipment listed in the asset schedule, not already covered by the existing policy, for a cost of $640.00 per year in addition to the existing policy cost, and subject to the approval of the membership, seconded by Barry VA3LLT.
       
     • John VA3JI noted a co-insurance risk under the existing policy. Since the listed assets are not covered at full value, a co-insurance arrangement exists with the club being partially responsible for a loss, beyond the value of the deductible.
       
     • John will request a copy of the schedule of assets and review for accuracy against our asset list
       
     • John to confirm what the deductible value is and if the coverage is replacement cost
       
     • Motion carried
       
4. Property
   
   • Bales road permission letter has not been received by the board
     
   • Hilomast lubrication is completed
     
   • Motion 2015-03-17-05 by Rob VE3RQB, that $5.64 is allocated to cover the cost of purchasing Safety Break Defroster for the Hilomast, seconded by Steve VE3UT. Motion carried
     
5. Repeaters
   
   • Report on VE3YRK gateway – Chris VE3NRT
     
     • Not much progress since the last update to the club. The US Trust system and Dongle are still an issue. Work is continuing.
       
   • Report on VE3YRA, and VE3YRC-UHF and VE3YRC-UVHF - Steve VE3UT
     
     • New controller shipped on Monday March 16th
       
     • Funding allocated for repeater maintenance and incidental expenses under motion 2014-12-16-04 for $200.00 is now consumed except for $18.13. Steve VE3UT provided a report detailing the expenses incurred against motion 2014-12-16-04.
       
     • Motion 2015-03-17-06 by Steve VE3UT to close the balance of $18.13 on motion 2014-12-16-04 and to allocate $200.00 for repeater maintenance and incidental expenses to July 1, 2015, seconded by John VA3JI. Motion carried
       
     • 6m repeater project is on a temporary hold due to weather conditions causing limited access to the club storage trailer
       
     • The IRLP computer is being flooded with IPv6 packets from the internet. Steve VE3UT will send the log to Chris VE3NRT
       
     • Steve VE3UT is looking for clarification on the YRP request to have YRARC assist in outfitting their trailer with an amateur radio repeater
       
       • Robert VA3BXG clarified that YRP will be considered an EmComm site with an EmComm member assigned to it
         
       • Steve VE3UT suggested we consider recommending a system fusion repeater.
         
       • Chris VE3NRT requested that the repeater committee be involved in making a recommendation to YRP
         
   • Backup Power Status– Steve VE3UT
     
     • VE3YRC-VHF has no backup utility power but does have dedicated battery backup for the repeater and the capability to connect an external generator
       
     • VE3YRC-UHF has no backup utility power or battery backup
       
     • VE3YRK has no backup utility power or battery backup
       
     • VE3YRA has backup utility power
       
     • Steve VE3UT is working with a contact he has who is considering donating batteries to the club to backup the repeater sites
       
6. Events and public service
   
   • Eric VE3EB reported that the calendar is beginning to fill up. The Sharon Temple is looking for support each Saturday in June, July and August. This is a new request that the club will need to assess.
     
   • Summer Field Day – Steve VE3UT reported that he is preparing a field day questionnaire to be distributed at the next club meeting to get input from members on what they would like to see at Field Day
     
7. EmComm - Robert VA3BXG
   
   • Contact Information – The board has requested a list of EmComm contacts within the various municipalities in York Region to ensure the board has the ability to maintain continuity with municipal stakeholders while the leadership of the EmComm group is open.
     
     • Chris VA3DXZ reported that contact information for each site supported by EmComm is documented in the site packages maintained by the EmComm lead for the site.
       
   • EmComm leadership – Chris VE3NRT will announce at the next club meeting that the club is looking for a volunteer to lead EmComm, and that anyone interested in putting their name forward should contact Chris VA3DXZ
     
   • Motion 2015-03-17-07 by Eric VE3EB, that Robert VA3BXG is named acting EmComm leader until such time as a permanent replacement is voted in by the EmComm group, seconded by David VA3DCY. Motion carried.
     

Motion 2015-03-17-08 by Eric VE3EB to adjourn meeting, seconded by David VA3DCY. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 21:30pm

Analysis of Winter Field Day 2015

1. THINGS THAT WENT WRONG:
   
   1. The mast on the club comm trailer is not up to the task of operating in cold weather. First, it was frozen, and then, would not hold air after being thawed out. The seals are likely the source of the troubles.
      
   2. The club portable generator would not start. I recommend we store it with some gas plus stabilizer and start it up at least once a month.
      
   3. The Sharon Hall location is extemely noisy (RF noise) and conditions were extremely poor all weekend.
      
   4. The Sharon Hall acoustics are poor for voice communications and the chatter of guests and members present make it difficult to operate.
      
2. THINGS THAT WENT RIGHT:
   
   1. The location was excellent for visibility to the general public creating some “off the street” visits.
      
   2. The site worked very well for antenna placement with no interference between the stations noticed. Six antennas deployed (160,80, three muti band verticals, 2m beam)
      
   3. The kitchen facilities worked extremely well for food and refreshment prep.
      
   4. The press showed up giving us additional advertising of the hobby and club.
      
   5. Using just a home made hand held antenna with a hand held radio, two satellite contacts were made.
      
   6. The trailer generator starts and works very well, handles the load, including a heater in the trailer.
      
   7. The tower trailer worked perfectly in the cold weather conditions.
      
   8. Everything went according to schedule and we were able to start by noon and the clean up went quickly.
      
3. SUMMARY:
   

   Overall, the event went very well for a first time activity for the club. We met our objective, to quickly (in 4 hours) establish an emergency communications site in winter conditions. Band conditions are out of our control but we did make contacts in spite of this. Local RF noise was an issue here but the other advantages of the site made it a good choice overall. Also, we were able to discover where we have weakness in cold weather operation (generator and mast) and hopefully we can work to resolve these issues.
   

Steve VE3UT
Club Field Day Chair

SPAR Winter Field Day - N1MM User Defined Contest File

If you’ve been trying out N1MM Logger+ in preparation for SPAR Winter Field Day, you may have noticed that it is not one of the predefined contests. Don’t panic! N1MM Logger+ allows the creation of “User Defined Contests” which are quite flexible. I found an old contest definition on the web and modified it a bit. I took out the unnecessary signal report fields and made separate fields for the class, section and temperature. I also set it up to track sections even though they are not multipliers (just like Summer Field Day). There is no provision for SSTV or Satellite, just phone, CW and RTTY/PSK. I don’t expect we’ll be racking up a ton of contacts in SSTV or Satellite so those can be tracked (semi-) manually.

The new user defined contest file should be saved in the /My Documents/N1MM Logger+/User Defined Contests/ folder.

73,
Chris

Minutes of October 2014 Board Meeting, 2014-10-21

Meeting held in the lower room of the Magna Centre. Called to order at 19:05. Chaired by Chris VE3NRT. Board members attending; Chris VE3NRT, Rob VE3RQB, Chris VA3DXZ, John VA3JI, Barry VA3LLT, Geoff VA3GS, David VA3DCY, Steve VE3UT. Board members absent; Eric VE3EB. Guests attending; Bob Rennie VA3BSJ

1. Review of the agenda as proposed by Chris VE3NRT (attachment #1).
   
   • Motion 2014-10-21-01 by Geoff VA3GS to adopt agenda, seconded by Barry VA3LLT. Motion carried.
     
   • Barry VE3LLT VA3LLT requested the addition of item 4c to provide an update on the communications trailer
     
2. Adoption of Sept 16 board meeting minutes
   
   • Motion 2014-10-21-02 by Geoff VA3GS to adopt minutes as published in the splatter blog at http://yrarc-splatter.blogspot.ca/, seconded by David VA3DCY. Motion carried.
     
3. Governance
   
   • Insurance – John VA3JI
     
     • John VA3JI shared the list of assets to be insured. This is still a work in progress. Steve VE3UT offered a few corrections. John needs assistance getting serial numbers for some of the equipment in the communications trailer
       
     • John VA3JI confirmed that the existing insurance policies have been renewed and that these policies can be changed in accordance with the boards wishes once he finalizes his insurance proposal and it is approved by the board
       
     • Tower trailer towing and operating procedure is being worked by Rob VE3RQB
       
     • Rob VE3RQB confirmed that the communications trailer towing procedure is completed and located in the trailer.
       
   • Finance Report (Attachment #2)
     
     • Closing balance Sept 30th 2014 [available from club Secretary on request]
       
     • Disbursements (PayPal fees, Plaques, Insurance, Trailer) $688.95
       
     • Income (Hamfest, sale of assets, memberships) $2,149.00
       
     • Balance as of Oct 21st 2014 [available from club Secretary on request]
       
4. Property – Rob VE3RQB
   
   • Disposition of surplus equipment
     
     • Aluminum tower section has been sold to Bob VE3WY and is waiting to be picked up
       
     • Trailer ball will be posted for sale online
       
     • Tri-band antenna has been sold to Bob VE3WY
       
   • Painting of the tower trailer
     
     • Painting has been completed.
       
     • Motion 2014-10-21-03 by Geoff VA3GS to thank Rob VE3RQB, Steve VE3UT, and Barry VA3LLT for completing the work, seconded by David VA3DCY. Motion carried
       
     • Communications trailer – Barry VA3LLT reported that the repeater has been installed and equipment in the rack was re-organized.
       
5. Repeaters – Steve VE3UT
   
   • Transfer of the VE3YRA call from Bruce VE3BV. Chris VE3NRT confirmed that he will draft letters for Bruce VE3BV, Steve VE3UT, and himself to send to industry Canada to initiate the transfer of the call sign to Steve VE3UT
     
   • Repeater Committee update
     
     • VE3RCY is operational in the communications trailer on 145.250 Mhz with negative offset and 100 hz tone for TX only. This is an uncoordinated shared frequency pair.
       
     • The club owns 3 portable repeaters. One is not operational and is being kept for spare parts. The remaining two could be used in an emergency to replace YRC or YRA operating from the tower trailer. The suggestion is to house the repeater inside a weather tight container on the tower trailer so that it is ready for emergency deployment.
       
     • Steve VE3UT suggested that the board consider a maintenance budget for the repeaters
       
6. Events
   
   • Tracking of volunteer hours back to the AGM.
     
     • Eric VE3EB provided an email report prior to the meeting indicating that he was working on the spreadsheet and had requested input from those people that lead events that he had not participated in.
   • Recent and upcoming events
     
     • Newmarket Santa Claus parade Nov 15th – Eric VE3EB’s report identified a list of information he needed to complete the application which is due Nov 4th
       
     • Bradford Santa Claus parade (Evening) Nov 15th – Rob VE3RQB shared the application with the board. There is a requirement for 500 lights on each float. Rob will get a note out to club members looking for their support.
       
     • Aurora Santa Claus parade (Evening) Nov 22nd - The board discussed whether it was feasible to participate
       
     • Motion 2014-10-21-04 by Geoff VA3GS that the board approves the application to enter the Aurora, Bradford, and Newmarket parades, seconded by John VA3JI. Motion carried.
       
7. Membership – Geoff VA3GS
   
   • Hamfest Update
     
     • Geoff VA3GS reported that 85 tables have been sold. The club has also once again donated tables to CLARA (Canadian Ladies Amateur Radio Association), CNIB, and RAC.
       
     • There will be 4 admissions booths this year.
       
     • Food will be cut back compared to last year.
       
     • John VA3JI will be in charge of dispensing and reconciling the cash floats
       
   • Motion 2014-10-21-05 by John VA3JI to approve $20.00 to cover the cost of the trophy plaques, seconded by Geoff VA3GS. Motion carried.
     
   • The board reviewed the speakers list for the upcoming general meetings
     
   • Toronto Rebellion Special Events Station – Chris VE3NRT reported that the event is on hold and will be revisited next year.
     
   • Winter Field Day – Steve VE3UT reported that the Sharon Temperance Hall is the preferred location. He will see if it is available to be used by the Club.
     
   • Christmas meeting – Chris VE3NRT reminded the board that he will be unable to attend the December general meeting and that Rob VE3RQB will chair the meeting in his absence
     

July 1 Events

Thank you to the teams who sacrificed family time on Canada day to the support the 2014 Sharon Temple Canada Day Celebration and the Newmarket Main Street public service events.
Sharon Temple Team.

• Brad VE3HII
  
• Dave VA3DCY
  
• Chris VA3DXZ
  
• Brian VE3IBW
  

Sharon Temple Event as reported by Brian (VE3IBW). The event today was well attended and only a short down pour before the event officially started. Attendance was up from last year. Megan indicated to me that next year will have a theme: transportation and communication. She hopes to have police, fire, ambulance, and of course us. Brad mentioned that there is a Ham contest on today - the Canada day contest. He suggested that we can work the contest from the trailer and have the public watch. We should make sure we have the trailer booked for next year. Don (VE3IXJ) assembled a team to support the Newmarket Main Street vendors with safety and communications. This was the first year that the radio club participated in this event and seemed to be well received. Main Street Team

• Don VE3IXJ
  
• Barry VA3LLT
  
• VA3OZZ – Victor Beitner - COARC
  
• VA3BXG – Robert Galambos - COARC
  
• Jesse Zhou – Student
  

Again, thank you all for your support on Canada Day.

Eric
VE3EB