The IRG held its 2019 Annual Meeting in Doaktown on Sunday, May 26. A great turnout, good discussions and delicous food were among the highlights:
- Francis Pitre VE9FCP gave an update on the health facility amateur radio system. A major upgrade of equipment has been possible with acquisition of surplus radios from Ambulance NB and other government agencies;
- Amateurs in various areas affected by recent flooding were thanked for helping out at regional and provincial operation centres. It was agreed to renew our application for an Environmental Trust Fund grant to help with water level monitoring via APRS;
- Exercise Synergy Challenge was held in in October 2018, with hundreds of participants from dozens of local, provincial, federal and international agencies, including amateur radio. The event simulated an emergency at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. The IRG was a participant and met the objectives that had been set;
- Planning continues on the implementation of an EchoLink/IRLP Node, which is a challenge given the design of the IRG system. Work will continue on this additional feature;
- Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Boone VE9GB reported that the IRG financial situation continues to be strong;
- Jen Woodside of the N.B. Ground Search and Rescue Association gave a presentation on the structure and operation of NBGSARA, including the types of searches and other functions they provide around the province;
- Discussion was held on changes to the design of some of the IRG repeater zones. Additional equipment has been acquired which will allow Stanley and Grove Hill to be hard-linked to other existing zones, freeing up space for additional connections. Any suggestions on changes to the zones are welcome;
- Issues with intermittent audio and linking failures were discussed. In some cases, re-sending the link codes might correct the problem. Persistent problems should be reported via the "Contact" link on the web site;
- Exercise Brunswick Bravo 2019 which had been planned for May 2019 has been postponed until autumn. Multiple municipal and regional Emergency Operation Centres will be activated for a one day exercise, simulating a hurricane event;
- Elections for officers were held. Rick MacMillan VE9MTB ended his term as President in accordance with the By-Laws;
- Al Thurber VE1RG was elected as new President;
- Dennis MacDonald VE9AAE was re-elected as Vice-President;
- Gordon Boone VE9GB was re-elected as Secretary-Treasurer;
- Draws for door prizes and a special membership prize were held;
- Everyone enjoyed the pot luck dinner, a signature part of every meeting!
The semi-annual meeting will be held sometime near late September, date time and place still to be determined.