| date | slug | categories | title | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2020-05-01 |
may-2020-newsletter |
|
VECTOR May 2020 News |
Previous newsletters can be found in the archive.
Our next members' meeting is May 6 and will be held online using Zoom. Please register in BetterImpact if you will be attending. Make sure you have updated your Zoom software.
Due to the physical distancing requirements of our present COVID-19 situation, all VECTOR activities for now and the near future are being conducted by radio or through Zoom online conferencing.
The order from the public health officer about limiting large public gatherings through the summer due to COVID-19 has effectively removed any need for VECTOR at the large civic events we usually serve. Spring and Summer festivals as well as events that draw large crowds have been cancelled in Vancouver, including:
- Sun Run cancelled
- CommAcademy cancelled
- Canada Day cancelled
- Celebration of Light cancelled
- Vancouver Pride shifting to online
- the PNE cancelled
- the Folk Festival cancelled
We still need to learn how smaller civic events intend to respond to the pandemic restrictions.
The COVID-19 pandemic situation forces us to use physical distancing, and compels us to use remote technology, including our radios, for our team activities.
Because of this, we suspended planned work on site equipment at our primary radio room and other sites which need people to work physically close together. We have also postponed in-person learning activities for non-members and are using a teleconferencing platform to host learning activities for members.
Thank you for doing your part to protect vulnerable members and keep yourself healthy.
As per Russell VE6RBA and Industry Canada's Amateur Radio Service Centre, Canadian Amateur Radio operators may use CF and CG prefixes for the COVID-19 Pandemic until June 20, 2020.
If your regular call sign begins with VA or VE, you will be able to use the CF or CG prefix instead of VA or VE. For example, VA7LET would become CF7LET. Likewise, VE7NCD would become CG7NCD.
Also, did you catch the special call sign for our daily informal net?
For more info:
- Call Sign Policy and Special Event Prefixes
- VA3DBJ.ca - David Bate's website
- Northern Alberta Radio Club Facebook post
- Board still looking into whether marking volunteers inactive in VVC (enterprise database) affects your status in VECTOR's membership database.
- Board supports interested members holding practice workshops in the Zoom Room (radiogram review, voice practice, data setup, DSA Awareness, radio contact practice, instructional nets, etc). We want to also encourage members to get radios.
- VECTOR will renew the 2020 insurance for the CERV for storage and use. Mike (VE7WV) or Hiroshi (VA7LET)(keyholders) will evaluate how well members can access the CERV in advance of setting out to use the CERV systems to join the communications checks in 2020. Tyson (VE7TYS) will get keys.
- PICs & 5-year residency: We have added two membership requirements: 1) for minimum age 19; and 2) for residency in Canada for the last 5 years.
- Linda (VE7LMP) and Stuart VE7SWS are reviewing how the VVC Dissolution will impact our MOU. Board intends to collaborate in Google Docs to draft a revised MOU that suits our current reality without VVC, including how "City Volunteers" relate to VECTOR.
- VECTOR would like to begin assigning members to take on elements from our Gaming Grant Proposal.
- Field Day Bi-weekly Zoom sessions: only two members came forward so any effort now focuses on VECTOR Simplex Relay Day under the emerging pandemic conditions. It's an alternative for us to build capacity in members and give members some degree of normalcy. (see "VECTOR Day Planning Huddle" below)
- VPD, VEMA, and VECTOR (on hold due to COVID-19) will coordinate with Kirsten Jasper, Manager, Operational Readiness, VEMA (Vancouver Emergency Management Agency) to arrange initial strategy chat with VECTOR representatives.
- Response funding for COVID-19: We want to investigate how to fully remotely access VECTOR equipment at the Radio Room so that we can operate our required communications bands when we cannot access our in-person stations, with the potential to invest VECTOR funds in 2020 to complete the system.
- Board still needs to assemble the annual report we review with our key partners.
-
Net Control Operator training
If you've checked in to the VECTOR weekly Wednesday night net, then you've participated in a directed net under the supervision of a Net Control Operator (NCO). The NCO training sessions will take you from being a participant to being that control operator.
You only need to commit one Wednesday night a month (from approximately 19:30 to 21:00) for about 9 months. The schedule consists of:
- 3 months receiving training during the weekly net from a current NCO.
Each month you will work with a different NCO as you progress from monitoring to running the net. - 3 months on the weekly net rota and running the net without assistance.
- 3 months helping the next batch of incoming net control trainees.
After successfully completing the NCO training further opportunities for running nets during events and exercises become available to you.
If you would be interested in attending an introductory session on the net control operator program send an email to Andrew VA7YAA and we'll contact you once viral circumstances permit.
- 3 months receiving training during the weekly net from a current NCO.
-
Radio Skills Course
The next Radio Skills Course will be offered on Mondays, from October 26 to November 23. Consideration is being given to add one classroom session bringing the total to five evenings. Four instructional nets will be held on Thursday evenings rather than Wednesdays to avoid conflicts with VECTOR nets and our members' meeting.
Feedback from past and prospective participants is welcome as well as from members who have yet to attend. Please share your thoughts on what would facilitate or encourage your participation as well as what might be hindering it.
Are you interested in delivering a course module or two? Please let us know!
For more info, please contact rsc@vectorradio.ca
-
On-Air Radio Activities
Since our last newsletter, we started the Weekly Previews note to share all the activities. You might also catch small activities on our repeaters. Look for activities on our calendar.
Contact Kevin VE7SFA and Jessé VE7DET to get involved.
-
VECTOR Simplex Relay Day July 11
VECTOR Simplex Relay Day is Saturday, July 11, from 1900 to 2200. Planning Meet-ups are every Thursday at 1130H in the VECTOR Zoom room. Join our planning team: we would love your input. First ground rules include message format and concept for including regional centres and local neighbouring organizations.
We're using Zoom and our folder on Drive to build our idea. See you on Thursday. Join Ernst VA7WAC, Richard VE7PNP, Dave VE7CNV, Melinda VE7OLO, Erland VE7EFK, and Nick VE7NTX.
For more info, contact rocky@vectorradio.ca. -
Future VECTOR Investment Projects
Please help us figure out how to build our dream projects, to make VECTOR stronger. We need volunteers to plan and initiate steps to make each of these dreams happen: to bring together a concept and cost summary. We'll use these plans to order parts we can use next year to build our dreams.
Dreams we know:
- High speed links at Fire Hall 5 to TEL and HAMWAN
- 5 new "next gen" grab-n-go kits
- Replace outdated and old donated items
- High speed data links between our sites
- Full remote control of our Radio Room systems
- Multiple Winlink receiving stations
- Wi-Fi bubble and email intake system
Which dream can you help build? Contact Jessé VE7DET to learn how you can help.
A compilation by Vector member Halldor K. Bjarnason VA7ETF, on our Google Drive
VECTOR is interested in connecting to our First Nations communities, particularly Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh. We have approached a few sources in the city for advice about who to speak to, but so far haven't got very far with this idea. If you have some First Nations connections or ideas on how to proceed, we would welcome your input. We would like to explore deeper connections with First Nations in ways that meet the First Nations at current circumstances without assuming a path forward. Contact Jessé VE7DET.
Are you good with numbers? A whiz in the area of finances, accounting, spreadsheets and all that other money stuff? VECTOR is seeking a volunteer interested in tackling the role of Treasurer. Apply within.
The weekly net takes place at 20:00 every Wednesday on the VE7TEL repeater: VECTOR channel 2, 145.170 MHz, -0.6 MHz offset.
Each week, a secondary net follows on a different frequency, providing an opportunity for amateur radio operators to test their radio with other bands and modes of operation.
| Date | Channel | Frequency Information |
|---|---|---|
| April 29 | 4 | 146.580 MHz simplex |
| May 6 | 201 (VE7RVK) | 224.640 MHz, -1.6 MHz offset |
| May 13 | 4 | 146.580 MHz, Simplex 1 |
| May 20 | 401 (VE7RVU) | 443.725 MHz, 5 MHz offset, 88.5 Hz tone |
| May 27 | 20 (VE7RVZ) | 147.200 MHz, 0.6 MHz offset, 100.0 Hz tone |
The monthly VECTOR members' meeting is the first Wednesday of every month.
- May 6 online using Zoom at 18:30
- June 3 online using Zoom at 18:30
- July 1 in person to be decided at 18:30
- August 5 in person to be decided at 18:30
Look for a link to the Zoom online conference room in your email ahead of the meeting to join remotely. You can sign up for upcoming members' meetings in BetterImpact.