Technical Chairman Report 1st Qtr 2001 Ben Sasiela VA3BNY

We're not finished yet, the site requires some sprucing up this spring. We need to do some painting of our rusty looking doors, and install some carpeting on the bare wood floors in the shack, so we'll be looking for some volunteers this spring that have Rembrandt skills and good knees.

Manheim
Home of VE3IXY, our 220 Mhz repeater, (what a great band that is, you gotta get on it) and VE3RBM, our clubs 440 Mhz unit, all continues to operate awesome at this time. As some of you have found out, our past Pres VE3 Sugar Yankee, has introduced us to IRLP through our VE3RBM repeater.  Imagine, using your handy to access through RBM, and talk to a fellow ham watching the Hula Hula girls on the beach in Hawaii, or someone trying to stay warm in Alaska, or in a bar in Vancouver. There are some 75 and growing repeater nodes now throughout the world.   Please read Paul's article on this new and exciting adventure. Paul will be doing a live IRLP demo for us at our May club meeting. Thanks VE3SY for all your efforts in getting KWARC into IRLP.

VE3RCK Queen St. and Marsland Center
Our VE3RCK club repeater also has had a battery backup system installed. In the past, there appeared to be numerous power interruptions at this site, requiring reset of our repeater program. No longer a problem. VE3RCK is also home of our NASA link broadcast through VE3NEJ, Terry's downlink. Schools, hams and SW listeners through out this area enjoy Terry's continued link service. Our appreciation to Terry for this service. I also must mention that this is our only club repeater that has an auto patch speed dial option. If you would like a speed dial number assigned to you, please came and see us.  It's cheaper than cell, and more fun.

The computer controlling the packet equipment at Marsland Center was replaced thanks to our sysop, Tedd VE3TJD. After numerous site visits it was assumed that someone was closing the laptop lid, which shut down the system. The P.C was replaced with one that cannot be closed. We suspect the culprit will now become quite frustrated.

NASA Link Update and Change
As more and more shuttle flights are scheduled for this year, it has placed a substantial demand on the VE3RCK repeater and limits clubs members usage during rebroadcasts, yet, as a club, we want to continue this feature for many to enjoy. I have acquired, (don't ask me how, and I'll tell U no lies) some commercial grade repeater equipment that will enable the club to broadcast the NASA communications on a simplex 2 metre frequency designated for educational and special purposes.  We're doing a field trial now, and it should be running in time for the next shuttle flight. The frequency has been approved by the repeater counsel and will be on 147.510 simplex.   Think 147.510 from now on.  No PL tone is required.  There will be a simulcast broadcast on both RCK and the new simplex frequency for the next shuttle flight, as well as a voice message on RCK, announcing the new freq, All shuttle bugs should tune to the new frequency. With about 100 watts of signal power, it should saturate the KW area very well.

Technical Committee Future Plans ???
Perhaps a spring tour for club members of the new CKCO-TV site if we can get approval, and preparations for field day at Doon Pioneer Crossroads.

My thanks to the tech committee members for all the hard work, VE3TJD, VE3OFH, VE3NEJ…and volunteers

73 everyone
de Ben VA3BNY
Technical Chairman
KWARC