1

TAX EXEMPTION/GST PAYMENTS

The question on the table was whether or not to obtain a business number for the purpose of reducing GST cost associated with payments to PTP.  Based on the advice of the attendees with personal businesses, if the GST is not collected by PTP the Association would have to pay it to CCRC the month following.

Decision.  Pay the GST to PTP and avoid the bureaucracy associated with obtaining a GST number.

n/r

2

DONATIONS OF EQUIPMENT

The understanding to date has been that donations of equipment remain under the control of the Association until the equipment is no longer needed.  It is then returned to the donor, or disposed of by other means if the donor does not want the equipment back.

Decision.  Policy reaffirmed

n/r

3

EQUIPMENT STATUS

1.     VHF and UHF repeaters in place and fully operational.

2.     APRS in place but multiplexer not yet set up for it.

3.     Packet and 6m repeater on hold until cable acquired and antennas mounted.  RRD has ½ “ flex and THR has some LMR-400.  Length is the issue and RRD/THR will determine this.  Six 250’ lengths of heliax are anticipated from Steve Jones VE3XF before the end of the summer.  There is also some cable available from the old tower but this is dependent when the top antenna is removed.  Ron is available to climb the old tower.  We have ready access to the new tower but the climber must be covered by workman’s compensation.

4.     At this point all repeaters are multiplexed to the top PTP antenna.  Other side-mounted antennas are available.  PTP has approved the installation of a 210-C2 (supplied by Jordan Zukar VE3ZZP) at the 280’ level and has made available an unused cable already installed on the tower.  The 6m antenna can be installed just below the 100’ point on the tower.  VA3SD  will make available a 6m antenna if that will facilitate a timely move from the old site.

5.     VE3UOR repeater in place but not yet integrated with the multiplexer.  It requires the installation of a link antenna pointed at King City .

6.     Installation of the VE3KES repeater approved subject to intermod analysis.

Discussion with respect to installing an antenna on the bunker roof for internal radios and wx receiver, TV reception, etc.  Chuck and Ian have tripods.  Don’t want to use tower or roof-edge anchors as these would be used by vandals to gain access.

Discussion WRT 6m antenna.  Use the cable from the old LSR tower.  RRD and THR to measure lengths of cable that they have.

Anticipating 6-250’ cable runs courtesy of Steve XF for data linking antennas.

New 210-C2 to be added at the 280’ level, plus access to additional side antennas available as required.

Decision.  Target date for departing old shack is 1 Oct

n/r

4

DISPOSITION OF OLD SHACK

Chief Cowden has expressed an interest in the shack for training purposes.  Bob to confirm.

Site clean-up requirements were discussed.  Bob to ascertain whether Oro-Medonte would orchestrate disconnecting power to the old shack as part of their preparations for burning.

The old tower is to be scrapped.

Target Date is to be completely out of the old site is 1 Oct (LSRA required to provide Profac/Ontario Realty Corporation with 30-day notice and lease expires 31 October.)

Bob  VE3ODR

Bob  VE3ODR

Ian

VA3QT

5

PACKET RADIO

There was a lengthy discussion on the ills of the current LSRA equipment, the difficulties of isolating specific problems, and the “way ahead”.  Historic maintenance problems were discussed and it was recognized that a lot more RF activity exists now than was the case when the original network was put in place. The consensus was to move ahead aggressively, and to progressively isolate the issues.

Decision.  Ron to build new computer.  Klaus to take all existing LSR equipment home for bench testing (isolate whether we are dealing with intermittent computer/TNC issues, RF overloading of the receivers, possible intermittent antenna/transmission lines, etc.  Have approximately one month before antennas will go on the PTP tower.

Ron VA3NLS

Klaus VE3KR

Future data/packet requirements were discussed.

Decision.  A D-Star suite will be included in a forthcoming grant application.  Work on the application will follow completion of the site move.

Exec Committee

6

BATTERY

Mike VE3MKH has possession of the deep cycle battery purchased for the diesel generator at the former Rogers site.  It was recognized that the resale value is less than the original purchase value.  Ron offered to purchase it provided the battery was still in good condition.

Decision.  Ron will make an offer subject to receiving the battery from Mike and testing it.

Ron VA3NLS

Mike VE3MKX

7

HAMFEST TABLE

Needed to raise funds for LSRA.  BARC is offering a free table.  Donations of ‘goodies’ from the membership needed.

Secretary

8

FINANCES

Rent and power will be paid to PTP in one annual payment to offset admin costs.  Insurance is due in October.

Secretary

9

WINLINK GATEWAY

There will be an OPP exercise in mid-September with participation by the SCHREC.  A temporary installation of a Winlink 2000 gateway using 145.710 approved if transfer of the packet radio equipment has not been completed.

Ian

VA3QT