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The WestCumb ARC is in the process of building a communications trailer which will have all aspects of amateur radio and will be used to promote the hobby, train operators, attend community events and be available if needed in a real emergency or disaster.
The trailer will include 3 different power options with Mains, Generator and Solar Panels.
Special Council Meeting March 5th, 2025
At the September 2024 meeting of the WestCumb ARC a new project was brought up by Jim VE1JBL to purchase an enclosed trailer and installed all aspects of amateur radio that the club would use to drive around to promote the hobby and be available if needed in a real emergency.
At a special council meeting for the Municipality of Cumberland on March 5th, 2025 members of the WestCumb amateur radio club gave a presentation looking for funding towards the new project.
Steve Orr VE1OR and Mike Johnson VE1MWJ presented the proposal.
Funding from The Town of Amherst and the Muncipility of Cumberland
On June 16th, 2025 Jim Langille VE1JBL & Kevin Burke VE1KEV receive a grant from Mayor Rob Small of the Town of Amherst towards purchasing a Amateur Radio Communications Trailer
Also in the photo are Left to Right; councilors Charlie Chambers,
Hal Davidson, Terry McManaman, Jim, Kevin, Robert, Nic Furlong and Dwayne Ripley.
On June 27th, 2025 Jim Langille VE1JBL received a grant from Mayor Rod Gilroy of the Municipality of Cumberland towards the purchase of a new Amateur Radio Communications Trailer.
The club also received funding from The Christie-Smith Community Fund.
Built by Ideal Cargo and sold by Work & Play Moncton NB
On September 9th, 2025 members of the WestCumb ARC travelled to Moncton to pick up their new enclosed trailer.
This trailer was built in Quebec and is made of bio composite panels of 6500 recycled plastic bottles.
It is high impact resistance, thermal resistance, R5 insulation, sound proofing, has a smaller carbon footprint and again "Made in Canada"🇨🇦
1st day of build. Installing plywood to the walls / Mounting the WARC founders members plaque
Brian VE1BSD and Steve VE1OR applying the 3/4" birch plywood.
Plaque recognizing club members who donating funding towards the trailer.
Installing solar panel racks to the trailer ladder racks
Frank VE1FSM installing the solar panel racks to the ladder racks. Thanks to Go Glass for letting us use their bay for work on the trailer.
Installing solar panels.
Steve VE1OR and Chad VA1CS installing the solar panels on the roof of the trailer.
Installing wind deflector.
Frank VE1FSM and Steve VE1OR installing the wind deflector Frank made and donated by Go Glass in Amherst.
Installing cables from solar panels to Solar Charger/ Inverter
Installing Batteries, Electrical Panels and table top.
Batteries installed and wired thanks to Chad VA1CS, Steve VE1OR and Garrett VA1OR
Front table made and installed by Brian VE1BSD
Installing work tables and radio rack
Work Tables assembled, modified and secured by Borden VA1CBC and Jim VE1JBL
Installing entrance box for mains/generator and electrical to work tables
Outside entrance, complete wiring and plugs thanks to Steve VE1OR
Installing DC to the radio rack
DC Busbars, shunt, breakers and switch.
DC Busbars at radio rack and entrance feed for antennas.
Mount water proof box on roof to feed antenna cables and Starlink inside trailer.
Waterproof box mounted on roof to carry antenna cables inside of trailer.
Three dual-band antennas and the Yaesu ATAS antenna. When completed there will be eight antennas on the roof.
Starlink Mini mounted on back of trailer.
Set up computers & monitors to work stations "A" & "B"
Monitors and mini computers installed at both stations
The callsign for the trailer will be VE1WRC and for Winlink the address is ve1wrc@winlink.org
Wire and installed Fridge, Microwave to shelving unit
Shelving unit built and installed by Brian VE1BSD
Installing radio racks and radios
Six radios installed on the radio rack. All have Anderson power poles connected to a power pole distribution bar.
Left to right top down:
Yaesu FT-891 HF / ICOM 7100 HF
ICOM 5100 D-Star / Alinco 500 DMR
Yaesu FTM-300 C4FM / Yaesu FTM-300 C4FM
Installing the last antennas on roof, connectors on all antenna ends and connecting all to the radios. TBA
December 19th, 2025
It was another productive day working on the WARC Trailer.
Jim VE1JBL, Steve VE1OR, Chad VA1CS and Mike VE1MWJ spent the day installing two more antennas on the roof and connectors to the coax. All radios now have power. We had our first contact via VHF with Jim VE1JBL making a contact with Frank VE1FSM.
December 21st, 2025
Finished the connectors to all the antennas and wired the 120 volt DC charger to the 12 volt batteries. Picked up the vertical antenna from the county office but found it in disarray. Will look more closely at it another time.
I did bring in my 20 and 80 meter Ham Sticks and we can use them as an alterative for HF if needed.
Hard to see inside the barn but if you can zoom in and look closely and you can see three antennas on each side of the trailer along with the three solar panels and the Starlink mini.. First time outside will get a better picture.
We are planning a POTA expedition early in the new year to test out the trailer and see what we have and what we still need. Will let everyone know the date for our first activation of the trailer. Possible location Fort Beausejour.
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