10-09 (September 8th) Meeting Report

The NBARC September meeting opened promptly at 1945ET. It was held in the OPP Comm Centre boardroom. In attendance were, VA3SPT, VA3BDR, VE3XKB, VE3LOR, VE3YO, VE3MAA, VE3YUI, VA3DLJ, VA3CMX, KD8LWV, VE3ELD, VE3GMG, VE3KAA, VE3KAN, VA3PC, VE3MAF.
CORRESPONDANCE: The North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority gave us a donation and thanked us for our participation in the Mattawa River Canoe Race. They will be looking for our assistance again next year.
TREASURER: There were $120.00 in dues over the summer.
NETS: 2M net is still running 0700ET-0800ET Monday mornings. Check in with Dave VE3GTM. If you don't get him right away keep trying. He is still having troubles as he isn't in the best location.
          80M net gets between 6-10 check-ins depending on propagation. Sundays 0900 3768KHz (+/- QRM). Paul VA3PC is always looking for new check-ins.
Repeaters: VE3NFM 147.300 is temporarily off the air. Mice had taken up residence in the equipment to keep warm and they tripped a fuse. The walls need to be finished and some mouse proofing applied. We will be working up a work party some Saturday or Sunday. Watch the website for more info.
                VE3ERX is working well. The IRLP/Echolink is working well as well. The VE3ERX clock is losing about 11 seconds a month. The club is purchasing two Real Time Clock Modules. One for each repeater. They are a very accurate module that will keep the clocks more accurate.
WEBSITE: The website is working well. Paul is always open to suggestions for improvements. All events have an 'attend' biutton that you just click and it marks you as attending the event. If you are planning to attend an event please indicate on the website by clicking the 'attend' button. This is very helpfull to the co-ordinators of the events as they know what they have to work with and they don't have to scramble to scare up more volunteers.
ARES: Nothing new at this time. the trailer is still parked at my place. Due to the downsizing of Summer in the PARK it wasn't needed this year.
HAMFESTS: Saturday October 16th is the First Annual Northern Ontario Hamfest in Lively Ontario. it is sponsored by the Sudbury and Manitoulin Island Clubs. 9AM open and ONLY $2.00 entry. http://rac.eton.ca/events/detail.php?event_ID=1435 for more info. There are a number of North Bay Hams planning on attending so if you need a ride I'm sure there will be one available. Saturday November 6th is the York Regional Hamfest in Markaham Ontario. There are a number of us going down. If there are any free spaces in my van I'll let you know via the website. It is always a fun time. http://rac.eton.ca/events/detail.php?event_ID=1402 for more info.
CONTEST CLUB: Status Quo for now. Updates will be posted on the website.
RAC: All the RAC bulletins are available on the NBARC website. There is a lot of discussion abpout "RE-INVENTING" the organization. They are talking to both members and non-members and are looking for feedback. To see what is happening and to get in on the discussion take a look at http://racblog.wordpress.com/ . RAC membership is a worthwhile investment. Along with other things it gets you Liability Insurance.  Paul gave a short talk about RAC and specifically the QSL bureau.
INCOROPRATION: We are now incorporated. In the fall we will be looking aththe RAC Club Liability Insurance. There iis a reduction in cost for each NBARC member who is also a RAC member. I do encourage you to become a RAC member if you are not already.
EVENTS: We had a number of events over the summer. They all went well with no real problems. There is a foot race in Mattawa Septenber 25th. There is more info on the website. If you are able to attend please sign up on the website. October 17th is the "Our Hospital Walk/Run". This is a fun 1/2 day event and we are finished by noonish. Again sign up on the website and make life easier for the co-ordinator.
That is it for right now. I won't be here in October as I'll be at the cottage R&Ring so hopefully someone else will take some notes.  Updates will be announced via the website. Mark October 13th on your calendar as our next meeting.
73/Drew VE3MAF