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1) Call to
Order
Introduction of SLVRC Executive & Guests Present.
Chairman, Tim
Pekkonen VE3UO called the meeting to order at 1:08 PM.
There were 16 members present including 4 members of the SLVRC
executive.
2)Approval of Spring
2008 Minutes
Tim asked if
there were any errors or omissions in the previous minutes. None were noted.
Motion by Bob VE3AJV and Peter VE3BQP to accept the minutes as
submitted. Motion carried.
Items arising from
the Minutes:
a) SLVRC website
- Technical Information Report Form & Posting of Repeater Listings
Tim reported that
the SLVRC web site has been up-dated so that the Technical Information
report submittal form is now functioning.
In addition reports from the database are now available through the
SLVRC web site. As a temporary measure these reports are hosted on Mike
VE3UIL's web site. Data and
corrections to the database are now being made in a timely manner.
Carl VA2CMB noted
that the link frequencies we also posted on the reports.
It would be preferred that they not be posted.
Mike VE3UIL noted this and undertook to remove those from the report
ASAP.
Peter VE3XEM also
asked of it would be possible to have reports available in Excel format. Graham VE3BYT undertook to look into that matter.
b) Requirement for Tech Reports Annually / De-coordination of systems
lacking Full Reports
At the Spring
meeting, all system operators were asked to submit a FULL Technical
Information report by the end of October, 2008.
Tim VE3UO noted
that 93 out of 185 listed repeaters had submitted reports as requested.
It was further
noted that the SLVRC policy states that if reports are no received for
systems, then “the SLVRC may assume the system to
be non-operational and may, with notice, suspend the
coordinations applying to the system and, subject to appeal,
release the frequency(ies) to the pool of frequencies available for
reallocation.”
It was suggested that the SLVRC should notify
those not submitting reports, that if the missing reports are not received
within 30 days, then the SLVRC will begin implementing the policy as noted
above.
Discussion on
this was held at the meeting and general consensus was reached that the
SLVRC should apply this policy.
With respected to
NEW repeater coordinations it was noted that CTCSS sub-tones are required on
both input and output for all new repeaters in the 2m and 70cm bands.
Further, a relocation of existing repeaters, or a material change in
performance characteristics shall be deemed to be a NEW coordination, and as such the
above policy shall apply.
The SLVRC policy
is available for review on the SLVRC Web site http://slvrc.org/slvpolicy.htm
c) D-Star - the debate rages on!
At the Spring
meeting, the SLVRC noted that it had adopted a policy of applying the same
rules for frequency coordination to D-Star repeater applications as is
applied to analog repeaters. This
policy is in keeping with a recent FCC decision that denied applications for
D-Star repeaters in the US be allowed to use other “digital sub-bands”
for D-Star repeaters, rather than the regular repeater sub-bands.
d)Smart Meters - any new info ?
No new
information as provided, although Mike VE3UIL noted that Smart meters were
being installed in the Smiths Falls area recently.
Based on the information available it appears that the systems used
operate in the 2 Ghz band.
Wayne VE3CZO noted that he still observes interference in the 902-938 Mhz
band on the Ottawa ATV repeater. The
interference is of a highly intermittent nature such that narrow band users
may notice only the occasional interference.
However, wide band users such as the ATV system will see more
noticeable interference.
Wayne undertook
to provide a clearer indication of the nature and duty cycle of this
interference.
e) Frequency Coordination in Quebec – any new
info?
Carl VA2CMB noted
that there still appears to be little coordination activity of repeaters
within Quebec.
3) Report on
SLVRC Executive Meeting held at Carp Hamfest
(Most
items from this meeting covered elsewhere.)
a) A request from VE7QH concerning the SLVRC's
policy regarding D-Star coordination was answered by Mike VE3UIL
b) Kingston VE3KBR 146.940 will implement PL tones.
An existing coordination VE2CRA on the same frequency in Old Chelsea,
QC has recently implemented CTCSS tones. Kingston ARC has agreed to implement tones in the near
future.
c) Clarendon Station VE3KAR 147.09 will also
implement PL tone - aware of QRM to Malone NY.
The VE3KAR system
was coordinated for Kingston, but the relocation of this system to Clarendon
Station constitutes a NEW coordination and as such requires tones.
In addition a complaint has been received from the operators of the
147.090 system NG2C in Malone, NY that interference is being received by
users of their system from the new VE3KAR location.
The long term
solution to this matter may have to be assignment of new frequencies.
d) Outstanding frequency requests at this meeting
– status
Tim
VE3UO reviewed the outstanding requests:
●
Link
frequency for John Vining VA3EDG
●
Link
Frequency for Allan Boa VA3BOA re: VE2RWC repeater
●
Freq
request 53.21 Tx/52.21 Rx for Greg Zinger N2GZ re: K2CC repeater
●
Freq
requests Peter Gamble VE3BQP for VE3OCE (vhf) and VA3EMV/E or VA3EMV/W
●
Freq
request (new) 145.41 for Brian Redden VE3HQR for VA3SDR Eldorado ON
i) An uncoordinated system has been noted on
442.20 Mhz located at Rideau Ferry
ii) Mike VE3UIL also noted that a request from
Lance VA3LP for a 70cm link frequency between Alfred and Hammond is still
outstanding.
4) SLVRC Executive
Reports
a) Chairman – resignation
Tim VE3UO noted
that he had been chairman of the SLVRC since 2001, and that he felt that it
was time for a new chairman. He
therefore submitted his resignation effective after the Spring 2009 meeting
in order to allow time for a new chairman to come forward.
b) Frequency Coordinator
None noted.
c)Secretary
Mike – VE3UIL
noted that a lot of time has been spent in trying to clean up the database
and input all of the reports that had been submitted.
The cooperation
of those that have spent the time and effort to submit Technical Information
reports is appreciated.
Further continued
cooperation would be appreciated in getting the rest of the Technical
Information reports submitted.
Every effort will
be made to ensure that the database is kept as up-to-date as possible.
d) Treasurer
Pierre VE3FLO
reported that the current balance for the SLVRC bank account is $2778.89. See attachment A
e) Webmaster
Continued efforts
are underway to improve the SLVRC web site, such as improving the format of
the database reports.
5)New Business
The matter of
Bill 118 tabled in the Ontario Provincial Legislature was raised.
This bill covers the use of cell phones and other similar electronic
devices while driving a vehicle. Some discussion was held as to how much of
an impact this will have on amateur radio operators operating mobile systems.
It was suggested that if anyone has concerns that
they contact Bob Cooke, RAC VP of Field Services.
6) Presentation: Peter
Gamble VE3BQP (Emergency Measures Radio Group)
Peter VE3BPQ
reviewed the progress of the implementation of the repeater network in
Ottawa by the EMRG. Some issues
over interference between different parts of the network are being
addressed.
Peter also
reviewed the need for such a network for EMRG stressing that the system is
also available for general use by all licensed amateurs.
7) Repeater
Sponsors Reports
Representatives
then presented brief reports on each of their systems.
Peter VE3BPQ –
Ottawa EMRG repeater network has been established but interference issues
need to be addressed.
Lance VA3LP –
reported on VA3PRA and VE3PRV in Alfred and Hammond covering the
Prescott/Russell area. Lance
noted that he is still waiting for a recommended 70cm link frequency from
the SLVRC Frequency Coordinator.
Bob VE3AJV
reported on the repeaters in the Prescott/Iroquois area.
Claude
VA2CMB reported that the VE2REH network was working well.
He also noted some issues that were being resolved caused by
interference on a commercial tower, by relocating a repeater.
In addition a link at Mansfield will be turned into a repeater
before next Spring.
Doug-VE3HTR/Graham-VE3IGM
reported on the systems in the Cornwall area.
Wayne VE3CZO
reported on the Ottawa ATV repeater VE3TVA.
Wayne also reported on the status of VE2CRA and two links one to
Sarsfield and a second new one to Tower C in Ottawa to be implemented in the
Spring.
Peter VE3XEM
reported on the status of VE3MPC now back on the air at its new location in
Orleans (East-end Ottawa). The
system is on a 150 ft tower providing excellent coverage.
Some small additions need to be added such as the addition of tones
and a phone patch.
Pierre VE3FLO
reported on the VE3RLR repeater in Smiths Falls, which is being relocated
due to the closure of the Rideau Regional Centre.
Mike VE3UIL
reported on his Echolink terminal in Smiths Falls.
Tim VE3UO
reported on the systems in Belleville.
Some maintenance issues will be addressed in the near future.
Luc VE3JGL noted
that he will be inputting the database information to the ARRL soon.
8) Preliminary
Determination of Date & Location of Spring 2009 SLVRC Meeting
After some
discussion it was agreed that the Spring meeting of the SLVRC council will
be held in Brockville. Exact
date and location will be resolved before Christmas and members will be
notified.
At that meeting
one of the items to be presented subject to confirmation is
“Commercial
Frequency Coordination Software - Norm Rashleigh VE3LC”
9) Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM.
Appendix A
Financial Report
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