Area Updates and News
PARKLAND AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ACSseV8VM/?mibextid=wwXIfr
I would on behalf of PARC to congratulate William Lang from Roblin, MB for passing his amateur radio exam, today. William, goes by Bill (Ole Scotch) VA4WDLCongratulations again, soon we will hear him on the air, but first I have to setup IRLP Node for Roblin.
73
Randy Molyneaux
VE5RJM
Parkland Amateur Radio Club Inc.
http://nonprofits.accesscomm.ca/parc/
Ph. (306) 562-8450
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I am pleased to announce that we have a new amateur radio operator joining our ranks. CONGRATULATIONS WADE SCHOTT (Basic with Honours) VE4AAP. Wade is based out of Roblin, MB.
Welcome to a great hobby!
TO ALL:
I am pleased to announce that we have a new amateur radio operator joining our ranks. CONGRATULATIONS TRACEY HANLEY VA5TAC (Basic with Honours).
Welcome to a great hobby!
Regards,
George Williams
September 24, 2024
Update on, Arcola,
today was a very productive day. Previously in the spring, we had received approval to install a node at Kevin's QTH, VA5MIR, from Art (VE5FDT) out of Estevan, who is one of the custodian's of the repeater site. I travelled, along with Terry (VE5ST), Tracey, and Marty came for a ride, mostly to make sure I don't fall asleep, lol. Anyhow, I had configured a node for Kevin, that was sponsored by Parkland Amateur Radio Club, and was installed July 19th. The setup went very well, and, Node 1808 was on the air, and linked through the Saskatchewan Reflector 9300. After a day, of being installed, I had noticed a kerchunk, that was coming from the node, and suspected it was the repeater, keying up. I had my assumptions, that probably there was an ID programmed in the repeater, A Kenwood TKR-750 Repeater, causing this problem. It was a problem because of several repeaters and services running on the system, it would cause a problem with the network. I soon called up Art (VE5FDT) and told him about the issue, and wondering if he would take a trip to the site, and disable the ID, that was causing us an issue. He mentioned he had to go up this fall to do some other maintenance on another site, and wouldn't be problem. Today, Prior to leaving Estevan, Art contacted me, and told me he was heading up to the repeater site, and check out the repeater site, and do those changes, I had requested. I was monitoring through the Saskatchewan Reflector monitor script, and Derek (VE5SD) was monitor the RF Traffic, while the changes were being made. Art contacted me on-air, and said that the ID was disabled, but there was a TOT set to 1 minute, and send a tone on once repeater was reset, this tone was in deed what was causing our problem. Art disable the TOT and adjusted the hang time to 0.2. and finally, I had reset the Timing file on the IRLP node, once all the changes were made, all that was left to do was monitor the system and hope our issues have been resolved. Prior to leaving the site, Art phoned me and we discussed some issues, with the antenna feed line, looking in poor condition, and in need of some badly needed TLC. It looked like it was installed in a temporary setup, to come back and install another antenna, that was beside the shack, at a future time. Art not familiar with the history, was going to contact Marv (VE5OO), to see what he can remember, of what the plans were with the feedline and antenna at the repeater site. On-Air, was talking with Rob (VE5RJK), from Fort Qu'Appelle he had agreed to do the climb, and Art to supply the climbing harness. So in the next couple of weeks, when Art determines to return to the site, I will travel to Fort Qu'Appelle to pickup Rob, and meet up with Art at the repeater site to do the maintenance. so here is an update on Arcola, stay tuned, and photos that Art had sent me, are attached.
73
RandyVE5RJM
Randy Molyneaux
Parkland Amateur Radio Club Inc.
http://nonprofits.accesscomm.ca/parc/
Ph. (306) 562-8450
Hello All;
I had setup an IRLP node that was initially going to be setup, by Dave (VE4NEG) SK, initially it was going to be VE4DNR Node 1333. I had updated the software, and changed the call sign to VE5HAW-R. We all met at the repeater site, on Tuesday, near Roblin, MB.; (Terry (VE5ST), Rob (VE5RJK), George (VE5GTW), Larry (VE5LCM), Randy (VE5RJM), Marty, Bill, Travis, & Verlin). The install went very well, it was enjoyable having everyone come together to get the repeater setup accomplished, stories were told lol. By noon, we had it almost all setup, but decided to go out for Dinner, at the golf course in Roblin, A treat we did not expect, food was great, Thank you Terry for buying all of us dinner, very much appreciated.
After we returned from dinner to the repeater site to finish up, we turned it all on, and as I suspected upon arrival to the site, the position of the antenna, could possibly cause interference, from the WiFi antennas, being so close to our repeater antenna. This was not going to be a quick fix, the repeater we had, didn’t have a tone board installed, to see by applying a tone on the input frequency, would clear up the problem, like it did previously on the Rocanville setup. However, we always plan for B & C.. lol. For those that don’t know, the repeater antenna, is side mounted, in front of a WIFI antenna, about 2 feet away. Initially it was supposed to be top mounted, but the installer, was not communicated this information. So off to Plan B: (nothing is ever plug and play) too funny, this is so true.
Plan B: Decided to use the link radio, for linking to Baldy Mountain, with the node, and having it setup at Terry’s QTH until we decide what the next steps are, with the repeater. I have a couple of solutions for dealing with this interference problem, and we can discuss at the meeting, coming up in November, perhaps just by raising the antenna, or changing out the repeater with one that has a tone option, possibly are a couple of changes, that could solve our interference issues. For anyone, who would like to use the node is welcome, until we get the repeater operating better, it will be on frequency of 146.520MHz simplex, for now. The antenna will not be up that high, so only local coverage now, until the tower at Terry’s place is setup. Which is on schedule for this fall.
So, in summary, we did accomplish a repeater setup and, on the air, along with a simplex node setup at Terry’s QTH. We just didn’t get the linking to Baldy Mountain working yet. There is some interference on the repeater, but not all the time. We will need to make another trip to the repeater site, to install a preamp, and to see what we can do to rectify the interference problem.
This morning, Rob (VE5RJK) and Terry (VE5ST), will finish installing the node antenna, and will be working.
Anyhow, that’s all for now, and we can get further progress on-air or check in on our PARC chit chat net. Every Sunday, 8PM local time.
If all goes well, we should hear Terry check in tonight on the Land of Living Skies Net, on the SASKWARN system, 9PM Local time.
And on PARC Chit Chat Net, this Sunday at 8PM Local Time.
Parkland Amateur Radio Club Inc. now has with Repeaters, IRLP & EchoLink Nodes the biggest Linking system in Saskatchewan.
We are looking to expand to include an All-Star Link Node to add to the existing system.
Below is a map showing PARC Linking repeaters, and nodes. We also connect to IRLP Reflector 9300 -SASKWARN (Saskatchewan Wireless Amateur Radio Networks)
To see who all is connected click here
August 27, 2024 Update
Hi Everyone,
I would like to congratulate Terrence (Terry) VE5ST, for getting accredited as Parkland Amateur Radio Club Inc. Ham License Examiner.
Thank you for taking this job on, it will benefit our club big time.
Terry can be reached by:
Ph. (431) 760-8275
73
(VE5RJM)
http://nonprofits.accesscomm.ca/parc/
Ph: (306) 562-8450
August 11, 2024 UPDATE
Hello Everyone
Just FYI;
The repeaters and nodes & UHF Links that are included in the Parkland Amateur Radio Club Inc., are back on line, we returned yesterday from a little camping holiday, and everything went well.
I would like to congratulate Rob (VE5RJK) for this week, his node should be operational, and connected also to the SASKWARN system, and will be included in adding additional coverage area, to the PARC System. This will conclude the IRLP Links that have been scheduled for 2024. His node information can be found on the IRLP Status Page Node 1621, 146.430 MHz Simplex.
https://status.irlp.net/index.php?PSTART=11&nodeid=1621
PARC will be working next on setting up an AllStarLink Node to be added to the PARC Repeater Network, and will also be connected to the SASKWARN Repeater System.
Other projects still remaining for 2024 are:
Swan River, MB IRLP Node
Windy Hill, MB Windy Hill Repeater
Roblin, MB repeater & Link to Baldy Mountain, MB. (DARC Linked Repeaters)
Next event coming up, I am planning on attending is the Manitoba Hamfest, located, at Austin, MB, more info can be found here:
Hope everyone is having a great summer, and looking forward to our next meeting, TBD, sometime in November.
73
(VE5RJM)
http://nonprofits.accesscomm.ca/parc/
Ph: (306) 562-8450
SASKATOON AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
January 15, 2025
Zoom Link For Monthly Meeting
SaDARA Meeting is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: SaDARA Meeting's Zoom Meeting
Time: Jan 16, 2025 07:30 PM Saskatchewan
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87321569251?pwd=ixwCHRZeOpatjapmjPbQ1Sm2w3u3xW.1
Meeting ID: 873 2156 9251
Passcode: 995684
VISITORS ARE WELCOME TO VIEW.
January 9, 2025
Congratulations and a big thank you to Rob - VE5AAS for building an ALLSTAR CLOUD NODE that has linked in Brandmeister Talkgroup 30252, ALLSTAR 512333 and ECHOLINK VE5DR- R and VE5HAW-R. This should provide some great audio to complement the IRLP 9300 Reflector.
January 8, 2025
There isn't a whole lot going on in the world of SaDARA. This last month members of SaDARA got together with a few members of the Saskatoon Search and Rescue and helped one SSAR member get his license as well as help another guy get both his Basic AND Advanced. Plans for classes are in the works as we have had a fair amount of interest. This Saturday at 8 AM, there is going to be a mini ham fest at Crazy Eggs in Saskatoon with breakfast/brunch. All are welcome to attend.
SaDARA would like to thank Rob VE5AAS for his work in setting up the SaDARA Echolink and Allstar system. The purpose of this system is to allow hams from near and far to access the City of Saskatoon via our local VE5SK repeater. come warmer weather we hope to make the system a permanent feature of the VE5SK repeater.
Patrick Laughlin - VE5PSL
January 7th, 2025
2024 was a great year with the formation of SASKWARN and the opportunity for the Saskatoon and area to connect to the system.
Our gracious hosts, The Parkland Amateur Radio Association have been phenomenal. It has been a real treat to get to know so many amateurs who connect to and talk on the system.
I want to personally congratulate Rob VE5AAS who recently passed his Advanced licence and qualified to run his own repeater.
Rob has been a great contributor to the Saskatoon and area amateur radio community. Rob provided strong leadership and set a great example with the addition of adding ALLSTAR and ECHOLINK for the 146.64 repeater. Now amateurs can connect to the repeater from all over the world!
Kudos to Rob for modernizing the SADARA 146.640 repeater!
Rob also built up the ALLSTAR to DMR bridge on SASKWARN.
Rob is now in the planning and building stage of creating his own repeater.
It is cool watching Rob learn and grow in the hobby. Amazing what a new ham can accomplish in a year!
73,
Derek - VE5SD
September 30, 2024
Hi all...
I am VERY happy to report that after a few months of being down, all services have been restored to VE5MBX as of about 1030am...
UHF Multi-Mode Repeater 449.500 (-):
DSTAR (static link: XLX103B) (VE5MBX B)DMR (static link: TS1: 302, TS2: 3025, 30252) (CC1)C4FM WIRES-X (not linked) (00)Allstar 438000 (not linked) (DCS023)IRLP 1463 (not linked) (DCS023)Echolink 552997 (not linked) (DCS023)
VHF APRS/WLK 144.39/145.01:
VE5MBX APRS Node (APRS-IS connected)VE5LNK-10 Winlink Node VARAFM or AX25 Packet (CMS connected)
Cheers,
Devon - VE5DWR
September 21, 2024
We successfully bridged in IRLP, ALLSTAR, ECHOLINK and DMR onto the system today!
Jason - VE5EA, our Saskatchewan Brandmeister representative successfully helped us get our very own DMR SASKWARN TALKGROUP on the Brandmeister Network!
We really appreciate Jason’s expertise and help with this!
We will now look at implementing this dedicated link in the near future!
September 19, 2024 Update
The SaDARA (SASKATOON and DISTRICT AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION) voted to explore the opportunity of adding ALLSTAR and ECHOLINK to their club FLAGSHIP 146.640 Repeater.
The Repeater Special Interest Group are tasked with coming up with a plan to present to the membership to decide whether the cost/benefit of this "forwarding thinking initiative" is passed or not.
We hope to have a more detailed reporting from a SaDARA representative when they submit it.
We wish them all the best as they explore the tremendous opportunity that MODERN REPEATERS bring to the club membership and community.
September 14, 2024
The ALLSTAR LINK to the SaDARA 146.640 repeater for general ham public access has been turned off permanently due to the desires of the club membership - the “repeater is our primary local, talk-about repeater and we were leaving it as such.”
We will now be utilizing the 146.940 repeater which has emergency power back-up. When this link is established we will let people know.
August 2024 Update
We have been rebuilding and making a number of enhancements to improve the 146.970 repeater and related repeaters, links and VoiP Nodes.
We are planning to have the first phase completed of equipment changes and reconfigurations done this fall.
When the Saskatoon 146.970 repeater refresh is completed the overall sound quality, coverage and capabilities will be improved.
We will be announcing the changes and experimental new channels of operation soon.
73,
Derek
VE5SD
REGINA AND AREA
LAKELAND AND AREA
January 16, 2025 Update: Congratulations to SADARA!!
Congratulations to Rob - VE5AAS for taking a lead experimental role with the SADARA club with ALLSTAR!
The club tonight voted on the successful experiment and create a permanent link and to purchase a ClearNode with a dual band transceiver.
This plug and play device with a companion IOS and Android app will prove very handy for the club.
This system is very powerful due to it having ALLSTAR, ECHOLINK and DVSWITCH.
This will enable hams to connect to the 146.640 repeater through Echolink VE5HRC-R and ALLSTAR.