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public:vag [2019/09/12 17:38] uppermillpublic:vag [2023/04/18 13:31] (current) – [Who is the leader of the group?] grovenor
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-| [[:public:areagroups|Return to Area Groups News]] | [[:public:start|Index to other public pages]] | [[https://www.merg.org.uk/index.php|MERG Home page]] | 
- 
-^  Next Meeting  ^ 
-|**<color red>There are <COUNTDOWN:09:00 2019-09-24|the next Virtual Meeting (10:00 BST on 24-September-2019)></color>** | 
- 
-===== MERG Virtual Area Group ===== 
 ~~NOCACHE~~ ~~NOCACHE~~
 +~~NOTOC~~
  
-==== Email ====+<WRAP hide> 
 +**************************************************** 
 +Replace Somewhere with the name of your area group. 
 +**************************************************** 
 +</WRAP>
  
-To send us an email, [[https://www.merg.org.uk/areagroup.php?area=28|use the MERG Area Group contact form]]\\  +<WRAP notice round centeralign> 
-For <color darkblue>**MERG**</colormembers, you might also like to look at our [[https://www.merg.org.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=245|area group forum.]]+====== MERG Virtual Area Group (VAG) ====== 
 +</WRAP>
  
-==== Area Group Coordinator ====+<WRAP box round> 
 +<WRAP group> 
 +<WRAP column quarter> 
 +[[https://www.merg.org.uk/index.php|MERG Home page]]                      
 +</WRAP> 
 +<WRAP column quarter> 
 +[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/areagroups|Area Groups]] 
 +</WRAP> 
 +<WRAP column quarter> 
 +[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/knowledgebase|More on our Knowledgebase]] 
 +</WRAP> 
 +<WRAP column quarter> 
 +[[areagroups:vag:vag_page_internal|VAG Members Page]]                          
 +</WRAP> 
 +</WRAP> 
 +</WRAP> 
 +<WRAP hide> 
 +**************************************************** 
 +Replace photo with a area group meeting photo 
 +**************************************************** 
 +</WRAP> 
 +<WRAP box round centeralign> 
 +{{:public:istock-168615238.jpg?nolink&400|}} 
 +</WRAP> 
 +===== How do I contact the Virtual Area Group? ===== 
 +  
 +<WRAP help round button> 
 +\\ 
 +Please indicate Virtual Area Group in your message **[[https://www.merg.org.uk/contactus.php?t=1&n=28|Contact MERG ]]** 
 +</WRAP> 
 +===== 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> 
 +<WRAP info round>  
 +\\ 
 +Huw Griffiths
  
-==== How It Works ==== 
  
-This group now uses Zoom to conduct a group meeting from member's homes or workplaces. It was formed in October 2018 to assess the usefulness of video conferencing technology.+</WRAP>
  
-The calls last one hour and to participate, members need a mobile phone, tablet or a PC Mac with camera and microphoneRecently we have started to enable members to join by telephone if they have limited broadband facilities.+===== Would you like to join today? ===== 
 +<WRAP hide> 
 +**************************************************** 
 +Update area group name. 
 +**************************************************** 
 +</WRAP> 
 +<WRAP tip round> 
 +Not member? then <WRAP button>[[https://www.merg.org.uk/membership.php|Join MERG Here]]</WRAP> and sign up to this Area GroupIf you are already a member <WRAP button>[[https://merg.org.uk/membership/areagroups.php|Join the Virtual Area Group]]</WRAP> 
 +Select **Virtual Area Group** from the drop down list in **Other Area Groups** and press the **Subscribe to Area Group** button. 
 +</WRAP>    
  
-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> 
 +<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 GroupIt only meets using Zoom 
  
-Calls are scheduled in advance and are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 11:00GMT or 10:00BST. Agendas are agreed in advance.  
  
-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. THese streams are larger than the 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 time zones
  
-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:presentations#merg_virtual_area_group_s|here]]. 
  
-If you would like to try out Zoomthen there is test meeting service where you are the only participant and you can experiment with the various options available.+At the start of 2021after 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.
  
- [[http://zoom.us/test]] 
  
-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>There are <COUNTDOWN:09:00 2019-09-24|the next Virtual Meeting (09:00 BST on 24-September-2019)></color>**+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> 
 +<WRAP box round borderlesstable>  
 +<ORG34>ALL|40|28|NO</ORG34> 
 +</WRAP>
  
-=== 24th September ===+===== How are Topics Chosen? =====
  
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +<WRAP info round> 
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|Getting Started with PlatformIO|Dave McCabe|45|What is PlatformIO| +
-|:::|:::|:::|PlatformIO initial configuration| +
-|:::|:::|:::|Compiling code| +
-|:::|:::|:::|Flashing using ST-Link| +
-|:::|:::|:::|Debugging| +
-|:::|:::|:::|Using ST-LInk intro using PlatformIOUnifiedDebuger| +
-|  Burning Topics|Discussion|  10  |Does anybody need some help?|+
  
-Once you have confirmed with the leader that you wish to participate, you will receive reminder email on the day before the call and a second email 10 minutes before the call with a link to enable you to join the call.+In April 2020 we carried out 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 in 2019 ====+Members can suggest topics at any time using the member email system. 
 +</WRAP>
  
-Calls are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 11:00GMT or 10:00BST. The calls scheduled for 2019 are listed in the[[https://www.merg.org.uk/meetings.php#|MERG Meeting Programme]].+===== How do Video Calls Work? =====
  
-Currently the group have agreed the meetings until the end of Junethere are calendar entries up to the end of September but these may change.+<WRAP round tip> 
 +To join in you may need to add a headset with microphone and optionally a camera to your deviceif 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.
  
-Agendas exist for some future meetings - these may change.+Calls are scheduled and topics announced in advance.
  
-=== October 8th ===+Zoom provides thumbnails of each video participant and any shared presentations or desktops. The call host facilitates the meeting/questions/discussion. Zoom has developed a lot during Covid and I can't describe all the features here. 
  
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +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.
-|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|+
  
-=== October 22nd ===+You can select among several icons to, for example raise a hand, clap, agree, vote etc. Useful for questioning.
  
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +You can also type "chat" either with everyone or with a selected participant. This is quite a good way to have a one-to-one conversation without involving/annoying everyone else. It can also be used to distribute weblinks etc although there are many other ways to "share" (with permission) screens, documents, open apps, whiteboard and so on. 
-|Designing PCBs|Alan Turner| 30 | | +
-|MERG Online|Martin Sebborn | 30  | |+
  
-This is the initial outline for the programme over the next few months. It will change as I agree dates with presenters.+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.
  
-Suggestions for additional topics would be welcome.+<WRAP button>[[http://zoom.us/test|Test Zoom]]</WRAP>
  
-I am deliberately trying to leave some gaps so that we can insert topics at short notice+This link is available to anybody, not just members of the virtual area group
- +</WRAP> 
-^Date^Topic^Topic Lead^ +<WRAP box round> 
-|Nov 12|MERG Feedback| |  +<WRAP group> 
-|:::|DCC PMPs - discussion|Allan| +<WRAP column quarter> 
-|:::|TBA| | +[[https://www.merg.org.uk/index.php|MERG Home page]]                      
-|Nov 26|What is on our Workbenches?|All| +</WRAP> 
-|Dec 10|Journal Feedback| +<WRAP column quarter> 
-|:::|Railcom| | +[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/areagroups|Area Groups]] 
-|:::|Tales from the Kitlocker|Judi| +</WRAP> 
-|**2020**||| +<WRAP column quarter
-|Jan 7|Arduino| | +[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/knowledgebase|More on our Knowledgebase]] 
-|:::|TBA| | +</WRAP> 
-|Jan 21|MERG in 2020|Martin Perry| +<WRAP column quarter> 
-|:::|5 3D Printed Objects|Allan| +[[areagroups:vag:vag_page_internal|VAG Members Page]]                          
-|Feb 4|Raspberry Pi| | +</WRAP> 
-|:::|Signalling| +</WRAP> 
-|Feb 18|MERG Feedback| | +</WRAP
-|:::|PMP PCBs|Allan| +----
- +
-There is a standby list of topics that appear regularly:+
- +
-  * <color darkblue>**MERG**</colorUpdate +
-  * Last Journal +
-  * Our Layouts +
-  * Our Projects +
-  * Helping Beginners +
-  * Kit Surgery +
-  * 3D Printing +
-  * Blue Pill Microcontrollers. +
- +
-==== Previous Meetings in 2019 ==== +
- +
-=== 10th September === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Journal Feedback|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  MERG Update|Allan|  5  |Update from the last committee meeting| +
-|  CBUS for Beginners|Discussion|  20  |How to progress the idea of helping CBUS adoption for new users| +
-|  TTH CANCAB|Discussion|  30  |General discussion| +
- +
-=== 27th August === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  Station Destination Boards|Discussion|  45  |An opportunity to discuss hardware and messaging systems| +
-|  Burning Topics|Discussion|  10  |Does anybody need some help?| +
- +
-=== 13th August === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  DC Control|Discussion|  45  |An opportunity to discuss the forgotten world of DC control| +
-|  Burning Topics|Discussion|  10  |Does anybody need some help?| +
- +
-=== 9th July === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  Signalling Objects for CBUS|Dave Turner|  55  |The aims of this White Paper are as follows| +
-|:::|:::|:::|1 To make configuration and documentation of an interlocked system easier| +
-|:::|:::|:::|2 To add the following higher level functionality to the existing CBUS messaging system| +
-|:::|:::|:::| - System initialisation| +
-|:::|:::|:::| - Interlocking of modelled signalling items| +
-|:::|:::|:::| - Route reservation, locking and release| +
-|:::|:::|:::| - Reporting  of operational errors| +
-=== 25th June === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  General Discussion|All|  45  |CANEMPTY, 3D Printing Java FCU, Rocrail, stiction controllers, wifi controllers, CBUS module reset and Duncan's latest servo setter.+
-|  Burning Topics|Discussion|  10  |Does anybody need some help?| +
- +
-=== 11th June === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Journal Feedback|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  DCC Decoder for Under a Fiver|Duncan Greenwood|  45  |Duncan will talk about the work he has been doing on hardware and firmware for a DCC loco decoder| +
-|  Burning Topics|Discussion|  10  |Does anybody need some help?| +
-=== 28th May === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  On my Workbench|Discussion|  25  |What are we all working on.| +
-|  CBUS - long messages 2|Discussion|  20  |Potential solutions| +
-|  Burning Topics|Discussion|  10  |Does anybody need some help?| +
- +
-=== 14th May === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  Blue Pill Talks to CUS|Dave McCabe|  45  |Dave takes up the challenge to show how a simple program on a Blue Pill module can communicate with CBUS| +
-|  Burning Topics|Discussion|  10  |Does anybody need some help?| +
- +
-=== 23 April === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Etiquette|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  PMP Project Ideas|Discussion|  25  |What would we like to see as future PMP projects?+
-|  CBUS - long messages 1|Discussion|  20  |Problem Definition| +
-|  Burning Topics|Discussion|  10  |Does anybody need some help?| +
- +
-=== 9th April === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  Workbenches|Discussion|  25  |What are members working on at the moment?| +
-|  Layouts|Discussion|  20  |Share information on the layouts we are contributing to| +
-|  Burning Topics|Discussion|  10  |Does anybody need some help?| +
- +
-=== 26th March === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  From the Workbench|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  Getting Started with Blue Pill Microcontrollers|Dave McC|  25  |Quick intro to Blue PIll( inc schmatic )| +
-|:::|:::|:::|Arduino IDE| +
-|:::|:::|:::|Blue pill config| +
-|:::|:::|:::|Compiling code| +
-|:::|:::|:::|Flashing using ST-Link| +
-|:::|:::|:::|Debugging|  +
-|  Any Questions|Discussion|  10  |Let us all try and help one another with any 'burning platforms'+
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |What topics would we like to discuss in future calls| +
- +
-=== 12th March === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Last Journal|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  CBUS|TBA|  40  |TBA to include Layouts with large numbers of modules| +
-|  Any Questions|Discussion|  10  |Let us all try and help one another with any 'burning platforms'+
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |What topics would we like to discuss in future calls| +
- +
-=== 26th February === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  <color darkblue>**MERG**</colorUpdate|Allan|  5  |Feedback from last committee meeting| +
-|  3D Printing|Howard|  40  |(1) Filament|   +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Makes| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Types| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Storage| +
-|:::|:::|:::|(2) Creating a model| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Design Software| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Correction software| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Slicing software| +
-|:::|:::|:::|(3) Printing in more than one colours| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Change filament at certain depth| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Separate objects glued together| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Multi material| +
-|:::|:::|:::|(4) 3D Printers| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Makes| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Bed Levelling| +
-|:::|:::|:::| * Nozzles| +
-|:::|:::|:::|(5) What can go wrong (if time permits)?+
-|  Any Questions|Discussion|  10  |Let us all try and help one another with any 'burning platforms'+
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |What topics would we like to discuss in future calls| +
- +
-=== 12th February === +
- +
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ +
-|  Interesting Forum Threads|Discussion|  5  |Initial discussion while members join the call| +
-|  A MERG Newsletter|Discussion|  25  |Discussion about a new way of communicating with members| +
-|  Helping Beginners|Allan|  15  |Discussion about what beginners need to know about resistance| +
-|  Any Questions|Discussion|  10  |Let us all try and help one another with any 'burning platforms'+
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |What topics would we like to discuss in future calls|+
  
-=== 22nd January === 
  
-^Item^Leader^Minutes^Notes^ 
-|  <color darkblue>**MERG**</color> Update|Allan Geekie|  5  |Feedback from last committee meeting| 
-|  Layouts|Discussion|  25  |Updates from the group on the electronics on the layouts they are working on| 
-|  Projects|Discussion|  25  |Projects from the group's workbenches| 
-|  Future Topics|Discussion|  5  |What topics would we like to discuss in future calls| 
public/vag.1568309933.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/09/12 17:38 by uppermill

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