A HISTORY
OF
THE
KINGS COUNTY
AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
FROM
JANUARY 21, 1969
TO
DECEMBER, 2000
BY
W. MAURICE (MOE)
BREHAUT VE1AEM
KINGS COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
The KCARC as it is presently known dates its beginnings
back to January 21, 1969, when a group of 12 local
amateurs (Appendix A) grouped together to form a club. The club has
survived until the present time, due to the dedication and
efforts of about 12 to 15 members who attend
meetings regularly, raise funds, vote on matters of interest and assist the
officers they elect. The following Appendices are
attached:
A: Founding Members
B: Presidents 1969‑2000
C: Vice‑Presidents 1969‑2000
D: Secretary and / or Treasurer 1969‑2000
E: Brasspounders Award Winners
This
history was derived from such minutes as were available and as such, possible
errors and omissions may be present If you the reader are
aware of such errors and or omissions contact the club and future revisions
can be more correct.
The first
meeting was held on January 21, 1969, Ed Smith, VE1ABT chaired the meeting,
Paul Robinson, VE1AVD acted as secretary. A decision was reached to form a
club. A club station to apply for the call VE1EMO, meetings to be 1st
and 3rd Thursdays of the month, later
changed to be 19:30 hours local time, 2nd and 4th
Thursday. Dues were set at 25 cents per meeting.
At a
meeting in February, constitution was discussed.
The March
meeting set up a "CW" contest for the month of April, No of Countries
X No of Contacts. April, 1969, saw New Minas School
proposed and eventually become the place for club
meetings.
The
April 1969 meeting entertained a suggestion for a trophy for the
ACW@
contest as won by Brian Sutherland. Plans for the
Club=s
first Field Day were discussed.
June,
1969, saw receipt of the licence VE1EMO, 10 members active at Field Day,
228 contacts X countries, 2126 points, outstanding contacts
were KH6WO/6 and 5H3MA.
September,
1969, erection of an 80 meter dipole, 15 candidates for a course.
The first
Annual Meeting was held April 9, 1970, and a new slate of officers was
elected, a publicity committee was operational, Field Day planned. Meetings
in homes tried with limited success and then
discontinued. Old Home Week station was a success. Two meter gear
was being discussed, and also a second ham course.
The
year 1971, another executive, the first YL to pass the Club=s
radio course, Sheila Pulsifier,VE1AGQ, and she became Secretary-Treasurer for
a time. A third course was started in November 1971.
The period
between April 12, 1972, and January 24, 1973, was evidently a slow time for
the club, no minutes or records of meetings appear to be available.
The
January 24, 1973, meeting elected another executive and a March, 1973meeting
approved the EMO Zone Office as the place for future Club meetings.
April 4,
1974, ushered in another new slate of officers and discussions to reorganize
the Club. The February 3, 1975 meeting saw minor
changes to the executive.
A joint
social meeting with the Annapolis Valley Amateur Radio Club was held.
The Brasspounders Trophy, constructed by John
Andersen, VE1AGY (VE1JW) was first awarded in May,
1975, to Frank Redden, VE1BBU (VE1GG).
The period
between May, 1975, and March, 1977, lacks minutes and records. March 22, 1977,
a new executive, discussion on leasing a site for a repeater. April, 1977, a
repeater site lease is signed. May, 1977, a tower purchased and some repeater
hardware. October, 1977, Wally Barnes, VE1PP to run a Sunday evening net on
the repeater VE1AEH. A November auction raised
$138.55. The December 5, 1977 meeting had a motion to
review and up-date the By-Laws.
February
6, 1978, the club toured the facilities of AVR our local radio station,
courtesy of their engineer Dave Morrison VE1UJ. The March 13, 1978 meeting
changed some faces on the executive, an auction
netted the Club $196.50 in new funds.
April,1978, the club purchased the repeater equipment from NSARA and agreed to
a change of frequencies.
This was the
year the club sponsored Wally Keddy, VE1BJF, a paraplegic at Palmeters
Country Home
and procured for him an HW202, 2 Meter rig. A July auction earned the Club an
additional $154.25 and a new class proposed for September.
The records
for September 1978 have not surfaced. The minutes of the November 07,
1978 meeting relates that the restless repeater could be
moving to Swindells Knob pending negotiations with the
CBC. Harold, VE1AQP to have talks with the corporation.
A meeting on
December 04, 1978 saw 11 members in attendance, the establishment of a
visitation committee re sick members. A letter to be
forwarded to the CBC.
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The January
09, 1979 meeting has 12 members present, letter has been forwarded to the
CBC, no reply as yet. Dave, VE1UJ suggests contacting Don
Bower regarding the proposed frequency change.
February
06,1979 we learn that the CBC will entertain the possibility of our repeater
and antenna being installed at their Middleton site. Brian
Garnet, VE1BNO is elected President, Harold
Robinson, VE1AFR becomes Vice-President and the position of
Secretary‑Treasurer remains vacant for the time. Repeater
group to be composed of Brian Garnet, VE1BNO; Bob Farris, VE1ASL; Ken Stratten,
VE1QP. What do we find 11 members doing for the March 07, 1979 meeting ,
well they are touring the AV Centre at Acadia
University, thanks to arrangements by Gary Boates. Repeater is off frequency.
We have
Dick Pulsifier, VE1ASD acting as the secretary for the April 03,1979 meeting.
Club
purchases VHF generator for $50.00. Dave, VE1UJ, proposes that the Club
provide safety communications for an equestrian
event at Hobby Horse Farm July 08, 1979 definite
commitment, but it was the general feeling that members would participate.
John, VE1JW, to have the names of the winners of the
Brasspounders Award engraved and updated on the trophy.
Scoring per a motion passed at the meeting to be, number of
contacts X number of countries. Bob,VE1ASL, to head
the Field Day Committee. The course class progressing satisfactorily, 13
enrolled and the exam to be written May 09,1979. The Club
had a guest speaker on EMO for the May 01, 1979
meeting as attended by nine members. A CW award to go to VE1BEP (VE1MT);
we assume this to be the Brasspounders Award. The lease on
repeater site up for renewal in June
Plans in
the works for a 12 volt supply at the repeater for use in emergencies.
The number
was down to 7 for the June 05,1979 meeting, Field Day group discussed the
possible use of land belonging to John, VE1JW. Back‑up power supply for the
repeater still under consideration but; as a repeater move
is in the offing, it remains in limbo. Tom Allen of
EMO given a desk plaque an expression of thanks for his work on behalf of
he Club. September 10, 1979 has the Club meet at EMO HQ in
Kentville. Dave Morrison, VE1UJ, Chairman, Frank
Redden, VE1GG, Secretary. 18 members present. Wes Veale,
VE1LD; Lysle Anderson, VE1BZE Gary Lloyd, VE1BZD, (VE1JB);
Norm Barton, VE1BZC; were accepted as new members.
Norm, VE1BZC was nominated as Secretary‑Treasurer, and on
a motion was approved.
Discussion
held re the proposed repeater change to the CBC tower on Swindell's Knob.
Changes
and adjustment are to be made to the cavities. Dave, VE1UJ, agreed to handle
the said changes. October 01,1979 saw 15 members
meet at EMO, HQ in Kentville. Club advised that the
CBC site is on hold pending results of tests in December.
Frequency
changes and improvements to voice quality to proceed.
Thor
Manson, VE1BPC, accepted as a new member. A social do set for the evening of
October 26. November 05,1979, finds 14 members and guest Gary Darris, VE1AV
gathered for a meeting. October social do a success
and thanks to the committee for their efforts. Gail
Barton, VE1BJL; and Paul Goulden, VE1CAD; were installed as new members.
December
03, 1979 finds 15 members tending to housekeeping items and analyzing ways
and means of increasing members and other matters of
interest. Rod Smith, VE1ALP,Vice‑President of NSARA and Treasurer of the
Truro Club was noted as being the guest speaker at
the January 07, 1980 meeting of 16 members. Rod commented on membership,
programs, special events and repeater antennas.
Shelving
has been installed , painted and EMO HQ will see a library for KCARC, some
test also equipment installed. A push is on to finalize
installation of the antennas on the CBC tower if possible.
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The annual
meeting for the Club took place February 04,1980, at EMO, HQ in Kentville,
16 members present. Dave, VE1UJ, reports that any move to
the CBC tower will be out of question due to an
insurmountable list of regulations etc, as wanted by the CBC.
Norm
Barton, VE1BZC elected President, the position of the Vice‑President to be
filled by Brian Garnet, VE1BNO, the Secretary‑Treasurer to be Paul Goulden,
VE1CAD. The Club at the March 03,1980 meeting, 12
members present, expressed their thanks to Dave, VE1UJ, and
Clive Bagley, VE1AMZ for their time and efforts re the
repairs to the repeater and frequency changes. Mr.
Bagley of Maryland, USA, owner of property; advised via a phone call with Club
President Norm Barton,VE1BZC that we were on site until the
summer of 1981, subject to a two months notice, to
remove our repeater and equipment. Rent $50.00 in US funds.
Philip
Long and Richard Kirk were guests at the April 07,1980 meeting of 11 club
members of the 43 members noted in a report made last
month. A club scrap book started some months ago
was circulated. Peter, VE1BHH to have back surgery in Ontario in the
month of May. Tom Allen of EMO gave a talk and
demonstration on map reading. Richard Kirk was accepted as a new member at
the May 05, 1980 meeting. There were 17 members present and word was that
Peter, VE1BHH may be home by August in a body cast
for a time. Dave, VE1UJ resigns as a club member. Layton, VE1BEP (VE1MT)
working on plans for emergency power for the repeater site. Slim, VE1BLH
becomes a silent key as noted in the minutes of the
June 02, 1980 meeting. A new antenna installed at repeater site, compliments
of the efforts of Gary, VE1BZD (VE1JB); Harold, VE1AFR;
ED,VE1AVD; Dave, VE1BBW; Layton VE1BEP (VE1MT); Bob,
VE1ASL; Norm, VE1BZC and Earl Sheffield Jr. Initial
reports are favourable, emergency power plans are
shelved in order to better evaluate the repeater performance. Don Eagles gave
a slide presentation on South East Asian countries.
The September 08, 1980 meeting has 14members reviewing events of the summer
and getting updates. They learn that Peter, VE1BHH
has had his surgery and is convalescing in Brantford, Ontario. Dave, VE1BBW
to run a mini course for the Advanced Amateur Exam,
starting on September 09,1980. Ken Crookshank,
VE1CCV is
accepted as a new member. We are into the fall of 1980 with the regular
meeting of 12 member on October 06, 1980. Frank,
VE1GG resigns as the net controller and after
discussion it is decided the 2 METER net take the form of a Round Table
format, for a trial period. Ken Carter, VE1APG and Wally,
VE1BJF hospitalized in Halifax. Spud Roscoe, VE1BC
has been providing material for the Club newsletter.
A meeting
on November 3, 1980, saw the dues raised to 10.00 for the 1981 year. A review
of the constitution was started. Randy, VE1SAT, gave
a talk on AMSAT at the December meeting.
A new
constitution was adopted at the January 5, 1981, club meeting. Gary Lloyd,
VE1BZD, (VE1JB) won a draw for 1980 Call Books. Emergency
power for the repeater site was a topic of
discussion. Another vacuum in the records occurs between February 2, 1981,
and April,1986 prevents summarizing the Club's
activities for this period. Minutes were available for
the meeting of May 05, 1986 at EMO, HQ in Kentville, NS.
The guest
speaker for the meeting was Daniel Brehaut, introduced and thanked by
Lysle,VE1BZE, for his talk and slide presentation on Hospital Laboratory
procedures. Club approves registration under the
Nova Scotia Societies Act. The 2 METER net to shut in the summer.
Two club
members brought fame to their calls and themselves, Wes Veale, VE1LD and
Borden MacKenzie, VE1BXI (VE1BE), on being the first North
American amateurs to work BY1PK, China.
October,
1986, saw the treasurer authorized to pay housekeeping bills and the Club
registered under the Societies Act of Nova Scotia.
The future
role of the Club in the event of an emergency was again reviewed.
At some
time in 1986 the repeater was moved from Blomidon to the RCMP tower on
Canaan Mountain. The success of this move was no doubt
limited by the ever presentequipment and related problems. The fall of 1987
saw the repeater, "On The Road Again", this time
moving to the AVR north mountain site.
The
September 1987 meeting handled a motion to buy a new repeater costing
$2000.00.
This
motion was approved at the October 5, 1987, meeting. It was also suggested
that the repeater site go back to, or near the old site at Blomidon.
Early in
1987 the position of Secretary‑Treasurer became two separate
positions, Secretary and Treasurer. A meeting held November 2, 1987, changed
the time of holding the Brasspounders Award contest
to the month of February.
Bob Burns,
VE1VCK offered the club the use of a 50 watt repeater in December 1987.
This
equipment was installed and made an improvement in the facility. The old
equipment to be repaired and the linking equipment
upgraded and re‑installed. Borden MacKenzie, VE1BE, and
the people he had assist him at the time of all these
changes are to be commended for their efforts.
Especially, Layton, VE1MT. February, 1988, saw Borden MacKenzie VE1BE, win
the Brasspounders Award and replace Norm
Barton,VE1BZC, as the EMO representative to the
county.
Club dues
were now raised to $30.00, some difference from the original 25 cents per
meeting. One must, however, keep in mind the cost of the
equipment, maintenance, site rental, insurance,
electricity etc.
Lysle
Anderson, VE1BZE, donated a metal building to house the repeater
equipment. Phil Long, VE1CFQ, provided the mean moving this building to the
repeater site. Bob Burns.VE1VCK, was made an Honorary Member in thanks for
all of his assistance with the repeater repairs.
The refurbished repeater was re‑installed in September, 1988.
VE1BZC
replaced VE1BE as EMO liaison. October 1988, various members made interest
free loans for the acquisition of the new repeater equipment.
The Club
has provided radio communication coverage for a number of clubs and
associations, to mention a few, The Valley Four Wheelers ,
Hobby Horse Farms, several of the Riding Clubs and Pony Clubs, Boy Scouts
JOTA contests.
The month
of March, 1989, saw the new repeater installed and the first Coffee‑Shop
Get
together or Saturday morning breakfast take place at the Irving Truck Stop in
NewMinas. March of 1989 also welcomed the following new Hams to the Club
Robert Barton, VE1NRB; Al Bishop, VE1MDD; Reg
MacDonald, VE1RGM. Layton, VE1MT presided over the
April 03, 1989 meeting with the following as guests: Buzz Everett, KI6SO;
Gordon Campbell, Bruce Hemming, Ada Murphy, VE1WNS; Ken Bellefontaine, Wayne
Lintaman, VE1WDL; (VA1WL) and in due course they were
accepted as new members.
Professor
Glen Tillotson gave an informative illustrated lecture on the history and role
of transistors in the field of electronics.
The May
01, 1989 meeting welcomed Andrew Bowlby N9HFV as a guest. Later
in the month, Andrew exchanged N9HFV for VE1HFV after passing the Advanced
Amateur Qualification Exam in Halifax. He held that call until February
1998 then exchanged it for VE1EX. Andrew was VE1HFV when he first joined
the KCARC.
What can
we say; repeater problems, repairs and changes are still ongoing.
September,
1989, saw the Club's participation in an emergency situation in the County.
The emergency situation was the result of a tanker truck heading south from
the No 1 Highway near the Central Kings High
School. The vehicle partially upset after leaving the No 1 Highway proceeding
south. The loss of some of the Hazardous Materials being
transported initiate an EMO callout. Fire Departments
were on scene. Red Cross activated their plan for relocation of area
residents. The highway and by‑ways were closed. Other various
agencies and organizations were put on alert or standby
from about 1700 to 2100 hours local time.
Dr. Roy
Bishop of Acadia University gave an illustrated talk on the history of the
telescope.
November
06, 1989 is the meeting whereby we learn that the repeater will be off the
air or some time due to the identifier causing the repeater to lock on.
Two more
tower sections are to be installed at the repeater site as reported by the
December 1989 meeting.
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Layton,
VE1MT and Moe, VE1AEM will form the Nominating Committee to report to the Annual
Meeting in February, 1990.
The evening
program was an informative program on Packet Radio and a demonstration of same;
as presented by Geoff Smith, VE1GRS, Lance Peterson, VE1Cl; and Lewis
Churchill, VE1BQR, (now a SK).
Spring
of 1990 saw the Greenwood Club install a packet digipeater at the Club's
repeater site. Reg MacDonald, VE1RGM, a first year
amateur won the Brasspounders Award for the year.
The Club took part in the province‑wide EMO exercise held May 9th and 10th
and from all reports did well.
September,
1990, autopatch for the repeater was proposed and a motion re club caps,
jackets, crests was moved. November, 1990, saw the
following amateurs from the clubbecome designated examiners:
VE1XBC Steve Boone
VE1NK George Brien
VE1BZC Norm Barton
VE1MT Layton Fulton
VE1CFQ Phil Long
December,
1990, the Club has an auto patch up and running. The repeater has repair
problems as always. October,
1991, the Club purchases the digipeater. Many members of the Club are
getting interested in Packet.
February,
1992, crests and jackets are on the menu again, and a committee has been
formed to successfully complete this on‑going concern of
the membership. June, 1992 has repeater changes on
the menu, possible site, tower, building and wiring changes to clean
up and streamline the installation.
We left
you around June of 1992 with the first installment of the Kings County Amateur
Radio Club History. We shall refer to the organization as
either KCARC or the Club.
September
of 1992 saw meetings resume, 15 members in attendance. A Basic Course
under the direction of Ken Stratton, VE1QP gets underway
with 15 signed up and ready to go. Jackets, crests
and caps are still an active topic.
A
committee composed of the following: Brian Garnet, VE1BNO; Buzz Everett,
KI6SO/VE1; and Layton Fulton, VE1MT; has been set up to
explore and research a new and hopefully a permanent
site for our ever roaming repeater.
Present
were 14, October, 1992, Basic Course has a total of 19 enrolled, jackets etc,
still a topic of discussion.
John Anderson, VE1JW is given a Honorary Life Membership.
Lysle
Anderson, VE1BZE: spoke to members on the problem of obtaining sufficient
operators to successfully and with safety carry out the
public service events, that the Club becomes
involved in. Moe Brehaut, VE1AEM; proposed an Emergency Committee meeting be
called to deal with the problem.
Packet
frequency has been changed to 145.010. It has been noted that Packet is
affecting the voice repeater. Ted Gervais, VE1DRG;
offered to buy the crystals; if the Club could have
same installed.
A possible
repeater site change to Canaan Mountain is proposed
The second
last month of the year, November 02, 1992, members numbering 13 gather
for information and updates Latecomers to the Basic
Course require assistance andBuzz, KI6SO/VE1; has volunteered to assist them.
We have
new prices on jackets et al.
Basic Jacket + 4" Crest $ 32.00
Name on sleeve 4.00
Call on sleeve 4.00
Call on back, 2" letters 2.00/letter
Cap with crest 8.00
Repeater
voice identifier to be changed, removing the 73 and substituting "Blomindon".Norm
Barton, VE1BZC resigned as the Club's representive for EMO exercises.
Packet
Group voted to accept Ted, VE1DRG's offer to buy new crystals.
The
meeting in December 1992, 11 in attendance, finds December 15 set as the exam
date for those in the Basic Course. Phil Long, VE1CFQ
(VE1WT) and Norm Barton,VE1BZC to be the monitors.
Moe
Brehaut, VE1AEM agrees to be interim representative to EMO, and also gave the
treasurer's report in the absence of George Brien, VE1NK.
Bob DeGrace, VE1BLH agrees to represent the Club at
the restructured NSARA. Discussion was held re
activities that might be of interest to the female and younger members of the
Club.
WOW! Did
member numbers jump for the January 04, 1993 meeting, a total of 26.
Repeater
ID has been changed and the Packet frequency is now 145.090 and the Club
has $557.71 in cash. TIMES ARE IMPROVING. Ken, VE1QP gave
a report on Club activities during IDW week. Norm,
VE1BZC to resume position as Club representative to
the County EMO. XYLs, YLs and friend are invited to participate in the
Saturday morning Break‑ fast / Coffee at the Big
Stop. The new Nominating Committee to be Bob,
VE1BLH; Sam, VE1SAM and Lysle, VE1BZE. Students pay $30.00 for the CW
course.
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February
01, 1993, saw 31 members in attendance and the goodly sum of $844.75 in
cash. The new officers to be:
President Brian Garnet, VE1BNO
Vice‑President Buzz Everett, KI6SO/VE1
Secretary Robert Selfridge VE1RAD
Treasurer Moe Brehaut VE1AEM
IDW week
to run February 1 ‑ 7. The group in the code class are at 10 wpm. Robin
O'Hara has requested assistance for Guides On The Air, (GOTA).
The Club
proposes with the approval of DOC to offer exams on the third Saturday of
each month. A Packet interest group is proposed.
There
seems to be one of those blanks for the month of March, 1993.
We seem to
be on a ROLL as far as attendance and the retention of cash on hand. The
April 05, 1993 meeting finds 22 members and cash of
$1,274.65. Layton, VE1MT
reports there are five
graduates from the Amateur Exam.
Ken
Stratton, VE1QP and Moe Brehaut, VE1AEM have been qualified as examiners.
Peter Mullen, VE1PWM volunteers as technical person for
Packet problems.
The Club
approved the granting of an annual award for Kings County Science Fair. It
was decided to remove the voice ID and to replace it with a
CW ID. George Brien, VE1NK won the February
Brasspounders Award, 21900 points.
Annual
picnic to be held June 07 at the Research Station. A Packet Group was created
consisting of the following members: Paula, VE1PCW; George,
VE1GMG; Norm, 1BZC; Phil, VE1WT; Peter, VE1PWM; Ken,
VE1QP; Layton, VE1MT; Brian,VE1BNO; Bob, VE1RAD.
John Garnet,
VE1REX gave a talk on his science project on power supplies.
A meeting
taking place on May 03, 1993 has 15 in attendance. Peter, VE1PWM has
contacted someone in the Boston area re a seminar in our
area on SSTV. Repeater ID is still a problem and the picnic area at the
Research Station has been booked by Layton, VE1MT for
the Annual Family Picnic in June. Items are being solicited for a newsletter.
A number of
members to Halifax, May 08 for a Packet Seminar.
The Packet
repeater mode is functioning poorly. Layton, VE1MT reports four have
successfully obtained 12 WPM CW and are Mike Wood, VE1MAW;
Peter Mullen,VE1PWM; Paula Williams, VE1PCW; George Gamble, VE1GMG (SK)
A remote possibility of obtaining clubroom facilities at
the Miller Hospital is to be checked.
The
executive is asked to explore avenues for repairs to the repeater. John
Garnet, VE1REX moved a motion to have the Club
explore the option of surrendering control of the Packet operations to Ted,
VE1DRG and the Packet Group. Seconded by Norm,
VE1BZC and carried.
A
September 13, 1993 meeting has 22 members in attendance. Peter, VE1PWM gave
a talk on SSTV and will have a video for the next meeting.
Ken, VE1QP is considering offering a new Basic
Course. Evangeline Middle School has applied for a licence.
Lorne,
VE1BXK has made repairs to the repeater and the improvements are apparent.
The Packet is still causing interference with the voice
machine and our link still has problems. Equipment
from NSPC to be available in October.
The
meeting held October 04, 1993 finds 23 members present. Ken, VE1QP will
not be available to teach a course. George, VE1NK and
Layton, VE1MT agree to do the code, Brian, VE1BNO
and John, VE1REX offer to do the technical.
GUESS WHAT
?? The repeater MAY??? have found a home.
Executive
reports a new site, $600.00 a year rental, site preparation to cost $2000.00
to get building and tower on site. Club voted approval to
proceed.
A three
phase plan was proposed to upgrade the repeater.
Phase 1:
80 foot commercial tower, 8 x 8 building
to
be located 30 feet from present site.
Phase 2:
Micro processor controller, new VHF link radio, cost
$5000.00.
Phase 3:
Four TNCs, two VHF radios, two UHF radios, antenna
and duplexers, cost $3000.00.
Financing
would be:
100
donations of $20.00 for six months.
Cost
sharing with EMO and Kings County, $3000.00.
Fees from
courses $1000.00.
Moved by
Dave Gillis, VE1GLS, seconded by Buzz Everett, KI6SO/VE1, and carried.
That the KCARC make a commitment in principle to do the
three phase project over the next three years.
A further
meeting to be held at the QTH of Moe, VE1AEM on October 26, 1993, 2000
hours local.
JOTA this
fall is held in the Lakeville Community Centre, the dates being October 16 and
17, 1993.
Letters of
thanks to Lorne, VE1BXK and Bob, VE1VCK for assistance with the repairs to
the repeater.
November
01, 1993 finds 22 members gathered, a Basic Course started on the Thursday
prior, cost per person to be $45.00 for the theory and
$15.00 for the code. Per family the rate to be
$75.00. Robert Moore became a new member. Brian, VE1BNO offered to be Club
representive to the NSARA. Steve, VE1XBC offered to be the judge at the
Science Fair
New
Nominating Committee to be George, VE1GMG; Peter, VE1PWM;
Andrew,VE1XTC; Layton, VE1MT and Brian,VE1BNO.
JOTA a
success as per a report by Buzz, KI6SO/VE1; 8 operators, 37 contacts, Dave
MacDonald,
VE1DAM and his wife Carol as always provided nice meals.
A total of
17 gather for the December 06, 1993 meeting and approve a $25.00 cash prize
for the Science Fair.
Mike,
VE1MAW offers to take over the CW instruction part of the Basic Course. EMO
has been discussing access to the lands of the Indian Band
and a need for a Mobile Command Center. The Packet
radio has been replaced by an Alinco DR1200 T. A discussion was held re
the Club acquiring test equipment to facilitate the
repairing of our equipment. After much discussion
and debate it was moved, seconded and passed. That the Club send equipment to
be repaired professionally and immediately.
Andrew,
VE1XTC has offered paint for the inside of the new building.
Phase 1
Report indicates, cement base poured, site prepared for new building and
tower.
The 14
members gathered for the January 03, 1994 meeting learn that the Club has a
station licence, VE1EMO; and that the new building will
not be on site until the weather improves. The
County and EMO have not as yet indicated if they can and will assist in
funding our repeater project. A new Packet radio
has been installed.
The new
year sees Brian Garnet, VE1BNO, President; Peter Mullen, VE1PCW;
Vice‑President; Paula Williams, VE1PCW; Secretary and
Harold Porter, VE1AQP, Treasurer.
Minutes
and other information are not available. The Treasurer report shows a cash
balance on hand of $1,892.67. The Fund Drive has
realized $2,500.00 to‑date. The Club received donations
in memory of Bob Chambers, VE1DO and Bob Degrace, VE1BLH.
Old Man
Winter and bad weather continues to impede progress at the new site, tower,
building and repeater moves are still on hold. The
temporary antenna is still operative, Packet (and
where have we heard this before) still has problems. Moe, VE1AEM to
investigate.
VE1AEM
raised the following issues for the executive.
Have extra
Basic Course Manuals on hand for sale or rent
Have
machine shop work done on the bottom section of tower now.
Have all
guy wires checked, so when conditions are suitable, everthing will be ready.
Appoint a
committee responsible for the tower move.
Appoint a
committee responsible for the Packet move.
Develop a
plan of action for such move, check and service all antennas and decide;
which will be on the new tower.
Consider
attaching executive meeting minutes to the regular minutes.
Adopt a
resolution for the borrowing of funds.
Brasspounders Awards, both the regular and the one for new Amateurs won by
Mike Wood, VE1MAW.
Seventeen
members showed up for the April 04, 1994 regular meeting. It was again
stated that the Brasspounders Award; pursuant to the wishes
of John Anderson, VE1JW; who started the award. The
trophy to be available to all interested participants KCARC members or
not.
Three new
Amateurs: Bob Rushston, VE1YOT; Lois Gillis, VE1LOS and Rebecca
Garnet, VE1QSO are welcomed.
Project
update informs members that the cost sharing funds have been made available by
the County and EMO.
The tower
will be installed by a company qualified to perform the task. Purchase orders
for equipment have been issued. The ball base for the
tower has been recovered from its previous Stronach
Mountain site. This compliments of Layton, VE1MT and Moe, VE1AEM.
Brian,
VE1BNO offered the Club a commercial grade MYCOR Motorola repeater unit, with
Sinclair Duplexers, a linear amp, power supply and phone
patch; in exchange for present repeater. Club to
retain the Palomar AC700 controller. Club in agreement, subject to the said
commercial repeater to be in proper working condition.
Lorne,
VE1BXK to give a talk, April 11 at EMO Headquarters on Packet/Repeater
developments. Church,VE1CHR expressed concerns re problems
accessing Packet. He asked if it was a problem with
the EPROM. Buzz, KI6SO/VE1 suggested that our very short‑lived
Diamond
Antenna be returned for warranty? KCARC to assist the Hants group by
contributing an antenna. There was group consensus
to a suggestion by Layton, VE1MT, that the voice
repeater be given priority as to antenna placement.
The yearly
picnic scheduled for June. Moe 2, VE1AMO moved a vote of thanks to Brian,
VE1BNO for his efforts on the upgrade project.
In May the
Club was advised that Corrine and Heather Cameron had received the Science
Award. May 02, 1994 saw 19 members attending the monthly
meeting
Building
is now on the new site, secured to a concrete pad, interior rough framed. May
13 could see the tower go up. New controller on order from
Palomar, California. The MYCOR is on hand and the
crystals have been ordered Layton, VE1MT and George, VE1GWG head up
a work part to complete the interior of the building.
Lysle, VE1BZE to be the contact person for problems
with the automatic equipment. Dave, VE1GLS heads up a committee of the
following: Steve, VE1XBC; Layton, VE1MT; Buzz,
KI6SO/VE1 to handle technical problems with the
repeater equipment if any (HI HI ??).
The
antenna harnesses will have to be replaced at a cost of $295.00 US per 4
elements. Packet antenna also needs to be replaced.
SO WHAT IS NEW ? Discussion is held re a rental
agreement for the site, tuning the MYCOR, and a need for $3000.00 loan for
interim financing.
Natasha
Garnet, VE1QRM a club member is voted the sum of $100.00 for travel
expenses to Science Fair, Guelph, Ontario. The June picnic
is the June meeting and a good time for the Club
families.
Well!
There are some glad tidings and some not so glad tidings to take us into the
September 12, 1994 meeting with 21 present. Natasha,
VE1QRM returned from the Science Fair, Guelph,
Ontario, with a Gold Medal in Engineering. Steve, VE1XBC details the changes
to the phone patch and link systems. The Club
learns that only 50% of the funds, re cost sharing are
forthcoming. Ron, VE1MRB donated a 20 amp power supply to
the project Steve, VE1XBC and Dave, VE1GLS were
thanked for their many hours of project work. JOTA to be a go on
October 14, and 15. Needed are 16 volunteers. A Basic
Course discussed.
We find 14
members gathered for the October 02, 1994 meeting. The loan balance has
been reduced to $1300.00. Phone patch on site and
operating on the Canning Exchange, it is full duplex
and results are good. Link is being fine tuned. We now need emergency power,
speed dial and service manuals for the equipment.
Moe, VE1AEM resigns as a Volunteer Examiner.
The 12
members gathered for the November 07, 1994 meeting are advised that the Basic
Course has 12 enrolled and proceeding well. JOTA a
success. Layton, VE1MT to prepare a newsletter on
the repeater upgrade project. A new Nominating Committee for selection and
search for officers, Buzz, KI6SO/VE1; Jacob, VE1JAH; Brad,
VE1CI; Ken, VE1SG. We seem to draw another one of
those blanks as to what took place in December 1994.
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A New
Year, 1995 and we see four new members for the Club at the January 09, 1995
meeting. We shall see their names and calls many times in
future affairs of the Club.
They are:
John Bickerton, VE1ATT; Rick Jones, VE1AMI; Jennifer Wright, VE1JEN and
Dolan Freeman, VE1DEF.
A long
time active member WES Veale, VE1LD in hospital with continuing health
problems. Wes and Borden won fame as being the first
Amateurs in North America to make contact with
China; as noted in the first edition and in the early sections of this
revision.
Another
year a new slate of officers for February 06,1995 Annual Meeting. There are
25 present and two more new members, George
Comstock, VE1GWC and Ken Hassell, VE1HAS.
The new
officers are: President; Ron Blakie, VE1MRB; Vice‑President; Lysle Anderson,
VE1BZE; Secretary; Paula Williams, VE1PCW; Treasurer;
Harold Porter, VE1AQP.
The SAGA
never ends, Steve, VE1XBC reports problems. It seems that our REPEATER
is forever roaming the hills and roads or is ill. We now
have a problem with the controller, poor technical
support, software insufficiencies. The problem has been ongoing, warranty is
running out. Repeater Group to meet and plan a course of action with the US
supplier.
We see
George Brien, VE1NK take the Brasspounders Award and Mike Wood, VE1MAW take the
under 5 year Award.
The Repeater
Group reports NO RESPONSE from Palomar re the repeater problems.
We again
draw a blank as to April and May's activities, problems and successes.
Mid‑year
1995, June 05, 16 members present, cash of $1,679.56, having made $392.50
on a May auction. Phase 3 under consideration, NSARA
offering 50 cents on the dollar. BIG PROBLEM just
what we needed. Federal Government changes will now force the Club to
vacate and move everything from the EMO Headquarters in the
Post Office Building.
We just got
our ever roaming repeater off the road and in a state of semi‑tranquillity. and
now the main meeting, storage/clubroom has to hit the road.
A glimmer of
hope thanks to George, VE1GMG and Steve, VE1XBC; we may be able
to get space on the lower floor of the Kentville Town Hall,
possibly by September.
Field Day is
a NO GO this year. June 17 is Picnic time.
Parrsboro
repeater has come on stream at 145.470 plus.
IPARN available June 12 at a cost of $36.00 per year.
KCARC 2
Meter net will not operate in July and August.
Equestrian
events are scheduled for July 23,September 03 and 10. Special dinner meeting
planned for October meeting.
EMERGENCY
/ EMERGENCY, not only did we lose our meeting place in June but, also
according to the emergency meeting held August 17, 1995,
our repeater is adrift and ON THE ROAD AGAIN. It
has been learned; that pending financial actions against the owners of the
property we are renting from; will cause the Club to vacate
the site.
Moved by Ron,VE1MRB, seconded by Steve, VE1XBC that all the Clubs assets,
building, tower and all of the equipment on site be removed. Motion carried.
Moved by Phil, VE1WT (VE1CFQ),
seconded by John, VE1ATT; that Fishers dismantle and remove the
tower per their quote of $1,070.00. Motion carried. John,
VE1ATT has identified and described a number of possibilities for a new
site. This sure is one difficult repeater to
anchor down and
put to rest.
Moved by Ralph, VE1SIM, seconded by George, VE1GMG and
carried. Repeater to be set up temporarily at the QTH of Ron, VE1MRB, with
compensation, re power and the
duplex phone patch. The move from EMO HQ saw the Club recover 500 feet of
coax.
Steve, VE1XBC, was reimbursed for a 60 amp battery charger
acquired for the Club.
It appears, not only has the meeting place and repeater site
evaporated but; also whatever
took place in September and October of 1995.
The date of November 06, 1995 finds 19 members gathered at the
Kentville Town Hall Building.
We learn that the October dinner was a success, thanks to Lysle,
VE1BZE for his efforts.
JOTA recorded as another successful endeavour, special thanks
to Dave, VE1DAM and
his
wife Carol for meals and support. Cyril Davies made a $150.00 donation to the
Club.
Moved, seconded, carried that Phase 3 be completed. Steve,
VE1XBC to purchase a 9600 baud TNC and to be reimbursed by the Club. Club
agrees to participate in next summer's GOTA, July 13‑25, 1996. John, VE1ATT
reported on efforts to find a suitable
site in Glenmont, on the
Brow Mountain Road. A motion was voted on and carried to negotiate the
purchase of the said property from Reginald Kane, $7,000.00. A new Basic
Course
is proposed. Club meets again
at the Kentville Town Hall on December 04, 1995. Phase 3 is
now completed with the
purchase of a Kenwood 440. Bob, VE1RHT volunteers to head up a
Fund Raising Committee.
A report on the Davison Street and Canaan sites was given by
Brian, VE1BNO.
The Canaan Mountain site would appear to be the better choice.
John, VE1ATT, did an update
on the Kane property and
costs. A three months trial period for Canaan was approved on a
motion by Brian,VE1BNO, and seconded by Ralph, VE1SIM and carried.
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It was moved by John, VE1ATT, seconded by Dave, VE1GLS and
carried; that the
Site Committee submit an
offer re the Brow Mountain site. Offer to be submitted January 01,
1996, subject to Club approval and financing.
Old man weather and conditions cancelled the January, 1996
meeting. The Kentville
Town Hall room sees the
February 05, 1996 meeting taking place. A packet system upgrade will
be done to allow 9600
Baud backbone access with the Club=s new radio. A proposal for a new
dual band antenna was
deferred until further information and details could be obtained. A
motion moved, seconded
and carried to move the autopatch to Canaan Mountain as soon as
possible. A motion to
sell by reserve bid the surplus Isopole antenna; was duly seconded and
carried. Proceeds of sale to be applied to the phone patch
installation.
The new club executive consists of the following:
President John Bickerton, VE1ATT
Vice‑President
Rick Jones, VE1AMI
Secretary Lysle Anderson, VE1BZE
Treasurer Ron Blakie, VE1MRB
Ron, VE1MRB to remain as NSARA representative.
We have an update re property. An offer to purchase has been
made, accepted for closing April 01,1996, letter of intent and ability to pay
by February 28, 1996. The total cost will
be $8,900.00. Safeguards
built in to allow the Club to withdraw from the deal. Science Fair
judges are to be Layton, VE1MT and Harold, VE1AQP.
The Club is never without a problem or two, and the March
05,1996 meeting would seem
to indicate not much
change in the status‑quo. It is learned that the Davison site is not
available.
Capacitor cans on
the duplexers need to be replaced, re‑installed and tuned.
Phase 111‑Project‑Packet Antenna needs repairs and or
replacement. It was decided to
determine the exact (if possible) problem.
New cans could cost $1,294.55 for Sinclair C 2037
Multi-couplers. At Canaan site we
have link frequency and
power problems. We learn from John, VE1ATT; that grant monies from
EMO cannot be used for
the purchase of land. The County and EMO are interested in our efforts
to
obtain a permanent repeater site.
Reverse autopatch and autodial now available. A Flea Market
set for June 02, or 09 at
Sobeys per Bob,VE1RHT.
George, VE1NK to be auditor. A discussion re member protocol and
operating standards was held.
The April 02, 1996 meeting brings some solutions, the duplexer
capacitors have been
received and are ready
for installation and to be re‑tuned, repeater will be off line during this
process.
Isopole to be installed as a packet antenna, subject to a new
bracket being constructed.
The Brow Mountain property becoming a distinct possibility.
Bob, VE1RHT busy re the
Flea Market. Brian,
VE1BNO working on a club data base, members will be required to
complete a
questionnaire. EMO reports by Layton, VE1MT and Brian, VE1BNO. The Science
Fair winners are: Heather
Cameron and Natasha Garnet. The following are Committees and their
chairs:
Activities and Events, EMO, Repeater, Education,
John, VE1ATT
Club Room, Club Station, Education Code,
Rick,VE1AMI
Nominating, Publicity, Special Projects,
Lysle,VE1BZE
NSARA, Ron, VE1MRB.
The 2 Meter net needs volunteer controllers.
Equestrian events coming up July 21, Atlantic Regional, Medford
Meadows, Aug. 10,
Nationals, Medford Meadows.
Concerns expressed over power bills as Kentville sells their
Power Commission. Also
concern as to where to store the tower and shed. George, VE1NK to be RAC
agent.
The repeater is on the move again, must be a Nomadic type.
It is May, 1996. Lorne, VE1BXK has successfully repaired the
duplexers. Steve,
VE1XBC and Dave, VE1GLS
installed the Isopole, ran some tests and evaluation procedures,
removed the Isopole and
re‑installed the dipole. Repeater now is operating from the residence of
Harold, VE1AFR on the
valley floor. Club members are busy removing equipment from Canaan
and
endeavouring to get some systems up and running.
A special meeting May 02, 1996 advised Club members that
because of repeater
problems at Canaan site,
the Police and Fire Departments want our equipment removed. The
County, through Motorola
has completed some testing re the Brow Mountain site and has
obtained favourable results.
June 03, 1996 sees the Club and the County negotiating re the
purchase of the Brow
Mountain property, a number of mutual agreements have to be arranged:
1.
KCARC to provide EMO Communications for the County upon request.
2. County to have right to relocate their UHF repeater
to
site and operate from there subject to a monthly charge.
3. KCARC to accept liability for tower and property.
The Club is to assist in clearing the survey lines, roadway and preparing the
building and
tower sites. Information
available indicates if a 26 foot separation between UHF antennas is
maintained there should
be no problems. Proper motions were moved, seconded and voted on
successfully.
The September 09,1996 reports John, VE1ATT working on the
Club's database. Rick,
VE1AMI gathering
information on safety harnesses. The Brow Mountain property has been
purchased by the County
per the mutual agreement pact Driveway and site preparations are
underway. Tower sections will require painting, work party volunteers
needed.
Equestrian events to come and a Club dinner proposed.
The fall month of October
arrives, meeting of October,07 1996 shows new power poles
being installed at Brow
Mountain site, excavations completed and cement being poured. The
driveway had to be
rebuilt due to damage by cement trucks. New tower sections have been
painted and moved on
site. Building has been set on the new foundation; but requires further
work. New guy wires for
tower approved, new equipment racks installed by VE1XBC,
VE1DAN, VE1GLS, VE1ATT.
Wiring and testing to be completed later. Fund raising
proposals planned, leases
and insurance of 2M being negotiated. Work party volunteers still
needed.
November, 1996 a busy month. Club has obtained 1100 feet of
guy wire for the tower.
Club has secured a loan of $10,000.00, insurance for 2M for
liability, and working on the fire and
theft angles. JOTA as reported by Buzz, KI6SO/VE1, was a success.
Repeater site report informs the members that; hydro pole in
place, electrical inspection
to follow, tower to go
up, telephone line to be on site, and the building repairs are nearly
complete. Work parties
required for: brush removal and burning, installation of a temporary
outhouse (is this due to
the nomadic nature of the repeater?). Removal of TV tower and antenna
at QTH of Harold,
VE1AFR. Transportation of tower to QTH of John, VE1ATT; mounting
plate to the new site and storage of the Isopole.
The December 02, 1996 meeting reports equipment installed and
energized, there is
some desense and duplexer
tweeking or a need for new duplexers. Repairs and adjustments are
on
going. GOTA looking for volunteer stations.
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The minutes for January 1997 must have taken a walk, so we drop
into February, 1997 on
the
third day of the month.
A regular meeting at the Town of Kentville Office Building.
Club agrees to an exchange
of a 4 can multiplexer
and a single reject can for our old duplexer unit, subject to a test period.
The Club agrees to
acquire a 150 Amp power supply from Burt, VE1AMA. Ann Veale has
approved the Club
obtaining and using the late Wes Veale's call VE1LD as a club call, pending
Industry Canada approval.
The new executive
consists of the following:
President John Bickerton VE1ATT
Vice‑President Rick Jones VE1AMI
Secretary Lysle Anderson VE1BZE
Treasurer Ron Blakie VE1MRB
NSARA reps to be
John, VE1ATT or Dave, VE1GLS.
The Club initiates a five year dues plan payable over a three
month period, $105.00
single, $175.00 family.
Club agreed to a three month trial participation into a Lunenburg County
Net, via the VE1LUN
link. Dave, VE1GLS updated membership on the required and proper
procedures.
March 03, 1996 finds the Club meeting in a new place. Building
24, Kentville Research
Station. The following
were welcomed by the Club President: Bill Porter, VE1AGP; Linda
Jones, VE1TDF; Reg Harrison, VE1XMV; Phil Hopkins, VE1PFH and John Veinot,
VE1JBV.
The Club's six can duplexer was returned to service on February
19th and the meeting
voted, that it be maintained in service and the four can set be retained as a
reserve unit.
Dave, VE1GLS, discussed the VHF and UHF links such as VE1LUN
and the fact that our
repeater had been for
some time linked with Moncton, said linking took place without the
knowledge and permission of the KCARC membership.
GOTA went well per report by Lysle, VE1BZE, thanks to Phil,
VE1WT for providing the
HF
unit. Lloyd Watton, VE1VEI, was this years winner of the Brasspounders Award.
Alan Bishop, VE1MDD, gave an interesting presentation on his
recent sailing trip across
the
Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Ireland. The minutes for April 07, 1997 are
unavailable.
A number of housekeeping items on the agenda. The Club will
host the NSARA
Hamfest. May 15, 1997
finds members back at Town Hall. A new loan repayment schedule to
be arranged with the
Bank. Science Fair prize to be a trophy rather than cash. New operators are
Alan Andersen and Gary
Daniel. The repeater site needs a work party to clear brush, south side
of the road and finish
ends of the culvert. Repeater building may require heating and
ventilating modes to
reduce winter time costs. George, VE1NK and volunteers organizing to
sponsor the NSARA Hamfest.
Discussion held re MAVCOM linking system. Club will not do a
Field Day; but will
support the efforts of
Lloyd, VE1VEI and others. Controllers on the 2 Meter net to use the Club
call VE1LD. Bob, VE1RHT updating plans for a yard sale June 01.
June 09,1997 sees the membership planning for NSARA Hamfest,
looking at bank loan
proposals and striving to
finish some things at the repeater site. Completion of the driveway a
must, culvert must be
down, building needs weather proofing and ventilation as well as an
outside light. It would
appear that we are fully occupied with chores. Brian, VE1BNO and
family are moving to Texas, USA. They will be missed. Equestrian events are
scheduled.
Summer Is Almost Gone as goes the song and September 08, 1997,
finds 15 members at
the clubroom, Kentville
Town Hall for a meeting, and what do they learn. Well for one thing
the loan is down to
$2,500.00, repeater site is getting cleaned by removing the piles of soil and
stumps. The driveway is
getting a coat of Class A gravel. An agreement to purchase a deep
cycle battery. A gate is
to be installed across the driveway, thanks to Donnie, VE1DRS, George,
VE1GMG for their
efforts. Changes and improvements to antennas and repeater have shown
improvements. Path to
airport link is solid, Cowie Hill link is a disappointment. Thanks to all
for their efforts. Ted,
VE1DRG appointed VE1AEH SYSOP, Kurt, VE1TT appointed VE1AEH
technician.
The NSARA picnic, not well attended; but a success, thanks
again to George, VE1NK.
The three equestrian events, Medford Meadows, Applewood Farms
and Hobby Horse
Farms were handled successfully, thanks to the participants.
Frank, VE1GG has agreed to act as First EMO Contact Person.
County is considering
training sessions for EMO operators.
Mike Taylor, son of VE1RHT has successfully passed his radio
tests and has received the
call VE1MIT.
October 1997, on going projects updated, two batteries for
back‑up. Plans for a table at
Greenwood Flea Market, Club banquet October 10, Coldbrook.
Building 24, Kentville Research Station hosts 21 members for
the November 03, 1997
meeting. JOTA report
given by Lysle, VE1BZE, good openings on 15, 17 and 20 meters.
Operators were Lysle, VE1BZE, John, VE1ATT; Phil, VE1WT and Dave, VE1DAM.
The County having made a number of successful tests are
considering placing equipment
on our site to provide
communications for their vehicles. Various club members spoke on the
following HF activities:
Frequencies/Bands Lysle VE1BZE
Phone/CW Rick
VE1AMI
Traffic
Handling Fred VE1FHB
Antennas Kurt VE1TT
Operating Procedures Layton VE1MT
Open
Shack Night John VE1ATT
The fall of 1997 and the month of Novmber finds the Club with
repeater site clean‑up
still
underway.
A number of members participated in a recent VE6, CW Contest.
A number of members
indicated their shacks
would be available for "Open Shack" visitations. The local Club and the
Greenwood Club holding
discussions re 220 MHZ link and use by their members of our speed
dial autopatch by GARC
members. KCARC decided to up‑grade their Private Patch 5 to
provide extra speed dial
numbers, and to subscribe to the Community Access Long Distance
Package. GARC members
to be assigned speed dial numbers upon becoming "Friends of
AEH"
at a cost of 50% of present AEH dues, namely $15.00.
Changes to the rules re Brass Pounders Award are proposed.
Ralph,VE1SIM; Layton, VE1MT; John, VE1ATT to be a Nominating
Committee.
The December 1997 minutes must have gone down the chimney with
Santa and back up
as
none were found.
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A new year, 1998 minutes not found; but meeting agenda
indicates, that Call Books as
ordered are available.
The Patch V upgrade requires further study. Power supply changes are
needed. The recent ice
storm has raised some concerns re the present system. From the
proposed agenda for the
February 02, 1998 meeting, we find the company "Palomar" that
supplied our controller is out of business. ARE WE DEAD IN THE WATER?
The 220 link installed on site, antenna and coax to follow.
Interference, "Kerchunking"
continues to be a
problem. Gel cells reconnected for back- up pending a new power supply and
battery back‑up.
Linda, VE1TDF and Bonnie, VE1YKB heading up a bake sale.
The March, 1998 minutes being scarce, we learn from a proposed
agenda that Phone
Patch changes are
ongoing. The 220 Link being tested and adjusted. Fund raising to be
discussed, also trophies and a spring supper meet.
The April minutes are also astray and the agenda indicates that
many of the same items
are
still work in progress.
Discussion on plans for a Field Day and a Club Room. We note
from the agenda for the
May 04, 1998 meeting;
that the status quo remains much the same. And the same is true for June
as
per the proposed agenda. Sunday evening 2 Meter Net requires controllers.
The September 14,1998 meeting finds the membership looking to
reports on Repeater
Site finances, Field Day,
Equestrian Events, NSARA Picnic, EMO, clubroom. Proposed course
for
September start‑up.
JOTA to be held at Sunken Lake on October 17, 1998. A report
was given on an
Emergency Mobile Repeater.
Well!! "HELLO". We have minutes for the October 03, 1998
meeting, Building 43,
Kentville Research
Station. The small number of nine members were in attendance. Gate(s)
required for the repeater
site, power supply to be activated soon. Phil, VE1PFH reported on an
EMO meeting attended by
he and John, VE1ATT. The November 02, 1998 with 18 members
present finds everyone at
Building 43 again. Thanks again to Dave, VE1DAM and his wife for
the
provisions re JOTA, which was a success. What would JOTA be without Dave and
Carol.
Site
still needs work and work parties, re the emergency power equipment.
The Municipality's radio equipment has been installed in our
building, antenna on the
tower, all working
properly. Greenwood link still has a problem. Greenwood Flea Market yields
the Club $222.17, and that
amount plus donations of $25.83 for a total of $248.00 was approved
to be
applied to the loan. Banquet was successful as usual, Andrew, VE1EX, Phyllis,
VE1PPR,
John, VE1ATT will form a nominating committee.
A new year, January 04, 1999, sixteen members in Building 43,
Kentville Research
Station for a meeting.
Repeater site has been winterized. The bake sale held recently earned
$109.35.
The Brasspounders Award rules for scoring to read: Number of
contacts, multiplied by
the
number of countries, and participants to count each other only once on each
band.
Volunteers for this years GOTA: VE1ATT, VE1BIN, VE1AMI, VE1EX and
VE1MT.
The February 01, 1999 meeting has 19 members in
attendance. The Club welcomed Paul Cowan, VE1PMC,
Nathan Cowan, VE1NJC. Kurt, VE1TT introduced course students, Peter
Clark and Darrell and Myrtle Richards who have not received
calls as yet. In all six students were successful
in the course just completed. Battery back‑up has been installed at the site
and it will service the Packet system also. The
packet radio and TNC has been temporarily replaced by
a loaner unit, compliments of Ted, VE1DRG. Our antenna
system and radio had suffered water damage. Lorne,
VE1BXK has agreed to undertake the necessary repairs. Moe, VE1AEM has
agreed to operate EMO equipment at County Office Radio
Room.
The search
for a permanent club room is still an on going project. The EMO Readiness
Plan report to be completed by April, 1999, followed by an
organizational chart and duty roster.
Discuss
held re an HF contest with a certificate and trophy. The new officers are:
President John VE1ATT
Vice‑President Phil VE1PFH
Treasurer Eric VE1BBA
Secretary Lysle VE1BZE
Club voted
and approved a motion to apply for RAC affiliation. Lorne, VE1BXK has
asked that all BBS bulletin forwarding be restricted to the
hours of 0100‑0600 daily to prevent overuse during
daylight hours. An EMO message handling course for March 06, conducted by
Al Penny, VE1NO.
The spring
month of April, 05,1999, finds 20 members at Building 43, discussing many
of the same items of previous months. Repeater needs
hardline on the tower to get the LAN up and
running. Gate project still ongoing. Clubroom project not meeting with any
degree of success and completion. Brasspounders
Award won by Kurt, VE1TT. EMO meeting scheduled for
April 07, equestrian event, Medford Meadows, Sunday, August 01, 1999. Plans
for HF activities being formulated per VE1MT.
Charter Night in the works and autopatch programming
for speed dialing to be done locally by Lysle, VE1BZE and John, VE1ATT.
Dave,
VE1GLS suggests; that the Club investigate the practical aspects of joining
the MAVCOM system.
May 03,
1999, Building 43 and 12 members, guest Michael Taylor. The LAN hardline
has been installed, the packet radio tested by Lorne,
VE1BXK. MAVCOM an ongoing debate.
The good
number of 22 members gather for the June 07,1999 meeting, Building 43. A
donation of $49.00 made to CNIB.
Thanks
received from the Red Cross re the Club members support in the Kosovo Refugee
effort.
Fall has
arrived, Building 43 sees a gathering of 17 members. Field Day a success as
per a report by Layton, VE1MT. Dave, VE1GLS reports
necessary boards ordered and when received will be
installed, integrated into the repeater and perform linking functions and we
will have MAVCOM. Thanks to all who helped in the
three equestrian events this past summer.
Phil,
VE1PFH to take on the KCARC, EMO responsibilities. Frank, VE1GG to be Club
contact for emergencies.
Moe,
VE1AEM to do a message handling course. Club plans for two tables at the
Greenwood Flea Market. A course is planned subject to
interest and need, and a fall banquet is in the
works. JOTA information is incomplete at present.
October
04, 1999 has the Club approve a line of credit for $1,000.00, fall banquet in
final stages of preparation. JOTA, October16, noon
to midnight, Lakeville Hall.
Daryl,
VE1DWG in charge of fund raising, Public Auction, November 13, a Saturday,
South Alton Hall. The Sunday evening 2 Meter Net needs net
controllers. Burt, VE1AMA gave a talk and
presentation on Packet Operator Instructions.
What did
19 members learn at the November 01,1999 meeting? Well! They learned that
the Club realized $200.00 from the Greenwood Flea Market,
we could have a sale for the photo‑copier. The Club
banquet was a success as per the report given by Bruce, VE1II. The new
Nominating Committee to be John, VE1ATT and Phyllis,
VE1PPR.
The 24
members present for the December 06, 1999 meeting approved a motion to pay
off the Club's loan. Daryl, VE1DWG agrees to head up a
Fund Raising Committee if there are two other
volunteers. Mike Evans, VE1VV of the Canning Volunteer Fire Department, gave
a talk on the reasons why his Department was seeking
permission to test, and if such tests were
successful, to establish their radio equipment on our site. The Club approved
a motion to allow the CVFD to proceed with testing.
Mike Ennis
of Emergency and Protective Services for the County of Kings introduced
himself and spoke re the good working relations the Club
maintains with the County ofKings. A Y2K net to operate December 31, 1930
hours local. Daryl, VE1DWG auctioned off the
remaining gift certificates left from the Public Auction in November.
A report
to the 14 members at the January 10, 2000 meeting informs the membership;
that tests on behalf of the CVFD have gone well. Most of
the results were positive, butmarginal in the Long Beach and Stuart Hollow
Road areas.
The Club
approved a motion, KCARC agrees in principle with the request by CVFD to
move their VHF repeater to our site. The said move to be
subject to terms and conditions to be negotiated.
The
repeater worked well in the Y2K readiness net on December 31, 1999. MACOM has
problems and we are looking to a March 2000 date for it to
be on line.
A Web Page
is nearly complete, thanks to John, VE1ATT.
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Another year, an Annual General Meeting, February 07,2000. The meeting has 13
members present. On going discussions with CVFD,
Brasspounders underway, VE1DAD, VE1MAW,VE1WT,
VE1MT,VE1KOT,VE1NK,VE1TT,VE1EX all active and on the air
waves. EMO Committee active and achieving some success
with its agenda.
After due
process the following became officers for the coming year.
President John VE1ATT
Vice‑President Phil VE1PFH
Treasurer Eric VE1BBA
Secretary Lysle VE1BZE
The 2
Meter Net will continue in the present format.
Art,
VE1ASK (VE1ART) has passed Basic plus 5 wpm. The Club welcomes Colin Murray,
VE1CSM to its March 06, 2000 meeting, with a total of 20
members present. Jeff Best has passed his Basic and
is awaiting his call sign. Phyllis, VE1PPR has her 5 wpm endorsement.
Communications were provided to the Hants Club re the Dog Sled Races held at
Martock Cross Country Ski Club on March 04.
Brasspounders Award goes to Dave, VE1DAD this year.
A proposal
by Father Bill Lonc, VE1SMU to establish a beacon at our repeater site was
deferred for the present.
The spring
meeting of April was a busy one. On April 03, 2000; 17 members gather to
hear Father Lonc give a presentation on his project for low
power beacons and possible installation at our
site. Due to space limitations, the Club decided to pass on the matter at
this time.
Burt,
VE1AMA gave the second part of his Packet presentation.
A special
meeting April 17,2000 was called to consider the proposed agreement with the
Canning Volunteer Fire Department.
It was
decided that the KCARC executive would review the final agreement re the
changes as proposed by CVFD (if any) and finalize the
agreement.
The month
of May 2000; has 16 members vote on and pass a motion: That the recently
ratified agreement by the Canning Volunteer Fire Department
be formerly accepted by KCARC.
Club plans
to have a table at the Halifax Flea Market and the Field Day plans are in
progress.
Mike Innis,
Municipal EMO Co‑ordinator and Keith Crosland, EMO (NS), Western Zone
Controller were welcomed as guests.
Dave,
VE1GLS reports that the MAVCOM system is working and some adjustments will
be made to the audio. Field Day dates are to be June 24
and 25. EMO tabletop exercise scheduled for June
23 and a live exercise at a later date.
Moe,
VE1AEM gave a talk and presentation on the present EMO message form,
completion, handling and situations for its use.
Darrell,
VE1DWG discusses fund raising with 13 members at the September 11, 2000
meeting. He outlined the various legal requirements
concerning, lottery, ticket sales etc.
There were
three successful equestrian events over the summer, thanks again to the
volunteers.
A motion
was duly moved, seconded and carried: that KCARC establish its own Packet
Radio BBS, using the call sign VE1LD. Costs and other
details to be determined by the executive and a
committee. A report is to be made back to the Club before activation.
The Club
is in the lottery business as reported by Darrell, VE1DWG and his fund
raisers. They have set up a lottery ticket sale and
draw for a meat order. The Club voted to proceed with
the scheme. A new generator is proposed for installation
at the repeater site. This will require a transfer
panel and auto‑start set up system for power failure needs.Club banquet
proposed, George, VE1NK to be CNIB board liaison officer. Repeater
Committee needs a new chairperson as Dave, VE1GLS wishes to
be relieved of his duties.
Fund raising an ongoing
project as reported by the November 06, 2000 meeting with 13
present. A collection was taken for CNIB Amateur Radio
Program. The repeater site needs winterizing. JOTA
was held at West Hants Fall Camp, Blomidon Park, October 21 and 22. Club
participation was restricted to Saturday afternoon and night,
due to prior commitments.
Peter,
VE1BHH; Ken,VE1SG; and Derek, VE1FLY are to be the Nominating Committee
for the Annual Meeting in February 2001. The final month of
the year 2000 finds us short minutes for the meeting;
but from an Agenda prepared, we note; Club Crests are once again up
for discussion, battery for the repeater site, and proper use
of the repeater. Peter, VE1BHH is to be the guest
speaker.
The first instalment of the History of the KCARC made
mention of the fact that the Club has a well
travelled repeater. The repeater could never seem to find a permanent home.
Considerable conversation has developed around said repeater and its
operations.
We shall
add to that by devoting a separate chapter to the "Repeater" and 2 Meters.
The minutes of April, 09, 1970 show discussion on 2 Meter gear. There must
have been some activity in the area.
The writer
recalls, Harry Bath, VE1MA; Wilf Harvey, VE1AAQ; Ed Linard, VE1ZL,
(VE1GD); of the original Valley Club, (Annapolis to
Windsor) with equipment, and onoccasions making contacts into New Brunswick;
St. John, St. Stephen, areas (Burns Getchell,
VE1CL), back in 1960‑62.
Stan
Godfrey, VE1WW, recalls the Halifax Club having a Sunday night Call In on 2
Meters. He mentions a regular pilgrimage to Blomidon
Lookoff on Sunday evenings to check into this Net.
The Halifax Club was interested in sampling the coverage obtained by their
existing repeaters.
The call
sign VE1AEH was issued to Darrell Ward, VE1ALQ, sometime in 1968‑1969.
Stan was
issued VE1BO in 1974 for his repeater at Bridgetown; operating a GE
receiver, a Marconi transmitter, using home made cavities from some irrigation
pipe, built by Oakley Peck, VE1UC. At the best of
times 80 persons were using Stan's repeater.
Mr. Peck
eventually established a repeater in the Digby area, tower site at Victoria
Beach, CBC tower, removed from there to Digby
airport, 2000, and to RCMP tower at North Range in
2002. The early days had repeaters operating in Saint John and Sussex (AM).
The
repeater we know as VE1AEH had to start operations sometime 1968‑1969.
Stan, VE1WW, recalls Darrel, VE1ALQ, doing the technical
work, early equipment was
Marconi or
GE of the DT45 for receiver and DJ 86 for transmitter type. The cavities were
built using large garbage cans, home‑brewed by Stan,
VE1WW.
One or
possibly the first site was on the property of a Bob Bishop, rented for $25.00
a month. A Mr. Smith built two home‑brew Ringo‑Rangers
for use at site, one set by the eaves, the other
offset on the peak of the building. Noise generated by this set up caused
interference to the CTV commercial installation.
This resulted in numerous shut downs.
Stan,
VE1WW pushing for greater coverage acquired an unused or surplus antenna 20
feet long, with a 4 inch taper, a section of TV tower from
Campbell Electric in Kentville, price $12.00.
These acquisitions aided in the struggle for greater coverage.
Two hams
in the Kentville area active on 2 Meters at this time were; Bob Farris,
VE1ASL (SK), and Ken Hiltz, VE1SG.
The NSARA
endeavoured to regulate the growth and use of repeaters, and as such
they took the gear in the early 1970's. There
are people, who claim the early repeater operated on AM; but Stan recalls that
this was not the case.
The TV
interference at the early sites caused the property owners to sometimes PULL
THE PLUG; downtime.
The
minutes of March 22,1977 record discussion re the leasing of a site; therefore
it can be assumed that a repeater must have been in
some sort of operational mode.
Minutes,
May 1977 has the Club acquiring a tower, some repeater hardware and a Net
up and running by fall.
April,1978, purchased repeater equipment from the NSARA and did a frequency
change.
The fall
of 1979 more equipment changes also site and antenna. December 1987 has the
repeater back at Blomidon using 50 Watt unit loaned by Bob Burns, VE1VCK,
linking proposed. March, 1989 has a new repeater
installed. December 1990 an auto‑patch up and
running. October 1991, the purchase of a digipeater, and June 1992, sees more
changes.
This
writer will now pass the history to a document prepared by Layton Fulton,
VE1MT as he traces the movement of the Club's
non‑permanent repeater. There have been many changes before coming to rest at
the Glenmont Site.
Not having
access to a complete record, this list is compiled from the memory of Layton
Fulton, VE1MT. I am especially vague on some of the early dates. Most of the
later dates can be verified; previous to 1986 things
area bit "foggy" to say the least.
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K.C.A.R.C.
Repeater Locations
In 1977,
(give or take a bit), VE1AEH Repeater was re‑installed after a long period of
silence. The location was on the North side of the highway, on the third
property East of the Look‑Off Canteen at Blomidon
Mtn. The name of the original owner escapes me
now. The property was eventually listed for sale and was purchased by a
person from the USA. Eventually we were in a position
where‑by we were forced to move due to planned
changes on the property.
In 1986 we
vacated the site at Blomidon and went to a site on Canaan Mtn; formerly
used by the RCMP. As I remember we had an option to buy
the facility; but due to our financial status at the
time, we could not afford the up‑keep and liability
insurance; even though we would have been able to acquire the facility at a
"steal"! So, "on the move again."
Some
time in late 1986 or early 1987, we found ourselves again with a "Mobile
Repeater". This time AVR allowed us to erect a 40 ft. TV type tower at the
CKWM FM site on Halls Harbour Mtn.. I am sure glad
that their Chief Technician was a member of our club
at that time and a great asset. This time; due to the
quality of our equipment and the high‑intensity rf field
present at the site. We experienced many problems
and again found it necessary to move.
Later in
1987 we were able to make arrangements with Earl Sheffield Jr. who owned
the property approximately 100 ft. West of the original
site at Blomidon Mtn. We resided there until 1994
when that property was sold. Having to vacate the
Sheffield site, we were able to negotiate a lease with the owner
of the Look‑Off Camp Ground. We
acquired a 100 ft. commercial tower and a metal
building from an abandoned NSPC site in Kingston which we erected at the
Look‑Off site in 1994. "Hey", finally we have some
permanency! Less than a year later we were shocked
to find that the property on which we were located was going
up for Sheriff's Sale! (Away we go again).
It is now
1995. Due to the fact we had no where else to go, our President, Ron
Blakie, allowed us to make a temporary installation at his
home in Billtown. Not a real good location
for a repeater; but the only one available at the time.
In 1996 the Town of Kentville agreed to have us join the
Police Dept and Fire Dept. at their site on Canaan
Mtn which they now own. We were soon asked to
vacate that site since we were
thought to be interfering with the other services.This move took us to the QTH
of Harold Robinson where we stayed until the present
site at Glenmont was ready for us to move into.
TO BE
CONTINUED
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|
Appendix A
Founding Club Members |
John Andersen |
VE1AGY (VE1JW) |
Joe Davidson |
VE1AKV |
Robert Farris |
VE1ASL
(SK) |
Keith Mahar |
VE1ANC |
Peter MacDonald |
VE1AVC |
Ron MacDonald |
VE1AVE |
Jim Pratt |
VE1ASW |
Dick Pulsifer |
VE1ASD |
Paul Robinson |
VE1AVD |
Ed Smith |
VE1ABT |
Brian Sutherland |
VE1AVB (VE1AKU) |
Don Sutherland |
VE1AKU
(SK) |
|
|
Appendix B
Presidents 1969 - 2005 |
1969 1970 |
Ed Smith |
VE1ABT |
1970 1971 |
Ken Carter |
VE1APG
(SK) |
1971 1974 |
Harold Robinson |
VE1AFR |
1974 1977 |
John Andersen |
VE1AGY
(VE1JW) |
1977 1978 |
Ken Stratton |
VE1QP |
1978 1979 |
Layton Fulton |
VE1BEP
(VE1MT) |
1979 1980 |
Brian Garnett |
VE1BNO |
1980 1981 |
Norm Barton |
VE1BZC |
1981 1982 |
Gary Lloyd |
VE1BZD |
1982 - 1984 |
Wes Veale |
VE1LD |
1984 1985 |
Dave Morrison |
VE1UJ |
1985 1986 |
Lysle Anderson |
VE1BZE |
1986 1988 |
Moe Brehault |
VE1AEM |
1988 1990 |
Layton Fulton |
VE1MT |
1990 1992 |
Steve Boone |
VE1XBC |
1992 1993 |
Brian Garnett |
VE1BNO |
1993 1994 |
Brian Garnett |
VE1BNO |
1994 - 1995 |
Ron Blaikie |
VE1MRB |
1995 - 1996 |
John Bickerton |
VE1ATT |
1997 - 1998 |
John Bickerton |
VE1ATT |
1998 - 1999 |
John Bickerton |
VE1ATT |
1999 - 2000 |
John Bickerton |
VE1ATT |
2000 - 2001 |
John Bickerton |
VE1ATT |
2001 - 2002 |
John Bickerton |
VE1ATT |
2002 - 2003 |
Phil Hopkins |
VE1PFH |
2003 - 2004 |
Phil Hopkins |
VE1PFH |
2004 - 2005 |
John Bickerton |
VE1ATT |
2005 - 2006 |
H.A. David Morrison |
VE1UJ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Appendix C
Vice Presidents 1969 - 1992 |
1969 1970 |
Jim Pratt |
VE1ASW |
1970 1971 |
John Andersen |
VE1AGY (VE1JW) |
1971 1974 |
Bob Farris |
VE1ASL (SK) |
1974 1977 |
Ken Stratton |
VE1QP |
1977 1979
|
Harold Robinson |
VE1AFR |
1979 1980 |
|
|
1980 1981 |
Brian Garnett |
VE1BNO |
1981 1982 |
Tom Allen |
|
1982 - 1983 |
|
|
1983 1984 |
|
|
1984 1985 |
|
|
1985 1986 |
|
|
1986 1987
|
John Andersen |
VE1JW |
1987 1988 |
Bob DeGrace |
VE1BLH |
1988 1989 |
Phil Long |
VE1CFQ (VE1WT) |
1989 1990 |
|
|
1990 1991 |
Ken Hiltz |
VE1SG |
1991 1992 |
|
|
1992 - 1993 |
Buzz Everett |
KI6SO/VE1 (VE1BZ) |
|
|
Appendix D
Secretary-Treasurer and/or Secretary and Treasurer 1969 - 1992 |
1969 1970 |
Paul Robinson |
VE1AVD |
1970 1971 |
Peter Macdonald
|
VE1AVC |
|
Jim Pratt |
VE1ASW |
1971 1971 |
Sheila Pulsifer
|
VE1AGQ |
1972 |
Martin Misner |
VE1ARW |
1973 |
Dick Pulsifer |
VE1ASD |
1974 |
Don Sutherland |
VE1AKU (SK) |
1975 |
Frank Redden |
VE1BBU (VE1GG) |
1977 - 1979 |
Peter Smale |
VE1BBH |
1980 - 1981 |
Paul Goulden |
VE1CAD |
1981 - 1982 |
Lysle Anderson |
VE1BZE |
1982 - 1983 |
|
|
1983 1984 |
|
|
1984 1985 |
|
|
1985 1986 |
|
|
1986 1987 |
Tom Allen
|
|
Ken Hiltz |
VE1SG |
1987 - 1988 |
Lysle Anderson |
VE1BZE |
Ken Hiltz |
VE1SG |
1988 1990 |
Ed Eagles |
VE1AGL |
Norm Barton |
VE1BZC |
1990 1991 |
Ed Eagles |
VE1AGL |
George Brien |
VE1NK |
1991 1992 |
Lysle Anderson
|
VE1BZE |
George Brien |
VE1NK |
1992 1993 |
Robert Selfridge |
VE1RAD |
George Brien |
VE1NK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Appendix E
Brass-Pounders Award Winners |
1975 |
Frank Redden |
VE1BBU (VE1GG) |
1976 |
|
|
1977 |
Dave Harrison |
VE1BBW |
1978 |
|
|
1979 |
|
|
1980 |
|
|
1981 |
|
|
1982 |
Wes Veale |
VE1LD |
1983 |
Wes Veale |
VE1LD |
1984 |
Layton Fulton |
VE1BEP (VE1MT) |
1985 |
Layton Fulton |
VE1BEP (VE1MT) |
1986 |
Layton Fulton |
VE1BEP (VE1MT) |
1987 |
Phillip Long |
CE1CDQ (VE1WT) |
1988 |
Borden MacKenzie |
VE1BE |
1989 |
Phillip Long |
VE1CFQ (VE1WT) |
1990 |
Reg MacDonald |
VE1RGM |
1991 |
Phillip Long |
VE1CFQ (VE1WT) |
1992 |
Phillip Long |
VE1CFQ (VE1WT) |
1993 |
George Brien |
VE1NK |
1994 |
Mike Wood |
VE1MAW |
1995 |
George Brien |
VE1NK |
1996 |
Dave Crandall |
VE1DAD |
1997 |
Lloyd Watton |
VE1VEI |
1998 |
Mike Wood |
VE1MAW |
1999 |
Kurt Arseneault |
VE1TT |
2000 |
Dave Crandall |
VE1DAD |
2001 |
Phillip Long |
VE1WT |
2002 |
Andrew Bowlby |
VE1EX |
2003 |
Andrew Bowlby |
VE1EX |
2004 |
Hal Rodd |
VE1LV |
|
|
|
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