 |
Scout Radio & Electronics Service Unit |
Minutes - June Monthly Meeting
Tuesday 21st June 2022, 7.30pm
BATCave, Legana Street, Mount Waverley
Chair: Luke Byrnes
Minutes: Andy King
Meeting Opened: 7.42pm
Attendees
Andy King, Luke Byrnes, Daniel Gutsell, Mark Perkins, Murray Taylor, Kent Cochran, Matt Cengia
Online: Allison Burdon, Bryan Ackerly, Peter Watkins
Apologies
Alan Stratford, Alan Kanowitz, Gemma Nash
Absentees
Action Items Summary
| Expected Delivery |
Reference | Description | Lead | Assist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2022 | Sep 21 > Program Planning | Revisit 1st Upwey Scout Unit Activity Request | Kevin | |
| Mar 2022 | Feb 22 > Program Planning | 4th Brunswick Scouts Activity Request: Follow up for Term 3 night | Andy | |
| Apr 2022 | Sep 21 > Program Planning | Moreland Darebin District Joeys Day: Planning | Andy | |
| Apr 2022 | Mar 22 > Program Planning | Propose training dates for marine and amateur courses | Philip | |
| May 2022 | Apr 22 > Program Planning | 1st Alphington: Follow up for Term 3 session, offer RadioActiv8; reach out regarding Star Trek: Survival | Luke | |
| May 2022 | Apr 22 > Program Planning | 1st Glen Iris: Follow up for Term 3 session, offer RadioActiv8; reach out regarding Star Trek: Survival | Luke | |
| May 2022 | Apr 22 > Program Planning | 1st Wheelers Hill: Reach out regarding Star Trek: Survival | Luke | |
| May 2022 | Mar 22 > Program Planning | Moreland Darebin District Joeys Day: Approach STEM YC for assistance with delivering activities | Andy | |
| May 2022 | Mar 22 > Program Planning | Knox District Joeys Day: Approach STEM YC for assistance with delivering activities | Andy | |
| May 2022 | Mar 22 > Program Planning | Knox District Joeys Day: Confirm date and activity requirements | Alli | Andy |
| Mar 22 > Program Planning | ||||
| June 2022 | Mar 22 > Additional Business | Update on Gillwell Tower situation, including placement of plaque | Greg | |
| June 2022 | Mar 22 > Additional Business | Ascertain current Gilwell Patrol Activity Camp situation | Greg | |
| June 2022 | Mar 22 > Program Planning | 19th Camberwell Cubs: Star Trek: Survival SSTV Activity for testing | Andy | |
| July 2022 | Oct 21 > Additional Business | Explore First Aid training opportunities for team | Luke | |
| July 2022 | Mar 22 > Program Planning | 6th Box Hill: Ascertain further details regarding activity request, including narrowing down possible date | Daniel |
Meeting Items
Administration
Chair's Comments
- RadioActiveScout advertisement
- National have agreed to cover the cost of placing a full-page advertisement for RadioActiveScout in the new Foundation Manual
- The ad will be opposite the table of contents and have a QR code to direct people to information relevant to how they can get involved, be they youth/adult and Scouting or non-Scouting.
- Thanks to Brett Nicholas (National JOTA-JOTI Coordinator) for his support.
- National have agreed to cover the cost of placing a full-page advertisement for RadioActiveScout in the new Foundation Manual
- Star Trek: Survival
- Coming up in a couple of weeks' time.
- Further report later in the meeting.
Previous Minutes
It was moved by Matt Cengia and Daniel Gutsell that the minutes of the SRESU meeting held Tuesday 10th May 2022 be adopted. Carried unanimously.
Finance
| Account | Balance on Monday 20 June 2022 |
|---|---|
| STEM - State Radio (Bendigo Bank) | $7,127.94 |
| Cheque Account (ANZ) | $0.00 |
| Savings Account (ANZ) | $0.04 |
| Total | $7,127.98 |
Further details are included in the finance report attached as Appendix 1.
Work Health & Safety (WHS)
- Please ensure you remain on top of eLearning modules including WHS as they become due.
- First Aid Course arrangements for the team to be made following Star Trek: Survival.
- It is noted that access to powerpoints, fire extinguishers, and exits in the BATC is currently obscurred. This will be followed up.
'
Program Review
| Event | Treetops: Patrol Activity Camp - Electronics/Radio |
|---|---|
| Section | Scouts |
| Date | Saturday 21st/Sunday 22nd May |
| Location | Treetops Scout Camp |
| Details | Event led by David Reeve. Mark is going along to assist running an activity with explanation and demonstration of radio as well as some radio-based activities including message passing. |
- 30 Scouts in attendance
- Thanks to Karl (VK3KRA) for his help with the activity.
- Activities were to build a mast, and build and operate a HF station with a wire antenna.
- Most Scouts were unable to make a flagpole without teaching them the knots.
- Mark is seeking some assistance with a VSWR meter - CB VSWR is not accurate.
| Formation | Hazel Glen Scout Group |
|---|---|
| Section | Scouts |
| Date | Tuesday 24th May, 7pm to 9pm |
| Location | Hazel Glen Scout Group, 175 Cookes Rd, Doreen |
| Lead | Andy |
| Assist | Luke |
| Overview | RadioActiv8 |
- Activity went well however the lack of a pre-prepared map highlighted how important a map is.
- One handheld was picked up by a cleaner at the school site where this activity was held and put on a teacher's desk, perhaps as it wasn't identifiable.
| Formation | 19th Camberwell Cubs (Monday Night Unit) |
|---|---|
| Section | Cubs |
| Date | Monday 6th June, 6pm to 8pm |
| Location | 909 Riversdale Rd, Surrey Hills |
| Lead | Murray |
| Assist | Andy, Kent |
| Contact | Christian Burns |
| Overview | Fox hunting and ISM radios chatter & demo |
- Activity went well and all activities were popular with the Cubs.
- More thought needs to go into fox location as 'random' distribution resulted in a circuit rather than true random distribution across the park.
| Formation | 1st Tally Ho |
|---|---|
| Section | Scouts |
| Date | Wednesday 8th June, 7.30pm |
| Location | Blackburn Lakes |
| Lead | Daniel |
| Assist | Luke |
| Contact | Adam Clyde |
| Overview | RadioActiv8 |
- Joint night for 1st Tally Ho with Hurstbridge, Bennettswood, Mitcham Scout Units
- Hurstbridge Venturers attended to run the activity as a practice run for Star Trek: Survival and did a great job.
- Luke and Sarah lead the night for 45 Scouts
- Gave each Patrol a radio instead of having a radio at each base and this worked just as well.
- Write off cost and treat as a training excersize due to issues around communicating cost beforehand.
Program Planning
Program Activities - Dates Confirmed
| Formation | Knox District Joey Day |
|---|---|
| Section | Joeys |
| Date | Sunday 31st July |
| Location | |
| Lead | Allison |
| Assist | Andy, Murray, Bryan |
| Contact | Louise Robertson |
| Overview | District activities day for approx. 60 Joeys |
- Approx. 20 Leaders/Adult Helpers but looking for ~5 team members to lead bases
- Six bases of 25 minutes each. Two of these are 'down time activities'
- STEM YC can provide an activity and possibly some team members to assist. Activity is bottle rockets so will be easy to have other leaders/adult helpers run this base if required.
+ Fox Hunting
+ 'Pick up the poo' - radio and teamwork
+ Conductive Playdough
+ Bottle Rockets (STEM YC)
+ Downtime Activities x2
- Planning is still underway. Allison and Andy are working on documentation requested by Louise.
Program Activities - Dates TBC
Original requests and full activity details are in Appendix 2 as required. Activities to be revisited or followed up are in Appendix 3.
| Formation | Moreland Darebin District Joeys Day/1st Reservoir |
|---|---|
| Section | Joeys Cubs |
| Date | |
| Location | |
| Lead | |
| Assist | Andy, Alli, Luke, Kevin, Neil |
| Contact | Alison (District Leader) |
| Overview | Activity day for 12 Joey Units in Moreland Darebin District. |
- Looking to repeat the Knox District Joeys Day currently being planned for 31st July.
- Andy will reach out to see if there are any preferred dates during Term 3.
- STEM YC may be able to assist with an activity base depending on the date. Once a date is set Andy will follow up.
| Formation | 1st Alphington |
|---|---|
| Section | Scouts |
| Date | Tuesday evenings, 7pm - 9pm |
| Location | |
| Lead | Luke |
| Assist | Neil? |
| Contact | Tessa Hughes |
| Overview | "General information to build radios and other information you think would be helpful" |
- Luke will follow up for Term 3 session and offer RadioActiv8, and reach out individually regarding Star Trek: Survival.
| Formation | 1st Glen Iris |
|---|---|
| Section | Scouts |
| Date | Wednesday evenings |
| Location | |
| Lead | Luke |
| Assist | Murray? |
| Contact | Mike Lukins |
| Overview | 50 scouts. "What do you offer that would be interesting / fun for a scout troop such as ours?" |
- Luke will follow up for Term 3 session and offer RadioActiv8.
- Luke, Daniel, and Murray will talk offline.
- Luke will also reach out individually regarding Star Trek: Survival.
| Formation | Bayside District Cubs |
|---|---|
| Section | Cubs |
| Date | TBC, morning/afternoon weekend activity |
| Location | |
| Lead | |
| Assist | Kent (PA) |
| Contact | Karl Donald |
| Overview | See Appendix 2 |
- No further planning required by our team at this stage.
| Formation | 4th Brunswick Scouts |
|---|---|
| Section | Scouts |
| Date | Monday evenings, 7pm - 9pm |
| Location | |
| Lead | |
| Assist | |
| Contact | Kim Anderson |
| Overview | 30 - 40 scouts. "We'd love to run a fox hunting night or electronics kit building night." |
- Seeking new activity lead.
- Aim for early Term 3 activity night.
| Formation | 1st Wheelers Hill Scouts |
|---|---|
| Section | Scouts |
| Date | |
| Location | |
| Lead | |
| Assist | |
| Contact | Brooke Whiteside |
| Overview | Looking for "a few radio activities" on a Saturday. "How long do these activities take?" |
- Luke will contact and discuss Star Trek: Survival.
| Formation | 6th Box Hill |
|---|---|
| Section | Scouts |
| Date | |
| Location | |
| Lead | |
| Assist | |
| Contact | Esta Wiese |
| Overview | "I was wondering if you're free any Saturday afternoon between 3-5pm during this term (except 14/5, 21/6,28/6) or next term (except Aug) to run a session... It would be great to follow up from last year's zoom session! I have 8 scouts" |
- Request received via Daniel. Aiming for a Term 3 session.
Star Trek: Survival Camp - Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd July - Mafeking Rover Park
| Event | Star Trek: Survival |
|---|---|
| Section | Joeys Cubs Scouts Venturers Rovers |
| Date | Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd July |
| Location | Mafeking Rover Park |
| Details | STEM camp open for all sections (Joeys, Cubs for Saturday visit, other sections camping) |
- Registrations are still open at startreksurvival.tech
- Please help to spread the word about this exciting STEM event throughout your networks. A QR code for sharing with others can be found at https://startreksurvival.tech/qr
- Support Staff and SME's are most desirable from the Scout Radio Team if members are able to assist.
- Thanks to Bryan for last minute assistance with electronics kits.
- Matty KcKernan has stepped up to lead the amateur radio base, all welcome to assist.
Amateur Events
- None held in previous month.
- Remembrance Day (Saturday 13th/Sunday 14th August 2022) and International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend (Saturday 20th/Sunday 21st August 2022) upcoming
Training Courses
- Future Amateur and Marine training dates to be advised.
- Survey to be issued to get feedback on our course delivery.
- Marine SROCP Course on Sat 9/Sun 10 July 2022 at GSWAC, Sandringham
- Some movement at the AMC about online assessments for marine exams, watch this space for changes to amateur assessments.
- Philip is following up details.
Program Support
-
Review: ScoutHike - Friday 13th to Sunday 15th May
- An open discussion was held to get feedback from all operators.
- More contact needs to be made with Sleep Point Coordinators pre-event to ensure that radio is integrated in Sleep Point admin/first aid areas and is not detatched.
- Mark noted how the ammo box radio lasted all weekend however he did supplement with an additional battery during busier times.
- Mark would like to see some improvements to how the antenna is mounted.
- Coverage was good on the ammo box radios and the commercial network held up well. Kent used his ammo box with antenna on the ground with no issues.
- It was also observed at HQ how well the commercial network held up.
- Amateur repeater RSR had more issues around stability.
- More lead on the speakers in the ammo boxes would be useful so they could be removed from the box. Most have sufficient cable but not all do.
- Could we have youth more involved in the process? It was suggested that Venturers could operate with assistance from our team. An advantage of using a commercial network is that non-amateurs can operate, meaning that Scouts could be doing their own checkins.
- Some discussion was held on the need for formal messages and what constitutes the need for such a message.
- ScoutHike HQ are open to change:
- They've never articulated to us exactly what they need,
- and they don't know they need nor have available.
- Issues at a ScoutHike level of six separate teams for Sleep Points without cohesion between them.
- We could offer data backhaul between SPs, live checkin data, etc. over VHF DMR.
- Open to negotiation and discussion with all parties to improve process going forward.
-
Review: Jamboree on the Trail (JOTT) - Sunday 15th May - Murray Taylor
- Event was a success with approx. 270 Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, leaders and parents made their way along the solar system trail at St Kilda.
- There were four checkpoints. Some people bypassed checkpoints
- Murray had five additional operators, thank you to them for their assistance:
- Ken Millis - VK3MIM
- Joe and Julie Gonzales - VK3SRC
- Michael Barrett - VK3EMB
- David Shean - VK3VAJ
- Kieran McGuinness - VK3KJM
- Some confusion around which frequency to use. Logsheets worked well but checkpoints need a simpler form.
-
Cuboree 2023 - Murray Taylor
- Looking for some form of radio activity for 30 min sessions with 3 sessions each evening for 4 evenings.
- Cubs in Patrols of up to 10 with leader would book to complete the activity.
- Murray will request the Storm Hut.
- Maree Pasco (VK3FMJO) would be good to have on board.
Support Development
ScoutHike Collaboration
Opportunity for change and development of the event has presented itself in discussion with the ScoutHike Leadership Team in the lead up and during the event.
- Offer to fund a radio network and fleet based on success of Commercial frequency usage demonstrating itself to be suitable for the event.
- Consultation to occur, as best practices and Child Safety methodologies appear to be outdated based on the operation of processes at the event.
- Going to convene later this year to coordinate and spec out the purchase of our own DMR network with base stations, handhelds, repeaters. Looking at a large budget for this project in conjunction with ScoutHike and Rover Scout Motorsport.
New Licencee 'Welcome pack'
- Lead: Neil
- No updates received.
- This would be a beneficial asset for the multitude of courses looking to be completed in the later half of 2022. If anyone has any ideas or resources please get in touch with Neil.
Upcoming Support Events
- None noted.
Puffing Billy Running Festival
- Possibly rescheduled to August.
Program Enrichment
- None held this month.
Additional Business
- Kent has some radios and PA gear available for Star Trek: Survival and will discuss offline.
- Bryan gave an update on electronics kits for Star Trek: Survival - battery holders are enroute and PCBs are due to be shipped this week (~22 June 2022).
Meeting Closed: 8.48pm
Next Meeting: Tuesday 12th July 2022, 7.30pm
Appendix 1
|
Scout Radio & Electronics Service Unit |
Finance Report - June 2022 Meeting
Prepared Monday 13 June 2022
Account Balances
| Account | Balance on Monday 13 June 2022 |
|---|---|
| STEM - State Radio (Bendigo Bank) | $7,127.94 |
| Cheque Account (ANZ) | $0.00 |
| Savings Account (ANZ) | $0.04 |
| Total | $7,127.98 |
Outstanding Items
- Awaiting payment from Mafeking Amateur Radio Group for VK3SCM
- Awaiting payment from Mafeking Rover Park for VK3RMP
- Awaiting payment from Sandringham Cubs for Activity Night
- Awaiting payment from Sandringham Scouts for Activity Night
- Awaiting payment from 19th Camberwell Cub Unit - Monday Night for Activity Night
- Awaiting payment from Hoadley Hide for fuel purchased at event
- Awaiting payment from Mafeking Amateur Radio Group for amateur radio course fee contribution
- Awaiting payment from Douglas Ahearn for amateur radio course fees
- Awaiting payment from VicRovers for works on trailer
Savings Account (013599 268169069) - ANZ
| Date | Description | Debit | Credit | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 May '22 | Opening Balance | $0.04 | ||
| 13 Jun '22 | Closing Balance | $0.04 |
Cheque Account (013599 268166933) - ANZ
| Date | Description | Debit | Credit | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 May '22 | Opening Balance | $121.86 | ||
| 24 May '22 | Hoadley Hide Repeater Trailer Hire & RadioActiv8 Activity Allowance |
$190.00 | $311.86 | |
| 24 May '22 | Transfer SRESU Cheque (ANZ) to STEM - State Radio (Bendigo Bank) |
$121.86 | $190.00 | |
| 29 May '22 | Transfer SRESU Cheque (ANZ) to STEM - State Radio (Bendigo Bank) |
$190.00 | $0.00 | |
| 13 Jun '22 | Closing Balance | $0.00 |
Scouts Victoria STEM - State Radio (633000 190363002) - Bendigo Bank
| Date | Description | Debit | Credit | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 May '22 | Opening Balance | $4,330.02 | ||
| 10 May '22 | Mark Perkins Donation |
$50.00 | $4,380.02 | |
| 12 May '22 | ScoutHike 2021 | $1,682.50 | $6,062.52 | |
| 19 May '22 | Scouts Victoria STEM Comm Tech Reimburse Purchase of Monitors |
$1,113.00 | $7,175.52 | |
| 24 May '22 | Transfer SRESU Cheque (ANZ) to STEM - State Radio (Bendigo Bank) |
$121.86 | $7,297.38 | |
| 25 May '22 | Jess Hay Refund Amateur Exam (unable to attend examination) |
$90.00 | $7,207.38 | |
| 29 May '22 | Hoadley Hide Repeater Trailer Hire & RadioActiv8 Activity Allowance via ANZ Cheque Account |
$190.00 | $7,397.38 | |
| 13 Jun '22 | Interest | $0.04 | $7,397.42 | |
| 13 Jun '22 | Narre Warren South Scouts Activity Night |
$125.00 | $7,522.42 | |
| 13 Jun '22 | Matthew Cengia Reimburse fuel purchase at Hoadley Hide |
$238.46 | $7,283.96 | |
| 13 Jun '22 | STEM Debit Card Power Connectors for Lights |
$25.00 | $7,258.96 | |
| 13 Jun '22 | STEM Debit Card Power Connectors for Lights |
$3.92 | $7,255.04 | |
| 13 Jun '22 | STEM Debit Card Cases for TYT MD9600 Radios |
$77.10 | $7,177.94 | |
| 13 Jun '22 | Scouts Victoria Census 2023 |
$ 50.00 | $7,127.94 | |
| 13 Jun '22 | Closing Balance | $7,127.94 |
Appendix 2
Activities: Details for upcoming activities
Moreland Darebin District Joeys Day/1st Reservoir (Phillip Bailey)
Activity ideas:
+ Using conductive play dough to build simple circuits
+ Playing games such as battleships or hangman with a twist by using the Phonetic Alphabet and learning some simple radio procedures along the way
+ Building a simple skill tester and using it to compete against others
+ Fox hunting - patrols of hounds hunting out hidden radio transmitters using sniffers (specialised radio receivers coupled with a directional antenna to sniff out a signal).
+ Teaching component identification and using circuit building blocks to create simple circuits.
+ Potentially an SSTV activity - trial run for VicJam activity
- There will be other sections attending, Cubs and Scouts so we have been asked to target the 5-9 year old age group in designing the activities.
- It is expect there to be approximately 150 children in Joeys and Cubs attending
- The location will be around the Pascoe Vale swimming pool, either on the grounds around the swimming pool or in the park next door
- Contact is Alison - District Leader
*Update, Tuesday 8th February 2022*
- Neil spoke to organisers tonight
- Now proposing a date in May
- Ideas include fox hunting, conductive play dough, hands on activities
- May extend activity to four-five hours
- No clarity yet on numbers of youth members, duration of rotations, etc.
- Original concept was to get as many youth members to experience radio in some form as possible
- Neil will suggest Saturday 28th May, and find out -
- How many sessions?
- How many youth members per session?
- How long is a session?
- Neil will liaise with Luke. Luke/Andy will advise pricing for this activity.
- Luke will advise Sarah of request and explore possibility of STEM Youth Council running an activity.
Bayside District Cubs
Original Request:
In our last Seeonee we discused plan for full 2022, our prior approach to a distrct activity day is no longer going forward so I proposed we look at something completly different. I've proposed something around general radio/comms/tech... we have Southern FM pretty close to us and a Venturer involved in that. I'm thinking something around a wide range of radio/comms activities... through a number of bases.
Radio Cubs Bayside (have them prep some music, news weather reports etc to share with those on site... normally its a parent free afternoon - but I'm thinking we link it as a broader social to help encourage more involvement and they can be entertained. Remote Control split challenge of Cubs controlling something remotly by sending messages/commands (have a few ideas to try out at my group first - having been playing with SSTV, could do something with that - i.e. a radio to send the images and a rx ht mobile phone with deocder)
Activ8 activity that Luke,Matt etc ran at 1st Sandy for the Scouts
Fox Hunt around the area... we don't have a confirmed base for the event, but Cheltenham hall and park might work really well. .... plus some others....
Currently looking ahead to term 3 - I need to come up with a bit more of a plan to share at our next seeonee...
Appendix 3
Activity requests to follow up
New activity requests received this month are provided within the agenda body under Program Planning.
1st Upwey Scout Unit (Tim Allchin)
- Lead: Kevin & family
- Assist: Dan
- Nothing further has been heard from the group regarding a pre-JOTA activity.
- Contact the group again in 2022 to see how we can assist with program delivery.
Original request:
Thanks for all your work! We would like to have a radio night at our hall on Thursday 2nd or 9th September this year (2021). We have had a number of these nights over the years as our introduction to JOTA which we have attended for many years. These nights have generally been a series of rotational activities including fox hunting, radio battleships, mast erection and talking over a short wave radio. We start opening parade at 7.30 but arrive at 6.45-7pm to setup and finish with closing parade at 9.20. There is generally a window of 90 minutes for the rotations.