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--- public:eastmids [2022/06/07 18:41] – [MERG East Midlands Area Group News] grovenor
+++ public:eastmids [2024/05/03 21:37] (current) – Add May 2024 meeting PeteB
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 :-)
 ====== MERG East Midlands Area Group News ======
-[[:public:areagroups|Return to Area Groups Index]]\\
+[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/areagroups|Return to Area Groups Index]]\\
-[[:public:start|Index to other public pages]]\\
+[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/knowledgebase|More about our Knowledgebase]]\\
+**This is the public page, members please check here for the latest news
+[[areagroups:emag:eastmids|EMAG Members Pages]]**
@@ Line 13: / Line 16: @@
 ----
-====== APRIL 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-**Saturday  16th April 2022 from 10:00**
+====== May 2024 East Midlands face to face area group meeting ======
-This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough.
+Here is the agenda for our May 2024 area group meeting, which has a Railcom theme.
-We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/coffees. Note that one payment covers both this time, you don't need to pay separately for the teas and coffees. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and refreshments, we will donate the difference to KMRS.
+**Sunday 19th May 2024 from 10:00**
+Please note that this meeting is on the **Sunday** for a change. This is due to venue availability, but may also allow some who have other regular commitments, or have to work, on Saturdays to get along.
+This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society (KMRS) at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough.
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/coffees. Note that one payment covers both, you don't need to pay separately for the teas and coffees. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and refreshments, we will donate the difference to KMRS.
 The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
-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.
+You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, the town centre is about 5 minutes drive away and there is a co-op shop a few minutes walk away.
-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.
+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 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.
+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 know how many people to cater for.
+----
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 37: / Line 44: @@
   * 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
+  * 10:40 - The Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger Barker
-  * 10:45 - My CBUS & JMRI journey - Julian Pratt (held over from the previous meeting)
+  * 10:45 - Introduction to Railcom - what it is and why you might use it - Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
+  * 11:00 - Railcom in detail - Michael Smith
-  * 11:45 - Kit locker update - news about MERG kits - Judi Rastall
+  * 11:45 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:15 - CBUS update - developments and things I am working on - Pete Brownlow
+  * 12:00 - Railcom continued - Michael Smith
+  * 12:30 - Setting up Railcom on JMRI, and demo of Railcom in action on the MSM layout - Pete Brownlow
+  * 13:00 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  * 13:15 - LUNCH BREAK
+  *
+  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic.
-  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+The Kingsway Model Railway Society 00 gauge layout will be open and running. This uses the MERG DCC system and CBUS. Pete will also have the Missenden St Mary's layout set up and running, to demonstrate Railcom and other MERG systems in use.
-  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
+Feel free if you want to bring something to run, the 00 gauge layout and MSM are both DCC.
-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.
+During the afternoon, Michael will be on hand for further discussions and demonstrations of Railcom.
-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. There will also be the chance to operate the Kingsway 00 gauge layout using the MERG DCC system.
+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 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).
+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, a week or so 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.
+(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the week before the meeting).
+----
 ----
-====== FEBRUARY 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-**Saturday 26th February 2022 from 10:00**
+====== March 2024 East Midlands face to face area group meeting ======
+Here is the agenda for our March 2024 area group meeting.
+**Saturday 16th March 2024 from 10:00**
 This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Bassetlaw (North Notts) Railway Society at their clubrooms on Retford Railway Station.
@@ Line 65: / Line 85: @@
 Thanks to MERG and Bassetlaw Railway Society member Julian Pratt for arranging the venue for us.
-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 make a donation to the Society.
+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.
-Parking is available in the station car park at a cost of £5. You can of course come by train to Retford Station.
+Access is step free, but the entry door to the clubrooms is probably not wide enough for a powered wheelchair.
-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 on the LNER hosted Wi-Fi at the station, so we don't yet know if this will be possible.
+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 and Newark arriving at (8:45) and one from Kings Cross and Grantham arriving at (8:51), so you will be waiting a while before the meeting starts, but as railway enthusiasts you can of course enjoy watching the trains pass by during your wait. :)
-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.
+Parking is now: £6.25 at the station, £4.95 at [[https://victoriaroadcarpark.com]] or £4 at Cobwell Road, DN22 7DD [[https://parkanddonate.co.uk]], 3 mins walk.
+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.
+There is no Wi-Fi at the venue, so a Zoom connection will not be possible. If presenters need to access something online, we may be able to use mobile phone hotspots, 4G coverage permitting.
+More details of parking and how to find the clubrooms will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place.
 ----
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 84: / Line 109: @@
   * 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
+  * 10:50 - MERG news - John Gowers (MERG chairman)
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
+  * 11:00 - The CANXIO - Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:45 - Different cabs for the MERG DCC system - continued
+  * 11:45 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:15 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  * 12:00 - The Raspberry Pi Pico - David Jones
-  * 12:30 - My CBUS & JMRI journey - Julian Pratt
+  * 12:45 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  * 13:15 - LUNCH BREAK
+  *
+  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic.
-  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+During the afternoon our chairman, John Gowers, will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about MERG committee matters etc.
-  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations, soldering clinic and practical problems help clinic
+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.
+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.
-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.
+----
-During the afternoon John Gowers will provide a soldering clinic, both through hole and surface mount.
-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.
+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, a week or so 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the week before the 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. I will add you to the list and, in a few days, 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 few days.)
+----
+====== January 2024 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-----
+Here is the agenda for our January online Zoom area group meeting.
-====== JANUARY 2022 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-Here is the agenda for our January 2022 online area group meeting.
+**Saturday 20th January 2024 from 10:00**
-**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.
+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.
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ Line 125: / Line 150: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues, have a chat.
+  *  10:00 - Get connected, Informal chat
-  * 10:30 - Welcome and Introductions
+  *  10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - - CBUS miscellany - Pete Brownlow
+  *  10:45 - Essex Brick part 2 - getting into using YAAT for automation - Eddy
+  *  11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-    * Latest CANMO (Universal) firmware release
+  *  11:45 - My initial exploration of the Hornby HM7000 system - David Page
-    * Using RFID and Railcom in JMRI
+  * 12:15 - QnA on the above talks
-    * CBUS control panels for Burnden Park
+  * 12:30 - Kit and other news
-    * Any other CBUS updates
+  *  13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+  *  14:00 on - General QnA and help clinic
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-  * 11:45 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
-  * 12:00 - Lunch break
-  * 13:00 - 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.
+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.
-If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in (Note- I updated the link earlier this week as there was a problem with the original one posted)
+If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in
 Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
@@ Line 151: / Line 172: @@
 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 to everyone subscribed to the area group soon, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group.
+I will send out the usual reminder email, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group.
 ----
-====== NOVEMBER 2021 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-Here is the agenda for our November 2021 online area group meeting.
-**Saturday 27th November from 10:00**
+====== December 2023 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
+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 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 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.
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ Line 170: / Line 194: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues, have a chat.
+  *  10:00 - Get connected, Informal chat
-  * 10:30 - Welcome and Introductions
+  *  10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Keep alive circuit - design and description - Julian Coles
+  *  10:45 - Essex Brick a lockdown to exhibition layout - Eddy
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  *  11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-  * 11:45 - Keep alive circuit - building, installing and using it - Pete Brownlow
+  *  11:45 - Update on my developments with DCC, CBUS and JMRI - Pete Brownlow
-  * 12:30 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+   * 12:45 - QnA
-  * 12:45 - Lunch break
+  *  13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
-  * 13:45 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
+  *  14:00 on - General QnA and help clinic
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-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.
+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.
-If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in (Note- I updated the link earlier this week as there was a problem with the original one posted)
+If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in
 Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
@@ Line 191: / Line 215: @@
 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 to everyone subscribed to the area group soon, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group.
+I will send out the usual reminder email, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group.
 ----
-====== OCTOBER 2021 East Midlands area group meeting ======
+----
+====== OCTOBER 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-**Saturday 16th October 2021 from 10:00**
+**Saturday 21st October 2023 from 10:00**
-This 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.
+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.
-We will ask for a donation of £3 per head to cover the venue hire. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue, we will donate the difference to the NVR.
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover both the venue hire and teas/coffees for the day. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and supplying refreshments, we will donate the difference to the NVR.
 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.
+There is a cafe on site, I will confirm arrangements, but most likely we will pass the menu around in the morning so you can order lunch if you wish.
-If the Wifi at the venue is working well enough, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. However, the meeting will be optimised for those who manage to get along, who will get the best experience.
+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 will be optimised for those who manage to get along, who will get the best experience.
-It is a running day on the NVR, I'm not sure if it will be steam or diesel.
 ----
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 217: / Line 240: @@
   * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
-  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
+  * 10:30 - Welcome to NVR and housekeeping - Russ Jenner
-  * 10:45 - O gauge headcode module - live demo - Graham Clarke
+  * 10:35 - Group news and Introductions
-  * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break
+  * 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 - DCC basics - Colin Head
+  * 11:45 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:00 - Introduction to Surface mount assembly using the hotplate method - Duncan Greenwood
+  * 12:00 - MERG & kit locker updates - Judi Rastall
+  * 12:30 - The Universal Experimenters Module - Pete Brownlow
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+  *
+  * 13:30 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
-  * 12:30 - LUNCH BREAK
-  * 13:30 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations, soldering clinic and practical problems help clinic
+----
-During the afternoon the following activities will be available:
+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.
-  * Duncan will give close up demonstrations to smaller groups of the hot plate method of surface mount assembly
-  * John Gowers will give advice and surface mount hand soldering
-  * Graham Clarke with further demos of his headcode unit
-  * Colin Head will be available for digging deeper into DCC topics such as the JMRI roster
-  * General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving etc.
-  * NVR now has a Railwayana shop which we hope will be open
-----
+If he can get the 00 layout running for the afternoon he will do so.
-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.
+Short trips to the NVR shed will be available during the afternoon.
+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.
-(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next few days.)
+(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I have noted you and I will be sending out confirmation emails in the week before the meeting.)
 ----
-====== SEPTEMBER 2021 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
+====== JULY 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-Here is the agenda for our September 2021 online area group meeting.
+**Saturday 8th July 2023 from 10:00**
-**Saturday 11th September from 10:00**
+Due to Judi's building work not being complete in time, we have swapped the venues for our July and September meetings.
-This meeting will be online using Zoom.
+This meeting will now be at Aisthorpe Village Hall, near Lincoln, Kindly hosted by Lincoln & District Model Railway Club (L&DMRC) at Scampton and Aisthorpe Village hall, near Lincoln.
-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.
+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.
-----
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/coffees. Note that one payment covers both, you don't need to pay separately for the teas and coffees. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and refreshments, we will donate the difference to L&DMRC.
+The venue has level step free access and reasonable parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
+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.
+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.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 262: / Line 295: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues, have a chat.
+  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
-  * 10:30 - Welcome and Introductions
+  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - EzyAutomation (no additional wires system) by Julian Coles
+  * 10:45 - Introduction to the Lincoln & District Model Railway Club - Richard Joyce
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  * 10:50 - The CANPROG - what it is, building one, using it to program PICs - Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:45 - Group news and updates
+  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:15 - Lunch
+  * 11:45 - Update on FCU development (CBUS FLim Config Utility) - Julian Pratt
-  * 13:15 - QnA and clinic for anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
+  * 12:15 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+  * 14:00 - 16:00 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic - including FCU tutorial if requested
-----
+There should also be a chance to see some of the L&DMRC layouts.
+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.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-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 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.
-If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in.
+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.
-Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
+(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the week before the meeting).
-If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email their details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
+====== May 2023 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-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.
+Here is the agenda for our May 2023 online Zoom area group meeting.
-----
-----
-====== AUGUST 2021 East Midlands area group meeting ======
-**Saturday 7th August 2021 from 10:00**
+**Saturday 27th May from 10:00**
-This is our first face to face meeting since 14 March 2020, before Covid restrictions.
+This meeting will be online using Zoom.
-This meeting is Kindly hosted at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough, Northants, by the Kingsway Model Railway Society (KMRS)
+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.
-We will ask for a donation of £3 per head to cover the venue hire.  If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue, we will donate the difference to KMRS.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
+**AGENDA**
-You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, such as the Sainsbury's cafe which is about 5 minutes drive away.
+The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-We will limit numbers to 30 to make sure that the meeting is not crowded, and chairs can be set out with a little spacing.
+  *  10:00 - Get connected, Informal chat
+  *  10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
+  *  10:45 - MERG and kit locker news
+  *  11:00 - FCU (CBUS Config utility) - development news and status - Pete Brownlow
+  *  11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  *  11:45 - WebFCU (alternative CBUS config utility) - David Ellis
+  *  12:15 - From the MERG chairman - John Gowers
+  * 12:45 - MERG AGM event - possible East Mids Area group involvement
+  *  13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+  *  14:00 on - General QnA and help clinic
-We will have a Zoom connection for the meeting, for those who cannot come in person. However, the meeting will be optimised for those who manage to get along, who will get the best experience.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
+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->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in
-**AGENDA**
+Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
-The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
+If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email their details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
-  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
+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.
-  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Introducing my new role as MERG Education and Training - John Fletcher
-  * 11:00 - A demo of automation on Missenden St Mary's - Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:00 - Sounds for South Town - David Page
-  * 12:45 - A summary of the Arduino SIG (Special Interest Group) - John Fletcher
-  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+I will send out the usual reminder email to everyone subscribed to the area group, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group.
-  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Making it work - Practical session and problem clinic plus demos and Soldering help
+----
+====== APRIL 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
+**Saturday 8th April 2023 from 10:00**
-----
+Here is the agenda for our April meeting.
-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 all those interested.
+This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society (KMRS) at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough.
-If you already know what you want help on for this session, please email or post the details in advance so we can gen-up on it and look like we know what we are talking about!
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/coffees. Note that one payment covers both, you don't need to pay separately for the teas and coffees. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and refreshments, we will donate the difference to KMRS.
-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.
+The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
-Let us know if you need a lift from Wellingborough station. Please plan to arrive at Wellingborough station no later than 10am, so whoever picks you up does not have to miss any of the meeting.
+You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, the town centre is about 5 minutes drive away and there is a co-op shop a few minutes walk away.
-(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next few days.)
+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 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. 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.
-====== JULY 2021 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-Here is the agenda for our July 2021 online area group meeting.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-**Saturday 3rd July from 10:00**
+**AGENDA**
-This meeting will be online using Zoom.
+  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
+  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
+  * 10:40 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger Barker
+  * 10:45 - CBUS update - what has been happening in the CBUS world - Pete Brownlow
+  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
+  * 11:45 - The new improved MERG ATC system - Mike Collins
+  * 12:30 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
-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.
+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 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 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 event, 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.
-**AGENDA**
+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 will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
+Pete
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues, have a chat.
-  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 11:00 - Planning for my CBUS layout - Jim Heck
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-  * 11:45 - StaRFIshrail - new CBUS RFID system - Martin Snashall
-  * 12:30 - Lunch
-  * 13:30 - QnA and clinic for 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 go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in.
+====== SEPTEMBER 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
+**Saturday 3rd September 2022 from 10:00**
-If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email their details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
+Here is the agenda for our September meeting.
-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 meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough.
-----
-====== MAY 2021 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-Here is the agenda for our MAY 2021 online area group meeting.
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/coffees. Note that one payment covers both this time, you don't need to pay separately for the teas and coffees. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and refreshments, we will donate the difference to KMRS.
-**Saturday 29th May 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 will be online using Zoom.
+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.
-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.
+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 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. 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.
 ----
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 392: / Line 432: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues, have a chat.
+  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
   * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Round-up of what members have been doing - anyone and everyone
+  * 10:40 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger barker
-  * 11:15 - An easier way to connect Tortoise point motors - John Gowers
+  * 10:45 - Turntable Tales - My journey so far with the Peco Turntable and MERG Turntable Controller - kit John Wood\\ (Also includes using Julian's auto-reverser to power the deck)
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 11:45 - Choosing CBUS modules for a layout - Pete Brownlow
+  * 11:30 - DCC and CBUS new developments with live demo - Pete Brownlow\\ (Including new features in CANCMD, CANCOMPUTE and development news on CANMIO (Universal) )
-  * 12:30 - Lunch
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
-  * 13:30 - QnA and clinic for anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
-----
+  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
-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->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in.
+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.
-Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
+Feel free if you want to bring something to run,  the 00 layouts are DCC, the N gauge layout is analogue.
-If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email their details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
+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 still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link.
+----
+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.
+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 next few days).
 ----
-====== APRIL 2021 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
+====== JULY 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-Here is the agenda for our April 2021 online area group meeting.
+**Saturday 9th July 2022 from 10:00**
-**Saturday 24th April 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.
-This meeting will be online using Zoom.
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover both the venue hire and teas/coffees for the day. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and supplying refreshments, we will donate the difference to the NVR.
-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.
+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.
+If the Wifi at the venue is working well enough, we will endevour have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. However, the meeting will be optimised for those who manage to get along, who will get the best experience.
+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.
@@ Line 434: / Line 483: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues, have a chat.
+  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
   * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 11:00 - A design for coach lighting - John Gowers
+  * 10:40 - Developing FCU - progress and challenges, David Radcliffe
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  * 11:20 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 11:45 - Loco speed profiling with JMRI - Pete Brownlow
+  * 11:30 - Colin Head - Demo and progress report on my layout (which has no name yet!)
-  * 12:30 - Lunch
+  * 12:10 - MERG & kit locker updates - Judi Rastall
-  * 13:30 - QnA and clinic for anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
+  * 12:30 - LUNCH BREAK
-----
+  * 13:30 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
+Note: "FCU" is the FLiM Config Utility, used to configure CBUS modules from a computer
-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->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in.
+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.
-Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
+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.
-If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email their details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
+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.
-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.
 ----
-====== MARCH 2021 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
+====== APRIL 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-Here is the agenda for our March 2021 online area group meeting.
+**Saturday  16th April 2022 from 10:00**
-**Saturday 27th March from 10:00**
+This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough.
-This meeting will be online using Zoom.
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/coffees. Note that one payment covers both this time, you don't need to pay separately for the teas and coffees. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and refreshments, we will donate the difference to KMRS.
-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.
+The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
+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.
-----
+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.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 474: / Line 526: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues, have a chat.
+  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
   * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Design process for PTP-Lite on my layout Great Shefford - Richard Wilson
+  * 10:35 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger barker
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  * 10:45 - My CBUS & JMRI journey - Julian Pratt (held over from the previous meeting)
-  * 11:45 - Update on my 3D designs using Sketchup - Gordon Hopkins
+  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:30 - Lunch
+  * 11:45 - Kit locker update - news about MERG kits - Judi Rastall
-  * 13:30 - QnA and clinic for anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
+  * 12:15 - CBUS update - developments and things I am working on - Pete Brownlow
-----
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
-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.
+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.
-If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in.
+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. There will also be the chance to operate the Kingsway 00 gauge layout using the MERG DCC system.
-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://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email their details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
+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.
-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.
+(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 ======
+**Saturday 26th February 2022 from 10:00**
+This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Bassetlaw (North Notts) Railway Society at their clubrooms on Retford Railway Station.
-----
+Thanks to MERG and Bassetlaw Railway Society member Julian Pratt for arranging the venue for us.
-====== FEBRUARY 2021 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-Here is the agenda for our February 2021 online area group meeting.
+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 make a donation to the Society.
-**Saturday 27th February from 10:00**
+Parking is available in the station car park at a cost of £5. You can of course come by train to Retford Station.
-This meeting will be online using Zoom.
+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 on the LNER hosted Wi-Fi at the station, so we don't yet know if this will be possible.
-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.
+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.
@@ Line 516: / Line 572: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues, have a chat.
+  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
   * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Progress update on my DCC/CBUS layout - Colin Head
+  * 10:40 - The Bassetlaw (North Notts) Railway Society - Julian Pratt
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  * 10:50 - Different cabs for the MERG DCC system - Simon West, John Gowers & Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:45 - An O gauge destination blind - Graham Clark
+  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:30 - Lunch
+  * 11:45 - Different cabs for the MERG DCC system - continued
-  * 13:30 - QnA and clinic for anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
+  * 12:15 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  * 12:30 - My CBUS & JMRI journey - Julian Pratt
-----
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations, soldering clinic and practical problems help clinic
-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->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in.
+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.
-Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
+During the afternoon John Gowers will provide a soldering clinic, both through hole and surface mount.
-If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email their details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
+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.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+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 few days, 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 few days.)
-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.
 ----
-====== JANUARY 2021 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
+====== JANUARY 2022 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-Here is the agenda for our January 2021 online area group meeting.
+Here is the agenda for our January 2022 online area group meeting.
-**Saturday 30th January from 10:00**
+**Saturday 15th January from 10:00**
 This meeting will be online using Zoom.
@@ Line 548: / Line 610: @@
 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**
@@ Line 556: / Line 616: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues
+  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues, have a chat.
-  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
+  * 10:30 - Welcome and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Installing DCC decoders in older locos - John Gowers
+  * 10:45 - - CBUS miscellany - Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-  * 11:45 - JMRI with automation on Missenden St Marys - Pete Brownlow
-  * 12:30 - Lunch
-  * 13:30 - QnA and clinic for anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
-----
+    * Latest CANMO (Universal) firmware release
+    * Using RFID and Railcom in JMRI
+    * CBUS control panels for Burnden Park
+    * Any other CBUS updates
+  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  * 11:45 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  * 12:00 - Lunch break
+  * 13:00 - 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 go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in.
+If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in (Note- I updated the link earlier this week as there was a problem with the original one posted)
 Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
@@ Line 576: / Line 641: @@
 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 to everyone subscribed to the area group soon, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group.
+----
 ====== Details of Earlier East Midlands Area Group meetings ======
-[[public:eastmidsarchivedmeetings|Details of previous East Midlands Area Group meetings]]
+[[areagroups:emag:eastmidsarchivedmeetings|Details of previous East Midlands Area Group meetings]]\\
+and [[areagroups:emag:eastmid|Details of more previous East Midlands Area Group meetings]]\\
+NB. These links are for MERG members only.
 {{tag>AGS_1}}