public:eastmids
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public:eastmids [2020/10/27 11:15] – Add October meeting and archive agendas of some older meetings PeteB | public:eastmids [2024/03/03 07:45] (current) – Add March 24 meeting PeteB | ||
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- | :-)====== MERG East Midlands Area Group News ====== | + | :-) |
- | [[:public:areagroups|Return to Area Groups | + | ====== MERG East Midlands Area Group News ====== |
- | [[:public: | + | [[https:// |
+ | [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | **This is the public page, members please check here for the latest news | ||
+ | [[areagroups: | ||
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- | To send us an email, use the [[https:// | + | To contact |
For MERG members, you might also like to look at our [[https:// | For MERG members, you might also like to look at our [[https:// | ||
- | |||
---- | ---- | ||
- | ====== | + | ====== |
- | **Saturday 31st October from 10:00** | + | Here is the agenda for our March 2024 area group meeting. |
- | This meeting will be online using Zoom. | + | **Saturday 16th March 2024 from 10:00** |
- | As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring | + | This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Bassetlaw (North Notts) Railway Society |
- | ---- | + | Thanks to MERG and Bassetlaw Railway Society member Julian Pratt for arranging the venue for us. |
- | **AGENDA** | + | The Bassetlaw Railway Society are not charging us for the use of the room, but we will ask for a donation of £2 per head to cover the cost of teas & coffees and biscuits, and make a donation to the Society. |
- | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | + | Access is step free, but the entry door to the clubrooms is probably not wide enough for a powered wheelchair. |
- | * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/ | + | For those coming by train, there are reasonable arrivals from east (9:50), west (9:20) and north (9:38). From the south, there is one from Peterborough |
- | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | + | |
- | * 10:45 - A tour round my T Gauge layouts | + | |
- | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | + | |
- | * 11:45 - QnA for Doug's presentation - DCC in T gauge, JMRI automation etc - following on into general QnA | + | |
- | * 12:30 - Lunch | + | |
- | * 13:30 - Continue general QnA on all things MERG and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects | + | |
- | ---- | + | Parking is now: £6.25 at the station, £4.95 at [[https:// |
- | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something | + | There is a Costa Coffee on the station, a convenience store 2 minutes walk away and Retford has many excellent eating places, just 12 minutes walk away, or you may bring a packed lunch. |
- | If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS-> | + | There is no Wi-Fi at the venue, so a Zoom connection will not be possible. |
- | Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. | + | More details |
- | + | ||
- | If you cannot see the details | + | |
- | + | ||
- | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link, but with the new system that allows you to see the Zoom link directly from your events page, I no longer need to send out confirmation emails to everyone and you don't have to post a message here or send an email to reserve a place at the meeting. However, still feel free to post a message here to let us know you will be there if you wish. | + | |
- | I will send out the usual reminder email to everyone subscribed to the area group in the next day or so, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
- | ====== SEPTEMBER 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== | ||
- | **Saturday 26th September 2020 from 10:00** | + | **AGENDA** |
- | This meeting will be online using Zoom. | + | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: |
- | As before, we have found that breaks of roughly | + | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members |
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:40 - The Bassetlaw (North Notts) Railway Society - Julian Pratt | ||
+ | * 10:50 - MERG news - John Gowers (MERG chairman) | ||
+ | * 11:00 - The CANXIO - Pete Brownlow | ||
+ | * 11:45 - Tea/coffee break | ||
+ | * 12:00 - The Raspberry Pi Pico - David Jones | ||
+ | * 12:45 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall | ||
+ | * 13:15 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
+ | * | ||
+ | * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic. | ||
+ | During the afternoon our chairman, John Gowers, will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about MERG committee matters etc. | ||
- | ---- | + | The Bassetlaw Railway Society modelling rooms will be open, where the main 00 gauge layout will be operated by society members and other layouts will be on display, including a newly started N gauge, a nearly ready O gauge and a Triang TT. |
- | **AGENDA** | + | We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving |
- | + | ||
- | The meeting | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/ | + | |
- | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | + | |
- | * 10:45 - Guided tour of my layout - Folkstone International - Martin Perry | + | |
- | * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | + | |
- | * 11:30 - The MERG modules | + | |
- | * 12:00 - My terminus with loco release line, part 2 - Michael Newton | + | |
- | * 12:30 - Lunch | + | |
- | * 13:30 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects | + | |
---- | ---- | ||
- | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar. | ||
- | If you would like to join in, please | + | If you would like to come, please |
- | + | ||
- | Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. | + | |
- | If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to [[https:// | + | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails |
- | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link, but with the new system that allows you to see the Zoom link directly from your events page, I no longer need to send out confirmation emails to everyone, you can just join in on the day. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
- | ====== | + | ====== |
- | **Saturday | + | Here is the agenda for our January online Zoom area group meeting. |
+ | |||
+ | **Saturday | ||
This meeting will be online using Zoom. | This meeting will be online using Zoom. | ||
- | As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again. | + | As before, we have found that regular |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | ---- | + | |
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
**AGENDA** | **AGENDA** | ||
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The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
- | * 10:00 - Get connected, | + | * 10:00 - Get connected, |
- | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | + | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions |
- | * 10:50 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | + | * 10:45 - Essex Brick part 2 - getting into using YAAT for automation |
- | * 11:00 - Introduction to my terminus with loco release line, using modified Pocket Money Projects. | + | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) |
- | * 11:15 - Update on my projects, including CANINP/ | + | * 11:45 - My initial exploration of the Hornby HM7000 system |
- | * 11:50 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | + | * 12:15 - QnA on the above talks |
- | * 12:00 - Charnwood | + | * 12:30 - Kit and other news |
- | * 12:30 - PTP Lite QnA | + | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK |
- | * 13:00 - Lunch | + | * 14:00 on - General |
- | * 14:00 - QnA and anyone looking for advice | + | |
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
- | ---- | + | For the help clinic session in the afternoon, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar. |
- | + | ||
- | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar. | + | |
- | If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS-> | + | If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS-> |
Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. | Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. | ||
- | If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to [[https:// | + | If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https:// |
- | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link, but with the new system that allows you to see the Zoom link directly from your events page, I no longer need to send out confirmation emails | + | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link. |
+ | |||
+ | I will send out the usual reminder email, it will go automatically | ||
---- | ---- | ||
- | ====== JULY 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== | ||
- | **Saturday 18th July 2020 from 10:00** | ||
- | This meeting | + | ====== December 2023 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting |
- | As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again. | + | Here is the agenda for our December 2023 online Zoom area group meeting. |
+ | **Saturday 9th December from 10:00** | ||
- | ---- | + | This meeting will be online using Zoom. |
+ | |||
+ | As before, we have found that regular breaks of roughly 10-15 mins worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again. | ||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
**AGENDA** | **AGENDA** | ||
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The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
- | * 10:00 - Get connected, | + | * 10:00 - Get connected, |
- | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | + | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions |
- | * 10:50 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | + | * 10:45 - Essex Brick a lockdown to exhibition layout - Eddy |
- | * 11:00 - My projects update | + | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) |
- | * 11:45 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | + | * 11:45 - Update on my developments with DCC, CBUS and JMRI - Pete Brownlow |
- | * 12:00 - Locke Town - A tour around Roxeter and the PC that controls it.(A bit of a CBUS fest!) - by Nick Locke | + | |
- | * 13:00 - Lunch Break | + | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK |
- | * 14:00 - Kit locker Update | + | * 14:00 on - General |
- | * 14:15 - QnA and anyone looking for advice | + | |
- | ---- | + | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar. | + | |
- | If you would like to join in, please | + | For the help clinic session in the afternoon, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please |
- | If you are not a MERG member and would like to participate as a visitor | + | If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS-> |
Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. | Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. | ||
- | If you are a MERG member and you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https:// | + | If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https:// |
- | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link, but with the new system that allows you to see the Zoom link directly from your events page, I no longer need to send out confirmation emails to everyone for online meetings. Thanks to Allan and Martin S for all the work they have put into that system. | + | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link. |
- | This means you don't have to post a message on the forum or send an email to reserve a place at the meeting, but still feel free to post a message | + | I will send out the usual reminder |
- | I will send out the usual reminder emails | + | ---- |
+ | ---- | ||
+ | ====== OCTOBER 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
+ | **Saturday 21st October 2023 from 10:00** | ||
- | ---- | + | The meeting is Kindly hosted by the Nene Valley Railway at Wansford. Thanks to MERG and NVR member Russ Jenner for arranging the venue for us. |
- | ====== JUNE 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== | + | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover both the venue hire and teas/ |
- | **Sunday 28th June 2020 from 10:00** | + | The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know. |
- | This meeting | + | There is a cafe on site, I will confirm arrangements, |
- | As before, we have found that breaks of 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again. | + | If the Wifi at the venue is working well enough, we will endeavour to have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. However, the meeting |
---- | ---- | ||
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The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
- | * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/ | + | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members |
- | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | + | * 10:30 - Welcome |
- | * 10:45 - Kit Locker news Special | + | * 10:35 - Group news and Introductions |
- | * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | + | * 10:45 - CBUS and JMRI at Gwynne Junction - James Cunningham - including some or all of CANMIO Rev K, JMRI semaphore signalling, my JMRI touchscreen signal box and Railcom |
- | * 11:30 - Progress with my Garden Railway | + | * 11:45 - Tea/coffee break |
- | * 12:15 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | + | * 12:00 - MERG & kit locker updates |
- | * 12:30 - CBUS and JMRI update, including CANINP and CANOUT | + | * 12:30 - The Universal Experimenters Module |
- | * 13:00 - Lunch Break | + | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK |
- | * 14:00 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects | + | * |
- | + | * 13:30 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations | |
- | ---- | + | |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something | + | |
- | If you would like to join in, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message here in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in the next couple of days, you will get a reply with Zoom link and meeting id. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
- | ====== MAY 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== | + | During the afternoon, as well as our usual help and problem solving clinic, Russ advises that the railwayana shop at NVR will be open which now has quite a lot of double 00 and a few N and O gauge second hand stock. |
- | **Saturday 16th May 2020 from 10:00** | + | If he can get the 00 layout running for the afternoon he will do so. |
- | This meeting | + | Short trips to the NVR shed will be available during the afternoon. |
- | During our online courses, we found that breaks of 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring | + | It is a running day at NVR with 3 trains, pulled by W D Austerity. |
- | ---- | + | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in the week before the meeting, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. Please don't just turn up on spec, in case there are last minute changes we need to let you know about. |
+ | Let us know if you need a lift from Peterborough station. Please plan to arrive at Peterborough station no later than 9:30am, so whoever picks you up does not have to miss any of the meeting. | ||
- | **AGENDA** | + | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I have noted you and I will be sending |
- | + | ||
- | The meeting | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/ | + | |
- | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | + | |
- | * 10:45 - Fitting crystal adapter boards to CBUS modules - Graham Clark | + | |
- | * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | + | |
- | * 11:30 - Update on my projects - Pete Brownlow | + | |
- | * 12:00 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects | + | |
- | * 12:30 - Lunch Break | + | |
- | * 13:30 - Kit locker update from Judi Rastal | + | |
- | * 14:00 - Continuation of QnA and advice clinic, until everyone has had enough! | + | |
---- | ---- | ||
+ | ====== JULY 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
+ | **Saturday 8th July 2023 from 10:00** | ||
- | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, | + | Due to Judi's building work not being complete in time, we have swapped |
- | If you would like to join in, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, during the Friday before the meeting, you will get a reply with Zoom link and meeting id. | + | This meeting |
- | ---- | + | Thanks to Richard Joyce for organising the venue for us. |
+ | Tea and Coffee will be available all day, please bring your own packed lunch as there are no other facilities nearby. | ||
- | ====== APRIL 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== | + | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/ |
- | Here is the agenda for our Easter online area group meeting. | + | The venue has level step free access and reasonable parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know. |
- | **Saturday 11th April 2020 from 10:00** | + | Provided the Internet connection at the venue is working well, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. I will add a Zoom link to the meeting info, so that it appears in your upcoming meetings on the MERG website. |
- | This meeting would have been at the Kingsway Centre | + | More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included |
- | In the meantime, this meeting will now be online using Zoom. | + | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
- | + | ||
- | During our online courses, we found that breaks of 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will follow that idea for the area group meeting. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ---- | + | |
**AGENDA** | **AGENDA** | ||
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The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
- | * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/ | + | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members |
* 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
- | * 10:45 - Kit locker update | + | * 10:45 - Introduction to the Lincoln & District Model Railway Club - Richard Joyce |
- | * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | + | * 10:50 - The CANPROG - what it is, building one, using it to program PICs - Pete Brownlow |
- | * 11:30 - CBUS & JMRI update | + | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break |
- | * 12:15 - Another break | + | * 11:45 - Update on FCU development (CBUS FLim Config Utility) |
- | * 12:30 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects | + | * 12:15 - Kit locker update |
- | * 13:30 - Lunch Break | + | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK |
- | * 14:30 - Optional continuation of QnA and advice | + | * 14:00 - 16:00 ish - Demonstrations |
- | ---- | + | There should also be a chance to see some of the L&DMRC layouts. |
- | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar. | + | We will of course |
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
- | If you would like to join in, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message | + | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in the week before the meeting, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. |
- | I will also host a test Zoom meeting at 7pm on Friday evening, for anyone who wants to test out that they can get connected ok before the meeting proper. | + | Please book a place rather than just turning up on spec, if there are any last minute changes we need to know who is coming so that we can contact you. |
+ | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the week before the meeting). | ||
- | ---- | + | ====== May 2023 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== |
- | ====== MARCH 2020 East Midlands | + | Here is the agenda for our May 2023 online Zoom area group meeting. |
- | **Saturday | + | **Saturday |
- | Our March meeting | + | This meeting will be online using Zoom. |
- | (See http:// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | We will ask for a donation of £2 per head to cover teas/ | + | |
- | + | ||
- | I have been advised that there will be no catering on site that day, other than the teas and coffees, so you will need to bring a packed lunch. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The meeting room is upstairs, but HMRS have a platform stair lift which I have confirmed is working, so step free access is available. The platform should accept a standard wheelchair, but will not take the larger mobility scooters. When confirming your place, please let us know if you have any mobility requirements. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | ---- | + | |
+ | As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again. | ||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
**AGENDA** | **AGENDA** | ||
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The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
- | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | + | * 10:00 - Get connected, Informal chat |
- | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | + | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions |
- | * 10:45 - An Arduino based timed shuttle | + | * 10:45 - MERG and kit locker news |
- | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break | + | * 11:00 - FCU (CBUS Config utility) - development news and status - Pete Brownlow |
- | * 12:00 - CBUS/CANMIO update & building CBUS modules that are not yet in the kit locker | + | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) |
- | * 13:00 - MERG Kit locker Update | + | * 11:45 - WebFCU (alternative |
+ | * 12:15 - From the MERG chairman | ||
+ | * 12:45 - MERG AGM event - possible East Mids Area group involvement | ||
+ | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
+ | * 14:00 on - General QnA and help clinic | ||
- | * 13:30 - LUNCH BREAK | + | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
- | * 14:30 - 16:30ish - Making | + | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar. |
+ | If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS-> | ||
- | ---- | + | Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. |
+ | If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https:// | ||
- | For the practical sessions, as we have done before, if you have built something | + | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk |
- | If you already know what you want help on for this session, please | + | I will send out the usual reminder |
- | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands | + | ---- |
+ | ====== APRIL 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
- | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next few days.) | + | **Saturday 8th April 2023 from 10:00** |
+ | Here is the agenda for our April meeting. | ||
- | ---- | + | This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society (KMRS) at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough. |
- | ====== OCTOBER 2019 East Midlands area group meeting ====== | + | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/ |
- | **Saturday 26th October 2019 from 9:30** | + | The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know. |
- | Kindly hosted by the Nene Valley Railway in their Study Centre meeting room at Wansford | + | You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, |
- | Thanks to Russ Jenner for organising | + | Provided the Internet connection at the venue is working, we will have a Zoom connection |
- | This is an Arduino themed meeting. | + | More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place. Please remember to book a place and not just turn up on spec, in case there are any changes we need to let you know about, and so we now how many people to cater for. |
- | ---- | + | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
**AGENDA** | **AGENDA** | ||
- | * 09:30 Members arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | + | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members |
- | * 10:00 Group news and events update | + | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions |
- | * 10:15 Introduction to Arduino | + | * 10:40 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society |
- | * 11:15 Coffee Break | + | * 10:45 - CBUS update - what has been happening in the CBUS world - Pete Brownlow |
- | * 11:30 Case studies of Arduino in model railway projects | + | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break |
- | * 12:30 Lunch | + | * 11:45 - The new improved MERG ATC system - Mike Collins |
- | * 13:30 Kit locker | + | * 12:30 - Kit locker |
- | * 14:00 Afternoon practical sessions, including: | + | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK |
+ | * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic | ||
- | A chance to talk in more detail with our speakers | + | The Kingsway Model Railway Society 00 gauge layout will be open and partially running (one corner currently has an engineering possession for relaying the track). This uses the MERG DCC system |
- | + | ||
- | Various Arduino demos by MERG members | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Our usual practical problem solving clinic session | + | |
- | + | ||
- | We may also have some NVR signal box tours available organised by Russ Jenner | + | |
- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | + | Feel free if you want to bring something to run, the 00 layouts are DCC, the N gauge layout is analogue. |
- | We will ask for £2 per head to cover the room hire cost and £1 each in the " | + | We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving, techniques such as soldering etc. |
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
- | A selection of MERG kits will be available for purchase. | + | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, before |
- | The NVR cafe will be open from about 8:30 for bacon butties or full breakfast, and also open at lunchtime. However, as it is a running weekend including Thomas the Tank Engine, it may be very busy. For that reason, | + | Please book a place rather than just turning up on spec, if there are any last minute changes we need to know who is coming so that we can contact you. |
+ | Regards, | ||
- | The meeting room is step-free accessible. If you need a disabled parking space reserved close up, please let us know. | + | Pete |
- | For those who would like to come by train, we can arrange to collect you from Peterborough station or, if you can get there early enough, I can collect from Wellingborough station on my way to the meeting about 7:30am. | ||
- | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply in due course with full address details and directions to the venue. | ||
- | Members from outside the East Midlands are always welcome at our meetings, as are visitors. Please just let us know you are coming so we can plan for the numbers expected. | ||
- | ---- | ||
+ | ====== SEPTEMBER 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
- | ====== AUGUST 2019 East Midlands area group meeting ====== | + | **Saturday 3rd September 2022 from 10:00** |
- | **Saturday 17th August 2019 from 10:00** | + | Here is the agenda for our September meeting. |
- | Kindly hosted by David Straker | + | This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society |
- | Weather permitting, there will be an opportunity | + | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/ |
- | Collection can be arranged from Leicester station for those who would like to come by train. | + | The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know. |
- | Tea and coffee will be provided, please | + | You can either |
- | The meeting | + | Provided the Internet connection at the venue is working, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. I will add a Zoom link to the meeting info, so that it appears in your upcoming meetings |
+ | More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place. PLease remember to book a place and not just turn up on spec, in case there are any changes we need to let you know about. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
Line 407: | Line 374: | ||
The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
- | * 10:00 Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | + | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members |
- | * 10:30 Welcome | + | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions |
- | * 10:40 Introductions and group news | + | * 10:40 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger barker |
- | * 10:50 Kit locker Update | + | * 10:45 - Turntable Tales - My journey so far with the Peco Turntable and MERG Turntable Controller - kit John Wood\\ (Also includes using Julian' |
- | * 11:15 Short coffee break | + | * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break |
- | * 11:30 CBUS enhancements to JMRI, demo and discussion - Steve Young | + | * 11:30 - DCC and CBUS new developments with live demo - Pete Brownlow\\ (Including new features in CANCMD, CANCOMPUTE and development news on CANMIO (Universal) ) |
- | * 12:15 Finding your way around the MERG website, forum and wiki - Pete Brownlow | + | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK |
- | * 13:00 Lunch - bring your own packed lunch (tea and coffee provided) | + | |
- | * 13:30 A chance to operate David Straker' | ||
- | * in parallel with: | ||
- | * 13:30 Making it work - our usual problem solving clinic | ||
- | * 16:00 “Wrap up” discussion, confirm next meeting | + | * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations |
+ | |||
+ | The Kingsway Model Railway Society 00 gauge layout will be open and running, this uses the MERG DCC system and CBUS. The N gauge layout will also be set up. Pete will also have the Missenden St Mary's layout set up and running. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Feel free if you want to bring something to run, the 00 layouts are DCC, the N gauge layout is analogue. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving, techniques such as soldering etc. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
- | If you would like to bring anything | + | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in a day or two, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. |
- | There will be some kits available for purchase, but we can only bring a selection so If you want any specific kits, you would be best to order them in advance from the kit locker and specify collection at the Leicester area group meeting at the checkout page. | + | Please book a place rather than just turning up on spec, if there are any last minute changes we need to know who is coming so that we can contact |
- | For the clinic session, as we have done before, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you as a demonstration for everyone. If you know in advance what you would like to get sorted, let us know in advance so we can gen up on it. | + | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails |
+ | ---- | ||
+ | ====== JULY 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
- | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply with full address details and directions to the venue. (If you have already done so - your confirmation email should arrive in the next day or two) | + | **Saturday 9th July 2022 from 10:00** |
- | If you would like to come by train, please let us know if you need a lift from the station. If coming by train, please plan to arrive at Leicester station by about 09:45 so that whoever comes to pick you up does not have to miss any of the meeting. | + | The meeting is Kindly hosted |
- | All visitors, | + | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover both the venue hire and teas/ |
- | ---- | + | The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know. |
+ | There is a cafe on site, we will pass the menu around in the morning so you can order lunch if you wish. | ||
- | ====== SUMMER 2019 East Midlands area group meeting | + | If the Wifi at the venue is working well enough, we will endevour have a Zoom connection for the morning |
- | **Sunday 7th July 2019 from 10:00** | + | It is a running day on the NVR, purple timetable, scheduled to be a mix of steam and the Peak diesel. See the NVR website for more details. |
- | Kindly hosted by Julie and Brian Chapman at their place in Skegness. | ||
- | Collection can be arranged from Skegness station for those who would like to come by train. | + | ---- |
- | Full details and directions to the venue will be confirmed to those attending. | ||
**AGENDA** | **AGENDA** | ||
Line 455: | Line 425: | ||
The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
- | * 10:00 Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | + | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members |
- | * 10:30 Introductions, Group news, future meetings etc. | + | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions |
- | * 10:45 Driving | + | * 10:40 - Developing FCU - progress |
- | * 11:45 Short tea/coffee break | + | * 11:20 - Tea/coffee break |
- | * 12:00 Report on a recent visit to Minatur Wunderland with some photos and video - Pete Brownlow | + | * 11:30 - Colin Head - Demo and progress report on my layout (which has no name yet!) |
- | * 12:45 Kit locker | + | * 12:10 - MERG & kit locker |
+ | * 12:30 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
- | * 13:00 Lunch | + | * 13:30 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical |
- | + | ||
- | * 14:00 Making it work - practical | + | |
- | * 16:00 Final discussion, confirm next meeting and thanks to our hosts | + | |
+ | Note: " | ||
---- | ---- | ||
+ | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message here in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in due course, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. | ||
- | As always, | + | Let us know if you need a lift from Peterborough station. Please plan to arrive at Peterborough station no later than 9:30am, so whoever picks you up does not have to miss any of the meeting. |
- | There will be some kits available to buy, but if you want something specific, I would recommend ordering it from the kit locker now and marking it for collection at the meeting. | + | Those who have already let us know that you are coming, you should have received a confirmation email with directions, parking, lunch details etc. If you have not received your confirmation email, please get in touch. |
- | Julie and Brian can accommodate a maximum of 20 people, so it will be first come first served for booking a place. | + | ---- |
+ | ====== APRIL 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
- | Parking is quite limited, with double yellow lines on all roads nearby, Brian and the next door neighbour can accommodate about 10-12 cars max on the driveway. So please car share as much as possible. If it looks like we will have too many cars, then we will identify a car park in the vicinity where people can meet up and come on to the venue in one car. | + | **Saturday |
- | The venue is accessible. There are two steps but wheelchair ramps are available if required. If you need a parking space reserved on Brian' | + | This meeting |
- | Tea/Coffee and biscuits | + | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/ |
- | Let us know if you need a lift from the station. If arriving by train, please | + | The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please |
- | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply, in due course, with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. | + | You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, the town centre is about 5 minutes drive away. There is a co-op shop a few minutes walk away. |
- | For those who have already indicated you would like to come, I will be sending out confirmation emails over the next few days. | + | We will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. I have added the Zoom link to the meeting info, so that it appears in your upcoming meetings on the MERG website. |
- | ---- | + | More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place. |
- | ====== EASTER 2019 East Midlands area group meeting ====== | + | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
- | **Saturday 20th April 2019 from 10:00** | + | **AGENDA** |
- | Our next meeting | + | The meeting |
- | KMRS is a small club that has a room in the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough, where a small 00 gauge layout is under construction. They also have portable N gauge and 009 layouts at various stages of development. The society uses the meeting room in the centre for their weekly club meetings. | + | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members |
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:35 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger barker | ||
+ | * 10:45 - My CBUS & JMRI journey - Julian Pratt (held over from the previous meeting) | ||
+ | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break | ||
+ | * 11:45 - Kit locker update - news about MERG kits - Judi Rastall | ||
+ | * 12:15 - CBUS update - developments and things I am working on - Pete Brownlow | ||
- | Normally it is not possible to hire the meeting room at weekends, as there are regular weekly meetings on Saturdays and Sundays by a language class and a dance school. | + | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK |
- | However, neither of these organisations are meeting on Easter Saturday 20th April, so we have been able to hire the room. | + | * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic |
- | Collection can be arranged from Wellingborough station for those who would like to come by train. | + | The Kingsway Model Railway Society 00 gauge layout will be open and running, this uses the MERG DCC system and CBUS. The N gauge layout will also be set up. |
- | We will ask for a donation | + | We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving |
- | There is a Sainsbury' | + | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
- | The venue is level access with no stairs. | + | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in a day or two, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. |
+ | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next day or two). | ||
---- | ---- | ||
+ | ====== FEBRUARY 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
- | **AGENDA** | + | **Saturday 26th February 2022 from 10:00** |
- | The meeting | + | This meeting |
- | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | + | Thanks to MERG and Bassetlaw Railway Society member Julian Pratt for arranging |
- | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | + | |
- | * 11:00 - CBUS update, developments and news - by Pete Brownlow | + | |
- | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break | + | |
- | * 11:45 - Setting up JMRI routes with CBUS by Graham Clark | + | |
- | JMRI is a free software program | + | The Bassetlaw Railway Society are not charging us for the use of the room, but we will ask for a donation of £2 per head to cover the cost of teas & coffees |
- | * 12:30 MERG DCC and CBUS on the KMRS 00 layout | + | Parking is available in the station car park at a cost of £5. You can of course come by train to Retford Station. |
- | Pete will describe his experiences, tribulations and future plans installing | + | If we can get a Wi-Fi connection at the venue, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. However, I understand we are reliant |
- | * 13:15 - LUNCH BREAK | + | Numbers will be limited to 20, to ensure reasonable separation. Mask wearing is now optional, please make your own choice. We would recommend that everyone takes a lateral flow test before coming. |
- | + | ||
- | * 14:30 - 16:00 ish - Making it work - Practical workshop session and problem clinic | + | |
Line 537: | Line 510: | ||
- | For the practical sessions, as we have done before, if you have built something and/or would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you as a demonstration for everyone. | + | **AGENDA** |
- | If you already know what you want help on for this session, please email the details in advance | + | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: |
- | Although | + | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members |
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:40 - The Bassetlaw (North Notts) Railway Society - Julian Pratt | ||
+ | * 10:50 - Different cabs for the MERG DCC system - Simon West, John Gowers & Pete Brownlow | ||
+ | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break | ||
+ | * 11:45 - Different cabs for the MERG DCC system - continued | ||
+ | * 12:15 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall | ||
+ | * 12:30 - My CBUS & JMRI journey - Julian Pratt | ||
- | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in due course, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. | + | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK |
- | If you are planning to come by train, let us know if you need a lift from Wellingborough station. Please plan to arrive at Wellingborough station no later than 10am so that whoever comes to pick you up does not have to miss any of the meeting. | + | * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations, soldering clinic and practical problems help clinic |
- | ---- | + | The cabs session will cover basic how to use the MERG DCC system, circuit designs, the standard MERG CANCAB and other variations designed by members. |
- | ====== FEBRUARY 2019 East Midlands area group meeting ====== | + | During the afternoon John Gowers will provide a soldering clinic, both through hole and surface mount. |
- | **Saturday 23rd February 2019 from 10:00** | + | We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving etc. |
- | Our next meeting is Kindly hosted by the Historical Model Railway Society (HMRS) at their Museum and Study Centre located at The Midland Railway Centre, Swanwick Junction. | + | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
- | (See http:// | + | |
- | Firstly an apology for the clash with the Newark show, which I missed when booking the venue for this date. If anyone is not planning | + | If you would like to come, please |
- | + | ||
- | For our area group meeting, collection | + | |
- | Visitors | + | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next few days.) |
- | We will ask for a donation of £2 per head to cover teas/ | ||
- | I will check and confirm if the buffet on site will be open on that day, serving refreshments, | + | ---- |
+ | ====== JANUARY 2022 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== | ||
- | Steam trains will be running on the day between Butterley and Swanwick Junction, however the first train is not until 11:00 so too late to use it as transport to the meeting. | + | Here is the agenda for our January 2022 online area group meeting. |
- | The meeting room is upstairs, but HMRS have platform stair lift which I will double check is working, so step free access is available. The platform should accept a standard wheelchair, but will not take the larger mobility scooters. When confirming your place, please let us know if you have any mobility requirements. | + | **Saturday 15th January from 10:00** |
- | ---- | + | This meeting will be online using Zoom. |
+ | |||
+ | As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
**AGENDA** | **AGENDA** | ||
Line 577: | Line 558: | ||
The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
- | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal | + | * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/ |
- | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | + | * 10:30 - Welcome and Introductions |
- | * 10:45 - Decoder Pro - by Colin Head | + | * 10:45 - - CBUS miscellany - Pete Brownlow |
- | | + | |
+ | * Using RFID and Railcom in JMRI | ||
+ | * CBUS control panels for Burnden Park | ||
+ | * Any other CBUS updates | ||
- | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break | + | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) |
- | * 12:00 - CBUS on Kimble | + | * 11:45 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall |
+ | * 12:00 - Lunch break | ||
+ | * 13:00 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects | ||
- | * John will describe his trials and tribulations implementing MERG DCC and CBUS on the ' | + | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
- | * 13:00 - MERG Kit locker Update - Judi Rastall – News on new/updated kits, availability, what is coming soon. | + | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar. |
- | * 13:30 - LUNCH BREAK | + | If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS-> |
- | * 14:30 - 16:30 ish - Making it work - Practical session and problem clinic | + | Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. |
- | ---- | + | If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https:// |
+ | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link. | ||
- | During introductions, | + | I will send out the usual reminder email to everyone subscribed |
- | For the practical sessions, as we have done before, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you as a demonstration for everyone. | + | ---- |
- | If you already know what you want help on for this session, please email the details in advance so we can gen-up on it and look like we know what we are talking about! | ||
- | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in due course, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Let us know if you need a lift from a nearby station. | + | ====== Details of Earlier |
- | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next day or so.) | + | [[areagroups: |
+ | and [[areagroups: | ||
+ | NB. These links are for MERG members only. | ||
- | ---- | ||
- | |||
- | ====== Details of Earlier East Midlands Area Group meetings ====== | ||
- | [[public: | ||
+ | {{tag> |
public/eastmids.1603797324.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/27 11:15 by PeteB