Amherst, Nova Scotia

WestCumb  Amateur  Radio Club  VE1WRC

  Serving Westmorland County New Brunswick & Cumberland County Nova Scotia

News & Information

Dec.27th, 2020 - VE1SDR "Off the Air"

As a result of the ongoing QRM - off air noise which is currently triggering the receiver input to the VHF repeater on a continuing basis; I have made the command decision to shut off the DC remotely to the RC210 controller via the APRS MARCAN network (VE1SDR APRS Node).

 

This was impacting a significant amount of interference to both the VHF repeater frequency and as well to the UHF hard-link being passes on to or repeated consistently to the VHF output at VE1WRC VHF repeater. Even with attempts in changing TX hang time and RX key up delay at theRC210 controller for Sand River did not curb the problem at hand.

 

As you already know this is not a new problem and has been a real pain now for well over a year (late September 2019) off and on. Even with  of a planned introduction of a CTCSS decoder board with  the Motorola MSR2000 repeater would still not address the problem of the source of the off air interference which to this day has not been identified.

 

So until further notice, VE1SDR VHF repeater is “OFF AIR” until such time the source of the interference can be traced, tracked down, located and rectified during the 2021 calendar year.

Lorne VE1BXK

WARC Meeting Dec.3rd, 2020

Greetings all members,

There were 13 members participating at the meeting on Thursday. If I missed anyone please let me know.
  1. Jim VE1JBL
  2. Kevin VE1KEV
  3. Robert VE1RMJ
  4. Brad VE1ZX
  5. Lorne VE1BXK
  6. Al VE1ZS
  7. Bill VA1BIL
  8. Dana VE1VOX
  9. David VE9DWJ
  10. Joe VY2JC
  11. James VE9WIN
  12. Pravin VE9PKV
  13. Terry VE1AS

Here are some of the highlights.

The new computer has been installed at the repeater site for the VE1AMH Fusion repeater.
The paperwork for the club insurance has been sent in and waiting for the bill.
The Christmas brunch will not take place due to COVID. Hopefully, it will be bigger and better next Christmas.
After a vote, a new Web Switch was approved and will be ordered for the VE1WRC and VE1AMH repeater site.

NOTICE:  Starting in January and until further notice, the club meetings will take place on the first Tuesday evening of each month.
The first meeting will be Tuesday, January 5th, 2021. Let's hope and pray that next year will be better than 2020.
The executive would like to wish all club members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Stay safe, obey the rules and wear your mask. We are beginning to see the light at the end of this long tunnel.

WARC Meeting Nov.5th

There were 18 members taking part in the November meeting including
  1. Jim VE1JBL,
  2. Rob VE1RMJ,
  3. Ron VE1BIC,
  4. Mike VE1ZB,
  5. Brad VE1ZX,
  6. Dana VE1VOX,
  7. David VE9DWJ,
  8. Gordon VE9GC,
  9. Jerry VE1KW,
  10. Joe VY2JC,
  11. Kevin VE1KEV,
  12. Mike VE1MWJ,
  13. James VE9WIN,
  14. Pravin VE9PKV,
  15. Rob VE9KM,
  16. Ron VE1AIC,
  17. Lorne VE1BXK
  18. Al VE1ZS

Under sick and visiting Bob Perry VE1EDP had been in the hospital over the past week but was now home and recovering.
In new business it was voted to purchase a new computer for the VE1AMH repeater site.
If anyone is interested in having a brunch in early December contact Kevin Burke VE1KEV ve1kev1@ns.sympatico.ca
Next meeting will be Thursday Dec. 3rd.
New ZBox Computer Arrived - New Mini PC for VE1AMH Wires Monday November 16th.



Picture of club member Bob Tuttle VE1DR at this home QTH in Pugwash Junction NS.

A new Diamond X50 dual band antenna had just been installed in the middle of the roof to be used with his new Yaesu Fusion FTM 7250D radio.

Bob donated a large portion of the funds towards the purchase of the DR-2X repeater in memory of his late wife Florence.

Welcome to Fusion & Wires-X Bob.

October Meeting Recap

Here is a quick recap of the October meeting.

There were 15 members taking part in the online meeting.
  1. Al Christie VE1ZS
  2. Brad Ross VE1ZX
  3. Dana Ruston VE1VOX
  4. David Jones VE9DWJ
  5. Hal Rodd VE1LV
  6. Joe Clements VY2JC
  7. Kevin Burke VE1KEV
  8. James Ho VE9WIN
  9. Ron Reashore VE1ZC
  10. Ron Bickle VE1BIC
  11. Scott McNutt VE1CHL
  12. Robert Mannette VE1RMJ
  13. Lorne Anderson VE1BXK
  14. Ron Blue VE1BBB
  15. Jim Langille VE1JBL

The club has purchased Google Meet for our monthly meetings. Contact Robert Mannette VE1RMJ for information on how to join in on the meetings.  ve1rmj@gmail.com

The club has completed the sale of the Spectrum Analyzer to Lorne Anderson VE1BXK and the funds have been credited to the club.

Two new preamps will be ordered for the VE1WRC and the VE1AMH repeaters and also a voice module for the VE1AMH repeater.

A reminder about the WARC club net each Monday beginning at 8pm AT on the VE1WRC, VE1SPR, VE1BHS and other MAVCOM repeaters.

A reminder to renew your club dues for the new year. Fill out the form on the website https://www.westcumb.ca/club-dues CLICK to SUBMIT and send me the funds either by cheque or e-transfer.

Next meeting will be Thursday November 5th beginning at 7pm AT.


September Meeting Recap

Greetings all members,
 Here is a quick recap from the video meeting Thursday night.
The annual meeting was first and the executive will remain the same for the 2020-2021 year. President Kevin Burke VE1KEV, Vice-President Mike Masters VE1ZB, Ron Bickle VE1BIC Secretary and Jim Langille VE1JBL Treasurer.
Club dues will remain the same and all members are reminded to renew their dues as it is more important and other times due to COVID. All members are reminded dues can be by cheques to my address or E-transfer which is becoming very popular with members. I had 9 members sign up via E-transfer yesterday.
All members are asked to fill out the membership form on the club website so that I will have a hard copy to verify your funds and where they go. The form is easy to fill out and CLICK TO SUBMIT at the bottom. Any questions about the form contact me by phone or email.
The first general meeting of the new year followed the annual meeting with 15 members including new member John Langille VE1CWJ. Welcome John!
The club voted to have Robert Mannette VE1RMJ purchase Google Meet for our future club meetings. This way, amateurs without video will still be able to join the monthly meeting via calling in on their telephone. More on this to come soon.
Lorne Anderson VE1BXK will purchase the Spectrum Analyzer the club purchased last year at the same price as the original purchase. These funds will go back into the club account. Thanks Lorne!
Jack McGee VE1CZD has audited our books for the past year and found everything in good order. Thanks Jack!
The WARC club net started up again this past Monday with Bob Tuttle VE1DR as the first NCO. The net was well attended with over 20 check-ins and a reminder this is your club net so take the opportunity to support the net and check in on Monday nights at 8pm AT. Mike Masters will be sending out a schedule for Net Controllers soon. If anyone wants to take on NCO duties for the club net contact Mike at mikemasters@eastlink.ca
Next club meeting will be Oct.1st via Google Meet. Contact Robert VE1RMJ to get information on joining the meeting.
Everyone have a great month and stay safe.

D-Star, DMR & Fusion

From Ron MacKay's website CLICK HERE

Since both Fusion and DMR activity has grown significantly over the past 2 years, I have created separate web pages for all three of the popular Digital Voice Modes. D-STAR, DMR, and Fusion pages.

March 2020 Meeting Recap

There was a good turnout at the March meeting of the WestCumb ARC. Eighteen members were in attendance and several topics were discussed.
The next club meeting on April 2nd, will be the 40th Anniversary of the club. We will be purchasing t-shirts with the club logo and also 40th anniversary on the shirt. If any club member would like to order a shirt, contact Kevin Burke VE1KEV at ve1kev@gmail.com and include the size you would like. Orders must be in to Kevin by March 15th.
We will also have a celebration cake to share at the meeting. Information about the forming of the club in 1980 can be found on the website under ABOUT US.
There was also talk about WINLINK Global Radio Email and if the club is interested in taking part in this project. Interested members contact Robert Mannette VE1RMJ ve1rmj@gmail.com for more information. This will be talked about further at the next meeting.
EXERCISE HANDSHAKE is coming home. Jim Hannon VE1AFH talked about Handshake and TMR and would like to start holding the TMR portion of Handshake at the county office again. If interested in working TMR radio during the net contact Jim Hannon at ve1afh@eastlink.ca
There was also talk about having a refresher course on TMR. All members interested contact Mike Johnson VE1MWJ at mjohnson@cumberlandcounty.ns.ca
Al Christie VE1ZS won the 50/50. Congratulations Al.
This month's club brunch will be at Brittney's in Amherst on March 14th at 10:30am
Next club meeting will be the anniversary party on April 2nd, 2020.
A reminder to all amateurs including club members interested in SMART 20 to register on the website for a chance to win one of the many door prizes. The registration also helps in the preparation of food for the event. CLICK HERE

Raspberry Pi Class

The WestCumb ARC hosted a Raspberry Pi class on Saturday Jan.11th, 2020. Ten members and two guest participated during the 7 hour class. Robert Mannette VE1RMJ headed the class and took members from downloading software, putting the Pi's together from scratch to bringing them online.
More pictures can be found in the Photo Gallery.
Taking part today were Robert Mannette VE1RMJ, Brad Ross VE1ZX, Mike Masters VE1ZB, Dave Jones VE9DWJ, Pat Robichaud VE1JPR, Jim Hannon VE1AFH, Ken Holmes VE1UF, Kevin Burke VE1KEV, Ron Bickle VE1BIC, Parvin Varma VE9PKV, Jon Gordon VE1JSG and Jim Langille VE1JBL


NB Emergency Exercise a success.


On October 30th, 2019 the annual New Brunswick Emergency exercise was held which included amateur radio stations at New Brunswick hospitals.

Here is a picture of WARC member Paul Cant VE9TTT activating the amateur radio station at the Sackville hospital during the exercise.

October  2019 WARC brunch in Pugwash.

Thanks to Robert VE1RMJ for the photo.

 September 2019 Brunch - Harbour View Restaurant Parrsboro NS

Thanks to Mike Masters VE1ZB for the photo.

Recap of September 2019 meeting

The first meeting of the WestCumb ARC for 2019-20 took place Thursday Sept.5th at the ED Fullerton building in Upper Nappan. Twenty-one members were in attendance with three visitors. See pictures below.
The annual meeting began with a recap of the past year the the many things the club accomplished from the Fusion repeater to club shirts, seven new club members, three more installs of amateur radio stations in three fire halls around the county, four new simplex repeaters thanks to the county of Cumberland and other items.
Club dues will remain the same for another year and Jim Hannon VE1AFH thanked the club for keeping the dues at a reasonable price for all.
President Kevin Burke thank the Municipality of Cumberland for all of their help and the use of their building for our meetings and with all the assistance they provided at the Community Center in Springhill during S.M.A.R.T. Thanks also to Mike Johnson VE1MWJ Cumberland REMO Management who without his assistance many of this would not have taken place.
It was then time to ask for new officers to come forward and all members of the executive volunteered to take on their positions for another year. President - Kevin Burke VE1KEV, Vice-President - Mike Masters VE1ZB, Treasurer - Jim Langille VE1JBL and Secretary - Ron Bickle VE1BIC. Meeting was adjourned at 7:20pm.
The first general meeting followed the annual meeting.
We had three visitors last night Scott McNutt VE1CHL, Paul Murphy VE1PM and Dr. Naresh Puri from Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. He and his wife are visiting club member Parvin Varma VE9PKV in Sackville NB for a few weeks.
There was talk about our club shirts and how well they went over. Kevin will contact Carter's and other suppliers about pricing for hoodies and shell jackets for the club this year.
Mike Johnson gave a update on Hurricane Dorian and how it will affect us during the weekend.
 All members of the WestCumb ARC EMO Auxiliary have been put on notice there may be a activation for the storm along with a CANWARN Net. A MOU between the club and the County of Cumberland has been drawn up for emergencies and the club will vote on weather to accept it at the next club meeting in October.
David Jones VE9DWJ from Sackville NB won the 50/50 ($37.50)
The first club brunch of the new year will be held at the Harbour View Restaurant 476 Pier Rd, Parrsboro, NS on September 21st.
Next club meeting will be October 3rd.

VE1AMH  Fusion Repeater "On the Air" May 19th, 2019

Gentlemen,

 

I am pleased to report Phase One is now completed and the DR-2X VHF repeater 145.190- is now "ON AIR" as of yesterday May 19 2019 @ 4:30 pm.  

I thought it more appropriate to install the DR-2X VHF Fusion Repeater project at Salem in two phases as more time would most likely be required to fit it all in just one day.

 

Phase One Installation (Completed May 19 2019)

 

Install VHF Multi-couplers in Rack 100

Install RX/TX RF RG-214 coaxial cables from Rack 303 DR-2X VHF Repeater to VHF Multi-coupler Rack 100

Terminate N-Male RF connectors on both RX/TX RF cables at Multi-coupler Rack 100

Install 2RU shelving for DR-2X VHF repeater and 1RU for HP Lap Top computer

 

Phase Two Installation (Completed June 1st, 2019)

 

Install HP Laptop WIRES-X computer and HRI-200 WIRES-X modem on 1RU shelving (already mounted) in Rack 303

Install D-Link DIR-819 router on top of IRLP Node 1RU computer in Rack 303 (1RU shelving maybe required if needed)

Install Web Switch 7 near bottom of Rack 303 (3RU blank panel required)

Update IRLP Node 1RU computer static IP information to match D-Link router already configured (Loan of Monitor & keyboard required on time only)

Connect HRI-200 to HP Laptop WIRES-X computer via USB port

Interface HRI-200 to DR-2X VHF repeater (ACC Port)

Set DR-2X from "REPEATER" mode to "WIRES-X" mode

Connect Laptop WIRES-X computer network port to D-Link router network port

Connect Web Switch 7 network port to D-Link router network port

Connect IRLP Node 1RU network port to D-Link router network port

Connect Seaside IP cable to D-Link router WAN port (internet drop)

AC remote outlets for interfacing in order of priority on power up:

D-Link router, HP Laptop,  DR-2X VHF Repeater, MSR2000 VHF Repeater, DC power supply, RLC-4 Repeater controller , (AC-DC adapter provided), IRLP Node

Test complete system for both Analog RF operation and WIRES-X internet operation

 

73,Lorne - VE1BXK