A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF LSRA.
Over 7 years ago, LSRA received a Trillium Grant of just over $30K. That grant enabled us to bring LSR up to the standard you see today. Take a few moments to have a look at the services that LSRA provides: https://www.ve3lsr.ca/services. From a commercial site with a 400ft tower, we provide these services over a wide area to the amateur community. We have been very fortunate obtaining additional funding over and above the membership income to support LSRA. This additional money paid for some of the operating cost and allowed us to put some money aside for maintenance. Late last Fall, one of the Crescend UHF 100W amplifiers sustained a lightning strike. This resulted in a $1361 repair! The system we built 7 years ago, that runs 24/7, is starting to show its age. We should be setting aside more money for maintenance. Right now, there are no services that we can shut down to save money.
Our yearly operating cost is $3069.05. With 51 members paying $30.00, we are barely raising half of the cost of keeping LSR going. What are our operating expenses? Our RAC liability insurance cost for 2021 is $583.19. There is a fixed portion assigned to this cost and an added cost depending on if one is a member of RAC or not. If you are a member of RAC, we pay $1, if you are a non-member of RAC, we pay $13. We have 19 non-members of RAC. 19 X $13 = $247. We have to correct this. Our yearly hydro and rent cost is $1808. Our internet, cost per year, is $677.86. The current internet connection is giving us bandwidth issues that is impacting some of the services. Our yearly operating cost is just over $3,000. I don’t think you need a calculator to see the shortfall. So far, that shortfall, has been made up by some very generous supporters and grants.
The immediate problem is that there is an internet bill ($677.86) due in February and there is not enough money to cover it. We have hydro and rent due in May. Unless we make changes to our membership dues, don’t be too surprised if you wake up one morning to find one of the services not working and remaining that way because we cannot afford to repair or replace the service. I don’t want to see this happen and I don’t think you do either. As long as I can remember, membership in LSR has been $30. As of now I am proposing to increase the membership dues from $30 to $40 and for those who are not members of RAC, to add an additional $13. This has not been an easy letter to write. Seeking money from the amateur community has never been easy. We need 80 members at $40 to cover operating cost and maintain our operation. We need your membership help and perhaps a donation as well. I don’t want to see shutting down or losing services as an option.
Please go to: https://www.ve3lsr.ca/membership/membership-renewal and help support LSRA
Thank You
Bob Simpson VE3ODR
President LSRA