CARA

Calgary Amateur Radio Association

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Rocky Mountain Rally 2017 - Invermere BC

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  • 26 Aug 2017 2:13 PM
    Reply # 5050079 on 4790453

    Having our email boxes stuffed with seemingly unending messages is regrettably the collateral damage of the automation of communicating to members belonging to groups or clubs like ours. For clubs of our size the annual process of renewing membership is both mission critical and time onerous  for the person or persons responsible for making it happen.

    The membership renewal process is embedded in the Wild Apricot software CARA uses to manage membership matters and communicate efficiently. This software has its pluses and minuses but for the cost and its ability to manage communications with members represented the best value when chosen. 

    For now its the best we can do. 



     





  • 18 Aug 2017 4:29 PM
    Reply # 5036253 on 4790453

    Am I the only one that finds the three email reminders and pop up when logging in to pay my subscription annoying?  Here we are months after the last rally and still AGLC regs hold up our fuel expenses.  Now we are being asked to support the next rally.  Maybe if I had some fuel expense money I'd be quicker to renew and join the next rally.  I know the mantra it's not the club it's the AGLC.....

  • 03 Aug 2017 9:27 PM
    Reply # 5011523 on 4790453

    Thanks for the prompt reply Jim.  Gord had given the impression that the funds were coming from another source not AGLC related.  Perhaps there was a misunderstanding on my part or did others get the same impression?  Regardless if it's AGLC then we will have a nice Christmas bonus coming.

  • 03 Aug 2017 11:14 AM
    Reply # 5010756 on 4790453

    I'm still awaiting approval from AGLC to disburse the funds. When I last spoke to an AGLC representative (on July 28), she stated that the approval was forthcoming. I certainly hope we have written approval by the end of this week (i.e., August 4). AGLC rules require that any travel reimbursements be made directly from our casino account, and we are not permitted to disburse the money until we have received explicit approval.

    Jim Weisert VE6GO

    CARA Treasurer

  • 02 Aug 2017 10:56 AM
    Reply # 5008757 on 4852710
    Garry Spicer wrote:

    Travel Expenses Reimbursement

    I want to clarify some procedural items regarding the Rally travel expense reimbursement being offered by the CARA executive. See the prior posting in this Forum and/or the May 2017 issue of Key Klix for details.

    First, please note that my role in this process is limited to providing the CARA executive with a list of the Radio Operators who register for and participate in this event. All reimbursement procedures after that point will have to be done directly with the CARA Executive. I have no authority or capacity to write, approve, or distribute expense cheques on behalf of CARA. What does that mean to you? Please do not contact me looking for expense cheques - I do not and will not have them.

    With that out of the way, here is what I plan to do. At the Friday evening pre-operation briefing (see prior notes for details) I will have a form for Radio Operators to provide their information for travel cost reimbursement purposes. If you don't put your name on that form, then it won't get communicated to the CARA executive, and you won't likely get an expense cheque. If you absolutely cannot attend the Friday evening briefing, then the onus is on you to find me at some point during the event to get your name onto the form. Sorry, guys, but I won't be driving around Calgary after we return from the event to get names on the form, nor will I be forging anyone's signature - I'm sure that no one would want it any other way!

     

    73,

    Garry, VE6GDS 


    Did anyone receive their $100 for fuel expenses?  I filled out the paper work at the meeting and signed the log.  I could be wrong but we were told that the actual receipts were not needed just to fill in the form at the radio ops meeting.

    From Key Klix May

    In recognition of the associated travel costs, The Calgary Sports Car Club and the Calgary Amateur Radio Association are offsetting a significant portion of the out of pocket expense. Shared accommodation costs are provided by CSCC for the radio operators as well as lunches while in action and event related dinners. These volunteers will receive reimbursement for fuel costs up to $100.00 from CARA upon submission and processing of a mileage expense form after the event. 

    Notes from Gord Hungerford, VE6TI, President I reported to the meeting the results of The Board’s discussion and resultant decision to provide $100.00 in compensation to offset fuel costs for the radio operators use of their own personal vehicle and its radio equipment in support of the communications needs and safety of the event’s participants and public. The round trip for each of the 24 designated operators is in excess of 500Kms. The resultant discussion included a verbal review of the terms of the agreement with CSCC for CARA’s usage of portions of the building and grounds.

    Last modified: 02 Aug 2017 11:03 AM | Harry Maylor
  • 31 May 2017 10:57 PM
    Reply # 4873726 on 4790453
    Garry Spicer (Administrator)

    After Action Report

    Hello all;

    This year's Rocky Mountain Rally certainly earned its place as one of the most active and challenging field events for Radio Operators. We had great weather and our technology worked mostly as expected. As usual, our Radio Operators did a stellar job of supporting this event. However, there were more on-stage incidents than have occurred at any rally in recent memory. Perhaps the good weather and effective support inspired the rally drivers to push the limits!

    Here are some interesting facts from the Rally:

    - Stages were stopped twice for an ambulance to be sent in. I understand that all the drivers were OK in the end, but at least one trip to the hospital was needed for a driver to be checked out before being released.

    - Stages were also stopped twice for fire suppression. Some of the photos of those incidents are quite dramatic!

    - The Rally Master reports that, in four or five instances, Radio Operators were able to provide information about a situation that was vital to its successful resolution. Sometimes the information made available to officials by the RallySafe system requires some interpretation. Having human eyes and ears in place helps to get the context needed to clarify a situation. In the words of the Rally Master: "...this event underlined the importance of a combination of radio operators and tracking systems..."

    - I understand that out of the approximately thirty-two rally cars that started the event, only about a dozen of them made it through without some significant damage or repair requirements. That was a tough course!

    - There were 80 volunteers at this rally, including Radio Operators, Marshals, Officials, etc.

    - Volunteers travelled 63,600Km to get to this event. That's about 1.6 times around the Earth!

    - Volunteers travelled an additional 16,500Km to support the event in their various roles.

    - Total volunteer time spent at the event amounts to about 82 days!

     

    THIS WAS A TREMENDOUS EVENT!!!

     

    As for the radio operations aspect of the Rally, our primary channel used the VE7RIN repeater, as usual. This machine has excellent coverage of the valley and provided reliable service for the event. Thanks to Ken from EKARC for permission to use this repeater, and for configuring it for our needs.

    As in the previous rally, we used a secondary voice channel to support Radio Operators in the field, especially during early morning setup. This channel was run on simplex, and most operators were able to get signals through without too much difficulty. Our operators did a good job of handling this setup net, and transitioning to the primary channel once Rally Control was ready for us. Good job everyone.

    I was very pleased that our Net Control Operators put in extra effort this year to ensure that the Field Operators were well supported. Not only did they do a good job of calmly guiding responses to some serious stage incidents, but Net Control started operations earlier than I have ever heard them before, and this proved to be important in resolving some staffing issues on the Sunday morning. Our Net Controllers also stayed in place at the end of each day, to ensure that the Field Operators made safe and successful exits from the venues. Thanks Vince and Ian for your solid work at Net Control. 

    We were a little short on Radio Operators for this event, though. There were about twenty licensed Field Operators at the Rally, about fourteen of whom were of VE6/VA6 origins. So, we had to relay a few Blocker locations into the Rally Control Net via Marshalls and Hams equipped with FRS radios. These procedures worked successfully, and while we can do it again if need be, I hope that we can get more Radio Operators involved at future rallies.

    I did receive a few suggestions for ongoing improvements:

    - First, we need to keep improving our training practices. This is especially important for operators who are new to these events. While there have been some changes made in how we do this, we may need to do more so that operators can feel confident that they understand what is being asked of them.

    - We need to keep working on getting information about the event plans to Radio Operators sooner and more consistently. It's difficult to get into the schedules of Radio Operators in the busy April to July timeframe. Also, in a few cases, there was confusion about where to find necessary information and who was assigned to which role(s).

    - We made some strides in terms of operator safety, especially for managing safer venue ingress and egress. However, we should continue to improve in this respect.

    - We should not forget that our Radio Operators need some fun, too! More opportunities for using our equipment, socializing, and maybe even some "bling" would help to keep the fun-factor in these events.

    In closing, this year's event was a definite success. If you didn't make it out this time, you missed a lot of excitement and great weather in the mountains. So, I hope to see you at the next rally! For those who did make it, your efforts are very much appreciated and I trust that we can have your support at the next event.

     

    73,

    Garry Spicer

    VE6GDS

    CARA Radio Coordinator, Rocky Mountain Rally 2017

     

  • 31 May 2017 5:04 PM
    Reply # 4873344 on 4790453
    Garry Spicer (Administrator)

    Thanks, Wilson, for your kind words. It's a privilege to do these rallies with such a great group of people. I always enjoy them and I hope everyone else does too.

    Perhaps others can post links to their photos from the rally, as well. Let's see what you guys have!

    As for jackets and other bling - what do others think? Is this something that people would like to be able to buy? What kinds of items would be of interest? Would people want something to which badges or such from each year's event(s) can be attached?

    Let me know what ideas you might have.

     

    73,

    Garry, VE6GDS 

  • 30 May 2017 8:28 PM
    Reply # 4860833 on 4790453

    Thanks Garry for your leadership & great coordination of radio support for the Rally. I had  great experience - first time hearing whoosh of ravens overhead between stages.

    Talking to my wife on the way home, we began wondering if folks might be interested in buying jackets with Rally &/or CARA identifications. We could get call sign on arm (like folks put their names on another club jacket I bought). I have a jacket provided by Rocky Mountain Rally a few years ago - have seen VE6KC wearing one.

    I took a couple pictures of Car 1 coming around the corner & Google photos created a panorama - kind of neat seeing the same car in two places. This link should show it: https://goo.gl/photos/Drt5BYbgxGvryQ9s7

    Wilson

    VA6JWL


  • 25 May 2017 10:08 AM
    Reply # 4852710 on 4790453
    Garry Spicer (Administrator)

    Travel Expenses Reimbursement

    I want to clarify some procedural items regarding the Rally travel expense reimbursement being offered by the CARA executive. See the prior posting in this Forum and/or the May 2017 issue of Key Klix for details.

    First, please note that my role in this process is limited to providing the CARA executive with a list of the Radio Operators who register for and participate in this event. All reimbursement procedures after that point will have to be done directly with the CARA Executive. I have no authority or capacity to write, approve, or distribute expense cheques on behalf of CARA. What does that mean to you? Please do not contact me looking for expense cheques - I do not and will not have them.

    With that out of the way, here is what I plan to do. At the Friday evening pre-operation briefing (see prior notes for details) I will have a form for Radio Operators to provide their information for travel cost reimbursement purposes. If you don't put your name on that form, then it won't get communicated to the CARA executive, and you won't likely get an expense cheque. If you absolutely cannot attend the Friday evening briefing, then the onus is on you to find me at some point during the event to get your name onto the form. Sorry, guys, but I won't be driving around Calgary after we return from the event to get names on the form, nor will I be forging anyone's signature - I'm sure that no one would want it any other way!

     

    73,

    Garry, VE6GDS 

  • 24 May 2017 10:32 PM
    Reply # 4850689 on 4790453
    Garry Spicer (Administrator)

    APRS for the Rally

    For those of you who use APRS, you should see the APRS objects for the Rally start to appear on the IS. I'll beacon them on RF when we get closer to the Rally date; but to save bandwidth, they're only visible on the IS side for now. My tests indicate that the objects show up nicely on APRSDroid!

    If you have APRS capability, please bring it to the Rally. It has proven helpful in the past when directing lost field operators. If you have APRS map visibility, then the broadcast objects can help you find your way to your assignment location and to other locations of interest. In either case, please configure your APRS in accordance with the Radio Configuration Guideline posted earlier. It's important to keep beaconing rates down and limit digipeating paths so that there is enough bandwidth for everyone.

    See you in Invermere!

     

    73,

    Garry, VE6GDS 

     

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