09-09 (September 9th) Meeting Report

We had a great meeting on Wednesday. There were 16 hams in attendance and it sure was great to see everyone and catch up after a busy summer. There were a couple of visitors and new hams as well.

1) Henry KD8LWV has moved back to the area at least for a while. It was good to see John VA3MNK from EMO and Bob VE3MF. Mike Aultman, Adam Aultman's VA3AUL father wrote his exam and passed. As of yet he hasn't got a callsign. Well done Mike. ***UPDATE Mike's call is VA3MPR ***

2) We received a donation of $150.00 from the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority for our assistance at the Mattawa River Canoe Race. They WILL be requesting our assistance next year.

3) The Army Cadet League of Ontario is investigating the establishment of a Royal Canadian Army Cadet radio network based on Amateur Radio technology. RAC has been asked to assist and they are looking for amateurs who are willing to help and mentor. Check out the RACBLOG at http://racblog.wordpress.com or the ARCHIVE section of the NBARC website http://ciinet.org/nbarc . North Bay has been chosen as one of the pilot locations. It would be great to be able to assist.

4) NETS. The 80M net is still going strong. Paul VA3PC net control (unless he is working or on holidays) and reports an average of 8-10 check-ins Sunday 0900ET 3.768MHz. Check in and surprise him. Dave VE3GTM is still going strong with the 2M net. He is having up to 11 to 12 check-ins holidays excepted. We are still working on getting him a better antenna. We just have to get together with Dave. It has been a busy summer. Now that things are starting to slow down (hopefully) we will be able to make a date.

5) ARES. The ARES trailer is back at my front yard for the winter. It has a new coat of paint, 4 new tyres (the spare still needs work), and the generator box has been rebuilt. July 16th Bill VA3SPT gave a talk to the EOC on the role, responsibilities and capabilities of amateur radio operators with particular emphasis on NBARC and ARES. October 20th there is an EMO Section meeting in the Powassan area. NBARC ARES will be in attendance.

6) HAMFESTS. The Barrie and Carp hamfests are this weekend September 12th. The YORK Regional Hamfest is October 24th. We have a van full going down. If you need more info look at
http://rac.eton.ca/events/upcoming.php and check them out.

7) COURSE. We don't have a ham course running at this time. We are offering mentorship if anyone is interested.

8) CONTEST CLUB. The Contest Club is going to be operating in the CQ World Wide Contest the 24th-25th of October. This is another aspect of Amateur Radio that can be very interesting. If you are interested come out and get your feet wet. The guys will make sure you have fun but don't drown. I've heard that the chili alone is worth the trip. Paul VA3PC got a certificate from the Northern California Contest Club for working over 100 stations in the California QSO Party 2008. he also attended the Contest Club of Ontario BBQ and had a great time. Where's Paul in the group photo??? look at the RACBLOG site near the bottom of the page. I found him.

9) EVENT REPORTS. Most of the events over the summer have had reports sent around already. There are a few extra items as follows.
a) Summer in the Park. Keeling will NOT be here next year. There are questions as to whether we do it or not as they seem to keep giving us less and less. Do we do it and if so Who will run it. think about over the next little while and we will review it in the new year.
b) Lost in the Rocks and trees. The numbers were down but a great time was had by all. Just FYI. We have been doing this event from day 1. This was out 14th year.
c) The Mattawa River Canoe race. This is another great event that challenges out communication skills as the terrain is very challenging. This is the 2nd year we have participated and again this year the weather did its best to make things difficult. A thunderstorm took out the power to a good chunk of the town and the repeater. we managed to re-establish communications on simplex by picking a high hill until Chris VE3CEA came to the rescue and put the repeater back on the air with a genny. Thanks again Chris. We look forward to working this event again next year.
d) North Bay Triathalon. Again another great event. Lotsa fun and only takes about 1/2 a day.

10) INCORPORATION. Paul VA3PC is looking into the changes coming up to the RAC insurance. The incorporation will be discussed at the October Meeting.

11) Sometime in October (date unknown right now) is the North Bay Hospital Walkathon. We will probably be asked to participate. I'll let you know more when I know more.

12) We are still awaiting the BILL118 Distracted Driver Legislation regulations in spite of what is being said on the air. RAC has been fighting on our behalf. now it is your turn. ecome a member of RAC. it is our national Organization. E-mail your local MPP and im Bradley Minister of Transport with your comments. Check the RACBLOG for the latest UP TO DATE info.

Well that is about it for right know. Please log into the NBARC website and subscribe to the newsletters etc. Then I can remove you from my personal NBARC list. It will make things easier in the long run.

73/DREW VE3MAF

VHF NET - Monday Morning 0700L - 0800L. VE3ERX/VE3NFM. Net controller - DAVE VE3GTM

HF NET - Sunday Morning 0900L - ??. 3.768MHz LSB (+/- QRM). Net controller - Paul VA3PC

COFFEE - Saturdays at NorthGate Square. 1000L-1100L (+/-). In front of A & W

VE3ERX 147.030 (+) (PL 107.2) POWASSAN {N46 03.767 W079 26.133} (IRLP/2649 ECHOLINK/239683)
VE3NFM 147.300 (+) (PL 107.2) North Bay {N46 21.107 W079 22.197}
VE3NFM-15 144.390 APRS
VE3NBC@rac.ca or nbarc@ontera.net
http://ciinet.org/nbarc
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NBARC