public:vag
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public:vag [2020/02/26 08:25] – uppermill | public:vag [2023/02/22 19:35] – grovenor | ||
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- | ^ Next Meeting | ||
- | |**< | ||
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- | ===== MERG Virtual Area Group ===== | ||
~~NOCACHE~~ | ~~NOCACHE~~ | ||
+ | ~~NOTOC~~ | ||
- | ==== Email ==== | + | <WRAP hide> |
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | Replace Somewhere with the name of your area group. | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | </ | ||
- | To send us an email, [[https:// | + | <WRAP notice round centeralign> |
- | For <color darkblue> | + | ====== MERG Virtual |
+ | </WRAP> | ||
- | ==== Area Group Coordinator | + | <WRAP box round> |
+ | <WRAP group> | ||
+ | <WRAP column quarter> | ||
+ | [[https:// | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <WRAP column quarter> | ||
+ | [[https:// | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <WRAP column quarter> | ||
+ | [[https:// | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <WRAP column quarter> | ||
+ | [[areagroups: | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <WRAP hide> | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | Replace photo with a area group meeting photo | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <WRAP box round centeralign> | ||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | ===== How do I contact the Virtual | ||
+ | |||
+ | <WRAP help round button> | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | Please indicate Virtual Area Group in your message **[[https:// | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | ===== Who is the leader of the group? ===== | ||
- | Allan Geekie M5173 - email address: vag@merg.org.uk | + | <WRAP hide> |
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | Replace photo with the names and titles of leaders. | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <WRAP info round> | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | Dave Mason, who is a retired chartered engineer with relevant experience in electronics and control system software, but little experience with railways, model or otherwise. Dave is a member of the South Hants Area Group and piloted the first virtual Special Interest Group exploring " | ||
- | ==== How It Works ==== | ||
- | This group now uses Zoom to conduct a group meeting from member' | + | </ |
- | The calls last one hour and to participate, | + | ===== Would you like to join today? ===== |
+ | <WRAP hide> | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | Update area group name. | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | </WRAP> | ||
+ | <WRAP tip round> | ||
+ | Not a member? then <WRAP button> | ||
+ | Select **Virtual Area Group** from the drop down list in **Other Area Groups** and press the **Subscribe | ||
+ | </ | ||
- | In order to join the group you need to send an email to Allan at vag@merg.org.uk. | + | ===== How do you meet? ===== |
+ | <WRAP hide> | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | Provide meeting details | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <WRAP info round> | ||
+ | The Virtual Area Group (VAG) is for MERG members only and was started primarily for those too distant from their nearest Area Group. It only meets using Zoom. | ||
- | Calls are scheduled in advance and are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 10:00GMT or 10:00BST. Topics are agreed in advance. | ||
- | When it is time to start a call, a voice and video conference is opened up which has thumbnails | + | During the first two years of the VAG we regularly welcomed members from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Ireland, UK, USA etc and varied weekly meeting times to try to make the calls work for different |
- | Members are participating from:- | ||
- | * Australia\\ | + | Many Area Groups have switched to using Zoom during Covid and so, temporarily we hope, created many other options for joining in. |
- | * Canada\\ | + | |
- | * Iceland\\ | + | |
- | * Ireland\\ | + | |
- | * UK\\ | + | |
- | * USA.\\ | + | |
- | Members can access the presentation material [[helpsystem: | ||
- | If you would like to try out Zoom, then there is a test meeting service where you are the only participant | + | At the start of 2021, after a break in the programme and with those other MERG Zoom options which are accessible to members in the western hemisphere, the plan is to resume VAG meeting |
- | | ||
- | This link is available to anybody, not just members of the virtual area group. | + | Meetings are nominally for an hour but typically Zoom will open 15mins before and for 30 mins afterwards for informal chat. |
- | ==== Next Meeting ==== | ||
- | **<color red> | + | Calls may be recorded and made available all MERG members. |
+ | </WRAP> | ||
- | The proposed agenda is as follows | + | ===== And the Next Meeting? ===== |
+ | Look in the MERG Diary or "My Upcoming Events" | ||
+ | <WRAP hide> | ||
+ | *************************************************************************** | ||
+ | Replace NN with the number of your area group - get from the AG admin page. | ||
+ | Update the contact form title. | ||
+ | *************************************************************************** | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <WRAP box round borderlesstable> | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | </ | ||
- | **Tuesday 11th February 2020 10:00 GMT** | + | ===== How are Topics Chosen? ===== |
- | ^Topic^Leader^Notes^ | + | <WRAP info round> |
- | |Changing Points|All|A general discussion on the topic of changing points - I guess we will start with a finger!| | + | |
- | Once you have confirmed with the leader that you wish to participate, | + | In April 2020 we carried out a poll of VAG members and the following topics were identified as the most popular: - |
+ | * How kits work - a series of calls, each discussing the how one particular kit works. Several done. | ||
+ | * Types and use of baseboard connectors - covered in Demystifying Components -Wires and Connectors | ||
+ | * Oscilloscopes and logic analysers for hobbyists | ||
+ | * Using the FCU - a multi part course is being considered including the use of the FCU to configure individual 2nd generation modules. | ||
+ | * Testing boards (use of various pieces of test equipment and the way to go about it) - A Test Gear Buyers Guide has already been presented. | ||
+ | * Neater Methods of under board wiring | ||
+ | * Best practice for wiring different bus types | ||
+ | * Layout control buses | ||
+ | * CBUS wiring strategy on a large club O gauge layout. Done. | ||
+ | * CANPAN wiring | ||
+ | * Servo and Servo Mounts | ||
+ | * Building CANVOUT | ||
+ | * Prusa 3D Printer | ||
+ | * 3D scanners | ||
+ | * Photogrammetry - generating 3D models from multiple photographs | ||
+ | * CBUS Beginners Kit. | ||
- | ==== Future Meetings ==== | + | Members can suggest topics at any time using the member email system. |
+ | </ | ||
- | Calls are held on the second third and fourth Tuesday of each month at 10:00GMT or 18:30GMT. The calls scheduled | + | ===== How do Video Calls Work? ===== |
- | Agendas exist for some future meetings - these may change. | + | <WRAP round tip> |
+ | To join in you may need to add a headset with microphone and optionally a camera to your device, if they are not built in. You will receive a link which will get you into the meeting, automatically installing Zoom on your device if necessary. | ||
- | Suggestions for additional | + | Calls are scheduled and topics |
- | Some discussion | + | Zoom provides thumbnails of each video participant and any shared presentations or desktops. The call host facilitates the meeting/ |
- | ^Date / Time^Topic^Topic Lead^ | + | Usually everyone mutes their microphone to avoid a lot of noise from phones, clocks chiming, family activity etc. To speak you can just press the spacebar to (after a slight pause) temporarily unmute. |
- | |**February**||| | + | |
- | |25th 10:00 GMT|What is on our Workbenches? | + | |
- | |**March**||| | + | |
- | |10th 10:00 GMT|3D Resin Printing|Chris Walsh and Roger Woodward| | + | |
- | |17th 18:30 GMT|Colour Light Signals|All| | + | |
- | |24th 10:00 GMT|Journal Discussion|All| | + | |
- | |**April**||| | + | |
- | |14th 10:00 BST|What is on our Workbenches? | + | |
- | |21st 18:30 BST|Semaphore Signals|All| | + | |
- | |28th 10:00 BST|Arduino Discussion|All| | + | |
- | |**May**||| | + | |
- | |14th 10:00 BST|Fusion 360|Dave McCabe| | + | |
- | |21st 18:30 BST|DC Control|All| | + | |
- | |28th 10:00 BST|Raspberry Pi Discussion|All| | + | |
- | |**June**||| | + | |
- | |9th 10:00 BST|Success with Surface Mount Devices|Duncan Greenwood| | + | |
- | |16th 18:30 BST|TBA|All| | + | |
- | |23rd 10:00 BST|TBA|All| | + | |
- | |**July**||| | + | |
- | |14th 10:00 BST|TBA|All| | + | |
- | |21st 18:30 BST|TBA|All| | + | |
- | |28th 10:00 BST|TBA|All| | + | |
- | |**August**||| | + | |
- | |14th 10:00 BST|TBA|All| | + | |
- | |21st 18:30 BST|TBA|All| | + | |
- | |28th 10:00 BST|TBA|All| | + | |
- | |**September**||| | + | |
- | |14th 10:00 BST|Signalling|Dave McCabe| | + | |
- | |21st 18:30 BST|What is on our Workbenches? | + | |
- | |28th 10:00 BST|TBA|All| | + | |
- | There is a standby list of topics that appear regularly:- | + | |
- | * <color darkblue> | + | You can select among several icons to, for example raise a hand, clap, agree, vote etc. Useful for questioning. |
- | * Last Journal | + | |
- | * Our Layouts | + | |
- | * Our Projects | + | |
- | * Helping Beginners | + | |
- | * Kit Surgery | + | |
- | * 3D Printing | + | |
- | * Blue Pill Microcontrollers. | + | |
- | ==== Previous Meetings in 2020 ==== | + | |
- | **Tuesday 11th February 2020 10:00 GMT** | + | You can also type " |
- | ^Topic^Leader^Notes^ | + | If you would like to try out Zoom, then there is a test meeting service where you are the only participant |
- | |CANV* Modules|Ian Hart|Ian will talk about the new CANV range of modules, now in production | + | |
- | **Tuesday 28th January 2020 10:00 GMT** | + | <WRAP button> |
- | ^Topic^Leader^Notes^ | + | This link is available to anybody, not just members of the virtual area group. |
- | |Radio Throttles Discussion|All|A general discussion around wireless communication with hand-held throttles.| | + | </ |
- | + | <WRAP box round> | |
- | Tuesday 21st January 2020 10:00 GMT | + | <WRAP group> |
- | + | <WRAP column quarter> | |
- | ^Topic^Leader^Notes^ | + | [[https://www.merg.org.uk/ |
- | |MERG in 2020|Martin Perry|MERG Chairman, Martin Perry discusses what MERG will be doing in the coming year.| | + | </ |
- | + | <WRAP column quarter> | |
- | Tuesday 14th January 2020 18:30 GMT | + | [[https:// |
- | + | </ | |
- | ^Topic^Leader^Notes^ | + | <WRAP column quarter> |
- | |Train Detection Discussion|All|A general discussion around train detection using light, lasers, magnets, current consumption and any other ideas that members | + | [[https://www.merg.org.uk/ |
- | ==== Previous Meetings in 2019 ==== | + | </ |
- | + | <WRAP column quarter> | |
- | Tuesday 17th December 2019 18:30 GMT | + | [[areagroups:vag:vag_page_internal|VAG Members Page]] |
- | + | </ | |
- | ^Topic^Leader^Notes^ | + | </WRAP> |
- | | Layout Wiring|All| A general discussion on the basics | + | </WRAP> |
- | + | ---- | |
- | Tuesday 10th December 2019 - 10:00 GMT | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Journal Feedback|Allan| We will take a few minutes to gather some feedback regarding | + | |
- | | Tales from the Kitlocker|Judi Rastall| A good opportunity to learn more about this essential part of MERG| | + | |
- | 26th November 2019 18:30 GMT | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Video Recording of VAG calls|All|My original of a policy is not working due to space restrictions at Zoom; we need to agree a policy; I can provide an update on the recent problems.| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | 19th November 2019 18:30 GMT | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Notes^ | + | |
- | | DCC PMP Kits Discussion|All|This is the first of the evening discussion callsd. We weill start with PMP DCC kits but see where it takes us. | | + | |
- | + | ||
- | 12th November 2019 10:00 GMT | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Merg Feedback|Allan|Feedback from the Thirsk event and AGM| | + | |
- | | Getting Started with PlatformIO|Dave McCabe|What is PlatformIO? | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === October 22nd === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | |Designing PCBs|Alan Turner| 30 | | | + | |
- | |MERG Online|Martin Sebborn | 30 | | | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === October 8th === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | |Journal - The Road to JMRI series|Allan| 40 | | | + | |
- | |Challenge the Group| All | 20 |This is an opportunity to ask the group for help with problems on your layout or with electronics in general| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 24th September === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | More Wires or More Modules|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 10th September === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Journal Feedback|Discussion| | + | |
- | | MERG Update|Allan| | + | |
- | | CBUS for Beginners|Discussion| | + | |
- | | TTH CANCAB|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 27th August === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Station Destination Boards|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Burning Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 13th August === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | | DC Control|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Burning Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 9th July === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Signalling Objects for CBUS|Dave Turner| | + | |
- | |:::|:::|:::|1 To make configuration and documentation of an interlocked system easier| | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |:::|:::|:::| - Interlocking of modelled signalling items| | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | === 25th June === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | | General Discussion|All| | + | |
- | | Burning Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 11th June === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Journal Feedback|Discussion| | + | |
- | | DCC Decoder for Under a Fiver|Duncan Greenwood| | + | |
- | | Burning Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | === 28th May === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | | On my Workbench|Discussion| | + | |
- | | CBUS - long messages 2|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Burning Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 14th May === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Blue Pill Talks to CUS|Dave McCabe| | + | |
- | | Burning Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 23 April === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Etiquette|Discussion| | + | |
- | | PMP Project Ideas|Discussion| | + | |
- | | CBUS - long messages 1|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Burning Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 9th April === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Workbenches|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Layouts|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Burning Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 26th March === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | From the Workbench|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Getting Started with Blue Pill Microcontrollers|Dave McC| 25 |Quick intro to Blue PIll( inc schmatic )| | + | |
- | |:::|::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | | Any Questions|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 12th March === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Last Journal|Discussion| | + | |
- | | CBUS|TBA| | + | |
- | | Any Questions|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 26th February === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | | + | |
- | | 3D Printing|Howard| | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
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- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | | Any Questions|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === 12th February === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Interesting Forum Threads|Discussion| | + | |
- | | A MERG Newsletter|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Helping Beginners|Allan| | + | |
- | | Any Questions|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + | |
- | === 22nd January === | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ | ||
- | | <color darkblue> | ||
- | | Layouts|Discussion| | ||
- | | Projects|Discussion| | ||
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| |
public/vag.txt · Last modified: 2023/04/18 13:31 by grovenor