In addition to our regular meetings, our members meet on the air (we call these “nets”) and via Google Meet videoconferencing. Everyone is welcome.
Health and Welfare Net
In April 2020, during the first COVID-19 lockdown, some members had an idea to meet on the air each night to see how everyone was doing, and whether anyone needed help. To make it more interesting, they added a “ten-second question” each night, which is chosen by the net controller. With a different net controller each night of the week, the questions visited a wide range of topics. This net became so popular that it continues to this day, having been held more than 1700 times and closing on 400 individual participants.
Join us on the Health & Welfare Net each night at 8:30pm, except for club meeting nights on the first Tuesday of the month from September to June. You can use either the VE3YRA analog repeater on 145.350 -600 kHz offset CTCSS 103.5 or the linked VE3YRC repeater on 444.225 +5MHz offset CTCSS 103.5, which may work better in the Richmond Hill & Vaughn area.
The net begins with a roll call of recent participants, then anyone else listening will be invited to check in.
Technical Discussion Net
Also known as the “Ragchew Ramble” net, this is an open discussion net where the topics are chosen by the participants. It’s a great way to get your ham radio questions answers as there are always people willing to share their knowledge and experience with others in the true spirit of amateur radio.
The net is held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 5pm on he VE3YRA analog repeater on 145.350 -600 kHz offset CTCSS 103.5 or the linked VE3YRC repeater on 444.225 +5MHz offset CTCSS 103.5.
The Six Metre Net
This is a simplex (no repeater) net which is open to anyone. Six metres is an interesting band. It is always usable for local communications with a modest antenna, but sometimes it opens up for long distance communications. It is very exciting when suddenly people start checking in from various parts of North America. Like the Technical Discuss Net, net control will call for check-ins at the start and periodically throughout the net.
The net is held weekly – currently on Monday nights at from 8 to 8:30 pm, using upper sideband on 50.135 MHz, preferably using a horizontally polarized antenna. Contact the net controller, Chris VE3NRT, for more information.
Virtual Meetings
Help is available to anyone at our virtual Google Meet sessions. Currently, it is held weekly on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm. Contact Chris VE3NRT for more information.