February 2008
Amateur Radio Society of Dryden
February 13th, 2008 Meeting Minutes
Dryden Fire Service Training Centre
Meeting was brought to order by President Bryan.
Attendance:
Leo, VE3ASS
Rick, VA3RGA
Maurice, VE3MLF
Scott, VA3EXT
Bryan, VA3BRY
Woody, VE3JJA
Jim, VE3JLN
Arnie, VA3NOL
Bob, VA3GUN
Trevor, VE3HTT
Neil, VE3VNM
Dave, VE3LMU
While we usually dont have a February Meeting, because there were not enough
members at the January Meeting to form a Quorum, we are holding a February
Meeting.
M.S.Arnie, VA3NOL; Scott, VA3EXT, the minutes of the
M.S.Rick, VA3RGA; Arnie, VA3NOL, the Financial Statement as at
Sharon, VA3SJM, sent out thank you notes to local business that had supplied
prizes for Camp 807.
The club received a Thank you card from the Dryden Police Service for our
participation in the 2007 Pumpkin Patrol.
The Christmas Banquet was attended by 32 amateurs and families. Thank you to
all who helped make it possible.
The Chinese Auction raised $325.00 for the club.
Thanks to those that help with the 2007 Santa Claus Parade:
Bob, VE3YDN
Arnie, VA3NOL
Dick, VA3DYK
Brendan, VA3BJM
Fred, VA3WFN
Scott, VA3EXT
Alf, VE3EFT
Bryan, VA3BRY
Arnie reported that the Chamber of Commerce would no longer host the Santa Claus
and Canada Day parades. Dick
reported a similar decision by the Antique Tractor club in
VE3DRY Repeater Report:
Once we have transferred our antennas and equipment over to DMTSs tower and
building, we will need to dismantle our tower.
The club will hold it in inventory until there is another location where
we can utilize it. There was
discussion about how to handle our agreement with DMTS.
We dont want to loose our location,
especially if DMTS is sold by the city to another service provider.
Presently, the UPS Back-up power at the repeater is not working.
Rather than replace the batteries, it was decided to wait until we move
into the new facility. DMTS will be
providing Emergency Back up Power there, and will allow us an allocation.
Should we need it, several members have generators that we can position
at the repeater if needed.
Scott demonstrated the IRLP Node on the VA3DIS repeater (147.375+).
He explained that a node was basically a radio and computer with a
connection to the internet. A
reflector is an audio hub that connects more than one nodes together.
Our Nodes are on Channel 2 of the Vancouver Reflector (REF9002).
City/Town
Node
Frequency
Atikokan
2768
147.120
Dryden
2739
147.375+
Kenora
2949
146.910-
Sioux Narrows
2015
146.580 simplex
Sioux Lookout
2590
147.315+ PL 192.8
Ignace
2414
147.180+
Thunder Bay
2000
145.450- PL 123.0
We will need to know the IRLP node number we want to connect to.
This is available on the Internet:
The IRLP home page is www.irlp.net
Node/Reflector Status is found at www.status.irlp.net
To connect: ID with call sign and
enter the 4 digit IRLP number.
Once connected, ID again with call sign.
Once connected, when you press the PTT button, pause before you start your call
or QSOthis will allow the control signals to pass over the internet.
To disconnect, ID with call sign and press 73.
Node numbers are assigned by the Canadian IRLP coordinator.
Some nodes will require a CTCSS tone.
Our nodes, when connected to the Vancouver Reflector wont time out, however, if
connected to other nodes will time out after 12 minutes.
If the node detects a carrier on the radio, it wont allow access, so
that means the node is already in use.
We will receive a voice generated errorand will not need to enter 73 in
this case.
IRLP links will be less expensive than providing radio links.
All that is required at the site is a
high-speed internet connection, as well as the appropriate computer/radio
equipment. No UHF radio linking
with the associated feed-line cables and antennas is required.
VA3DIS coverage extends to Borups Corners, and VA3IGN extends to
Warren, VE3FYN, Atikokan, is trying to get another repeater somewhere between
Scott mentioned that he is trying to set up a IRLP node 2468
for
Woody, VE3JJA reminded members that we need to follow the amateur "Q" codes
when using our repeaters and nodes.
There are lots of people who may not be hams, but who own scanners, and they are
monitoring our repeaters.
He also mentioned, especially when we are working with EMO, we should not use
"Q signals"we should use the actual wordingi.e. plain and precise
English, as the codes will mean nothing to the people we are working with.
Bryan, VA3BRY; Woody, VE3JJA; and Bob, VA3GUN reported on the Emergency Seminar
that was taking place this week.
The Dryden EMO and CP Rail are planning a September Emergency Exercise (date
TBA). The club will be involved in
the exercise. It is important that
members develop our own Emergency Preparations for home and family as well as
our participation with the emergency communications.
ARES, through the RAC web site, is making picture ID cards available.
The ID cards the club developed several years ago may not be compatible.
A training course is available on the EMO Web Site:
emoares.org.
Arnie, VA3NOL won the 50/50 Draw.
M.S. by Neil, VE3VNM; Arnie, VA3NOL; the meeting adjourn.
Carried.