DHC OTA Members Meet: Kanata and Area - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

123Mike · 2011-09-27, 01:42 AM

Greetings everyone,

Would anyone be interested in having a get-together some time? Something like a wing-night in a bar type of thing. We could draw pictures on a napkin and explain how things work, share our stories, etc.

~Mike

OTAJuncqui · 2011-09-27, 08:08 AM

sounds like a good idea mike. I suggest Jack Astors cuz they give you crayons and paper.

DXer · 2011-09-27, 08:50 AM

Sure, but I think it would need some kind of focus - like a short presentation on a topic of local interest to trigger a discussion.

123Mike · 2011-09-28, 12:00 AM

How about these objectives:

- vhf vs uhf, traditional antennas, relate to current antennas
- balun what is it
- what is impedance, where does this come into play, what should I do with it
- amplifiers do they help
- height, towers, clearance
- directional vs omnidirectional antennas. One fits all, or use multiple.

I have a rough understanding about these points, but not enough to hold a speech about it. I can help ensure that certain objectives are met, and I can keep a conversation going by asking interesting questions.

Venue. If most are far west of Ottawa, I suggest the Ashton pub. Otherwise something in Kanata. My toddler has offered to lend me his easel, paper, and white board. Problem is noise. I can't imagine a presentation like setting in a bar. Any ideas?

ashtonp · 2011-09-28, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123Mike

Venue. If most are far west of Ottawa, I suggest the Ashton pub. Otherwise something in Kanata. My toddler has offered to lend me his easel, paper, and white board. Problem is noise. I can't imagine a presentation like setting in a bar. Any ideas?

Alternative: I am about 3 km south of Ashton. We could meet here for discussions, then migrate to the Ashton pub afterwards. Friday Sep 30 would be good, because my wife is out...

I have several example antennae folks could see (daylight/weather permitting), as well as a couple tuner cards, pre-amps, and other discussion props

.

123Mike · 2011-09-28, 01:12 PM

Ashtonp, that's totally awesome! Little short notice though, weather could be dicy, but I think I'm allowed out then.

DXer · 2011-09-28, 05:02 PM

I'm afraid I couldn't make that. If you can schedule something in a week or two there may be more people able to come.

ashtonp · 2011-09-28, 08:45 PM

Yes, when I posted my suggestion for Friday, I realized it was short notice. Also, I suspect that many folks will be checking Google Maps to figure out just how far away Ashton is... (I'm 20 minutes from Centrum; maybe 15 from Stittsville.)

Anyways, another date that works for me would be Thurs, Oct 13, but we'd have to wind down by 9:30 for sure.

Or, if another location/time turns out to be better for folks, I'll try to come too, but it woud be without the discussion "props" I mentioned...

thenewbecks · 2011-09-29, 07:54 AM

I'm interested too and this Fri doesn't work for me either. As long as I get 1 week notice I should be good for most dates.

ashtonp · 2011-09-29, 02:24 PM

OK, so let's take this Friday off the table since it was clearly too short notice, and try to work out a suitable time and location.

DXer · 2011-09-29, 03:21 PM

Ashtonp,

I would like to take you up on the offer to see your gear, but I think it would be cutting it fine to finish by 9:30pm (I couldn't be there much before 7:30pm). Can you propose another date when you you would have more time? Mondays and Tuesdays are usually out for me.

OTAJuncqui · 2011-10-03, 03:15 PM

Too bad this idea seems to be on it's way to getting left behind. I can't help buy think that if it had remained in it's original thread for even just seven days it could have had the visibility to gather momentum.

But to get it it running I think we should take baby steps. Pick a time and place that at least three of us could commit and go from there. No structure, no presentation. It's a bar so a meet and greet is more than enough.

roger1818 · 2011-10-03, 03:28 PM

I am interested if I can find the time.

123Mike · 2011-10-04, 12:48 AM

I've been dropping in daily here. The internet is great and everything, but local contacts are few and far between. A small gathering of locals where everyone shares a common interest is really neat.

I'm hoping the Ashtonp visit + Ashton pub will materialize. Excellent pub btw. Feels like an authentic local effort and not like a factory cookie cutter franchise clone IMO.

A link to here from the original thread could help people find this thread. End of day, if we end up with 4 to 6 people that'd be excellent.

OTAJuncqui · 2011-10-04, 08:31 AM

As an example, I was a member of a car club that met the first Wed. of every month at a brasserie. Monday thru wed. are quiet nights in most venues and the owner can sometimes be very accomodating to regulars.
Sometimes I would arrive early and eat sometimes not. The evening ran usually from 6:30 to 9:00. When I began attending there were 7-10 of us. The club now boasts about 30+ regular attendees.
My point is rather than try and accomodate everyone now, pick a date, meet and go from there.

One thing that just occured to me is that a WiFi connection would be useful in resolving debates.

BTW does Ashton Pub have Newcastle on tap?

2011-09-27, 01:42 AM	#1
123Mike Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 32	DHC OTA Members Meet: Kanata and Area Greetings everyone, Would anyone be interested in having a get-together some time? Something like a wing-night in a bar type of thing. We could draw pictures on a napkin and explain how things work, share our stories, etc. ~Mike

2011-09-28, 12:00 AM	#4
123Mike Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 32	Meeting How about these objectives: - vhf vs uhf, traditional antennas, relate to current antennas - balun what is it - what is impedance, where does this come into play, what should I do with it - amplifiers do they help - height, towers, clearance - directional vs omnidirectional antennas. One fits all, or use multiple. I have a rough understanding about these points, but not enough to hold a speech about it. I can help ensure that certain objectives are met, and I can keep a conversation going by asking interesting questions. Venue. If most are far west of Ottawa, I suggest the Ashton pub. Otherwise something in Kanata. My toddler has offered to lend me his easel, paper, and white board. Problem is noise. I can't imagine a presentation like setting in a bar. Any ideas?

2011-09-28, 08:45 PM	#8
ashtonp Join Date: May 2008 Location: near Ashton, ON. Posts: 94	Yes, when I posted my suggestion for Friday, I realized it was short notice. Also, I suspect that many folks will be checking Google Maps to figure out just how far away Ashton is... (I'm 20 minutes from Centrum; maybe 15 from Stittsville.) Anyways, another date that works for me would be Thurs, Oct 13, but we'd have to wind down by 9:30 for sure. Or, if another location/time turns out to be better for folks, I'll try to come too, but it woud be without the discussion "props" I mentioned... Last edited by ashtonp; 2011-09-28 at 08:49 PM. Reason: added info about distance

2011-10-03, 03:28 PM	#13
roger1818 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ottawa (Stittsville), ON, OTA (Radio Shack Omnidirectional Antenna and 5Y6S in Attic), MythTV HTPC Posts: 5,616	I am interested if I can find the time. __________________ Link to my TVFool results is in my profile Homepage URL. I suggest others do the same.

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2011-09-27, 08:08 AM	#2
OTAJuncqui Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nepean, ON Posts: 334	sounds like a good idea mike. I suggest Jack Astors cuz they give you crayons and paper.

2011-09-27, 08:50 AM	#3
DXer Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kanata Posts: 159	Sure, but I think it would need some kind of focus - like a short presentation on a topic of local interest to trigger a discussion.

2011-09-28, 01:12 PM	#6
123Mike Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 32	Ashtonp, that's totally awesome! Little short notice though, weather could be dicy, but I think I'm allowed out then.

2011-09-28, 05:02 PM	#7
DXer Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kanata Posts: 159	I'm afraid I couldn't make that. If you can schedule something in a week or two there may be more people able to come.

2011-09-29, 07:54 AM	#9
thenewbecks Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 16	I'm interested too and this Fri doesn't work for me either. As long as I get 1 week notice I should be good for most dates.

2011-09-29, 02:24 PM	#10
ashtonp Join Date: May 2008 Location: near Ashton, ON. Posts: 94	OK, so let's take this Friday off the table since it was clearly too short notice, and try to work out a suitable time and location.

2011-09-29, 03:21 PM	#11
DXer Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kanata Posts: 159	Ashtonp, I would like to take you up on the offer to see your gear, but I think it would be cutting it fine to finish by 9:30pm (I couldn't be there much before 7:30pm). Can you propose another date when you you would have more time? Mondays and Tuesdays are usually out for me.

2011-10-03, 03:15 PM	#12
OTAJuncqui Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nepean, ON Posts: 334	Too bad this idea seems to be on it's way to getting left behind. I can't help buy think that if it had remained in it's original thread for even just seven days it could have had the visibility to gather momentum. But to get it it running I think we should take baby steps. Pick a time and place that at least three of us could commit and go from there. No structure, no presentation. It's a bar so a meet and greet is more than enough.

2011-10-04, 12:48 AM	#14
123Mike Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 32	I've been dropping in daily here. The internet is great and everything, but local contacts are few and far between. A small gathering of locals where everyone shares a common interest is really neat. I'm hoping the Ashtonp visit + Ashton pub will materialize. Excellent pub btw. Feels like an authentic local effort and not like a factory cookie cutter franchise clone IMO. A link to here from the original thread could help people find this thread. End of day, if we end up with 4 to 6 people that'd be excellent.

2011-10-04, 08:31 AM	#15
OTAJuncqui Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nepean, ON Posts: 334	As an example, I was a member of a car club that met the first Wed. of every month at a brasserie. Monday thru wed. are quiet nights in most venues and the owner can sometimes be very accomodating to regulars. Sometimes I would arrive early and eat sometimes not. The evening ran usually from 6:30 to 9:00. When I began attending there were 7-10 of us. The club now boasts about 30+ regular attendees. My point is rather than try and accomodate everyone now, pick a date, meet and go from there. One thing that just occured to me is that a WiFi connection would be useful in resolving debates. BTW does Ashton Pub have Newcastle on tap?