va3pc

Where I Operate

• My Home Station
• My Mobile Station
• Wireless ISP Broadband
• Backup Generator

How I Keep Busy

• C I I
• North Bay Amateur Radio Club
• Amateur Radio Emergency Service
• Radio Contesting
• Radio Operator Examinations
• VE3ERX Repeater

Programming Projects

• Heritage Command Program
• Northern Ontario Repeater List
• ARES North Bay Website
• VA3OPP Website
• Linux Phone/Security System

Cameras On-Line

2018 Jan.01

I purchased some weatherproof IP cameras a while back, and have been playing with them. I haven't had occasion to upload anything to Wunderground as yet, but you can see the camera views - front, back and the parking area by clicking on the hotlinks. They upload a new picture on a daily basis during the noon hour. Cheers!

Weather Station On-Line

2015.Dec.19

I purchased a weather station this year, and I finally got around to installing it on the old WISP tower in July. It was reporting via the APRS system, but over the past 24 hours, Kevin managed to modify the WS1 driver for the weewx website code in order for it to communicate with the server using an IP connection instead of a serial port. This allows me to upload to Wunderground, APRS, and CWOP - these are all different and distinct weather sites.
So to see my local weather page (it updates every 5 minutes), click on the link in the top bar, or just go here.

Server Upgrade - Yet Again!

2015.Jul.07

I upgraded the server to ClearOS 6.6 Another re-install from scratch. This time I was able to port over the e-mails, so didn't lose any of them. There was teething pains with some of the PHP scripts used in the background, but they got sorted too. Kevin (my son and now #1 programmer) revamped the repeater listings pages to make them "responsive" to the device and browser in which they are viewed. I have also joined the growing ranks of SSL capable websites.
Also, if you want a peek of the local microclimate here, check out my weather page at findu.com
Too many hobbies, not enough time <sigh>

Server Upgrade

2009.Sep.07

I have upgraded the server OS to ClarkConnect5. In doing so, I completely re-installed the system. The last few upgrades were done "in place" - meaning I just installed the software over top the existing installation. This time they recommended a "fresh install". Of course, not everything worked straight out of the box. If you do spot anything not working correctly, I would appreciate you dropping me a note. Thanks.

Server Tuning

2009.Mar.08

I have changed some web server settings to speed up the site. A recent installation of the Drupal Content Management System to host the North Bay Amateur Radio Club website caused it to slow down to a crawl. All the tweaking does is speed up the site (I hope).

Server Software Upgrade

2008.Aug.15

I have upgraded the server to ClarkConnect 4.3 software. I don't think you will notice anything from a user's perspective, but the updates implement security patches and additional functionality in groupware applications. If you notice anything amiss, please let me know.

PHP and MySQL Upgrade

2008.Jan.20

I now have more up-to-date versions of the backend software to drive some of the interactive features of the sub-sites that are hosted here (primarily the repeater directory and the ARES website). If you run into any problems, drop me a line and let me know.

Website Revamp

2007.Oct.29

I've updated my website to get away from frames and go to a completely CSS driven layout. I hope you like the result. I'll be adding more content in the near future as well as fleshing in some of the links etc.

Mosley Classic36 Antenna

2007.Sep.24

I've updated my station page, to show the Classic36 installed on the west tower. I've also updated the Classic36 page on how it eventually got to be there.

Amateur Packet Reporting System

2007.Jun.25

I finally got my APRS (Amateur Packet Reporting System) working. Here is a bit of a write-up on APRS and the settings I use in the TinyTrack3 unit installed in my vehicle.

15kW Standby Power System

2006.Dec.01

After July's power outage, the decision was made to give ourselves a standby generator for a Christmas present (and a few other occasions too). We decided on a 15kW unit made by Eaton/Cutler-Hammer..

Power Outage and Storm Damage - July 17th/2006

2006.Jul.22

We've just got power back after 5 days. A severe storm lashed our part of the province on Monday July 17th. No commercial power, no water (we're on a well), and the hum of generators in the background. Luckily our only damage was some eavestrough and a TV antenna we don't use very much. Our trusty portable generator (purchased for house construction in 1990) came through like a champ and provided enough power to run not only our freezer and fridge, but the neighbours' as well. They bought their own genny the second day of the outage. Here are some pictures of the tree lying against our house. Our utility - HydroOne Networks (the distribution arm of the old Ontario Hydro) publicly stated that this was the second worst infrastructure damage in the history of the province, just behind the ice storm of 1998. Luckily I had just taken down my HF triband antenna in order to replace the thrust bearing, so it was not damaged, but I did lose my wire dipole antennas when trees fell on them. I hope to get everything back on the air soon. In the meantime we have to cut down some danger trees and clean up those which fell on the night of the storm. The Town of Callander declared a state of emergency which lasted for 7 days - which was also the case in nearby municipalities also affected by the storm.

Happy Holidays - 2005/2006

2005.Dec.25

In the last month I've changed the welcome page to the main CIINET.ORG site, and implemented Cascading Style Sheet formatting. That was a fairly steep learning curve! Over the next few weeks, I hope to update all of mycontesting logs on this site.
On behalf of Wanda, Kevin and myself - all the best over the Holiday Season, and have a great 2006.

Server Upgrade!

2005.Aug.21

I've upgraded the server hardware and software. Its now running on a celeron 2.4 with 512Mb of ram, and I've upgraded the software to ClarkConnect 3.1 - Microsoft has discontinued Linux support for FrontPage2000, so I will be migrating away from that publishing software in the next few weeks. My apologies if the hit counters aren't working in the meantime. I will port everything over to php and javascript eventually.
Also, the server PHP version changed to 4.1 which is incompatible with the scripting I used on the original NORL listings (used too many version 3 shortcuts in the code). I am in the process of rewriting the site, so when I get it finished I'll put the links back up. Sorry for the inconvenience.

PHP/MySQL

2005.Jan.04

I've just completed a course in PHP/MySQL so as a final project, I've added a section to the website. There has always been a lack of current information on amateur repeaters in Northern Ontario, so I've created an interactive database for repeater owners and interested parties to submit their information. Once a year, I'll download selected information and ship it off to RAC or ARRL for inclusion in the latest repeater directory.

Kevin is now a Ham - VA3KVC

2004.Nov.18

Kevin passed his Amateur Basic Test tonight! Now we have three hams in the family. He has chosen VA3KVC as his call. Mom (VE3KOJ) and Dad (VA3PC) are proud of you Kevin! - update: (Listen for him on the local repeaters - Kevin got a Yaesu FT-60 for Christmas!)

Server Upgrade to RAID1

2004.Jun.12

Upgraded the server today.  Its now running on a P3-600 with dual 80G drives in a RAID1 configuration.  What this means is that if one drive fails, the other one carries on and the server doesn't go off line.
I also got the HT://Dig search engine working!

Website ONLINE!!!

2003.Nov.01

I finally got the website up and running.  Kevin is busily constructing his site as well.  I'm running it on a ClarkConnect Linux box that also provides an e-mail, broadband gateway and firewall solution. More info can be had on the CII website.