Just a short note on upcoming dates to be aware of for SEPAR. There is a lot of information below please take the time to mark you calendars so you don’t miss out.
Weekly Net
The weekly nets still occur with the 2m net held every Tuesday evening at 7:30pm (tonight).
We use the SARC North repeater for net control and you can check in via the South repeater if that works best for your location.
Repeater 147.360 + Tone 110.0 (North) and Tone 103.5 (South).
If you are interested in running the net, as net control, please let me know (Gord: va7gk@shaw.ca) and we can help get you trained and comfortable doing this. As a net control you follow the script, take the check-ins and send a report to me with the check-in stations at the completion of the net. If you are concerned about not having a good coverage from your home, we can also arrange for you to run the net from either the OTC (Operations Training Centre) or Fire Hall 1 SEPAR radio room.
Winlink Weekly Check-In
As well we still run the weekly Winlink check in with an email being sent to you Tuesday and a simple reply or answer to the question is sent back via Winlink. You can reply using either using a radio connection or a standard internet from your computer. You simply need to have an account with Winlink. You must have a radio license to create an account. If you want more details on this reach out to Ion via email with your questions: ve7nl@winlink.org
The VE7MOV Winlink station is currently being rebuilt and should be back on the air shortly. Please use another RMS station for the time being.
IMERS Monthly Check-In
Once a month (the first Wednesday) SEPAR attends Fire Hall 1 Radio room and participates on behalf of the Fire (City) on checking into the Inter-Municipal Emergency Radio System. This is a short net which we check into, testing the radio. The time is between 10:45-11:30am each month. If you are interested in learning how this is done, please let me know and we will get you trained in this. (Gord: va7gk@shaw.ca)
Monthly Meeting
April 28th Thursday 7:00-9:00pm
These are held the 4th Thursday of each month with a local focus on SEPAR and training/emergency preparedness.
This month’s Zoom invitation will be sent out closer to the date. Please mark you calendars.
Volunteer Events
Surrey Community Engagement Event
The City of Surrey is working hoping to increase awareness of the Volunteer Emergency Programs which are active in the city. With two years of COVID and not meeting the public, the city is setting up a Community Engagement opportunity with volunteers at the Surrey Sport and Leisure Centre in Fleetwood (166/Fraser Highway). We will be setting up with other volunteer groups near the front entrance and explaining what we do and how people can be involved. We hope to be able to set up the SEPAR trailer and a grab and go kit for display purposes.
Date: Saturday May 7th. Time and details to follow. Please let me know if you can help for setup, manning the display, and tear down. I realize people may only have a hour or two but anything would be helpful. Please email me with your willingness to assist. (Some have already indicated during our last net they can help) Gord: va7gk@shaw.ca.
More specifics to follow as we receive them.
Please note this does conflict with the SARC Foxhunt (RDF Radio Direction Finding) event. If you have committed to this event, please honour your commitment.
Hyack Parade
The parade is back after a hiatus due to COVID. Each year in New Westminster the Hyack Parade is held and assistance with communications is supported by the amateur radio community. This is an excellent opportunity to provide some community service and learn how event communications are done. You do not need to be an “experienced” operator to volunteer. A willingness to learn and a handheld radio with a charged battery is all that is needed. Please see the note from Ken Clarke VE7BC the communications organizer:
I know we have some new hams that have joined our ranks during covid. These people would be very welcome. It is often good to buddy them up with an experienced operator for their first event. Just need a 2m handheld and hopefully a spare battery. Parade goes rain or shine. Hopefully, there will be another meeting with Hyack soon. I will find out more details about operator assignments and parade officials who need a radio operator.
I can certainly use as many operators as possible. It would be best for interested people to contact me directly. It’s usually about a week before the event when I finalize the list of assignments etc.
I would then email each operator the information sheet showing exact assignments, times, locations, frequencies, parade officials names, etc.
I can supply frequencies well in advance to give people a chance to program and test their radios.
Here is the official ask/information (You may have also received this via the SARC email):
The New Westminster Hyack International Parade is back! The date will be Saturday, May 28.
Operators assigned to the assembly area and parade officials will start communications at 08:00 and those assigned to points along the parade route will start a little later. The event starts at 10:30 with the Vancouver Police Motorcycle Drill Team and the parade follows. We are usually all done by around 13:00.
I need about 25 operators. Assignments will include such things as assembly area, judging, shuttle buses, police, First Aid, with various Hyack and parade officials, P.A. announcer, dispersal etc.
The parade committee also counts on us for communication at many of the intersections along the parade route. Radio operators assigned to these points may wish to have family members with them to enjoy the parade!
Please let me know whether you will be able to help. May 28 seems like a long way off but is less than 8 weeks away! I know how much the Hyack Association and the City of New Westminster appreciate our services.
HELP PLEASE! – FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO ANYONE YOU THINK MIGHT POSSIBLY BE INTERESTED IN JOINING US. ANNOUNCEMENTS ON NETS, CLUB MEETINGS, NEWSLETTERS, WEBSITES ETC. WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
As always, new hams are very welcome. No experience is necessary, we can certainly buddy up any brand-new hams with an experienced operator. All that is required is a 2-metre handheld (and hopefully a spare battery!)
I will of course supply further details as the event draws closer.
Thanks in advance for your help,
Ken Clarke
VE7BC
ve7bc@arrl.net
telephone: 604-816-5775 (cell, texting is good)
Please contact Ken directly to volunteer and let me know that you have done so. Let’s have a good showing from Surrey to help them out and practice our skills.
Field Day
June 25-26 (Saturday and Sunday).
Work is underway to plan this year’s Field Day. More information to follow, please mark you calendars. Let me know if you can help volunteer to work on the event organization/planning, setup, operation, teardown etc.
This is the largest radio event of the year, and it would be great if you can help out.
Other interesting dates:
Maple Ridge Swap Meet
The annual event is happening Sunday May 1st. If you are looking for a radio, or other radio parts for you shack you might find them here. For more details go to the Maple Ridge Amateur Radio Club website:
Location: Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall, 12460 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, BC
SEAPAC Convention
Dates: June3-5
Location: Seaside Oregon
This is advertised as the Northwest’s Largest Ham Convention
Of interest on the Friday there is a Workshop on Emergency Preparedness.
Every year many local amateur radio operators plan to attend this event. The community has many shops and a great beach for family that may want to attend with you.
for more details, please check out their website: https://www.seapac.org/
There are few individuals who may attend this year, let me know if you plan to go.
SEPAR Website Members Area
The SEPAR Website has a member only area. If you do not have access and are a SEPAR member, please let me know and we can add you to access this area. The SEPAR website includes, photos, documents (net scripts etc.) as well as a calendar. The website is www.separ.ca
SEPAR Vests
If you have a SEPAR vest, can you please let me know. I will be following up with those who have been assigned a vest previously.