public:vag
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public:vag [2019/12/18 08:42] – uppermill | public:vag [2021/02/04 19:32] – 2021 facelift Acemason | ||
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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 centeralign button> |
+ | \\ | ||
+ | [[: | ||
- | Allan Geekie M5173 - email address: vag@merg.org.uk | + | <WRAP hide> |
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | Replace photo with a area group meeting photo | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <WRAP box round centeralign> | ||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | ===== How do I contact the Virtual Area Group? ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | <WRAP hide> | ||
+ | *************************************************************************** | ||
+ | Replace NN with the number of your area group - get from the AG admin page. | ||
+ | Update the contact form title. | ||
+ | *************************************************************************** | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <WRAP help round button> | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | [[https://www.merg.org.uk/ | ||
+ | </ | ||
- | ==== How It Works ==== | + | ===== Who is the leader of the group? ===== |
- | This group now uses Zoom to conduct | + | <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 | ||
- | The calls last one hour and to participate, | + | (" |
+ | </ | ||
- | In order to join the group you need to send an email to Allan at vag@merg.org.uk. | + | ===== Would you like to join today? ===== |
+ | <WRAP hide> | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | Update area group name. | ||
+ | **************************************************** | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | <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 to Area Group** button. | ||
+ | </ | ||
- | Calls are scheduled in advance | + | ===== 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. | ||
- | When it is time to start a call, a voice and video conference is opened up which has thumbnails of each video participant and any shared presentations or desktops. The call leader facilitates the call and the discussions and tries to get through the agenda in the agreed time. Zoom has two views available. The first is the speaker view which selects the video stream from the person speaking. The second is Gallery view which shows streams from all participants. | ||
- | Members are participating | + | During the first two years of the VAG we regularly welcomed members |
- | * Australia\\ | ||
- | * Canada\\ | ||
- | * Iceland\\ | ||
- | * Ireland\\ | ||
- | * UK\\ | ||
- | * USA.\\ | ||
- | Members can access the presentation material [[helpsystem: | + | Many Area Groups have switched to using Zoom during Covid and so, temporarily we hope, created many other options for joining in. |
- | If you would like to try out Zoom, then there is a test meeting service where you are the only participant and you can experiment with the various options available. | ||
- | | + | 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 only once a month on a Tuesday at 10am UK time which suits members in Europe and the Australian times zones. |
- | This link is available to anybody, not just members of the virtual area group. | ||
- | ==== Next Meeting ==== | + | Meetings are nominally for an hour but typically Zoom will open 15mins before and for 30 mins afterwards for informal chat. |
- | **<color red> | ||
- | The proposed agenda is as follows | + | Calls may be recorded and made available all MERG members. |
+ | </ | ||
- | Tuesday 14th January 2020 18:30 GMT | + | ===== And the Next Meeting? ===== |
+ | <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> | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | </ | ||
- | ^Topic^Leader^Notes^ | + | ===== How are Topics Chosen? ===== |
- | |Train Detection Discussion|All|A general discussion around train detection using light, lasers, magnets, current consumption and any other ideas that members can devise| | + | |
- | Once you have confirmed with the leader that you wish to participate, | + | <WRAP info round> |
+ | In April 2020 we carried out a poll of VAG members and the following topics were identified as the most popular: - | ||
- | ==== Future Meetings ==== | + | * How kits work - a series of calls, each discussing the how one particular kit works - now schuduled |
+ | * Types and use of baseboard connectors - covered in Demystifying Components -Wires and Connectors | ||
+ | * Oscilloscopes and logic analysers for hobbyists - now scheduled | ||
+ | * 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. | ||
- | Calls are held on the second third and fourth Tuesday of each month at 10:00GMT or 18:30GMT. The calls scheduled | + | * Neater Methods of under board wiring |
+ | * Best practice for wiring different bus types | ||
+ | * Layout control buses | ||
+ | * CBUS wiring strategy | ||
+ | * CANPAN wiring | ||
+ | * Servo and Servo Mounts | ||
+ | * Building CANVOUT | ||
+ | * Prusa 3D Printer | ||
+ | * 3D scanners | ||
+ | * Photogrammetry - generating 3D models from multiple photographs | ||
+ | * CBUS Beginners Kit. | ||
- | Agendas exist for some future meetings - these may change. | + | Members can suggest topics at any time using the member email system. |
+ | </ | ||
- | Suggestions for additional topics would be welcome. | + | ===== How do Video Calls Work? ===== |
- | I am deliberately trying | + | <WRAP round tip> |
+ | The calls last one hour and to participate, | ||
- | ^Date / Time^Topic^Topic Lead^ | + | Calls are scheduled |
- | |**January**||| | + | |
- | |14th 18: | + | |
- | |21st 10: | + | |
- | |28th 10: | + | |
- | |**February**||| | + | |
- | |11th 10: | + | |
- | |18th 18: | + | |
- | |25th 10: | + | |
- | |**March**||| | + | |
- | |10th 10:00 GMT|3D Resin Printing|Chris Walsh and Roger Woodward| | + | |
- | |17th 18: | + | |
- | |24th 10:00 GMT|TBA|All| | + | |
- | |**April**||| | + | |
- | |14th 10:00|TBA | | + | |
- | |21st 18:30GMT|TBA|All| | + | |
- | |28th 10: | + | |
- | There is a standby list of topics that appear regularly:- | + | When it is time to start a call, a voice and video conference is opened up which has thumbnails |
- | * <color darkblue> | + | If you would like to try out Zoom, then there is a test meeting service where you are the only participant and you can experiment with the various options available. |
- | * Last Journal | + | |
- | * Our Layouts | + | |
- | * Our Projects | + | |
- | * Helping Beginners | + | |
- | * Kit Surgery | + | |
- | * 3D Printing | + | |
- | * Blue Pill Microcontrollers. | + | |
- | ==== Previous Meetings in 2019 ==== | + | <WRAP button> |
- | Tuesday 17th December 2019 18:30 GMT | + | This link is available |
- | + | </WRAP> | |
- | ^Topic^Leader^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Layout Wiring|All| A general discussion on the basics of wiring a layout| | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Tuesday 10th December 2019 - 10:00 GMT | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ^Item^Leader^Notes^ | + | |
- | | Journal Feedback|Allan| We will take a few minutes to gather some feedback regarding the December Journal | | + | |
- | | 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| | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
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- | === 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 )| | + | |
- | |::: | + | |
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- | |::: | + | |
- | | 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^ | + | |
- | | <color darkblue> | + | |
- | | 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^ | + | <WRAP button>[[areagroups: |
- | | | + | |
- | | Layouts|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Projects|Discussion| | + | |
- | | Future Topics|Discussion| | + |
public/vag.txt · Last modified: 2023/04/18 13:31 by grovenor