10-03 (March 10th) Meeting Report

The NBARC March 2010 meeting was held March 10th at the fire hall on base. In attendance were, (my apologies to anyone I missed), VA3OZ, VA3DLJ, VA3PC, VE3MAA, VA3BDR, KD8LWV, VE3NLH, VA3VJS, VE3YO, VE3XKB, VE3YUI, VA3MPR, VE3LOR, VE3GMG, VA3JGH, VE3ELD, VA3WAC, VE3SPT, Eric Grigg.
1) CANWARN Training is going to be held Wednesday May 19th 2010 1900ET at the OPP Comm Centre on Goremanville Road. The CANWARN Training will take the place of the NBARC May meeting so there will NOT be a meeting on May 12th. I will send out reminders as the date gets closer. Paul needs to know how many are planning to attend (coffee and snacks etc) so PLEASE sign up on the website or send him an e-mail va3pc@ciinet.org.
2) Check into the NBARC Website. Paul has updated it in a couple of areas. He has posted a Swap Shop area. For those studying for their Amateur ticket (or anyone else with a question) there is an ELMER section. Post your questions here and we’ll come up with answers.
3) NETS: 2M net is still running Mondays 0700ET til 0800ET. Most check-ins are on VE3ERX 147.030 but Dave VE3GTM monitors both repeaters. He is running 8-10 check-ins per week. 80M net runs Sundays 0900ET until Paul VA3PC runs out of check-ins. Again 8-10 check-ins per week.
4) REPEATERS: Both Repeaters are still up and running. Ve3NFM needs a new back-up battery.
5) ARES: Not much to report. The trailer is out of the snow bank. We have a number of VHF/UHF antennas on different buildings through-out the city. Bill VA3SPT and Doug VA3DLJ are going to be testing all the antennas to confirm that they are still functional over the next little while. (BILL GET IN TOUCH WITH DOUG!!)
6) FLEAMARKETS: The Durham Hamfest is April 17th in Whitby. We have 2 vehicles going down and we have 3 possibly 4 vacant seats. If you want to go let me know VE3MAF@rac.ca and we will arrange something.
7) COURSES: We have 6 virtual students working on their ticket. We are going arrange a Saturday or Sunday where we can get together with them to go over problem areas, answer questions etc. I will let you know more when I know more.
8) CONTEST CLUB: he next contest is the CQ WPX SSB Contest starting March 26. See the website for more info.
9) RAC Nothing new. The bulletins are all posted on the website for reference.
10) EVENTS:  
  a. Summer in the Park; We received a letter requesting our assistance again this year. There are not going to be any concerts at the waterfront. It will be 3 free days with everything concentrated at LEE PARK. Memorial drive will NOT be closed. We would be required until 2300ET Fri. Sat. and Sun nights. With the reduced size we are questioning if we are really required. As well a number of members are not going to be in town to assist. If you are able to assist please sign up on the website or let Bill VA3SPT silver@ontera.net know. Further discussion will take place at the April meeting and a final decision will be made there.  
  b. Lost in the rocks and Trees; July 17th is the date. There is a new location for the Start/Finish and thus a few tweaks to the route but otherwise it is the same as last year. I will have more info when it comes out. Again there are a number of members who are going to be out of town so please sign up on the website so we know how many people we will have.  
  c. MS Walkathon is May 30th. More info to follow.  
  d. Patrick4life is June 13th. More info to follow.
11) INCORPORATION: The papers have been signed. It will take about 6 to 8 weeks for a response.
12) We have been asked, by the Fire Department, to have a representative on the committee that is looking after the new comms system for the City of North Bay. We have a few members that are interested and we will have representation on the committee.
13)  Our next meeting will be held April 17th 2010. That is about all for now.
73/Drew VE3MAF