RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for January 4, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
1. Guelph Special Event
From January 10 to February 9, special event callsign XM3P will
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the University of Guelph. QSL
via VE3JO.
-- RAC Special Events Database
2. Ham Radio Promotional Video
A new promotional video entitled "Discovering Amateur radio" has just
been released. Written and narrated by David Anderson, K1AN, it is
available in a condensed 19-minute version and a full 32-minute
program. The producers say it was created for anyone who wishes to
encourage youths and adults to discover amateur radio. Find it
on-line at www.radioqrv.com [6].
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
3. News in CW
K6DBG has a CW server which streams CNN breaking news in various
speed ranges. W1AW and NN9U practice files are also available. Find
it at tinyurl.com/kbthdqx (Kilo Bravo Tango Hotel Delta Quebec Xray)
Also, Morse-RSS-News is an open-source program for your computer
which will output Twitter or RSS news feeds in CW at your selected
speed and code (International or American Morse). Find it at
tinyurl.com/kxwltom (Kilo Xray Whiskey Lima Tango Oscar Mike)
-- Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
4. CDXC DX Marathon
The UK DX Foundation's yearlong DX Marathon Challenge starts at 0001
UTC on January 1 and continues until 2359 UTC on December 31, 2014.
The aim of the Challenge and its awards program is to promote DX
activity throughout the year and to encourage operators to upload
their logs to Club Log. Any ham worldwide can enter, though only
CDXC members can receive trophies or salver awards. For more
information visit www.cdxc.org.uk [7]
-- ARRL Web
5. Tokyo Hy-Power Files for Bankruptcy
Tokyo Hy-Power, a manufacturer of Amateur Radio amplifiers, antenna
tuners, and other equipment, is in bankruptcy, and its plant near
Tokyo has been closed. Telephones at the company are not being
answered, and its Japanese website has been taken down, although the
company's US website remains working.
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for January 11, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. British Columbia QSO Party
The 2014 BC QSO Party will run from 1600z Feb 1 to 0400z Feb 2. The
objective for stations outside BC is to work as many BC stations as
possible. Rules, exchange and multipliers, awards, helpful hints and
a schedule of same-day events can be accessed from the BCQP
homepage on the Orca DXCC website at www.orcadxcc.org/bcqp.html [10].
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. RAC member appointed Queen Counsel
The province of Alberta announced on December 31th, that Mr. Timothy
S. Ellam, VE6SH was one of the lawyers appointed to the province's
Queen Council status. Mr. Ellam is the current IARU President and has
been a member of Radio Amateurs Canada for several years.
RAC President Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW on behalf of all members and
amateurs in Canada, extends his sincere congratulations to Tim Ellam
for this prestigious appointment.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
3. Ontario ARES 40m net
The Ontario ARES 40m net has designated 7065 kHz as a backup
frequency when the usual frequency of 7080 kHz is busy. The ARES net
meets every Sunday at 1300 Eastern Time.
-- James Davidson VE3TPZ, STM Ontario South
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. ARRL Centennial Operations
To celebrate the Centennial of the American Radio Relay League,
station W1AW at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, CT, will operate with
special call sign W100AW, on all bands and "on every mode possible."
W100AW contacts will be uploaded to Logbook of The World. Postal QSLs
will be acknowledged as well.
Also, during 2014 W1AW will be on the air from every state (at least
twice) and most US territories. On January 8, operation moved from
North Carolina and West Virginia to Utah (W1AW/7) and South Carolina
(W1AW/4). The "Worked All States with W1AW Award" will be available
to those who work W1AW operating portable from every state.
-- ARRL Web
5. Log4OM New Version
The latest release of the free logging software Log4OM version 1.16
can now be downloaded from www.pisto.it/wordpress [11]. There are many
new features including tight integration to FLDigi, for streamlined
logging of digital modes, and integration with SDR-Radio Consul
version 2.1. Details are in the updated user guide, available at the
same download location.
-- Terry G4POP, via QRZ Forums
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for January 18, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
1. Niagara Peninsula Hamfest
The Niagara Peninsula Amateur Radio Club will hold its "Big Event 36"
on Saturday, February 1, at the Merriton Community Centre, 7 Park
Ave. in St. Catharines. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on VE3NRS
repeater, 147.240 MHz (+) 107.2 Hz tone. For more information visit
www.nparc.on.ca [14]
-- RAC Events Database
2. VE3LML wins kudos from U.S. Coast Guard.
Congratulations to Herb Hilgenberg, VE3LML, who was presented in
December with the United States Coast Guard's Meritorious Public
Service Award. An American Coast Guard spokesman said it was the
first time he remembers the award going to a Canadian. Read more at
tinyurl.com/kuds5cw (Kilo Uniform Delta Sierra Five Charlie Whisky)
-- RAC News Service
3. KC4AAA to be Active from South Pole Station
Joe Musachia, W5FJG, will be operating station KC4AAA at the
Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station this year, through the Antarctic
winter season, until November 2014. The station offers a kilowatt
into 6 element 20 and 3 element 40 meter monobanders fixed on the US
and a tribander fixed toward Europe. A 3 element 17 meter beam aimed
at North America, is also supposed to go up this month.
He will operate SSB only on weekdays and some weekends, through the
winter season, until November 2014. Listen for KC4AAA on or near
14.243 MHz. QSL to Larry Skilton, K1IED
-- ARRL Web
4. Saint Maximilian Kolbe
January 8th was the 120th birthday of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, SP3RN,
who is the Catholic Church's Patron Saint of amateur radio
operators. Licensed in Poland in 1938, Father Kolbe died in
Auschwitz when he volunteered to take the place of another prisoner
sentenced to death. A more in-depth look at his life can be found at
tinyurl.com/sp3rn.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for January 25, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. 60 Metre Band Allocations
Industry Canada has approved five frequencies within the 60 meter
band for amateur radio use. They are: 5332 kHz, 5348 kHz, 5358.5 kHz,
5373 kHz and 5405 kHz.
The five frequencies are the same as authorized in the USA, with the
same power restriction of 100 watts ERP. Transmissions, independent
of emission mode, must be centered on each of the five frequencies,
with a maximum bandwidth of 2.8 kHz. Sideband will be upper. Other
modes will be CW, Data (including PSK 31 and Pactor III), and RTTY.
See tinyurl.com/canada60m for technical details. Refer to RBR-4,
Issue 2, online at tinyurl.com/rbr4issue2, for all specifics before
operating on the new 60 metre channels.
-- RAC News Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. ARRL Accepting Information for Repeater Directory
Repeater owners can now submit updated information directly to the
ARRL for use in the ARRL Repeater Directory, TravelPlus and other
products. The submissions web page is www.arrl.org/repeaters [17].
Repeater owners or trustees can use the new web page to notify the
ARRL of changes to existing repeaters, such as new CTCSS frequencies
or changes of call signs. However, it cannot be used to add new or
uncoordinated repeaters. Also, repeater owners must still
communicate changes to their local repeater coordinators.
-- ARRL Web
3. New NCJ website
National Contest Journal (NCJ), the ARRL publication devoted to
Amateur Radio contesting, has an updated web site, at www.ncjweb.com [18]
The site contains selected feature articles, as well as a group of
tools for setting up teams and submitting logs for NCJ-sponsored
contests, and an archive of scores for all NCJ going back to 2001.
-- ARRL Web
4. uLog Logging Software
uLog (pronounced micro-log or "you log") has been designed as an
easy-to-use logbook application that offers just the basic fields for
QSO entry. "No fancy gimmicks, just quick and easy input of QSOs."
Download the free Windows program at www.m0pzt.com/?ulog [19]
-- Southgate ARC News
5. QRP Forum
A new online forum has been created for QRP enthusiasts.
Visit www.qrpclub.org [20] to join (it's free).
-- Nicola, IZ5ZCO
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for February 1, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
1. GWEN Net Time Change
Ontario's Ground Wave Emergency Network (GWEN) has changed the time
of its biweekly net. The net is now on the first and third Monday of
each month at 1930 ET, on 3607 kHz LSB, or near that frequency in
case of QRM.
The goal of GWEN is to provide communications in Southern Ontario and
throughout the Niagara Peninsula in the event of repeater failure.
The net uses 80 metre groundwave and vertical polarization for
reliable point-to-point coverage up to 100 kilometers. For more
information or to get involved, visit www.nparc.on.ca/gwen [23]
-- via Peter Teminski VA3WET
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Burlington Flea Market
The Burlington Amateur Radio Club will hold its Spring Fleamarket on
Saturday, February 22, at the Royal Canadian Legion, 828 Legion Rd.,
in Burlington. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on VE3RSB
repeater, 147.210 (+) 131.8 Hz tone. For more information visit
www.barc.ca [24]
-- RAC Events Database
3. Canada Day Results Posted
Results for the 2013 Canada Day contest are posted on the RAC website
at www.rac.ca/en/rac/programmes/contests [25]. Work on the certificates
and plaques will start in the coming weeks and certificates will be
sent out via email as in the last few years.
-- ARRL Contest Update
4. VE6 Canada Winter Contest video
Don VE6JY and crew operated as VE6RAC for the RAC Winter Contest.
Barry VA6DX has made a YouTube video of the event, including shots
of some up-and-coming young ops at this big station on the plains of
Alberta. Find it at tinyurl.com/ve6rac-13
-- ARRL Contest Update
5. Fifty-Dollar Sat
It has now been 2 months since the launch of Fifty-Dollar Sat
($50SAT) into its 625 km approximately sun-synchronous orbit, and as
of Tuesday January 21, it is still operating.
$50SAT is one of the smallest amateur radio satellites ever launched
at 5x5x7.5 cm and weighing only 210 grams. Transmitter power is just
100 mW on 437.505 MHz (+/-9 kHz Doppler shift) FM CW/RTTY. It uses
the low cost Hope RFM22B single chip radio and PICaxe 40X2 processor.
For more information visit www.50dollarsat.info [26]
-- AMSAT News
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for February 8, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
1. VC3S Special Event
From March 1 to March 31, special event station VC3S
will commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio at the
Canada Science and Technology Museum. QSL via VE3OIJ.
-- RAC Special Events Database
2. Field Day Information Packet Available
Field Day 2014 is June 28-29, and ARRL Field Day information packet
is now available for download, at www.arrl.org/field-day [29]. The PDF
file includes the complete rules, forms, Section abbreviation list,
entry submission instructions, guidelines for getting bonus points,
instructions for Get-On-The-Air stations, and a publicity kit.
-- ARRL Web
3. Tx-Factor online TV show
Bob McCreadie, G0FGX, Mike Marsh, G1IAR and Nick Bennett, 2E0FGQ will
be hosting a new streamed TV show, TX Factor, which goes live on
Friday 21 February. The show aims to explore all aspects of our
diverse and fascinating hobby. The free to view programme can be seen
via www.txfactor.co.uk [30] and should be compatible with phones, tablets
and smart TVs.
-- RSGB News
4. Yasme Foundation Honors Nine
The Yasme Foundation has awarded its 2013 Excellence Awards to nine
hams who "have made a significant contribution to amateur radio."
They are: Tom Roscoe, K8CX, for his "Hamgallery" history
website; Lee Sawkins, VE7CC, for writing filtering software for the
DX Cluster spotting network; low-band authority John Devoldere,
ON4UN; a group of four hams who have helped make FCC database
information readily available - Michael Carroll, N4MC; Eldon Lewis,
K7LS; Dean Gibson, AE7Q, and Joe Speroni, AH0A; ham video producer
Ken Claerbout, K4ZW, and Ashraf Chaabani, 3V/KF5EYY, who is leading an
effort to bring individual amateur licensing to Tunisia, and serving
as a representative for amateur radio throughout northen Africa.
-- CQ News Service
5. dB for Free!
The World Wide Radio Operators Foundation recently posted a
"webinar" by Hank Garretson, W6SX, on how to improve your antenna
situation. It's called "dB for Free! An Antenna Exercise for Little
Pistols", and is a 50-minute YouTube video. Find it at
www.wwrof.org/category/webinar-archive [31]
-- via Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for February 15, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Industry Canada's Antenna Policy
On February 5th, Industry Canada's Minister announced that changes
would be made to "Cell Tower Placement Rules". The governing
document is CPC-2-0-03, which also regulates amateur radio antennas.
RAC will request that no changes be made that would negatively
affect the amateur radio antenna installations currently in place.
RAC does not believe this policy change announcement was generated
by problems caused by the amateur radio community. RAC further
believes the current 15m height has worked well for several years.
We will provide regular updates as the situation warrants.
-- RAC Bulletin Serice
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Winter 2014 5 MHz Newsletter
The Winter 2014 edition of the 5 MHz Newsletter is now available for
download. Download it in PDF format at tinyurl.com/o26huzb (Oscar
Two Six Hotel Uniform Zulu Bravo)
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
3. Winter 2014 Radio Waves Newsletter
The Winter 2014 edition of Radio Waves, ARRL's e-newsletter for
instructors and teachers, is now available. Download the PDF file at
tinyurl.com/lmja6ge (Lima Mike Juliet Alpha Six Golf Echo).
Radio Waves aims to provide information that will help educators and
instructors with licensing or classroom instruction and to share
experiences and stories of other instructors and teachers that may
offer ideas for you to incorporate in your own activities.
-- ARRL Web
4. QSOMap Web Site
QSOmap is a web site that will take ADIF or LoTW logs and create a
world map with pins. You can also apply various filters such as
band, mode, and so forth. Find it at www.qsomap.org [34]
-- ARRL Contest Update
5. Send Your Name to the Asteroid Bennu
NASA is inviting people around the world to submit their names to be
etched on a microchip aboard a spacecraft headed to the asteroid
Bennu in 2016. Your name will ride to the asteroid, spend 500 days
there, and return in the Sample Return Capsule to Earth in 2023.
Plus your name will be on the spacecraft, which will remain in
space after the return.
The deadline to submit names online is Sept. 30, 2014, at
www.planetary.org/bennu [35]. You can also print a certificate of
appreciation.
-- AMSAT News
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for February 22, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RBR-4 Confirms Access to 137 KHz
In 2009, Canadian amateurs were given secondary access to the Low
Frequency (LF) band 135.7 -137.8 kHz. Industry Canada has now
included this in the newly updated RBR-4 Standards for the Operation
of Stations in the Amateur Radio Service. The maximum emission
bandwidth in this band is 100Hz, allowing CW, BPSK31, and BPSK63.
Maximum EIRP is 1 watt. Amateurs "shall not cause harmful
interference to stations of the radionavigation service."
RAC welcomes reports of activities in this band, especially reports
of DX achieved and useful operating tips. Please consider writing
articles for TCA to help other amateurs get started on LF.
-- RAC Bulletin Serice
2. New Deputy Director for Mid-West region
Bill Boskwick, VE4BOZ has accepted the position of Deputy Director
for the Mid-West region of Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC). Now
living in Elm Creek, Manitoba and officially retired, Bill was the
District Officer for NE Alberta with the Alberta Emergency
Management Agency and also has 32 years military service with
Canadian Forces as a Communications Electronics Engineering Officer
and former deputy commander of the signals regiment in Winnipeg.
-- RAC Bulletin Serice
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. HF-Link Interoperability Exercise
From March 27 to April 7, the HFLINK network will conduct an
international ham radio HF Interoperability Exercise. Ham operators
with ALE (Automatic Link Establishment) capability are invited to
participate at any time during the 10 days of this free and open
informal exercise.
Operators get real-world experience and become proficient in HF
digital communications. They initiate and respond to ALE calls, link
up with fellow operators for text or SSB voice QSOs on HF, and share
helpful information about setting up ALE stations. It's not a
contest, and many just do it for fun. For more information visit
www.hflink.com [38]
-- via Ian Snow, VA3QT
4. CJ3A Special Event
From March 7 to April 6, special event station CJ3A will commemorate
the 75th anniversary of the National Film Board. QSL via VA3RVK.
-- RAC Special Events Database
5. Smartphone Apps for Hams and SWLs
The on-line SWLing Post has a summary list of "The Best Amateur Radio
and Shortwave Apps for iOS and Android smart phones." The list first
appeared in Monitoring Times magazine but is being kept up-to-date on
line. Find it at tinyurl.com/ham-radio-apps
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for March 1, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. CFSO Steps Down
Doug Mercer, VO1DM, has retired as RAC's Chief Field Service
Officer. RAC President Geoff Bawden says "He has served with
distinction in that post for the last four years. His was a tough
file and he gained the respect of all who worked with him. After four
years he wanted to have a personal life and has stood down as CFSO."
Our thanks to Doug for his hard work.
-- The RAC Report
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Brampton Hamfest
The Peel and Mississauga Amateur Radio Clubs will hold Ham-Ex 2014 on
Saturday, March 22, at the Brampton Fall Fairgrounds, Heart Lake Road
and Old School Road, in Brampton. Exhibits and demonstrations open
at 8 am, flea market at 9 am. Talk-in on VE3PRC 146.88 (-) no tone,
or VE3MIS 145.43 (-) 103.5 Hz tone. For more information visit
www.ham-ex.ca [41]
-- RAC Events Database
3. St. Patrick's Day Award
A new St Patricks Day award is being launched this year. The
operating period is March 17th from 0000 to 2359 UTC. For information
about how to become a registered award station, or how to participate
as a regular station, visit their web page, stpatrickaward.webs.com
-- Southgate ARC News
4. ISS Gets Ten More Years
NASA has announced that the International Space Station will continue
to operate until at least 2024. The extra time allows NASA and other
space agencies around the world to pursue a number of important
goals. For more information visit www.nasa.gov/station [42]
-- NASA web page and Handi-Ham News
5. Radio Monitoring Guide
"Radio Monitoring: A How-To Guide" by Skip Arey, N2EI, is a 348-page
book including chapters on spectrum use, antennas and grounds,
safety, and propagation. The book is available as a free download
under a Creative Commons license. Download the 6.4 MB PDF file at
tinyurl.com/lc5ssht (Lima Charlie Five Sierra Sierra Hotel Tango)
-- ARRL Contest Update
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for March 8, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. IC Proposes Changes to Antenna Siting Protocol
Industry Canada has released a consultation document proposing
changes to CPC-2-0-03, the Antenna Siting Protocol. The proposal
would remove the 15m tower exemption for "broadcasting undertakings
and telecommunications carriers" but would preserve the exemption
for radio amateurs, as RAC had urged last month.
The consultation document proposes a number of other small changes,
and RAC will look closely at these before completing its comments.
The deadline for comments is 31 March 2014. The consultation
document can be found at tinyurl.com/sf10786 (Sierra Foxtrot One Zero
Seven Eight Six)
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. RAC supports nomination of Tim Ellam for IARU Presidency
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), of which RAC is a
member society, has nominated Timothy S. Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA and Ole
Garpstead, LA2RR, for president and vice-president, respectively,
for a five-year term beginning May 9, 2014. They are currently
serving a five year term in those positions.
At the February 20th, 2014 meeting the RAC board directed the
president to vote for the reelection of these individuals.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. RAC Facebook Page
RAC has a Facebook group with almost 2800 members. You can join at
tinyurl.com/rac-facebook. You must be a Facebook member to join.
-- RAC Twitter Feed
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. FAR Scholarship Applications Open
The Foundation for Amateur Radio is accepting applications for
scholarships for the 2014-2015 school year. Licensed Radio Amateurs
who compete for these awards must be planning to pursue a full time
course of studies beyond high school and be enrolled, or have been
accepted for enrollment, at an accredited university, college or
technical school. Non-US residents are eligible to apply for some of
the scholarships.
The application deadline is April 15. For additional information and
an application form, visit www.farweb.org [45]
-- ARRL Web
5. Amateur Satellites Deployed
Five Amateur Radio CubeSats have been deployed into orbit from the
International Space Station: LithuanicaSAT-1, Litsat-1, ArduSat-2,
UAPSAT, and Chasqui-1. For information visit www.amsat.org [46].
Also, seven Japanese Amateur Radio satellites launched successfully
from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex on February 27. They include the
ARTSAT: INVADER CubeSat (call sign JQ1ZKK), OPUSat, STARS-II,
TelkyoSat-3, ITF-1, and ShindaiSat-1. For information visit
tinyurl.com/feb2014sat
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for March 15, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. New Amateur Radio Exam Generator and Question Bank
Industry Canada has released a new set of amateur radio exam
questions, and a new exam generator, based on recommendations made by
RAC in March 2013. The new exam generator can be found at
tinyurl.com/new-ic-exam
RAC will prepare information identifying where changes have been made
to assist instructors in modifying their course materials and
examiners in preparing for the change. The curriculum has not been
changed; the topics addressed in the exams remain the same. The
changed questions are clearer, more accurate, more understandable and
more relevant to modern amateur radio.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Laval Hamfest
The Club Radio-Amateur Laval-Laurentides will hold its hamfest on
Saturday, March 29, at the Georges-Vanier High School, 3995 Blvd
Levesque East, Laval, Quebec. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on
VE2REL repeater, 147.315 (+). For more information visit
www.ve2crl.qc.ca [49]
-- RAC Events Database
3. Ham Radio to be Highlighted at Preparedness Summit
The importance of amateur radio in emergency response will be
highlighted by a special event station at the Preparedness Summit,
the largest public health preparedness conference in the U.S., being
held in Atlanta from April 1-4. Special event station N4P will be on
the air on April 2 and 3. For more information visit
www.preparednesssummit.org/ham-radio [50] or look up N4P at qrz.com.
-- CQ News Service
4. "HamTV" on the Air From ISS
The "HamTV" digital amateur television transmitter aboard the
International Space Station was installed on March 6, and initial
transmissions on March 8 were successfully received on the ground and
streamed over the Internet by the British Amateur Television Club
(BATC). The project will allow space station crew members to include
live video as well as audio in their contacts with school groups.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/Hamtvproject [51]
-- CQ News Service
5. Amateur VLF Signal Crosses Atlantic
For perhaps the first time, a very low frequency (VLF) signal from a
radio amateur in New York was heard across the Atlantic. Bob Raide,
W2ZM, transmitted on 29.499 kHz under a US Part 5 experimental
license, WH2XBA/1. His very slow-speed CW signal was initially
detected in the UK just before 0000 UTC on March 3 by Paul Nicholson,
an SWL, and later by Mike Dennison, G3XDV, and Markus Vester, DK6NM,
in Germany. Nicholson also copied a 29.501 kHz transmission from Dex
McIntyre, W4DEX, in North Carolina, operating as WH2XBA/4.
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for March 22, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. New Brunswick Distracted Driving Exemption
The New Brunswick Government has tabled new legislation to provide
an exemption to that province's distracted driving law for amateur
radio operators.
New Brunswick had previously banned the use of mobile radios by
amateur operators. RAC hopes the New Brunswick government will make
this a permanent exemption. RAC President Geoff Bawden stated, "We
are extremely satisfied that New Brunswick has finally come to
recognize that amateur radio enhances public safety."
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Iroquois Fleamarket
The Iroquois Amateur Radio Club will hold its fleamarket on Saturday,
April 5, at the Iroquois Civic Building, 1 Dundas Street in Iroquois.
Take exit 738 from Highway 401. Admission is free. General
admission at 9 a.m.; talk-in on VE3IRO repeater, 145.29 (-).
-- RAC Events Database
3. Hams Assist with Flight MH370 Search
The Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society (MARES) has
called on hams in and around India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius,
the Seychelles, and Thailand to participate in the search for
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, missing since March 8.
Nets have been established from 1300 to 1500 UTC on 14.250 MHz and
21.250 MHz, "for ham stations to provide any sightings, information
or evidence" that might help the authorities to find the missing
plane. As usual, please keep those frequencies clear at those times.
-- ARRL Web
4. MDSR V2.8 Software Now Available
Modulator Demodulator Software Radio or MDSR improves the performance
of an existing analog rig, by turning it into an Intermediate
Frequency Software Defined Radio. MDSR works with any symmetrical HF
transceiver. A simple and reversible modification on many analog
transceivers is all it takes to connect the down converter to the
sound card of your computer. The MDSR version 2.8 software, for
Windows XP, Vista, 7, or 8, is free to use for amateur radio
operators. For more information visit tinyurl.com/mdsr-2014.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
5. Building a Super Station
Dave K1TTT has released the 30th anniversary edition of his 700-page+
book "Building a Super Station," including lots of pictures of towers
and antennas as well as other stuff. The e-book version is free, at
www.lulu.com/spotlight/k1ttt [54]
-- ARRL Contest Update
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for March 29, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Volunteers needed for Dayton Hamvention
RAC is returning to the Dayton Hamvention for 2014, and we are once
again looking for volunteers to operate the booth over May 16 to
18th. Last year we organized a single three hour slot for each
volunteer. If you can help, please forward your contact information
and availability by email to ve4baw (at) rac.ca, with a cc: to our
office at rachq (at) rac.ca.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. RAQI Election of directors
Radio Amateur du Quebec Inc. has elected, by acclamation, directors
for three divisions. Guy Richard, VE2XTD, was re-elected to represent
Division II (Quebec). Normand Pitre, VE2NHK, will represent Division
IV (South West). Pierre Martel, VE2PF, will represent Division VI
(Centre of Quebec). RAQI welcomes the new directors and wishes them
good luck in their new mandate.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
3. TPN Net Controllers Needed
The Trans-Provincial Net is seeking net controllers. TPN meets daily
on 7.055 MHz, lower sideband, from 7 am to 5 pm Eastern Time. If you
can help by taking a regular shift, please check into TPN and speak
with a net control station, or contact Shawn VE3PSV via NTS message.
-- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Montreal Fleamarket
The Montreal Amateur Radio Club will hold its fleamarket on Saturday,
April 12, at a new location: the St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish
Church, 4455 West Broadway, Montreal. General admission at 9 am;
talk-in on VE2BG repeater, 147.060 (-). For more information visit
www.marc.qc.ca [57]
-- RAC Events Database
5. Ontario QSO Party
The 2014 Ontario QSO Party runs from 1800Z April 19 to 0500Z April
20, and from 1200Z to 1800Z April 20. The objective is for Ontario
stations to contact as many amateur radio stations as possible
world-wide, CW and phone, using the bands 160-2 meters except the
WARC bands. Ontario stations send signal report and county; others
send signal report and province, state, or DXCC country abbreviation.
For full rules and information visit www.va3cco.com/oqp [58]
-- Contest Club Ontario
6. World Amateur Radio Day 2014
Each year, April 18 is World Amateur Radio Day, celebrating the
founding of the International Amateur Radio Union in 1925. This
year's theme is "Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless
Communications."
This year, April 18 is Good Friday. The IARU encourages participants
to schedule activities earlier or later, as required to accommodate
the Easter weekend.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for April 5, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Consultation on Federal Regulatory Issues
The Radio Amateurs of Canada meets on a regular basis with Industry
Canada on issues of interest to amateur radio operators. We are
seeking immediate input from amateur radio operators on what issues
should be raised with Industry Canada for resolution.
Send email to rachq (at) rac.ca, or send hardcopy to our office: RAC,
720 Belfast Road, Unit 217, Ottawa, ON, K1G 0Z5. Items raised by
amateurs may be published in the RAC Report with personal
identification removed.
-- Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW, RAC President and Chair
2. RAC Scholarships Available
In 2014 Radio Amateurs of Canada will again be offering scholarships
to young Amateurs who are taking post-secondary schooling in
Electrical, Electronic and Software Engineering. Students in other
fields of study will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The
student must be an Amateur and the deadline for applications is
July 31, 2014.
Details on RAC scholarships and applications can be found at
Scholarships Canada: www.scholarshipscanada.com [61]. Further information
is also available on the RAC Website at: tinyurl.com/rac2014grant
-- Bill Unger, VE3XT, RAC North/East Ontario Regional Director
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
3. OPN Frequency Change
Effective April 6, the Ontario Phone Net will move to 7.065 MHz. The
traffic net meets at 7 pm Eastern Time, 7 days a week. All stations
are welcome.
OPN is also seeking additional net control operators. If you would
like to help out, please contact Shawn VE3PSV on the Ontario Phone
Net, or via NTS message.
-- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, OPN Net Manager
4. GLETN Time Change
Effective April 1, the Great Lakes Emergency and Traffic Net is
starting at 8:30 pm Eastern Time, with the pre-net at 8 pm. GLETN
meets every night on 3.932 MHz. All are welcome.
-- Jack Wiswasser WA8IAL, via Shawn VE3PSV
ITEMS OF INTEREST
5. Durham Region Hamfest
The South Pickering ARC and North Shore ARC will hold the 38th Durham
Region Hamfest on Saturday, April 19, at the Pickering Recreation
Complex, 1867 Valley Farm Road, in Pickering. General admission at 9
am; talk-in on VE3SPA repeater, 147.375 (+). For more information
visit www.durhamregionhamfest.com [62].
-- RAC Events Database
6. CANWARN Training April 22-26
CANWARN training will be offered on the following dates:
Windsor, April 22, 7 PM, in Caboto Hall at the Caboto Club, 2175
Parent Avenue.
Sarnia, April 23, 7 PM, at the Sarnia Yacht Club, 1220 Fort Street.
London, April 24, 7 PM, at Fanshawe College, Room T1003, Building T.
Free parking at any metered spot after 6 PM.
Hamilton, April 26, 9 AM, in the Nash Auditorium, Wilcox Building,
Chedoke Hospital, 555 Sanatorium Road. Free parking available across
the street from Wilcox Building.
Ottawa, April 26, 9 AM, at the Nepean Sailing Club, 3259 Carling
Ave., in Nepean.
Please RSVP by email to geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca with the session
you plan on attending. For the Sarnia training session, please RSVP
directly to Bill Hoad at bhoad (at) xcelco.on.ca
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or
clarifications?
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for April 12, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Response to Antenna Siting Changes
Radio Amateurs of Canada has issued a formal response to
the proposed Amendments to Industry Canada's Antenna Tower Siting
Procedures. You can read RAC's letter, in PDF format, at
tinyurl.com/rac2014tower
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. Recognition of Vernon Ikeda
Radio Amateurs of Canada would like to recognize Vernon Ikeda
VE2MBS/VE2QQ for his contributions as a very dedicated and key
volunteer for RAC. Vern was our Blog/RAC E-News/Web News Bulletin
Editor and also managed the RAC twitter account.
Volunteering for RAC is a crucial endeavor that continues to provide
everyone with the services they expect. Vern was no exception to this
and we recognize his dedication to RAC; always exercising utmost
attention to detail and quality in his work. On behalf of everyone
at RAC, Thank you Vern!
-- Geoff Bawden VE4BAW, RAC President and Chairman
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Ontario QSO Party Request
The 17th Annual Ontario QSO Party will be held on the third full
weekend of April 2014, from 1800Z April 19 to 0500Z April 20, and
1200Z to 1800Z April 20. For the full set of rules, contest
exchange, frequencies, modes, and categories, see
www.va3cco.com/oqp/rules.htm [66]
This year several California contest clubs are challenging each other
to win the "out of province" awards. If you plan to participate,
please send an e-mail to va3pc (at) rac.ca with your city/county/
district activation plans. Even if you are only going to be on for a
couple hours, you could be the rare multiplier someone needs. Hope
to hear you on the air.
-- Paul Caccamo, VA3PC, Ontario North OBM
4. International Marconi Day
A few dozen special event stations will take to the air April 26,
0000 UTC to 2359 UTC, to commemorate International Marconi Day (IMD).
This event is held annually to celebrate the birth of Guglielmo
Marconi on April 15, 1874.
IMD is not a contest; it is an opportunity for amateurs around the
world to contact historic Marconi sites using HF communications. An
award certificate is available. All stations planning to participate
are urged to register on the IMD 2014 website, www.gb4imd.com [67]
-- ARRL Web
5. Free ATV magazine CQ-DATV
The new April issue of CQ-DATV magazine, number 10, is now available
as a free download from www.cq-datv.mobi [68]. It is published in Mobi,
ePub, and AZW3 ebook formats, plus PDF for those who want to read it
on a PC. Older issues are also available.
Although the site is called "DATV," to avoid confusion with All
Terrain Vehicles, they cover all aspects of Amateur Television, both
digital and analog.
-- CQ-DATV web site
Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for April 19, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
1. CANWARN Training May 1-7
CANWARN training will be offered on the following dates:
Huron County, May 1, 7 PM, Bayfield Community Centre, Municipality of
Bluewater, 4 Jane Street, Bayfield
Toronto, May 3, 9 AM, Environment Canada Headquarters, 4905 Dufferin
St.
Toronto, May 7, 7 PM, Environment Canada Headquarters, 4905 Dufferin
St.
Please RSVP by email to geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca with the session
you plan on attending.
Also, if you know of any repeaters that are used in your area for
CANWARN weather events, please email Ward Kennedy, ve3wgk (at)
hotmail.com, with the frequency, known PL tone and call sign.
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
2. Young Ham of the Year Nominations
Nominations are now open for the 2014 Amateur Radio Newsline Young
Ham of the Year Award. This award recognizes the achievements of a
radio amateur age 19 or younger. Nominees must reside in the
United States or Canada.
Complete details, rules and a required nominating form in Microsoft
Word format are available on the website at www.arnewsline.org/yhoty [71].
Nominations must be received by May 30.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
3. CK3UG50 Special Event
From May 1 to May 31, special event station CK3UG50 will commemorate
the 50th anniversary of the University of Guelph. QSL via VE3ZUP.
-- RAC Special Events Database
4. International Museums Weekends
You, your club, and your local museum are invited to take part in the
International Museums Weekends, the third and fourth weekends in
June. The goal is to set up amateur radio special event stations at
as many museums as possible worldwide.
Stations can be set up from any type of location which might be
broadly classified as a museum, such as air, railway, radio,
agricultural and doll museums. Even entities such as preserved jails
and warships will qualify. To register for the event, or for more
information, visit www.radio-amateur-events.org [72]
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or
clarifications?
Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for April 26, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Website development news:
The redesigned RAC website has started to make its appearance.
For an early look at the new design, follow the link on the RAC home page and
log in with your primary callsign (not your membership number) and existing password.
--- RAC website.
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
2. CANWARN Training May 10-15
CANWARN training will be offered on the following dates:
Cornwall, May 10, 9 AM, at the OPG St. Lawrence Power Visitor Centre,
2500B 2nd St. West
Dufferin County, May 13, 7 PM, at the Amaranth-East Garafraxa Town
Hall, 374028 6th Line, Amaranth
Kitchener, May 15, 7 PM, at Bingemans Conference Centre, 425
Bingemans Centre Drive
Please RSVP by email to geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca with the session
you plan on attending.
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Ham Radio on CTV Barrie
CTV Barrie has produced a video introducing Ham Radio to their viewing audience.
The footage was shot during an exercise in Orangeville with the Dufferin ARES group.
Jason Miles VE3TYG was instrumental in putting this together. John Corby VA3KOT and Bert
Morgan VA3BMY also assisted. It was a awesome performance from every one.
It takes a minute to buffer, so be patient..
CTV News story link:http://tinyurl.com/plyx3ks [75]
-- Wayne McLean, VE3WWM, Dufferin County EC
4. 2014 World Radiosport Team Championship Locations announced.
From July 9th through 14th, 2014 the world's top amateur radio operators will converge on towns spanning the Route 495 corridor in New England.
WRTC2014 pits 59 two-operator teams, representing 38 countries, in a battle of operating skill and strategy under emergency field conditions. Competing teams were selected from around the world in a series of 55 qualifying events over a 3-year period.
Top teams will operate for the entire 24-hour competition using ssb and cw in an effort to contact as many stations and countries as possible to earn the distinction of “the best in the world.”
This year there are 5 Canadian hams competing on four of the 59 teams.
--- based on QRZ.com article
5. Smiths Falls Flea Market
The Rideau Lakes Amateur Radio Club will hold its 30th annual flea
market on Saturday, May 10, in the Smiths Falls Curling Club on Old
Sly's Road in Smiths Falls. This is the same location as last year.
General admission at 9 am; talk-in on VE3RLR repeater, 147.21 (+).
For more information visit ve3rlr.dyndns.org.
-- RAC Events Database
=====================================================================
Bulletin from Official Bulletin Manager (Ontario North) Paul Caccamo, VA3PC.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for May 3, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Canada Winter Contest Logs Posted
The list of the 708 electronic logs received for the 2013 Canada
Winter Contest has been posted at tinyurl.com/racwinter2013 (it is a
PDF file). Log categories are based on contents of logs submitted and
paper logs are not included.
-- ARRL Contest Update
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
2. CANWARN Training May 21-22
CANWARN training will be offered on the following dates:
Niagara Region, May 21, 7 PM, at Thorold Fire Station #2, 701 Allanburg Road, Thorold
Renfrew, May 21, 6:30 PM, at the Best Western, 760 Gibbons Road
Peterborough, May 22, 7 PM at the Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. North
Please RSVP by email to geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca with the session
you plan on attending.
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
3. Thank you from Ontario QSO Party Organizers
The 2014 Ontario QSO Party was held the weekend of April 19th.
Most areas of Ontario were represented, and it provided a great chance
for all of us to check our station coverages within the Province.
So far over 43 stations in Ontario, and over 56 stations from
outside the Province have submitted their logs.
--- from VA3CCO Website.
4. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK in Ontario
MAY 4-10 This year's theme: "I am ready. We are ready."
Check your ready kits, charge your batteries, and gather your 72 hour
supplies. Storm season is upon us for the next few months.
Check the Emergency Measures Ontario website at
http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/beprepared.html [78]
for more information.
--- From Doug,VA3DLJ Asst E.C. North Bay ARC
ITEMS OF INTEREST
5. Free Online Linux Training Course this summer.
Want to replace that XP operating system with an open source alternative?
Introduction to Linux is being offered free of charge by the Linux Foundation
in conjunction with www.edx.org [79] a non-profit online learing site.
The course helps develop a good working knowledge of Linux using the GUI and the
command line, covers major distributions, and is suitable for home users, system
admins and developers. The course is estimated to take 40 to 60 hours to complete.
Pre-registration for LFS101x can be found at http://bit.ly/lxfintro [80]
--- from Linux Format Magazine by Paul, VA3PC
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for May 10, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. New 472-479 kHz allocation
Canadian amateurs are now authorized to use the 472-479 kHz band.
Operations are subject to the international footnotes in Industry
Canada's April 2014 Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations, which
limit power to 5 watts EIRP except in certain areas within 800 km of
certain other countries.
The RAC 0-30 MHz Band Planning Committee will be proposing a suitable
plan to enable best use of this very narrow band. Comments and
suggestions may be emailed to the committee via rachq (at) rac.ca.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. March 2014 Council Meeting
The proceedings of the March 19 Section Managers Monthly Meeting have
been posted to the RAC website. You can download the PDF file at
tinyurl.com/mar2014sms
-- RAC Web Page
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
3. Orillia CANWARN Training
CANWARN training will be offered near Orillia on May 24, 9 AM, at the
Rama Fire Hall, 7454 Willams Road, in Rama.
Please RSVP by email to geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca with the session
you plan on attending.
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. VX9MOSKVA Special Event
From May 24 to June 22, special event callsign VX9MOSKVA will
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the historic Iluyushin DB-3
"Moskva" Flight, from Moscow to Miscou Island, New Brunswick. QSL
via VE9GFD.
-- RAC Special Events Database
5. AMSAT Field Day rules available
The 2014 AMSAT Field Day rules are now available online at
www.amsat.org [83], under the "Events" menu.
-- ARRL Contest Update
6. Voice of Russia QRT
After months of conflicting reports, the Voice of Russia permanently
ended its shortwave broadcasts at the end of March. As with many
other government broadcasters, the Voice of Russia cited budgetary
problems as the reason for ending its shortwave broadcasts.
-- CQ News Service
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for May 17, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Day at Radioworld
"Radio Amateurs of Canada Day" will take place at Radioworld in
Toronto on Saturday May 24th. You can meet Geoff Bawden VE4BAW,
President of RAC, and other RAC officials. There will be free
seminars on Digital and HSMM Communications, ARES, and the QSL
Bureau. Also, raffle draws, and giveaways, and a free BBQ lunch from
1100 to 1400 local time. Rain or shine!
-- via Ian Snow, VA3QT
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
2. Orillia CANWARN Training Update
The May 24 CANWARN traning location has been changed. The new
location is Rama Community Hall located at 5950 Rama Road. The hall
is just to the south of the Fire Hall between CasinoRama and Williams
Road on the west side of Rama Road.
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
3. CANWARN Training, May 29 - June 5
CANWARN training will be offered on the following dates:
May 29 - 7 PM - Markham - Cornell Community Centre - 3201 Bur Oak
Avenue, Markham
Sudbury, May 31, 9 AM, at the Lionel E. Lalonde Centre, 239 Montee
Principale, in Azilda.
Belleville, May 31, 9:30 AM, at the Belleville Library, Upper Floor
Conference Room, 254 Pinnacle Street.
Espanola, June 1, 1 PM, at the Pinewood Inn, 378 Centre St.
Sault Ste. Marie, June 2, 7 PM, at the Delta Sault Ste. Marie, 208
St. Mary's Drive.
Timmins, June 3, 7 PM, at the Holiday Inn, 30 Algonquin Blvd West.
Temiskaming Shores, June 4, 6:30 PM, at College Boreal, route 118,
New Liskeard.
North Bay, June 5, 6:30 PM, at OPP Regional Headquarters, Cathy
Burns Training Room, 911A Gormanville Road.
Please RSVP by email to geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca with the session
you plan on attending.
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
4. Laurentian Net Seeks NCS Alternates
The Laurentian Net is looking for alternate Net Control operators,
to fill in occasionally for a regularly scheduled Net Control
Station. LN is an information and traffic handling net that meets at
18:45 Eastern Time, seven days a week, on 3.755 MHz. If you can
help, please contact Shawn VE3PSV on the net, or via NTS message.
-- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV
ITEMS OF INTEREST
5. Central Ontario Hamfest
The Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo Amateur Radio Clubs will hold their
40th annual Central Ontario Hamfest on Sunday, June 1, at the
Waterloo Regional Police Association Recreation Park, 1199 Rife Rd.,
in North Dumfries. General admission at 9 am; free admission for
youths under 12. Talk-in on VE3KSR repeater 146.970 (-) 131.8 Hz
tone, and simplex 146.520 when nearby. For more information visit
www.hamfest.on.ca [86]
-- RAC Events Database
6. ISS Contacts On Hold
There will be a lapse in contacts with the International Space
Station from May 12 to June 15, as there are no hams on board.
Licensed crew members will join the ISS and contacts are expected to
resume in July.
-- AMSAT News
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for May 24, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. VE6SH re-elected IARU President
Timothy S. Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, and Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, have been
elected IARU President and Vice President, respectively, for the
five-year term beginning 9 May 2014.
Mr. Ellam served as IARU Vice President from 2004 until 2009, and was
elected as IARU President on 9 May 2009 for a five-year term. Mr.
Garpestad was first elected as IARU Vice President in 2009 at the
same time Mr. Ellam became President.
RAC extends its sincere congratulations to Timothy Ellam for this
re-election and wish him the best during this new mandate.
-- Radio Amateurs of Canada
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
2. CANWARN Training, June 9-13
CANWARN training will be offered on the following dates:
Thunder Bay, June 9, 7 PM, McIntyre Building Room 274, Red Rock
Drive, Confederation College.
Atikokan, June 10, 7 PM, AEDC Training Room, 214 Main St.
Fort Frances/Emo, June 11, 7 PM, Emo-Lavallee Community Centre 78
Colonization Road, in Emo .
Kenora, June 12, 1 PM and again at 7 PM, Red Cross Offices, 1008
Ottawa St., Keewatin.
Dryden, June 13, 7 PM, Dryden Fire Services Training Room -189
Colonization Ave S.
Please RSVP by email to geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca with the session
you plan on attending.
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. London Vintage Radio Flea Market
The London Vintage Radio Club will hold its annual Flea Market on
Saturday, June 7, in the Hammond Manufacturing parking lot (east
side), 394 Edinburgh Rd. North, corner of Speedvale and Edinburgh, in
Guelph. Open at 7 am for vendors and public. The Hammond Museum of
Radio on Southgate Road will be open for visitors in the afternoon.
For more information visit their web page, lvrc.homestead.com.
-- RAC Events Database
4. Streetsville Bread and Honey Festival
On Saturday June 7 and Sunday June 8, the Mississauga Amateur Radio
Club will operate a special event station from the Streetsville Bread
and Honey Festival. Operating times are 1400 to 2000 UTC on each
day. SSB frequencies are 7.230 and 14.240 MHz +/- QRM. For more
information visit www.marc.on.ca [89] and click the "Bread & Honey" link.
-- RAC Events Database
5. WX4NHC Station Test
On Saturday, May 31, WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center in
Miami, Florida, will be on the air for the annual NHC Station Test.
The event will begin at 1300 UTC and wrap up at 2200 UTC.
The annual Station Test is NOT a contest or simulated hurricane
exercise. WX4NHC will make brief contacts with participating
stations, exchanging signal reports and basic weather data. For
example, stations may report "sunny" or "rain" or "cloudy." WX4NHC
will operate HF on the Hurricane Watch Net frequency of 14.325
MHz, 30 meter APRS, and Winlink (subject line must contain "//WL2K").
WX4NHC also plans to be on the VoIP Hurricane Net from 2000 until
2200 UTC (IRLP node 9219; EchoLink WX-TALK Conference node 7203).
-- ARRL Web
6. Training Guide for Traffic Handlers
Mark Rappaport W2EAG has re-written parts of his Training Guide for
Traffic Handlers. The revised version may be found here as a PDF
file: tinyurl.com/k7lhv9p (Kilo Seven Lima Hotel Victor Nine Papa).
There is a tremendous amount of information contained in the guide
and it should be required reading for anyone interested in traffic
handling.
-- Glenn Killam VE3GNA
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for May 31, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC at Dayton
Once again this year's RAC presence at the Dayton Hamvention -- the
fourth year in a row after a ten year hiatus -- was an overwhelming
success. Hundreds of amateurs from various countries visited. Many
memberships were renewed and new ones were added.
RAC President Geoff Bawden says "A big thank you is in order for our
booth volunteers, staff, as well as RAC officials who made the trip
down and contributed to its success. ... We are definitely planning
on returning for 2015, this venue is a very valuable opportunity for
our organization."
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. VC3JUNO Special Event
From June 6 to July 31, special call sign VC3JUNO will commemorate
the 70th anniversary of D-Day, Juno Beach Canadian Sector. QSL via
VE3JO.
-- RAC Special Events Database
3. ISEE-3 Reboot Attempt
A private group, ISEE-3 Reboot, has reached their crowd-funding goal
and has persuaded NASA to let them command the returning ISEE-3
satellite. The International Sun Earth Explorer 3 was launched in
1978 into a solar orbit, and is now returning to Earth. Space
enthusiasts wanted to contact the craft and use it for a new mission,
but NASA no longer had the capability. A group of old and new
engineers has reconstructed the communications protocol and will be
attempting to contact the probe in the next few weeks. For the
latest updates, visit www.spacecollege.org/isee3 [92]
-- via Gizmodo and IO9.com
4. Chris Hadfield Honoured for Photography
Canada's most famous astronaut is now a professionally-recognized
photographer. Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG, has been awarded an honorary
Service of Photographic Arts designation by the Professional
Photographers of Canada for his photos from space. Hadfield said he
was honoured by the designation that was bestowed in recognition of
contributions made to photography in Canada. For the full story,
visit tinyurl.com/Hadfield-Photo-Honor
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
5. ARRL Offers New Amateur Radio PSAs
ARRL has added new 30-second radio/audio public service announcements
(PSAs) to promote Amateur Radio and the 2014 ARRL Field Day.
The spot named "Amateur" talks about the meaning of the word amateur
and how the Amateur Radio Emergency Service helps during disasters.
It includes an 8-second "bed" at the end for local clubs to provide
contact information. "Careers" tells how Amateur Radio skills can
lead to a career path, and it references the ARRL website. "What Is
Ham Radio" is a generic spot to promote how much fun Amateur Radio
offers, with an 8-second bed at the end. Two PSAs for 2014 Field Day
are available. One includes 8 seconds at the end for local clubs, one
does not. Find them at www.arrl.org/public-service-announcements [93]
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for June 7, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. VE9IM Appointed ARISS Representative
RAC is pleased to advise that Ian MacFarquhar VE9IM will be our RAC
appointment as the ARISS regional representative. He will replace
Daniel Lamoureux VE2KA.
"Mr. MacFarquhar has been Vice President, supervised the successful
insurance program and has been a pillar in RAC for longer than he
cares to remember," says Geoff Bawden VE4BAW, RAC President.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. Field Day 2014 is soon!
Field Day is June 28-29. Whether your focus for the event is an
Emergency Preparedness Display, a Public Service Demonstration or
just an excuse to get on the air, the main thing is to have fun.
Contact your municipality for support, your news crews to cover the
event, and invite your government leaders to drop by.
This is also a great time to recruit new Hams, or encourage just-
licensed Hams to join you to get their "feet wet," experiencing for
the first time the thrill of having the world at their fingertips.
And why not place some RAC membership forms on your Public
Information table?
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
3. Oakville CANWARN Training
CANWARN training will be offered on June 24, at 7 PM, at the Halton
Region Administration Building, 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville. Please
RSVP by email to geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca if you plan to attend
this session.
A reminder: if you know of any repeaters that are used in your area
for CANWARN weather events, please email Ward Kennedy, ve3wgk (at)
hotmail.com, with the frequency, known PL tone and call sign.
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. ARES Day at Radioworld
On Saturday June 21, 2014, between 1000 and 1500 hours Eastern Time,
Radioworld and RAC Ontario South Director Rod Hardman VE3RHF will
host "ARES Day at Radioworld". This event will focus on the future
of ARES through seminars and demonstrations. Learn about Broadband-
Hamnet MESH networks, the Winlink Hybrid Radio Email Messaging
System, the Narrow Band Emergency Message System, and more. View
displays of mobile and portable stations. Meet with the GTA Section
Manager George Duffield, VE3WKJ and Ontario-South Section Manager Ian
Snow, VA3QT to learn how you can contribute your technical knowledge
and operator skills towards a new world-class Auxiliary
Communications capability. For more information, contact either
ve3wkj (at) rac.ca, or va3qt (at) rac.ca.
-- Ian Snow VA3QT, Ontario South SM
5. SPROUT Microsatellite Launched
SPROUT is a 7 kilogram microsatellite launched on May 24th from the
Tanegashima Space Center in Japan to a 406 mile high sun synchronous
orbit. This satellite is a project of Nihon University and includes
CW telemetry, an FM digipeater, a digitalker and message box, and
live and preloaded Slow Scan TV pictures. The Morse telemetry can be
found on 437.525 MHz while the downlink for the Slow Scan TV and the
Digitalker is at 437.600 MHz. For more information visit
tinyurl.com/sprout-e
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for June 14, 2014 NATIONAL NEWS 1. Canada Day Contest The RAC Canada Day Contest runs from 0000 UTC to 2359 UTC on July 1, CW and phone, on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2 metres. Stations in Canada send RST and province or territory; VE0s and stations outside Canada send RST and a serial number. Logs must be received by July 31. Complete rules are in a PDF file at tinyurl.com/rac2014canday -- RAC Web Page 2. AEMA Announcement Project The Alberta Emergency Alert program is pleased to announce that the Southern Alberta Repeater Association (SARA) will transmit critical Alberta Emergency Alert messages starting June 18, 2014. The Alberta Emergency Alert program provides lifesaving information through radio, television, a public website, a smartphone application, Facebook, Twitter, and an RSS feed. SARA maintains over 20 repeater sites providing continuous coverage between major centers in the province. Alert messages will be delivered on the main SARA backbone automatically, covering the Highway 2 corridor from Edmonton in the north to Vulcan County in the south. -- RAC Bulletin Service 3. Guest Operation in Brazil during FIFA 2014 The Brazilian Amateur Radio League (LABRE) has obtained special permission for foreign amateurs wishing to operate during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. During June and July, any foreign amateur will be able to operate in Brazil regardless of the existence of a reciprocity agreement between countries. No IARP or CEPT license are necessary and no fees are required. If you wish to operate in Brazil you must send to LABRE the following documents: 1. a copy of the identification pages of your valid passport, 2. a copy of your amateur radio license, 3. a list of cities in which you intend to operate and the respective periods, and 4. an email address for contact. The documents must be scanned and emailed to executiva (at) labre.org.br. For further information, contact George Gorsline, RAC International Affairs Officer, VE3YV (at) rac.ca -- RAC Bulletin Service ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS 4. Reminder: ARES Day June 21 On June 21, from 1000 to 1500 Eastern, "ARES Day" will be held at Radioworld, 4335 Steeles Ave. West, in Toronto. There will be an Open House, Information Seminars, Membership Drive, and Emergency Communications Training. For more information visit tinyurl.com/aresday2014 -- RAC Ontario Section Managers and Radioworld ITEMS OF INTEREST 5. Special Event Stations From July 1 to July 31, special call sign CK2I will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Conference of Quebec. QSL via VE2EBK. Also, special call sign VX6100EMP will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Village of Empress. QSL via VE6CRH. From July 4 to July 12, call sign VC1T will be used for the Trans-Atlantic 2 metre Digital Experiment, an attempt to complete a two-way QSO on 144 MHz from Newfoundland to Ireland. The group will use digital mode JT65B, but can also use CW or SSB if conditions are favorable. For more information visit www.brendanquest.org [98] -- RAC Special Events Database, and RSGB News 6. Soldering Surface Mount Devices Here's an Instructables presentation describing how to use a hot plate to solder tiny Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) onto a printed circuit board: tinyurl.com/nj7tzsg (November Juliet Seven Tango Zulu Sierra Golf) -- ARRL Contest Update
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for June 21, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Look for VE3RCMP during Field Day
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police amateur radio Group in Ottawa will
be operating a Special Event Station VE3RCMP during the Field Day
contest weekend, June 28-29. They plan also to activate the call
sign during the RAC Canada Day Contest July 1st.
The Special Event commemorates the 75th anniversary of the first RCMP
owned and operated radio-to-patrol-car dispatch system that was
commissioned in the fall of 1939. VE3RCMP during Field Day will be
operated by current and retired members of what is currently known as
the RCMP National Radio Services Directorate, Ottawa.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. RAC volunteer recognition: VE2QK
Radio Amateurs of Canada recognizes and honors Jacques Dubé VE2QK for
20 years of true continuous volunteer dedication. In 1994, Jacques
Dubé took over the VE2 QSL Incoming Bureau, and he has been handling
it on his own since 1996. To date Jacques has handled well over
600,000 QSL cards. From RAC and all those who benefit from your
dedication to the QSL Bureau: a huge thank you!
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. RAC Report for June
Please note that he RAC Report for June 2014 is available for viewing
on the old web site (www.rac.ca [101]) under the Member's Section - RAC
Reports.
The RAC Report can also be viewed on the new site http://wp.rac.ca [102] by
logging in with your call sign and RAC password. It is located under
Publications - Downloads menu tabs.
If you have any questions or technical issues please contact the RAC
office.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Two-Metre Transatlantic Attempt
A group of amateur radio operators from Atlantic Canada will operate
from Pouch Cove, Newfoundland, from 4-12 July in a bid to complete a
two metre transatlantic QSO and claim the Brendan Trophy. Station
VC1T will use WSJT digital modes on 144.155 MHz. If WSJT is
successful, CW or SSB will be attempted. For details and daily
updates, visit the team's website, www.brendanquest.org [98].
-- RSGB News
5. Baofeng Changes Name to Pofung
Radio supplier Baofeng has changed its product distribution name to
Pofung for all sales outside China. Baofeng is a literal translation
of its Chinese character name. The company says the new name of
Pofung is easier to pronounce and more friendly to its customers,
while maintaining the phonetic symbolism of its brand. The company's
official web domain www.baofengradio.com [103] will remain unchanged.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
6. REACT is Not Just CB Radio
REACT International is a network of communicators who assist their
communities in times of emergency or disaster. While often associated
with CB Radio, the organization has widened its focus to embrace
amateur radio, GMRS, FRS, and MURS. Their emergency communications
course is similar to the ARRL course, but is free. Find the course
and more information at their web site, www.reactintl.org [104]
-- ARRL ARES E-Letter
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for June 28, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Head Office Phone System problems
Please note that the VoIP telephone system at the RAC office is
currently experiencing problems. Callers are still able to leave
messages and we encourage this. The problem is being investigated
and we hope to have it repaired in a timely fashion.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. VE6NL Appointed SEC
Radio Amateurs of Canada would like to announce the appointment of
Neal Sunderland VE6NL, as Section Emergency Coordinator for Alberta,
Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The Alberta Section is one of our
most active Sections in recent years with fires in the north and
flooding in the south.
Neal has been involved in radio both professionally and privately for
more than 40 years. He became a licensed Amateur five years ago, and
has been active in ARES in the Calgary region. Neal is trained in and
has worked professionally in Search and Rescue, Emergency Medicine
and other related fields.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. Alberta Hams Honoured
In June of 2013, High River, Alberta suffered one of Canada's
greatest natural disasters, the Alberta floods. Ham radio operators
from the Foothills Amateur Radio Club and across the region responded
to the emergency, to augment or replace communications that had been
damaged or destroyed in the torrent.
To honour the extraordinary efforts of these amateurs, the Foothills
Amateur Radio Club arranged a ceremony and banquet. To read the
full story, and to see the list of volunteers, the certificate
presented by RAC, and the letter of thanks from the Town of High
River, visit tinyurl.com/opzkxyq (Oscar Papa Zulu Kilo Xray Yankee
Quebec)
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Milton Hamfest
The Burlington Amateur Radio Club will hold its 40th anniversary
"Ontario Hamfest" on Saturday, July 12, at the Milton Agricultural
Fairgrounds. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on 146.52 simplex.
Special Appearance and two seminars by by Bob Heil, K9EID. For more
information visit www.ontariohamfest.ca [107]
-- RAC Events Database
5. WRTC 2014 Participation Awards
The 2014 World Radiosport Team Championship, a contest with 59
teams, will also give awards to amateur stations who participate by
working the WRTC team stations. Any station that appears in all 59
WRTC team logs will be able to download a certificate. Also,
stations who submit logs within six hours of the end of the contest
will be designated "Assistant Judge" and will be eligible for
Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. For complete details visit
tinyurl.com/wrtc2014awards. The contest runs 1200Z July 12, to
1200Z July 13.
-- WRTC 2014 Web Site
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for July 5, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Renew Your RAC Email Notifications
Effective July 1st, Canada's anti-spam law requires RAC to have your
consent to continue sending you notifications and emails. You can
do this by re-subscribing at tinyurl.com/rac-emails. If you do not
re-subscribe, you will no longer receive emails from RAC.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. RAC Annual General Meeting
A reminder: RAC will have its Annual General Meeting in British
Columbia associated with the Pacific Northwest DX Conference from
July 25 to 27 of this year. For more information about the conference
visit tinyurl.com/orca2014dx.
For those who cannot attend in person, we will again have an
electronic outreach. We started this outreach in 2011 in St. John's
and want to see it grow in use, to ensure that members have an
opportunity to participate.
-- RAC Report
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Global Amateur Radio Emergency Conference
The 2014 Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference,
sponsored by the International Amateur Radio Union, returns to the
United States this year. The conference will take place on August 14
and 15 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Huntsville, Alabama, adjacent
to the Von Braun Convention Center, where the Huntsville Hamfest will
be held on August 16 and 17. For more information visit
w4ozk.com/GAREC14.htm
-- CQ News Service
4. No Young Ham of the Year
There will be no Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award
presented in 2014. According to Chairman Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, the
judging committee decided to defer making an award this year due to
the low number of nominees. This is not a reflection on the quality
of the nominations they did receive; merely that more nominations and
documentation would be needed to make a fair determination. Right
now the plan is to open nominations again in February of 2015.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
5. Basics of HF Propagation
Practical Wireless Editor Don Field G3XTT took part in the RSGB
Commonwealth Contest and used it as a basis for explaining the basics
of HF propagation. Practical Wireless have given permission for the
article "The Basics of HF Propagation" to be made available on the
Commonwealth Contest website. You can download the PDF file at
tinyurl.com/pwhfprop
-- Southgate ARC News
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for July 12, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
1. Ontario South SEC Appointed
Effective 9 July, Scott Carter, VE3CGN has been re-appointed as
ARES Section Emergency Coordinator for Ontario South Section, for a
two-year term. Scott was previously SEC for Ontario South until
health issues prompted him to step down. Scott now advises that his
health issues are under control, and he is keen to resume as SEC.
Please join me in extending best wishes to Scott as he continues to
regain his health, and give him your full support.
-- Ian Snow, VA3QT, CEC, SM Ontario South
2. OPN Seeks Relay Stations
The Ontario Phone Net (OPN) is currently seeking stations to carry
radiogram traffic to, and bring radiogram traffic from, Ontario
municipalities and other radio nets. No special qualifications are
required. Merely check into the OPN, any evening at 7 pm Eastern on
7.065 MHz, and inform the net control station that you have traffic,
or can accept traffic for some destination. For further information
contact Shawn VE3PSV on-air during the OPN.
-- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, OPN Net Manager
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Transatlantic 2m Success
The "Brendan Quest" team has been successful in its record-setting
attempt to send a 2 metre signal across the Atlantic from its
location in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland. On July 6 at 1341 UTC, G4SWX
in the U.K. was able to completely decode an FSK441 transmission from
VC1T. As of July 10 the team has not yet completed a two-way QSO.
-- ARRL Web and CBC News
4. New NAQCC Great Lakes Net
The North American QRP CW Club (NAQCC) is pleased to announce that a
new slow-speed CW net is being held Thursday evenings, at 9 PM
Eastern, starting July 10. The net will meet on 7.117 MHz +/- QRM,
and the Net Control Station will be David, KC8AAG.
The NAQCC is open to any licensed radio amateur or shortwave listener
worldwide with at least some interest in CW/QRP operation. For more
information visit the web site, www.naqcc.info [112]
-- via Paul, N8XMS, NAQCC Club Manager
5. UKube-1 Launched
On July 8, UKube-1 was successfully launched and deployed from the
Soyuz-2-1B/Fregat-M launch vehicle. UKube-1 is a 3U cubesat and
carries a FUNcube educational beacon and linear transponder. Beacon
signals were heard soon after launch by the UKube team at 19:16 UTC.
Frequencies in use by UKube-1 include:
* 145.840 Primary telemetry downlink CW or 1k2-9k6 BPSK
* 145.915 FUNcube-2 telemetry 1k2 BPSK
* 145.930-145.950 FUNcube-2 transponder downlink, 435.080-435.060
uplink
* 2401.0 S-band downlink (QPSK-OQPSK)
* 437.425-437.525 myPocketQub spread spectrum
For recent updates, visit funcube.org.uk and www.amsat-uk.org [113].
-- AMSAT News
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for July 19, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Scholarships deadline approaching
Earlier this year, RAC announced the availability of scholarships to
young Amateurs who are taking post-secondary schooling in Electrical,
Electronic and Software Engineering. Students in other fields of
study will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You must be a
licensed Amateur and we remind everyone that the deadline for
applications is July 31, 2014.
Details on RAC scholarships and applications can be found at
Scholarships Canada: www.scholarshipscanada.com [61]. Further information
is also available on the RAC Website at: tinyurl.com/rac2014grant
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Canal Days Special Event
On August 2nd and 3rd, the Niagara Peninsula Amateur Radio Club will
operate station VE3WCD as part of Port Colborne's Canal Days Marine
Heritage Festival, held annually to celebrate the long history of the
Welland Canal. Operation will be 9 am to 5 pm Eastern Time, both
days. For more information visit www.nparc.on.ca [14] and click on
"Community Events".
-- RAC Events Database
3. August Special Callsigns
From August 1 to August 31, special call sign VX9CMA will commemorate
the 2014 World Acadian Congress. QSL via VE9RLW.
Also from August 1 to 31, call sign CF3NAVY will commemorate the
100th Anniversary of Submarines in Canada. QSL via VA3OR.
From August 5 to September 15, call sign VC3A will commemorate the
150th Anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference. QSL via VE3JO.
-- RAC Special Events Database
4. Add Your Callsign to your Facebook Profile
Facebook has made a way for Hams to add their callsign to their
profile. Here's how: open up "Settings," and under "General Account
Settings," on the line that says "Name", click "Edit". Enter your
callsign in the space marked "Alternate name", and check the box for
"Include this on my timeline". Enter your password, click "Save
Changes", and you're done. Your callsign will appear under your
name.
-- RAC News Service
5. WRTC on "As It Happens"
On CBC Radio's program "As It Happens", Jeff VY2ZM was interviewed by
Rick MacInnes-Rae about the World Radiosport Team Championship
(WRTC). Jeff did a great job of presenting Amateur Radio, contesting
and WRTC. To hear it, go to tinyurl.com/qxl2u3o (Quebec Xray Lima
Two Uniform Three Oscar) and look for the 10 July edition. The
interview should come on about half-way through the podcast.
-- Dave VO1AU and VE3AAQ, via RAC News Service
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for July 26, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. IARU Region 2 Meeting
The annual Executive Committee meeting of IARU Region 2 was held in
Hartford, Connecticut, USA, last July 15 and 16, immediately
preceding the ARRL's National Centennial Convention. Annual reports,
future plans, and the situation of each Member Society and amateur
radio in general were discussed.
On behalf of Region 2, President Leandro and Secretary Molina
presented a plaque to the ARRL with congratulations on their 100th
anniversary and in recognition of its work in favor of radio amateurs
throughout the world.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. Vern Ikeda, SK
It is with deep sadness that we were recently informed of the sudden
passing of Vern Ikeda, VE2MBS/VE2QQ. Vern was very active with the
Montreal ARC. His contributions as a long-time RAC volunteer, as
Blog/RAC E-News/Web News Bulletin Editor and manager of the RAC
twitter account, were recently recognized by RAC, at
tinyurl.com/ve2qq
-- RAC News Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Special Event Callsigns
From August 15 to September 14, call sign XO2C will commemorate the
150th Anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference. QSL via VY2XDX.
Also commemorating that anniversary, from August 26 to
September 25, will be special call sign CG3C. QSL via VE3OKA.
-- RAC Special Events Database
4. Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has compiled the Auxiliary
Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG), a reference for
auxiliary communicators and amateur radio organizations who support
public safety entities.
It contains information about best practices, frequently used radio
frequencies, Mutual Aid channels, and tips and suggestions about
integrating into a ICS environment to support communications for
planned events or incidents. It can serve as a reference both for
auxiliary emergency communicators and public safety communications
professionals. The book is a free PDF download at
tinyurl.com/auxfog-1
-- ARRL ARES E-Letter
5. Free On-line Electrical Engineering Course
The University of Liverpool is offering a new "Massive Open Online
Course" (MOOC) covering Analogue/Digital Electronics, AC/DC Circuits,
Electromechanics, and an introduction to C programming. The
free six-week course starts in September, but you can sign up now.
Find it at www.futurelearn.com/courses/electrify [118]
-- Southgate ARC News
6. India's VO-52 Satellite Goes Dark
Despite efforts to keep it operating for a while longer, ground
controllers have permanently taken VUSat OSCAR-52 (VO-52)
out of service, due to the failure of its lithium-ion batteries.
The VO-52 satellite was one of the most popular SSB/CW satellites
during its lifetime. Launched in 2005, it had been designed to
remain operational for just one year.
-- ARRL Bulletin Service
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for August 2, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. 2014 RAC AGM Concluded
The RAC Annual General Meeting took place on July 27th in New
Westminster BC. The proceedings can be heard through the archived
Webinar recording at tinyurl.com/rac2014agm
RAC would like to thank everyone who helped make the AGM another
successful event, including the Orca DX and Contest Club for making
the venue available.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. Canadian Amateurs receive Order of Canada
The Governor General of Canada recently announced 86 new appointments
to the Order of Canada. Among them are two radio amateurs.
Veena Rawat, VA3ITU, was honored as a “Companion of the Order of
Canada” for her contributions to telecom engineering and for
leadership in establishing a global regulatory framework for radio
spectrum management. Amongst other accomplishments, Rawat chaired the
World Radiocommunication Conference in 2003.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG/KC5RNJ, was honored as an “Officer
of the Order of Canada” for “his commitment to promoting scientific
discovery and for sharing the wonders of space exploration with the
world.” Hadfield was the International Space Station Expedition 35
commander during his 2013 duty tour.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Junk-in-the-Trunk Swapmeet
The 6th Annual Junk-in-the-Trunk Event will take place on Saturday,
August 23, in the parking lot of the Newmarket Theatre,
505 Pickering Crescent, in Newmarket. The closest intersection is
Leslie Street and Mulock Drive. Free admission to buyers. Open to
all at 7:30 am; talk-in on 146.520 simplex, or the local repeater,
147.225.
-- RAC Events Database
4. International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend takes place this year
on August 16th and 17th, from 0001 UTC Saturday to 2359 UTC Sunday.
The objective is to promote public awareness of lighthouses and
lightships and their need for preservation and restoration, and at
the same time to promote amateur radio and to foster international
goodwill. Over 400 locations are registered for this year's event.
For more information visit www.illw.net [121].
-- ILLW web page
5. Weather Radio Listeners Newsletter Updates
A new email address and Twitter account for the Weather Radio
Listeners Newsletter have been created. The email address will be
the flagship address for all things relating to the newsletter and
news on coming issues or developments. The Twitter account will serve
the same function and will also have segments from both the current
and previous issues tweeted from time to time.
The new email address is wxrnewsletter (at) gmail.com and the Twitter
handle is WxrNewsletter. We hope that those who are on Twitter and
are on the mailing list will take advantage of both of these new news
sources. To subscribe to the newsletter, send a request to the new
email address.
-- Gord Maybee, VA3WXA
6. Australian Balloon Reaches Brazil
On July 13, Andy Nguyen, VK3YT launched a "pico balloon" with an APRS
beacon from central Victoria state in Australia. According to its
last copied APRS data, call sign VK3YT-8, it appeared to be at an
altitude of about 29,000 feet and some 50 miles north of Brasilia.
The balloon is believed to have left South America on July 22nd and
its ultimate destination is unknown.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for August 9, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Simulated Emergency Test
The date for the 2014 Simulated Emergency Test (SET) has been
confirmed as Saturday October 4th.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. Bob Eldridge, SK
VE7BS, Bob Eldridge, has become a Silent Key. He passed away July
15th at Lion’s Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, B.C. after a short
stay. He was 93.
Bob was a member of the DX and Topband community, and a regular
columnist for the Canadian Amateur Magazine. A tribute article in TCA
is planned by the editor.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
3. Gordon Pierce, SK
Gordon Pierce, VE3BZB, lost his long battle with cancer late Tuesday,
29 July 2014.
For many years, Gord was a regular participant in the National
Traffic System's Eastern Area Net, and for a portion of that time he
also served as manager of the Eastern Canada Net.
-- via Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Free Newsletters Online
The August 2014 issue of CQ-DATV, the Amateur Television magazine, is
now available in popular ebook formats at www.cq-datv.mobi [68].
The August newsletter of the North American QRP CW Club, in PDF, can
be downloaded at www.naqcc.info [112].
The July/August 2014 issue of the free professional publication Sat
Magazine, including stories about amateur satellites, is available
for download in PDF format at tinyurl.com/july-2014-satmag.
The August edition of the free "432 MHz and Above EME Newsletter" is
available in either Word or PDF formats at tinyurl.com/432-and-above.
And a belated reminder, the latest - Spring 2014 - edition of The
5 MHz Newsletter, in PDF, can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/owbbggk
(Oscar Whiskey Bravo Bravo Golf Golf Kilo)
-- Southgate ARC News and Amateur Radio Newsline
5. Amateur balloon flies round the world
The 434MHz solar powered party balloon B-64, launched by Leo Bodnar,
M0XER, is passing the UK at the end of a record breaking journey
around the world.
Leo launched his balloon from Silverstone on 12 July. It traveled
east across Asia, the Pacific and the Americas and completed the
final transatlantic crossing arriving over Cornwall on July 31.
-- RSGB News
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for August 16, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
1. Orangeville Basic Amateur Course
Dufferin County ARES will hold a Basic Amateur Radio course starting
Thursday September 11 at 7:00pm, and running for ten weeks. The
course will be held at the Edelbrock Center on 30 Center Street in
Orangeville. There is no cost to this course but you need to have the
Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide, 8th Edition.
Anyone interested can email wayne.mclean (at) yahoo.ca
-- Wayne McLean, Dufferin ARES EC
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Ottawa Hamfest
The Ottawa ARC will hold its 17th Annual Hamfest on Saturday,
September 6, at the Carp Agricultural Fairgrounds, 3832 Carp Road, in
Carp. The hamfest is in the W. Erskine Johnston Arena at the north
end of the fairgrounds. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on VE2CRA
repeater, 146.94 (-), 100 Hz tone. Licence exams on site. For more
information visit www.oarc.net/fleamarket [126]
-- RAC Events Database
3. Special Event Stations
From August 29 to August 31, special event station VC3B will be
active during the 14th annual Warrior's Day in Coe Hill, the largest
display and parade of current and vintage military equipment in
Ontario. Plans are to operate an old fashioned wireless telegraph
station on 80 and 40 meter CW. Contacts will also be made on SSB.
QSL via VE3DCX. For more information search VC3B on qrz.com
From September 1 to October 28, special call sign VC3P will
commemorate 70 years since Operation Market Garden. QSL via VE3JO.
-- RAC Special Events database and QRZ.com
4. 630 Metre Special Event
Experimental operators on 600/630 meters will conduct a special event
operation October 31 - November 2. The Maritime Radio Historical
Society (MRHS), which maintains the KPH/KSM commercial coast
stations, will take part in the event, as will the three active
Canadian 630m stations.
Joe, VO1NA will transmit from Torbay, Newfoundland and should be
heard throughout eastern North America. Joe will listen for replies
on both 80 and 40m CW. John, VE7BDQ will transmit from Delta, B.C.,
south of Vancouver, and will listen for callers on 80m CW only.
VE7SL will transmit from Mayne Island B.C., midway between Vancouver
and Victoria, and will listen for callers on both 80 and 40m CW.
Frequencies are still to be announced.
-- VE7SL, via RAC News Service
5. Tube Books
tubebooks.org is a web site with "a collection of vintage engineering
texts, vacuum tube datasheets, and other obsolete information,
presented free of charge." Most manuals are available in PDF format.
-- ARRL Contest Update
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for August 23, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Email Bulletins
RAC would like to encourage more people to subscribe to the RAC email
Bulletin System. This is a very efficient tool that lets you receive,
directly to your email inbox, time sensitive and important news from
the Amateur Radio Community and RAC. To subscribe, visit
rac.eton.ca/racbullemail.htm. If you require any assistance in
signing up, please contact RAC.
-- The RAC Report
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Lindsay Swapmeet
The Victoria Haliburton Amateur Radio Association will hold its
annual Swap Meet on Saturday, September 13, at the Masonic Temple, 10
Ridout Street, in Lindsay. General admission is free, and starts at
8 am. Talk-in on VE3LNZ repeater 147.195 (+). For more information
visit www.vhara.ca [129]
-- RAC Events Database
3. Ottawa ARISS Contact
On August 13, a successful contact was made between Canada Science
and Technology Museum Summer Day Camps in Ottawa, and Astronaut
Alexander Gerst KF5ONO using callsign OR4ISS on the International
Space Station. The contact was telebridged via IK1SLD, and lasted
about nine and a half minutes. The ARISS Mentor was VE3TBD.
-- AMSAT News
4. Dutch WebSDR back on line
After nearly two years off-line, the Dutch WebSDR is available once
again, at tinyurl.com/nl-websdr. The Software Defined Receiver
makes the entire HF spectrum visible on a single waterfall display.
No log in is required but your browser must support either Java or
HTML5. To tune to a specific frequency, type it in and hit Enter.
Click the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons to change the spread of the
waterfall.
-- ARRL Contest Update
5. Ham Radio Around the Moon
A lunar flyby with a ham radio payload transmitting JT65B mode on
145.990 MHz is expected to take place toward the end of this year,
giving earthbound radio amateurs the opportunity to receive "lunar
DX" as the payload flies around the Moon.
China has announced plans to launch a lunar orbiter carrying a 14 kg
battery-powered payload known as 4M-LXS. Signals from the Amateur
Radio payload can be decoded using the free WSJT software.
The launch is planned for 4th quarter 2014. The orbiter will be
launched into Lunar Transfer Orbit and then perform a lunar flyby
before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere after 9 days.
-- ARRL Web and AMSAT UK
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for August 30, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
1. GTA Simulated Emergency Test
Due to commitments made with agencies served by ARES groups in
Greater Toronto Area Section, we will hold our annual SET on
Saturday, October 18, rather than the national date of October 4.
When October 18th was first proposed as the date for the Simulated
Emergency Test, group leaders in the GTA Section moved quickly to
ensure that served agencies would have sufficient time to commit to
participation along with the amateur radio groups. By the time the
date was changed to an earlier Saturday in October, so as not to
conflict with JOTA, most of the served agencies no longer had the
flexibility of dates. GTA Section Clubs will support JOTA despite
the fact that some members will be involved in the ARES SET.
-- George Duffield, VE3WKJ, GTA Section Manager
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. London Swapmeet
The London Amateur Radio Club will hold its 37th Annual Hamfest on
Sunday, September 21, at the Hellenic Community Centre, 133 Southdale
Rd. W., in London. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on VA3LON
repeater, 147.060 (+) 114.8 Hz tone. For more information visit
www.larc.ca [132] and click the "Hamfest" link.
-- RAC Events Database
3. Canadian Liberation March Special Event
From October 16th to November 15th, special event station ON4CLM will
commemorate the Canadian Liberation March, a 33km march by Canadian
troops coming to liberate the town Knokke, Belgium in 1944. This is
the 33nd year for this special event, which uses different call
signes from year to year.
A pdf certificate is available free of charge to any station who
makes one contact with ON4CLM. Their goal is to work as many
Canadian stations as possible. For more information see www.oo4clm.be [133]
-- Guy, ON4RO, via RAC Bulletin Service
4. Field Day Logs Received
ARRL has published a list of all 2014 ARRL Field Day logs received to
date, including logs submitted via e-mail, web applet or on paper.
It's at www.arrl.org/logs-received [134], at the bottom of the page. The
ARRL Contest Branch requests that Field Day participants review the
list and contact Matt Wilhelm, w1msw (at) arrl.org, no later than
September 12, if anything appears to be incorrect with their entry.
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for September 6, 2014
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Report for August
The August 2014 RAC Report is available for viewing on both the old
and the new website. You must be logged in as a member to view the
report on either site. On the old website, www.rac.ca [101], the report is
in the "Members' section" pull down menu on the left. On the new
website, wp.rac.ca, once logged in, go to "publications" then
"downloads".
-- RAC web page
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Special Prefixes Authorized
From October 1 to November 30, special prefixes have been authorized
for Canadian amateurs, to remember the Empress of Ireland, an ocean
liner that sank in the Saint Lawrence River 100 years ago. Use CF for
VA, CG for VE, CH for VO, and CI for VY.
-- RAC Special Events Database
3. History of Morse
James Wades WB8SIW has written a brief version of how the Morse of
the telegraph era evolved into the Morse we hear today on our ham
bands. Find it online at ve3gna.wordpress.com. James is the
international president of the Morse Telegraph Club, whose web page
is www.morsetelegraphclub.org [137]
James is also instrumental in manning the eastern hub of the annual
"Letters to Santa" event which runs each Christmas season between
Michigan and North Pole, Alaska. The letters are all transmitted
to Ed Trump AL7N using original telegraph circuits and equipment.
-- Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
4. Stan Goldberg, SK
Stan Goldberg, the artist who, with Mike Esposito, drew the "Archie's
Ham Radio Adventure" comic for ARRL in the 1990s, died August 31. He
was 82. A New York City native, Goldberg was Marvel Comics' chief
colorist during the 1960s, when most of the characters now associated
with Marvel were created.
"He's the reason Spider Man's costume is red and dark blue, the
reason the Incredible Hulk's skin is green," said Jim Massara, N2EST,
who penned QST cartoons in the 1980s and also once worked for Marvel.
"Goldberg was a giant in our industry."
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for September 13, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS 1. RAC 60m Proposal Accepted Radio Amateurs of Canada is pleased report that the CPC, Industry Canada's consultative committee, has accepted the RAC proposal to establish a 60m allocation for amateurs. It proposes two 25 KHz band segments for amateurs: 5330 - 5355 kHz and 5405 - 5430 kHz. Amateur access would be on a non-interfering, secondary basis. This proposal will be tabled at the CITEL (ITU Region 2 countries minus Cuba) meetings in Mexico next month, to be considered as the CITEL position going in to the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC15), where the final decision will be made. -- RAC Bulletin Service ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS 2. OPN Needs SET Operators The Ontario Phone Net is seeking Net Control Stations for the Simulated Emergency Test on Saturday October 4th. The OPN will operate from 10 am to 3 pm, and again from 7 pm to 9 pm, on 7.065 MHz SSB. Operators are needed for one-hour shifts. Volunteers are also needed throughout Ontario to serve as relay stations, in case of poor band conditions. If you can help, as NCS or relay station, please contact OPN manager Shawn VE3PSV, or any regular OPN net control station. OPN meets daily at 7 pm Eastern time on 7.065 MHz. -- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, OPN Net Manager ITEMS OF INTEREST 3. Hamilton Swapmeet The Hamilton Amateur Radio Club will hold its annual Hamfest on Saturday, October 4, in the Old School Building at the Ancaster Fair Grounds, 630 Trinity Road, Ancaster. This is at the south-west corner of highways #52 and #53, just west of Ancaster. Note this is a different building from previous years. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on VE3NCF repeater, 146.76 (-), 131.8 Hz tone. For more information visit www.hamiltonarc.ca -- RAC Events Database 4. Free Online Magazines The September 2014 issue of the free amateur television magazine CQ-DATV is now available for download. You can download it as a PDF file at tinyurl.com/cq-datv-september. Also, volume 2 issue 1 of the free radio astronomy publication RAGazine is now available for download. You can download this and previous issues at tinyurl.com/ragazine. -- Amateur Radio Newsline and Southgate ARC News This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for September 20, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. "Last Man Standing" Special Event On September 28, from 1400 to 2200 UTC, special event station K6H will operate HF and D-STAR from the so-called "Seinfeld Stage" on the CBS Studio Center lot in Studio City, California. Hosts for the event will be Amateur Radio crew members of the ABC television series "Last Man Standing." K6H is planning to operate HF SSB on or around 28.420, 14.250, and 7.260 MHz, and D-STAR reflector 12A. IRLP and Echolink will also be used. Updated information can be found on the PAPA Repeater System website, www.papasys.com. During the event the PAPA website will stream video directly from the operating stations. -- ARRL Web 2. Quebec Conference Special Event From October 11 to November 10, special event station CK3Q will commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Quebec Conference. Expected frequencies are 28.490, 21.290, 14.290. QSL via VE3RHE. For more information visit www.canada-150th.ca. -- RAC Events Database 3. Jamboree-On-The-Air This year's Scouts Jamboree-On-The-Air (JOTA) will be October 18-19. Each year more than half a million Scouts and Guides "get together" over the airwaves, with the help of local radio amateurs. RAC provides a JOTA guide in PDF format at tinyurl.com/jota47, and Scouts Canada has a web page at www.jota-joti.ca. -- RAC web page and JOTA web page 4. Lunar Ham Radio Mission A ham radio payload developed in Luxembourg is part of a mission China will send around the moon this year. The payload, 4M-LXS, is one of several on the spacecraft, which will fly within 7500 to 15000 miles of the moon, and then return to Earth. 4M-LXS will transmit on 145.980 MHz plus or minus 2.9 kHz, using JT65B mode, with 1.5 watts into a monopole antenna. The signal strength should be comparable to amateur moon bounce signals. The launch is currently scheduled for October 23rd. A complete mission outline is on the web at tinyurl.com/China-Moon-Flyby -- Amateur Radio Newsline 5. HF Video Experiment in UK Rockwell Collins has released a report on its 2012 trials in the United Kingdom that used HF bands from 3 to 13 MHz for high-speed data and video transmissions. They found that by using modern modulation techniques, an SSB channel can support a raw data rate of 12,800 bits per second. Colour video at 15 frames per second can be streamed in a bandwidth of just 18 kHz, which is within the limits of the Canadian 10 metre amateur band. You can find the report in PDF at tinyurl.com/hf-video-testing -- Amateur Radio Newsline This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for September 27, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS 1. Ham Radio Saves the Day in Yukon On September 21, amateur radio operators provided communications for a Search and Rescue team seeking a missing teenager. The satellite phone at the SAR command centre, 35 km north of Whitehorse, was not functioning, so they had no way to call for assistance or send status reports. Team member Terry Hauff, VY1MAP, used his mobile 2 metre radio to contact VY1RF and VY1RM in Whitehorse via repeater, to pass traffic to and from the command centre. The missing young man was found and all ended well. -- RAC News Service ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST 2. Montreal South Shore Hamfest The Montreal South-Shore Amateur Radio Club will hold the "Biggest Hamfest in Quebec" on Saturday, October 18, at Place Desaulniers, 1023 Taschereau Blvd, Longueuil (10 minutes from downtown Montreal). General admission at 9 a.m.; talk-in on VE2RSM repeater, 145.390 (-) 103.5 Hz tone. For more information visit www.ve2clm.ca and click the "Hamfest" link. -- RAC Events Database 3. U.S. Simulated Emergency Test The national ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is slated for the October 4-5 weekend, although the window for local and regional exercises is September 1 through November 30 each year. All groups conduct their events over the course of 48 hours. This is the same weekend as the Canadian SET. Ontario sections except for GTA are holding exercises on October 4th. For more information visit wp.rac.ca/welcome/simulated-emergency-test -- ARRL Web and RAC Web Page 4. Humanitarian Award Nominations Open Nominations are open for the 2014 ARRL International Humanitarian Award, conferred upon an amateur or amateurs who demonstrate devotion to human welfare, peace, and international understanding through Amateur Radio. Any radio amateur or group world-wide may be nominated, by a licensed radio amateur, governmental or any other organization, that has benefited from the radio amateur's extraordinary service. Nominations must be received by December 31. For information, see www.arrl.org/international-humanitarian-award -- ARRL Web This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for October 4, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Dayton Hamvention Seeks 2015 Award Nominations The Dayton Hamvention is now accepting nominations for the 2015 Amateur of the Year, Special Achievement, Technical Excellence, and Club of the Year Awards. For descriptions of the four awards, and nomination forms, visit their web page, www.hamvention.org/awards.php The deadline for nominations is January 16, 2015. -- ARRL Web 2. World Space Week October 4 to 10 is World Space Week, proclaimed by the United Nations to recognize two important dates: the launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, and the signing of the Outer Space Treaty on October 10, 1967. For more information on this event, visit www.worldspaceweek.org -- AMSAT News 3. Michigan VHF-UHF Society Being Reactivated Roger Cox, W8IO, is leading an effort to reactivate the Michigan VHF-UHF Society. The intent is to become an ARRL-affiliated club serving the entire state of Michigan. Details are still being discussed -- for the latest information, visit their web page at www.wb0dgf.com/MichiganVHF.htm -- Amateur Radio Newsline 4. Measuring Transmitter Noise We all check specs on receiver noise for HF rigs, but what about transmitter noise? Jim Brown, K9YC, has examined the noise transmitted in CW mode by a number of popular amateur radio rigs. Surprisingly, more expensive rigs are often the worst! You can see the results of his study on the web at k9yc.com/TXNoise.pdf -- Amateur Radio Newsline 5. Tim Allen now a Ham Actor and comedian Tim Allen now not only plays an Amateur Radio operator on television, he is one! Allen got his Technician license on September 4, but did not release the news until this week. In the weekly ABC sitcom "Last Man Standing," Allen's character Mike Baxter is a radio amateur, and the show has featured ham radio in some episodes. More than 2 dozen members of the show's crew -- and now Allen, its star -- have been inspired by the show to get licensed. -- ARRL Web This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for October 11, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS 1. ARES ID Card Production RAC is happy to report that the production of ARES Identification cards is back to normal, and the backlog has been cleared. We apologize for the delays during our transitional phase. Submit requests on the RAC web site: wp.rac.ca/ares-id-card Please note that as of January 1st 2015, a written confirmation of eligibility by the applicant's EC (or person acting as coordinator for ARES group) must be sent to the RAC office as part of the initial process. Until then, RAC reserves the right to verify eligibility as it deems necessary. -- RAC Bulletin Service ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS 2. Section Manager Vacancies Ian Snow, VA3QT, and George Duffield, VE3WKJ, have stepped down as Section Managers of Ontario South and Greater Toronto Area, respectively. On behalf of Radio Amateurs of Canada, I thank Ian and George for their many years of exemplary service. Both of these positions are currently vacant. If you might be interested in either position, please contact the RAC Office. -- Geoffrey Bawden, VE4BAW, RAC President ITEMS OF INTEREST 3. ARRL Web Server Breach Late last month, a security breach occurred, involving a web server at ARRL Headquarters. ARRL IT Manager Mike Keane stressed that it is highly unlikely that any sensitive information was compromised. But the hacker may have been able to obtain site usernames and passwords that were established prior to April 2010, and that have not been changed since then. Members who have not changed their ARRL website passwords since early 2010 should do so at this time. -- ARRL Web 4. 630-Meter Special Event With the opening of 472-479 kHz to Canadian hams this past May, we will be able to participate in this year's Maritime Radio Historical Society special event on 630 meters, from October 31 to November 2. U.S. hams may participate by conducting cross-band QSOs. VO1NA in Newfoundland, along with VE7SL and VE7BDQ in British Columbia, will be transmitting on 630 meters (477.7, 473.0 and 474.0 kHz, respectively), while listening for responses on 80 and 40 meters. U.S. coast stations KPH and KSM will operate on 500 kHz. -- CQ News Service 5. XMLog Logging Software Want to do your logging with a computer? The venerable XMLog by W1ECT is still available, at www.xmlog.com. It's free to use, and accessible. It works on Windows 95 through Windows 7, and interfaces with many radios, including all Kenwood models, the Elecraft K2 and K3, a long list of Icoms & Yaesus, and many others. -- Handi-Ham News This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for October 18, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS 1. OPN Frequency Change Effective November 2, the Ontario Phone Net will switch back to its wintertime frequency, 3.745 MHz. The net meets every day at 7 pm Eastern Time. All stations are welcome. The Ontario Phone Net is also seeking Net Control Stations to take shifts on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday. If you would like to help out, please contact Shawn VE3PSV on the Ontario Phone Net or via NTS message, or any OPN Net Control operator. -- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, OPN Net Manager ITEMS OF INTEREST 2. York Region Hamfest The York Region Amateur Radio Club will hold its 38th annual hamfest on Saturday, November 1, at their old venue, the Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Rd, in Markham. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on VE3YRA repeater, 145.350(-) 103.5 Hz tone. For more information visit www.yrarc.org and click "Our Hamfest". -- RAC Events Database 3. ARRL Adopts Mobile Radio Policy The American Radio Relay League's Executive Committee has adopted an updated Policy Statement on Amateur Radio mobile operation. The policy cites Amateur Radio's 70-year history of two-way mobile operation as evidence that such radio use does not contribute to driver inattention. And it points out that Amateur Radio operation differs from cell phone communication, in part because the device need not be held to the face to listen, no text messaging is involved, and mobile ham operators only need to pick up a microphone to make "brief and infrequent" transmissions. -- ARRL Web 4. JOTA founder passes away The founder of Jamboree-on-the-Air, Les Mitchell, G3BHK, died on 6 October. Les started JOTA in 1958, after launching the idea a year earlier at the World Scout Jamboree. That was the first year the Jamboree had an amateur radio station on site, and it has had one every year since. -- RSGB News 5. B-64 Balloon Still Floating The B-64 balloon, launched by Leo Bodnar M0XER on July 12th from the United Kingdom, is still aloft and on air transmitting on 434.500 MHz, using both Contestia 64/1000 and APRS. On October 3rd, Phil Heron MI0VIM reported decoding data from B-64 while it was over the North Atlantic ocean, coming up to the 6th time it would pass the U.K. on its continuing journeys around the world. You can see its track at tinyurl.com/b64-continues-journey. -- Amateur Radio Newsline This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for October 25, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS 1. Submitting Bulletin Items Amateur Radio groups in Ontario that wish to announce upcoming events, or report on their activities, are invited to send brief items to the Official Bulletin Manager email address, obm (at) ve3rhj.net. Items should be no more than twelve lines long, and must be received by Wednesday for the next week's bulletin, -- Brad Rodriguez, VE3RHJ, OBM ITEMS OF INTEREST 2. 4M-LXS Lunar Ham Radio Mission Launched On October 23, at 1759 UTC, the Chinese Chang’e-5-T1 mission was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province. It is carrying a ham radio payload, 4M-LXS. The battery-powered payload will transmit a JT65B signal on 145.980 MHz +/- 2.9kHz, Doppler max: -2200Hz, +1000Hz. The transmissions will start 77.8 minutes after launch, and will be continuous through the lunar flyby on October 28, and possibly longer as the spacecraft returns to Earth orbit. For more information, visit web page moon.luxspace.lu -- ARRL Web and NASA Spaceflight 3. November Sweepstakes Operators across all 83 ARRL and RAC sections will participate in the two November Sweepstakes events. The CW event is November 1-3, while the SSB event is November 15-17, both from 2100 UTC Saturday to 0259 UTC Monday (Sunday evening local time). For rules operating details, visit www.arrl.org/sweepstakes -- ARRL Web 4. Gray Line Software Simon Brown, G4ELI has released a simple Windows program which displays Gray-line, Geomagnetic Indices, Solar Data as well as Sunrise and Sunset times. The program is free of cost and can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/G4ELI-gray-line -- Amateur Radio Newsline 5. Historical Radio Publications Online The American Radio History website, www.americanradiohistory.com, offers "two million pages of AM FM & TV Broadcasting history online." There are many vintage professional and consumer magazines, including hobby electronics magazines. Also check out their technical bookshelf. -- ARRL Contest Update This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for November 1, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Getting Started on Six Metres Looking for something new to try? Dr. Ron Milliman, K8HSY has written an article called "Getting Started on Six Meters". Many new rigs include this band, and it's not quite like any other amateur band. Find the article at tinyurl.com/start6m -- Handi-Ham News 2. ICQ Ham Radio Podcast The ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast is a free fortnightly radio talk style podcast by and for amateur radio operators. A "podcast" is an audio program intended to be downloaded from the Internet for listening on an iPod or other personal audio player. Each episode of the ICQ Podcast reviews the current news, and discusses a technical feature and the hobby in general. Find it at www.icqpodcast.com -- via Ham Radio Daily 3. 100 Years of Amateur Radio Speaking of podcasts, the SPN Special: 100 Years of Amateur Radio features Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV, at the ARRL Centennial as he conducts some excellent interviews. It's aimed at explaining amateur radio to a non-ham audience. The hour-long podcast is a free 51 megabyte download from SeroTalk at tinyurl.com/ham100years. -- Handi-Ham News 4. Mexican Hams Install Winlink Emcomms A three year program in Mexico to fund Winlink gateways for emergency communications was completed recently with the installation of four HF Winlink gateways. Each system is configured with an ICOM 7200, SCS Dragon Pactor modem, and battery back-up. All gateways run Pactor and WINMOR 1600. The sites also have packet radio ports for training and local use. Since Mexico is allowed auto-forwarding and Pactor 4 operation, all the gateways participate in the Winlink Hybrid Network, offering radio-only message transport in the event of Internet failure, and MPS (Message Pickup Station) delivery. -- ARRL ARES E-Letter This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for November 8, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Amateur Payloads Lost in Antares Launch Explosion The RACE and GOMX-2 CubeSats were among more than 2 dozen satellites lost after an unmanned Orbital Space Sciences (OSC) Antares 130 vehicle exploded 6 seconds after launch on Tuesday, October 28. Both satellite packages carried Amateur Radio payloads. The RACE (Radiometer Atmospheric Cubesat Experiment) was built by a 30-student team in Texas. The GOMX-2 CubeSat was intended to test a de-orbit system designed by Aalborg University in Denmark. -- AMSAT News 2. Lightning Protection Information There is a good collection of downloadable white papers on grounding and lightning protection at the Smiths Power website. Find it online at tinyurl.com/lnyk8po (Lima November Yankee Kilo Eight Papa Oscar). Click to page 2 where you will find a paper specifically about "Ham Radio Station Protection." -- ARRL Contest Update 3. AMSAT-OSCAR-7 40th Anniversary AMSAT-OSCAR 7 (AO-7) was launched on November 15, 1974. It was the second AMSAT-NA constructed and Phase 2 amateur radio satellite launched into Low Earth Orbit. It operated until a short circuit in a battery in 1981. In June 2002 the battery became an open circuit, and the satellite's 2-metre beacon (145.9775 MHz CW) was heard again after 21 years of silence, and 27 years in space. AO-7 remains semi-operational, powered only when its solar panels are in sunlight. Special event station W7O (Whiskey Seven Oscar) will operate between 15 and 24 November 2014, working satellites and possibly other bands, to commemorate the anniversary. -- AMSAT News 4. 75th Anniversary of "the long dash" On November 5, 1939, Canadians first heard "the beginning of the long dash" which officially indicated 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Since then, the National Research Council's official time signal has been broadcast regularly, making it the longest-running feature on CBC Radio. -- CBC, via Southgate ARC News This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for November 15, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS 1. RAC Affiliated Club Insurance RAC is pleased to advise that it has found a new insurance carrier for the Affiliated Club Insurance program. Currently insured clubs should have received renewal forms by this time. Please contact Frank at the RAC office if we missed sending you a renewal notice, either by email to frank (at) rac.ca, or telephone 877-273-8304. This program is primarily run by RAC volunteers and RAC would like to thank Jerry VE3EXT for his expertise and hard work in working with our broker to hold the line on costs. -- RAC Bulletin Service ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS 2. Acting Section Manager for Ontario South, GTA I am pleased to announce that Allan Boyd, VE3AJB, Section Manager for Ontario North, has indicated his commitment to RAC by accepting the role of Acting Section Manager of Ontario South and Ontario GTA until such time as these positions are filled. Allan was Section Manager for all Ontario before the division into four Ontario sections. Allan will continue in his role as Chair of the Ontario Section Managers Council. I want to thank Allan for his continuing support of RAC. He has been a pillar of RAC for over a decade. -- Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW, Acting Chief Field Services Officer ITEMS OF INTEREST 3. Treaty of Ghent Special Events From December 5 to January 5, Special Event Station VC3D will commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. QSL via VE3JO. From December 6 to January 5, the same event will be commemorated by Special Event Station XM3G. Expected frequencies are 28.490, 21.290, and 14.290; possibly also operating on 12m, 17m, and 40m. QSL via VE3RHE, bureau or direct. Visit www.canada-150th.ca for updates. -- RAC Special Events Database 4. Some CQ WPX Applications via LoTW Not Processed Some CQ WPX Awards Program applications using ARRL’s Logbook of The World (LoTW) were not properly processed. If you used LoTW to apply for a WPX Award between October 8th 0500 UTC and November 5th 1700 UTC, and have not yet received a e-mail acknowledgment, contact WPX Award Manager Steve Bolia, N8BJQ, email n8bjq (at) cq-amateur-radio.com -- ARRL Web 5. Alberta ARISS Contact On November 8th, a successful Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was made between Airdrie Space Science Club, Airdrie, Alberta, and Astronaut Gregory Wiseman KF5LKT using callsign NA1SS. The contact began at 16:01 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was direct via ARISS Mentor VE6JBJ. -- AMSAT News This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for November 22, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. My DX Summit website The new "My DX Summit" website is now live. It replaces the old "DX Summit" website, using the same URL, www.dxsummit.fi. The new site has been undergoing some beta testing and last-minute tweaking over the past few weeks. It incorporates a number of features, including a handy propagation tool. -- ARRL Web 2. AMSAT 20 Metre Net The AMSAT 20M International net has undergone some changes. Effective 9 November, the net starts with check-ins at 1900 UTC on 14.282 MHz, and proceeds with Satellite Q&A and other topics. The weekly AMSAT Bulletin Titles will be read and an offer will be made to read or discuss specific bulletins by request. Check-ins are encouraged from operators that are new to the satellites or ham radio. The net usually ends by 2000 UTC. -- AMSAT News 3. December is YOTA Month During the entire month of December, stations in many countries will be on the air with the YOTA (Youngsters On The Air) suffix. YOTA is a fast-growing event, with more youngsters asking to participate every week. By making YOTA popular we can all help to get youngsters active in ham radio. YOTA stations will be trying to make lots of contacts, so take this opportunity to connect young operators in their teens and 20s with their peers on the air. YOTA is not limited to Europe only -- this will be the first worldwide YOTA event. For more information visit www.ham-yota.org -- Southgate ARC News, and QST Magazine 4. Real Time Band Conditions Website A new website, www.bandconditions.com, provides up-to-the-minute HF band condition information to amateur radio operators. The data is based on a new Ionospheric Sounding method called "H F Ionospheric Interferometry" which operates very similarly to the PolSAR system used by NASA. Reports are generated and uploaded to the web server every 30 seconds. -- Amateur Radio Newsline 5. Radio Prepares for War U.S. Public Radio station WSHU has a series of online articles about vintage radio. Recent articles include "Radio Prepares for War", in two parts, about the development of the National HRO and the BC-348. Find them at www.wshu.org/term/vintage-radio-0 -- ARRL Contest Update This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for November 29, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS 1. Hall of Fame Appointments The Board of Trustees of the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame is pleased to appoint Don Dashney VE3RM of L'Orignal, Ontario and George Spencer VE3AGS of Jordan (St. Catherines), Ontario to the Hall of Fame for 2014. Both appointees are Silent Keys. The families of the two appointees will receive this postumous award in early 2015. A summary of their contributions to amateur radio will be published in The Canadian Amateur magazine. -- Ed Frazer, VE7EF, Chair, Board of Trustees ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS 2. Bulletin Managers Needed Ontario East, Ontario South, and GTA Sections are all in urgent need of Bulletin Managers. Otherwise, the weekly Bulletin we have been used to hearing on our local nets may come to an end, as Brad VE3RHJ will be stepping down after many years of producing the RAC Ontario Bulletin. These bulletins carry important and useful information to Ontario clubs and ARES/Emcomm groups. We need volunteers to take this job for the three sections as soon as possible. If you are in the habit of looking up interesting news items regarding the amateur radio hobby and are interested in taking this important position, please contact your Section Manager. -- Michael Hickey, VE3IPC, Ontario East SM ITEMS OF INTEREST 3. Do-It-Yourself Lightning Alarm Here's a winter beginner's project that will be useful next summer: TechLib has a four-transistor lightning detector that will flash an LED or light bulb when lightning strikes in the vicinity. Find it at www.techlib.com/electronics/lightningnew.htm -- ARRL Contest Update 4. Radio Telegraphy Web Page Keys, keys, keys, and more keys - if you want a website that covers the subject thoroughly, visit www.radiotelegraphy.net. It has links to many collections of keys, maritime radio history, and key construction and maintenance. -- ARRL Contest Update 5. November Newsletters The Autumn 2014 edition of The 5 MHz Newsletter is now available for free download from http://tinyurl.com/jvjrtn6 (Juliet Victor Juliet Romeo Tango November Six). Also, the November issue of the CQ-DATV e-magazine, covering amateur television news from around the world, is now available for free download. Find it at tinyurl.com/datv-november-2014. -- Southgate ARC News and Amateur Radio Newsline This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for December 6, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS 1. RAC Canada Winter Contest The annual RAC Winter Contest will be held from 0000 to 2359 UTC on Saturday, December 27. Operate CW and phone on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6 and 2 metres. Stations in Canada send RS(T) and province or territory. VEØs and stations outside Canada send RS(T) and a serial number. For more information visit tinyurl.com/rac-contests -- RAC web page ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST 2. Japanese Deep Space Launch On December 3rd, Japan successfully launched its Hayabusa 2 mission into deep space, to Asteroid 1999 JU3. With it are two Amateur Radio satellites, Shin’en 2 (Abyss 2) and ARTSAT2:DESPATCH. The launch had been postponed twice owing to unfavorable weather conditions. For more information, including frequencies, visit tinyurl.com/mtu32fy (Mike Tango Uniform Three Two Foxtrot Yankee) -- ARRL Web 3. The early days of amateur radio on the farm The Canadian Cattlemen magazine has republished an article on amateur radio from the March 1948 edition. The article "Calling CQ--Calling CQ" was written by Slim Marsden VE6BM and sought to promote amateur radio to Canadian ranchers and farmers. Find it online at tinyurl.com/farm-ham -- Southgate ARC News 4. HamCollege Pilot Episode Ham College is a show for those new to the hobby and those wishing to get into Amateur Radio. We'll help you study for your Amateur license exam and cover topics to get you up to speed and having fun. If the pilot turns out good and draws enough interest, this show will be coming in 2015. You can find the hour-long episode at www.hamcollege.tv -- Southgate ARC News 5. Free Electronics DIY Tools EDN Magazine has published a list of the "Top Free Do-It-Yourself Software Tools Every Electrical Engineer Needs." It includes many calculators, circuit simulators, computer-aided-design, and more. Find it at tinyurl.com/eediytools -- ARRL Contest Update This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for December 13, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS 1. RAC Announces 2014 Scholarships Radio Amateurs of Canada has granted three academic scholarships for 2014. The recipients are Ms. Sonja Andersson, VA7SAA attending British Columbia Institute of Technology, Mr. Russell Walter, VA3WTR attending Sheridan College, Institute of Technology, and Mr. Brad Lane, VE9BML, attending the University of New Brunswick. Look for more information on each of these recipients in an upcoming issue of TCA and the RAC Report. -- RAC Blog ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS 2. OPN Seeks Net Controllers The Ontario Phone Net is seeking Net Control Stations. Shifts are available on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday. No special qualifications are required. If you would like to help out, please contact Shawn VE3PSV on the Ontario Phone Net or via NTS message, or any OPN Net Control operator. OPN meets every day at 7 pm Eastern Time, on 3.745 MHz LSB. -- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, OPN Net Manager ITEMS OF INTEREST 3. Sir John A McDonald Special Events From January 1 to January 31, two special event stations will commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Sir John A Macdonald. The Kingston Amateur Radio Club will operate VG3SJAM; for more information see ve3kbr.com/karc/vg3sjam.htm. QSL via VA3KGB. The Delta Amateur Radio Society will operate VC7SJAM. Visit www.deltaamateurradio.com for information. QSL via VE7CUS. -- RAC Events Database 4. AMSAT Straight Key Night You are cordially invited to participate in Straight Key Night on OSCAR 2015. Participation in AMSAT SKN on OSCAR is easy and fun. Just operate CW, using a straight key or non-electronic "bug," through any amateur satellite between 0000 and 2400 UTC on January 1, 2015. There is no need to send in a log, but all participants are asked to nominate someone they worked for "Best Fist." -- AMSAT News 5. SpinSat Now in Orbit The US Naval Research Laboratory SpinSat satellite was successfully deployed from the International Space Station on November 28. The 22-inch diameter sphere carries a 2 W 9600 bps AX.25 packet radio store-and-forward system on 437.230 MHz. SpinSat is powered by primary batteries only, and is expected to last up to 6 months. -- AMSAT News This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for December 20, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS 1. New NTS EAS Chair Joe Ames W3JY has been elected as the National Traffic System's new Eastern Area Staff Chair effective January 1, 2015. Outgoing chair Marcia Forde KW1U will continue on the staff as TCC Director for Eastern Area Cycle 2. For traffic handling purposes, Ontario is considered part of the Eastern Area. -- Marcia Forde KW1U, via Glenn Killam VE3GNA ITEMS OF INTEREST 2. The Imitation Game If you go out to see The Imitation Game this month -- a film based on the life of World War II codebreaker Alan Turing -- keep an eye open for vintage HRO and AR88 receivers. Those receivers were loaned by British radio amateurs, after filmmakers asked the Radio Society of Great Britain and The Old Radios Team for help. See more at www.oldradios.biz, click on the "Imitation Game" link. -- RSGB News and Old Radios web page 3. Cross-Border ARES Exercise in Maine On the morning of December 13, Maine ARES convened a 40 meter "cross-borders" net on 7262 kHz to test the communication paths for that band and time for operators in Maine, New Hampshire, and the bordering Canadian provinces. Maine ARES Section Emergency Coordinator Phil Duggan, N1EP said the net attracted 33 check-ins from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Several state and provincial ARES members and emergency coordinators participated. Similar events are planned for the future. -- ARRL ARES E-Letter 4. FAR Scholarship Applications Open The non-profit Foundation for Amateur Radio is now accepting applications for 2015 scholarships. These are available to licensed radio amateurs who are enrolled, or have been accepted for enrollment, at an accredited university, college or technical school. Several of the scholarships are available to Canadian students. Applications are due by March 30, 2015. For more information, or to apply on-line, visit www.farweb.org -- ARRL Web This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for December 27, 2014 This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada, with this week's bulletin NATIONAL NEWS ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS 1. OPN Seeks Relay Stations The Ontario Phone Net (OPN) is currently seeking stations to carry radiogram traffic to, and bring radiogram traffic from, Ontario municipalities and other radio nets. No special qualifications other than HF privileges are required. Merely check into the OPN, any evening at 7 pm Eastern on 3.745 MHz, and inform the net control station that you have traffic, or can accept traffic for some destination. For further information contact Shawn VE3PSV on-air during the OPN. -- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, OPN Net Manager ITEMS OF INTEREST 2. Special Event Station From January 5 to February 4, special event station XM3A will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Maple Leaf Flag. QSL via VE3JO. -- RAC Special Events Database 3. JOTA Participation Down The Boy Scouts of America have released a report on the 2014 Jamboree On The Air. The report shows an across the board decline in participation by Boy Scout Councils, individual Scouts, and by amateur stations. Attendance at JOTA took a big jump in 2012 with 18,566 Scouts and visitors; in 2014 the number fell to 13,326. In 2013, 173 Boy Scout Councils were active; this year only 148. But the news was not all negative. The number of Radio Merit Badges earned is growing. In 2013, there were 7,208. -- Amateur Radio Newsline 4. The Earliest Female Hams "The Mary Sue" website has a story about some of the earliest women in radio. Both amateur and commerical operators are featured, including Canadian Olive Carroll, who was an operator for the Norwegian Merchant Navy. Read it at tinyurl.com/female-hams -- ARRL Contest Update 5. NAQCC Newsletters Available The December newsletter of the North American QRP CW Club has been posted to their website. This and previous issues can be found at www.naqcc.info. The NAQCC open to any licensed radio amateur or shortwave listener (SWL) worldwide with at least some interest in CW/QRP operation. -- NAQCC web site This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications? Hearing none, This is V__3____ returning the frequency to net control.
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[93] http://www.arrl.org/public-service-announcements
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[102] http://wp.rac.ca
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[155] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1376%23comment-form
[156] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1377%23comment-form
[157] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1377%23comment-form
[158] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1378%23comment-form
[159] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1378%23comment-form
[160] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1379%23comment-form
[161] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1379%23comment-form
[162] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1380%23comment-form
[163] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1380%23comment-form
[164] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1381%23comment-form
[165] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1381%23comment-form
[166] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1382%23comment-form
[167] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1382%23comment-form
[168] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1383%23comment-form
[169] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1383%23comment-form