RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for January 7, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Operators Needed for Canadian Ski Marathon
The 46th Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM) will be held on February 11-12
in Western Quebec and the Ottawa Valley. The CSM depends on ham
radio volunteers to provide important and timely safety and
logistical communication. We're looking for volunteers right now.
For more information see the amateur radio CSM web page at
www.radio-1.ca [9]. If you would like to volunteer this year, please
email Harold VA3UNK, radio1 (at) admin2 (dot) ca.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. Section Traffic Manager Wanted
Ontario Section is currently looking for a volunteer to be Section
Traffic Manager. The STM is appointed by the Section Manager to
supervise and coordinate the traffic-handling efforts within the
section, regardless of mode or National Traffic System affiliation.
The STM must be a full RAC member and should be familiar with traffic
handling on all modes. The duties of the STM are described at
www.rac.ca/fieldorg/fsd251r.htm [10]. Please contact the outgoing STM,
Glenn Killam VE3GNA, or the Section Manager if you are willing to
help.
-- Glenn Killam, VE3GNA, STM
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. SSTV Handbook On-Line
Martin Bruchanov OK2MNM has made his new book "Image Communication
on Short Waves" available free on the web. You can either read it
online or download the chapters in PDF format. Find it at
www.sstv-handbook.com [11]
-- AMSAT News Service
4. AMSAT-Francophone
AMSAT-Francophone is the name of a new organization that hopes to
replace AMSAT-France which was dissolved in late 2011. Formed in
late December, AMSAT-Francophone aims to include French-speaking
countries in the development of amateur satellites and their
technology and systems, and participation in national and
international non-commercial projects in space. Their website is
www.amsat-f.org [12], or read it in Google translated English at
tinyurl.com/AMSAT-Francophone.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
5. OPERA Transatlantic on 137 kHz
Joe Craig, VO1NA , has successfully received an OPERA digital
transmission on 137.5 kHz from station G4WGT, a distance of 3500 km.
G4WGT was running no more than 400 watts to a 12 meter top loaded
vertical, for an estimated ERP of no more than 250 milliwatts.
OPERA is a low speed digital mode that uses only on/off keying. It
requires only a CW transmitter, unlike other modes that require
modulation or frequency shift keying.
-- Southgate Amateur Radio News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for January 14, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Pitcairn Island DXpedition VP6T
From January 20 to February 4, a DXpedition will operate VP6T from
Pitcairn Island (OC-044, CQ Zone 32). They will be on all bands
160-10 metres, including the WARC bands. If possible, they will
upload to the Logbook of the World and their "ClubLog" during the
operation; otherwise they will upload logs after their return. For
their operating plans, QSL information and other information, visit
their web site at www.vp6t.org [15].
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. Trustee wanted for Defence of Amateur Radio Fund
RAC is looking for a person to fill the recently vacated trustee
position in DARF. The DARF trustee must be a licensed amateur and may
not be an officer, employee, director or agent of RAC. DARF is a
Trust Fund established in the early 90's to provide financial support
for travel expenses of an Amateur representative on the Canadian
delegation to World Radio Conferences to defend the Amateur Radio
Bands.
If you are interested please send your name, and a brief resume of no
more than 500 words in French or English, to Paul Burggraaf, VO1PRB,
Vo1prb (at) rac.ca.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
3. New ARES Ontario Web Page
With the assistance of many amateurs, and especially Carlo Salvitti
VA3CSS, a new Ontario RAC ARES Field Services web site has been
launched. Please visit ontario.racares.ca and check it out. It is
still a work in progress, and ongoing changes will be made. Comments
are welcome.
-- Allan Boyd, VE3AJB, Ontario Section Manager
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Big Event 34
The Niagara Peninsula Amateur Radio Club will hold its Big Event #34
Flea Market and Hamfest on Saturday, February 4, at the Merriton
Community Centre, 7 Park Avenue, in St. Catharines. General admission
at 9 a.m.; talk-in on VE3NRS repeater, 147.240 (+) 107.2 Hz tone.
For more information visit www.nparc.on.ca/bigevent [16].
-- RAC Events Database
5. Digital Communications Conference Videos
Amateur Radio Video News (ARVN) has released video of the entire 2011
ARRL and Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Digital Communications
Conference on the web. Sixteen tech talks and four introductory
talks are available in full. The videos are free to download, but if
you wish you can donate to help cover the production costs. Find
them at www.arvn.tv [17].
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for January 21, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Seeks a Treasurer
The Radio Amateurs of Canada is looking for a Treasurer who is a
Chartered Accountant, Certified General Accountant or Certified
Management Accountant. A certification in amateur radio is optional.
As RAC's financial advisor, we need someone to provide direction on
the accounts and act as liaison with the external auditors.
Experience with QuickBooks would be an asset.
Please speak with your friends, there must be a RAC member who
either qualifies or can approach someone for this volunteer
position. Interested parties please contact the RAC Corporate
Secretary at vo1prb@rac.ca [20]
-- Paul Burggraaf, RAC Corporate Secretary
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. British Columbia QSO Party
The 2012 British Columbia QSO Party will take place from 1600Z
February 4 to 0400Z February 5, on all bands 160-10 metres except the
WARC bands, phone, CW, and digital. The object for stations outside
British Columbia is to work stations in the 36 BC Federal Electoral
Districts. Exchange is electoral district for BC stations,
province/state for non-BC stations. For more information see
www.orcadxcc.org/bcqp.html [21]
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. Guides on the Air
Guides on the Air (GOTA) will take place Saturday and Sunday,
Feburary 18th and 19th. This is an opportunity for Girl Guides, from
Sparks to Guiders, to talk to other members of Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts all over the world via amateur radio. Outside Canada, GOTA is
known as Thinking Day on the Air. For information visit
tinyurl.com/gota2012
-- Canadian Ladies Amateur Radio Association
4. Traffic Handlers' Quiz
Anyone interested in determining his or her knowledge of traffic
handling do's and dont's is encouraged to take the Traffic Handlers'
Quiz at www.emcomm.org/thc/scoreboard.htm [22]. There are 40 questions
related to message handling. If you have done the quiz in the past,
do not take it again as your original score is the only one which
will count towards your placement.
-- Glenn Killam, VE3GNA, Ontario STM
5. Contest University 2012
The 2012 Contest University will be held May 17th at the Crowne Plaza
Hotel in Dayton, Ohio, during the Dayton Hamvention. This years
scheduled instructors include such notables as N6TR, K3NA, K7NV,
XE1KK, W5WZ and K2RD. Early bird registration is open through
January 31st. For more information visit www.contestuniversity.com [23].
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for January 28, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. New Quebec Director
Congratulations to Mr. Sheldon M. Werner, VA2SH / VA6SH, who was
recently elected as the RAC Director for Quebec. Mr. Werner ran
unopposed, eliminating the need for a balloted election. His role as
Director will be for the remainder of a two year term which ends
December 31, 2013. Mr. Werner has been an amateur operator since
1976 and is currently the Vice President for the Montreal Amateur
Radio Club.
-- Paul Burggraaf VO1PRB, RAC Corporate Secretary
2. WRC-2012
The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC 2012) is now underway
and runs until February 17. This year, the delegation from Canada is
composed of Industry Canada Staff along with Bryan Rawlings VE3QN -
our RAC representative. A report on WRC 2012 will appear in a future
issue of The Canadian Amateur.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
3. Collingwood 2 Metre Net
Effective immediately, the Collingwood Amateur Radio Club weekly net
will be held on Thursdays at 7 pm, on the VA3ROG Blue Mountain
repeater, 145.37 MHz (-), 118.8 Hz tone. All amateurs are welcome to
check in. The net formerly met on Wednesdays.
-- Helena Short, VE3GFS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. FAR Seeks Scholarship Applicants
Canadian amateurs pursuing higher education may be eligible for one
or more of the scholarships administered by the Foundation for
Amateur Radio (FAR). The application deadline for most awards is
April 15, although a few have a May 15 deadline. Details and
downloadable applications may be found online at www.farweb.org [26], or
request an application package by sending a letter or QSL card to:
FAR Scholarships, P.O. Box 911, Columbia, MD 21044-0911 USA.
-- CQ News Service
5. Amateurs Asked to Listen for RS-39 Satellite
The Chibis-M microsatellite, also known as RS-39 (RadioSputnik 39),
was placed into orbit Tuesday evening. RS-39 has CW beacons on
435.315 and 435.215 MHz, and amateurs are asked to submit reception
reports via email to amateur-rs39 (at) chibis.cosmos.ru. Each report
will be acknowledged with a special QSL. The CW telemetry format is
available at tinyurl.com/RS-39-Morse-Code-Telemetry, and decoding
software can be downloaded at www.dk3wn.info/files/rs39.zip [27]
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for February 4, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Outstanding ARES ID cards
I am happy to advise that all outstanding ARES ID Cards are now "in
the mail". Please accept my thanks for your patience. We have now
purchased our own machine, so future turnaround time will be days
instead of weeks. RAC also can now produce cards for affiliated
clubs and ARES groups; email me, vo1dtm (at) rac.ca, for details.
-- Doug Mercer, VO1DTM, RAC VP Field Services
2. WRC Report Number One
Rod Stafford, W6ROD has submitted his first report from the World
Radiocommunication Conference 2012. There are a number of agenda
items for WRC-12 that have some impact on amateur radio; one item of
particular interest is a possible new amateur frequency allocation
near 500 kHz. The full report is posted on the RAC blog, at
blog.rac.ca.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
3. Distracted Driving Status Report
RAC is seeking an exemption for Ontario Amateurs from Ontario
Legislation 366/09, the "distracted driving" law. Last year Steve
Pengelly, VE3STV, Jeff Stewart, VE3WXM, and Bill Unger, VE3XT made a
presentation to MTO officials requesting this exemption. The MTO
officials asked for some time to think this through and made a
commitment to contact us in early 2012.
At the moment we are advising all Ontario Amateurs to wait for a
reply from MTO. If the reply is in our favour, end of story. If not
we have several ideas in the works. Stay tuned for updates.
-- RAC Blog
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Antarctic Special Event
The Worldwide Antarctic Program's 9th Antarctic Activity Week,
will be held from 0000Z February 20 through 2400Z February 26.
One of the callsigns used will be VB3A; North American stations QSL
via VA3ITA. For more information search VB3A at qrz.com.
-- RAC Special Events Database
5. Burlington Spring Flea Market
The Burlington Amateur Radio Club will hold its annual flea market
on Saturday, February 25, at the Royal Canadian Legion, 828 Legion
Road, 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 [30]
-- RAC Events Database
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for February 11, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. 500 kHz Allocation Moves to Next Stage
Committee 4 of the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12)
has approved a worldwide secondary allocation to the Amateur Service
at 472-479 kHz, with a power limit of 1 watt EIRP, or 5 watts EIRP in
special circumstances. This proposal now moves to the Plenary
session for consideration. Individual countries may elect to opt out
of this allocation.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. Ontario Restructuring Update
RAC, through its Ontario Section Restructuring Commission, has
decided to divide Ontario into four Sections: Ontario North, Ontario
East, Ontario South, and Greater Toronto Area. The four Section
Managers will meet as a Provincial Council to handle provincial-
level issues.
The new Section Managers will be appointed by the VP Field Services
from qualified persons recommended by the membership. Nominations of
RAC members may be made through your local club. Nominations close on
March 31st, new managers will be appointed by May 1st, and the
transition will be complete by September 1st.
More information can be found at the RAC Blog at blog.rac.ca.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. Ontario ARES District Changes
Effective January 2012, Emergency Management Ontario has changed its
sector boundaries. Ontario ARES will rearrange Districts to follow
the EMO change. The new EMO Sector maps can be found at
tinyurl.com/emo2012.
-- via Allan Boyd, Ontario Section Manager
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. ARRL to Permit Use of LoTW for CQ Awards
Applicants for CQ's WPX award will soon be able to use ARRL Logbook
of the World (LoTW) credits in their applications, under an agreement
between CQ and the ARRL announced on January 24. Previously, ARRL had
prohibited the use of its LoTW system by any outside organization.
The target date for starting WPX support on LoTW is April 1, 2012.
Support for additional CQ awards will follow, although no timetable
has been set.
-- CQ News Service
5. Hungarian Cubesat
Andras Gschwindt HA5WH is requesting Radio Amateurs to send reports
of telemetry data from the Hungarian student satellite Masat-1, due
to be launched on February 13. Its call sign is HA5MASAT and
telemetry is being sent GFSK on 437.345 MHz +/- 10 kHz Doppler shift.
The group also needs amateurs to receive voltage and temperature data
sent in CW. For more information, and decoder software, visit their
web page, cubesat.bme.hu/en/
-- AMSAT UK, via RSGB News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for February 18, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Amateur of the Year 2011
RAC is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Cezar Trifu, VE3LYC
of Kingston, ON as the Canadian Radio Amateur of the Year. Dr. Trifu
exemplifies the Canadian Amateur with numerous IOTA DXpeditions since
2008 covering Canadian and overseas islands. He has raised the
profile of Canadian Amateur operations world-wide with thousands of
QSOs with DXCCs covering over six continents, and with over twenty
multi language articles in several amateur journals.
A presentation will be made to Dr. Trifu in the coming weeks. More on
his nomination will appear in the May-June issue of The Canadian
Amateur magazine.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. Section Manager Nominations
As mentioned last week, Ontario Section Field Service is being
revamped, to close the communications gap between RAC and its
members. The transition will begin May 1st with the appointment of
new Section Managers. I ask the clubs and ARES groups to nominate
appropriately skilled and capable candidates. Nomination letters
must be signed by 10 full RAC members, or by the president of a club,
and should be mailed to Allan Boyd VE3AJB, P.O. Box 208, Little
Current, ON, POP 1K0 no later than March 31st.
The job of the Section Manager has changed, and there are new support
positions that need to be filled. Provisional job descriptions can
be viewed online at tinyurl.com/ontrestruct. During the transition
period, May through August, we will be recruiting new section staff.
Please think of who you know that might be able and willing to tackle
one of these important jobs.
-- Allan Boyd, Ontario Section Manager
3. GLETN Time Change
Effective immediately, the Great Lakes Emergency and Traffic Net will
hold its pre-net at 8:00 pm, and the main net at 8:30 pm, Eastern
Time. GLETN meets on 3.932 MHz, 365 nights a year. All amateurs are
welcome.
-- via Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Loyalist City Special Event
From March 1st to March 31st, club members of the Loyalist City
Amateur Radio Club of Saint John, New Brunswick will use special
event station CK975LC to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the club.
QSL via VE3MY or bureau; no LOTW or EQSL. Visit www.lcarc.ca [35] for more
information.
-- RAC Events Database and qrz.com
5. Eight Satellites Reach Orbit
At 1000 UTC February 13, a European Space Agency Vega rocket lifted
eight student-built MicroSats and CubeSats to orbit. They are:
ALMASat-1 from Italy, sending 1200-baud packet data at 437.465 and
2407.850 MHz.
Xatcobeo from Spain, sending telemetry at 437.365 and 145.940 MHz.
Robusta from France, sending 1200-baud packet telemetry at 437.325
MHz with one 20-second data burst every 3 minutes.
E-Star from Italy, sending 1200-baud packet telemetry at 437.445 MHz.
Goliat from Romania, sending 1200-baud packet data at 437.485 MHz.
PW-Sat from Poland, which includes a voice repeater that listens on
435.020 MHz FM and retransmits on 145.900 MHz SSB. Telemetry will be
sent as 1200-baud packet and CW at 435.020 MHz.
MaSat-1 from Hungary, sending 625/1250 bps GFSK data at 437.345 MHz.
UniCubeSat GG from Italy, sending 9600-baud data at 437.305 MHz.
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for February 25, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. A New Band at 600 metres
The 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference has approved a new
secondary frequency allocation to the Amateur Radio Service at 472 to
479 kHz. As a secondary user, amateur radio shares this band with
the Maritime Mobile Service, who are the primary user in all three
ITU Regions, and with the Aeronautical Radionavigation Service.
It remains for the Canadian government to authorize the use of 472 to
479 kHz by Canadian amateurs. We expect this to occur, but the
process may take some time.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. ARES Reflector Address Changes
Effective immediately, the RAC email reflectors have new addresses.
ares_alerts (at) eton.ca REMAINS THE SAME.
ares_sec_dec_ec (at) eton.ca is changed to ares_chat (at) eton.ca
racamberalert (at) eton.ca is changed to raran_on (at) eton.ca
racamberalertbc (at) eton.ca is changed to raran_bc (at) eton.ca
Neil Herber, VE3PUE has created aliases so that the "old" addresses
will work until everyone is changed over. There will be no changes
for persons receiving these bulletins except for those who filter
their incoming mail.
-- Doug Mercer, VO1DTM, RAC VP Field Services
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
3. Communications Ontario Net
Effective immediately the warm-up session for the Communications
Ontario Net, COMSONT, will start at 9:00 AM Eastern time just after
the Treasure Coasters Net concludes. The Comsont Roll Net roll call
will start at 9:30 AM Eastern time rather than 10:00 AM.
We hope the change will help fill the gap left after the Treasure
Coasters clear the frequency. Additionally, it will give everyone
a bit more of the morning to do other things.
COMSONT operates daily on 7.153 MHz. All are welcome to check in.
-- Don Rowed, VE3KII
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Titanic Special Event Callsign
From March 9 to April 9, special call sign XL3T has been authorized
to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the voyage of the RMS
Titanic. QSL via VA3RVK.
-- RAC Special Events Database
5. Nunavut ARISS Contact
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact
was successful for Inuksuk High School, Iqaluit, Nunavut, on February
8 at 15:18 UTC via telebridge station AH6NM in Hawaii. The school
has formed a space club through which students are learning about the
ISS via videos, the internet and guest speakers. First Air and the
Makivik Corporation are the sponsors that ensure ARISS contacts are
supported in the remote areas of Northern Canada.
-- AMSAT News Service
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for March 3, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Volunteers needed for Dayton Hamvention.
RAC is returning to Dayton for 2012 and we are once again looking
for volunteers to operate the Booth over May 18 to 20th. Last year
we organized a single three hour slot for each volunteer. Your
availability will determine your slot and flexibility is the
watchword. 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.
-- Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW, RAC President
2. Earle Smith, Silent Key
It is with regret that Radio Amateurs of Canada has learned that
Earle Smith, VE6NM, passed away peacefully after an illness on
Friday, February 24th.
Earle served as President of RAC from late 2004 to the end of 2007.
All who knew Earle respected him as a leader, a friend and a force
for good in the amateur radio community. We will miss him. The
amateur community can post condolences which will be forwarded to
the family, online at earlesmith.rac.ca.
-- Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW, RAC President
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
3. TPN Seeks Net Control Stations
The Trans-Provincial Net (TPN) meets daily from 7 am to 5 pm Eastern
Time on 7.055 MHz. The net currently needs more net control
stations. If you can help, please contact net manager Shawn, VE3PSV,
either directly on the TPN or via NTS message.
-- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Ham-Ex 2012
The Mississauga and Peel Amateur Radio Clubs will hold Ham-Ex 2012 on
Saturday, March 24, at the Brampton Fall Fair Grounds, Heart Lake
Road and Old School Road, north of Brampton. Exhibits and
demonstrations start 8 am, flea market 9 am. Talk-in on VE3PRC
146.880, no tone, and VE3MIS 145.430, 103.5 Hz tone. For more
information visit www.ham-ex.ca [40]
-- RAC Events Database
5. New Sections in ARRL Contests
RAC's decision to split Ontario into four Sections will affect ARRL
contests and Field Day in the following ways:
For ARRL contests that use ARRL/RAC sections as multipliers there
will be an overall increase of three available multipliers.
ARRL contests that use US states and Canadian provinces as
multipliers, and the IARU HF Championships, are unaffected by this
change.
The first contest to be affected by the RAC administrative change
will be the 2012 ARRL November Sweepstakes, which will now require 83
multipliers to achieve a Clean Sweep.
ARRL Field Day does not use multipliers, but Ontario stations will
send new Section abbreviations as part of their exchanges.
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for March 10, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Volunteers Needed for RAC Band Planning Committees
RAC is looking for additional volunteers to help update the VHF/UHF
and SHF band plans to reflect new modes and current practice. At
this time, we have enough members on the 0-30 MHz (formerly HF) Band
Planning Committee.
Volunteers must be RAC members and have an active interest in the
VHF/UHF or SHF bands. To volunteer for the VHF/UHF committee, please
contact the chair, Dana Shtun VE3KU, Dana at: ve3dss-1.rogers.com.
For the SHF committee, contact chair Steve Kavanagh VE3SMA, by email
at ve3sma (at) rac.ca. The SHF committee especially seeks someone
with specific interest in satellite operations, or knowledgeable
with interference issues in the shared bands above 2 GHz.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. Special Event Station VO1AA
On April 25th, the birthday of Guglielmo Marconi, the Society of
Newfoundland Radio Amateurs will make Amateur Radio contact with
Princess Elettra (Marconi) who will be in Bologna, Italy to
celebrate her father's birthday. It is planned to have the Canadian
Heritage Minister, the Newfoundland Premier, the City of St. John's
Mayor and the the Newfoundland Lieutenant Governor exchange greetings
with the Princess via station VO1AA at Cabot Tower.
This is the first time that this event has been attempted, and we
anticipate that it will be a high level media exposure for Amateur
Radio in Canada.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
3. New Ontario SEC
Effective immediately, Scott Carter VE3CGN of Dutton, Ontario is
appointed ARES Section Emergency Coordinator for Ontario. He will
serve until September 1st, when appointments are made for each of
the four new Sections in Ontario.
Scott brings with him much experience in emergency communications.
Scott was the former District Emergency Coordinator for the Tecumseh
District, and has many certifications in emergency management
including CEC, BEM, IMS-100, and IMS-200. He is also very active
with the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network. Please welcome
Scott to his new position.
-- Allan Boyd, VE3AJB, Ontario Section Manager
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Young Ham of the Year Nominations
Nominations are open for the Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the
Year Award. Nominees must be 18 or younger, licensed amateurs,
residents of the US or Canada, and must have made significant
contributions to their community, the nation or amateur radio.
Nominations must be received by May 30. Complete details and
nominating forms are online at www.arnewsline.org/yhoty [43].
-- CQ News Service
5. Field Day Packet Now Available
Field Day is June 23-24 and Field Day packets are now available for
download. They include the complete rules, forms, entry submission
instructions, a Frequently Asked Questions section, guidelines for
getting bonus points, instructions for GOTA stations, a publicity
kit, and a one-page "What is Field Day" flyer you can hand out. Find
it at www.arrl.org/fieldday [44]
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for March 17, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. New ARES logos
Tyler Tidman VA3DGN has designed new logos in both official
languages for use by all ARES/SURA members and groups. The black
and yellow is suitable for caps, shirts, crests etc, while the black
and white lends itself well to print form. They are available in a
PDF file at tinyurl.com/racareslogo
-- Doug Mercer, VO1DTM, Chief Field Services Officer
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Iroquois Fleamarket
On Saturday, April 7, the Iroquois Amateur Radio Club will hold its
16th Annual Fleamarket, at 1 Dundas in Iroquois. Take exit 738 from
the 401. General admission is free and starts at 9 am. Talk-in on
145.29 (-). For information about tables, contact contact Mike
va3tufham (at) aol.com or Don va3nc (at) rac.ca .
-- RAC Events Database
3. IRLP Topic Channels
Beginning in March 2012, the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP)
will host IRLP Topic Channels. Nearly 3000 IRLP nodes worldwide can
connect to thirty "reflectors" for group discussion. Twenty
reflector channels are being designated for specific topics, like DX,
sports, history, and movies. While IRLP is the backbone of the
system, some topic channels will provide access via Echolink and
other VOIP systems. For more information on using IRLP visit
www.irlp.net [47]. For the latest list of topic channels visit
www.irlptopics.net [48].
-- via Paul Caccamo VA3PC
4. Next WRC to Discuss 5 MHz
At the 2012 World Radiocommunications Conference, it was agreed to
discuss a permanent 5 MHz amateur allocation at the next conference
in 2015. The band being proposed is 5.250 to 5.450 MHz. The
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) worked hard to get support
for putting this item on the agenda, after it failed to make the
WRC-12 agenda.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
5. VA3OOG to Command the ISS
The BBC reports that astronaut Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG, will be the
first Canadian to command the International Space Station. Hadfield
will travel to the ISS near the end of this year, and will serve as a
flight engineer in the Expedition 34 crew. Then, in March 2013, he
will assume command of Expedition 35 for three months before
returning to Earth. Read more at tinyurl.com/va3oog-on-orbit
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for March 24, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Appoints Public Information Officer
I am extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Bauld,
VE3CBR, to the Field Organization National Secretariat effective
immediately. Alan resides in Stittsville, Ontario just outside Ottawa,
and will be a welcome addition to our ever growing team.
-- Doug Mercer, VO1DTM, Chief Field Services Officer
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Olympic Special Event Stations
Two special event call signs will be activated to celebrate
the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
From London, England, station 2012L (Two Oscar One Two Lima) will be
active through the duration of the Games, located at the historic
Eltham Palace, south-east London on 160m-2m, all modes. For more
information see www.2o12L.com [51].
From Wales, station 2O12W (Two Oscar One Two Whiskey) will also be
active on all bands from 160m to 23cm and all modes including SSTV
and satellite from Whitmore Bay, Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan,
Wales. For more information see www.2o12W.com [52].
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. India's HAMSAT VO-52 Recovered
After failing on February 28, HAMSAT VO-52 is back on the air. Both
the transponder and CW beacon are functional. Their frequencies are:
Uplink: 435.2250 - 435.2750 MHz SSB/CW
Downlink: 145.9250 - 145.8750 MHz SSB/CW
Beacon: 145.8600 MHz CW
The HAMSAT team requests detailed reception reports be sent to:
tprangan (at) istrac.org with a copy to wmy (at) isac.gov.in.
-- AMSAT News Service
4. Longwave Club
Interested in the possible new MW (medium wave) amateur allocation?
Check out the Longwave Club of America, www.lwca.org [53]. Their
periodical "Lowdown" covers everything on LF from "Natural Radio"
(atmospherics) to 500 kHz, experimental stations, technical content,
and a stations-heard listing.
-- ARRL Contest Update
5. Quick and Dirty CW Netiquette
Alan Wormser, N5LF offers the "Netiquette" web page, a good training
tool for newbies to CW nets. Find it at
www.qsl.net/n5lf/cw-nts.html [54]
-- via Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for March 31, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Quebec Section Emergency Coordinator appointed
Effective immediately, Normand Pitre VE2NHK, of Saint Zotique QC, is
appointed Section Emergency Coordinator for the Quebec Section. He
recently earned his RAC Certified Emergency Coordinator designation,
and is eager to chat with any members of the Quebec Section that
might have an interest in establishing a new ARES unit. Welcome
Normand.
-- Gilles Lariviere VA2SGL, Quebec Section Manager
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. World Amateur Radio Day
On April 18 we celebrate World Amateur Radio Day. This year's theme
is "Amateur Radio Satellites: Celebrating 50 Years in Space" to
commemorate the launch of OSCAR 1 on December 12, 1961 and the
launch of OSCAR 2 on June 2, 1962. IARU Member Societies will
operate the following special event stations:
6H6IARU by the Federación Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores,
operated by Grupo DXXE, will be active from 13 to 18 April in all
modes and bands. QSL via LoTW and N7RO, direct or bureau. Daily logs
uploads will be available in ClubLog.
3G87IARU by the Radio Club de Chile, will be active throughout the
month of April. QSL via CE3AA.
LZ1WARD by the Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs also will be
active throughout the month of April. QSL via bureau.
-- IARU News, via RAC News Service
3. Titanic Special Event Station
From April 6 to April 26, special event station GB100MGY will operate
on all amateur bands, CW and SSB, from Fort Perch Rock Marine Radio
Museum, New Brighton, Wirral, U.K. This is to mark the 100th
anniversary of the Titanic disaster. Overnight on 14th-15th of April,
the date Titanic was sunk, we will operate mainly on 502 kHz CW, the
band where the Titanic made her distress call.
We have special permission to operate GB100MGY on the 501-504 kHz
band from April 12th to April 18. Those without a 500 kHz band
licence can make a crossband QSO on 3566 khz or 7066 kHz as
propagation conditions permit. We are hoping conditions are suitable
for a "pond hop" to East coast area of Canada. For more information
visit www.gb100mgy-fortperchrock.co.uk [57].
-- RAC Bulletin Service
4. Morse Code Special Event
New York's QSY Society Amateur Radio Club will host a special event
station at the Samuel F. B. Morse Estate in the city of Poughkeepsie,
to celebrate his creation of the Morse Code in 1832. Call sign K2QS
will operate CW from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm Eastern Time on Saturday
April 14th, centered on 7.034 and 14.034 MHz. QSL requests go to
David Ruth at 48 Hoof Print Road, Millbrook, New York, 12545.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
5. City of Ottawa Relaxes Antenna Rules
The city of Ottawa has compromised with radio amateurs regarding
antenna restrictions. Personal antennas may be erected in front or
side yards in urban or suburban neighbourhoods as long as they're
shorter than 15 metres, less than three inches across and set back at
least 1 1/2 metres from property lines. Bigger antennas would require
public consultations so neighbours can have their say.
-- The Ottawa Citizen, via RSGB News
This is V__3____, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of
Canada, with this week's bulletin
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Special Event station VX9MRC
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster, the
Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland will transmit a special bulletin
near 500 kHz, the frequency used by the Titanic to send their
distress call to Newfoundland. Listen on 507.77 kHz CW for VX9MRC
between 0001 and 0400 UTC on 15 April. Please note this is Saturday
night, 14 April, for listeners in Ontario.
-- Charles Marsh, VO1VZ, Newfoundland Section Manager
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. CANWARN Training April 11-21
CANWARN training will be held in the following locations:
On Wednesday April 11, in Sarnia, 7 PM, in the Lower Auditorium of
the Clearwater Arena, 1400 Wellington St. in Sarnia.
On Tuesday April 17, in Windsor, 7 PM, at the Giovanni Caboto Club,
2175 Parent Ave.
On Wednesday April 18, in London, 7 PM, in Room T1003, Building T,
Fanshawe College, 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd. There is free parking
at any metered spots on campus after 6 PM.
On Saturday April 21, in Hamilton, 9 AM, in the Nash Auditorium,
Wilcox Building, Chedoke Hospital, Sanatorium Road. Free parking
is available across the street from the auditorium.
To register for any CANWARN training session, please send an email to
geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Durham Region Hamfest
The South Pickering Amateur Radio Club and North Shore Amateur Radio
Club will hold their annual hamfest on Saturday, April 21, at the
Pickering Recreation Complex, 1867 Valley Farm Rd, just one block
east of Pickering Town Centre. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on
VE3SPA repeater, 147.375 (+) 103.5 Hz tone. For more information
visit drhamfest.tripod.com
-- RAC Events Database
4. Ontario QSO Party
The 15th Annual Ontario QSO Party will be held from 1800Z April 21 to
0500Z April 22, and 1200Z to 1800Z April 22. Stations outside Ontario
attempt to contact as many Ontario stations as possible; Ontario
stations work everyone. Operation is on all bands 160-2 meters except
the WARC bands, CW, SSB, and FM. For complete rules visit
www.va3cco.com/oqp [60]
-- Contest Club Ontario
5. More World Amateur Radio Day Stations
In addition to those mentioned last week, these special event
stations will commemorate World Amateur Radio Day:
EL2RL by the Liberia Radio Amateur Association will be active on
April 18, on 10, 15, 17 and 20 meters. Direct QSL to EL2BA.
HB9WARD by Union Schweizerischer Kurzwellen-Amateure to be active
also on April 18. QSL via HB9JOE.
HF87WARD by members of the SP-CFF (SP0CFF). This station will be
active from April 17 to 30. QSL via eQSL.cc and WFF LogSerach. For
those who want to send card direct, please send SASE to: Polish Club
Flora & Fauna, Suchacz, Wielmozy 5b, 82-340 Tolkmicko, Poland.
-- IARU News, via RAC News Service
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for April 14, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Update on 60 Metres
RAC has requested that Canadian amateurs be granted channelized
access to 60M, identical to the US allocation with one additional
unique Canadian channel. In late 2011 the FCC issued a final Report
and Order for U.S. 60M access, clearing the way for Canada to
proceed. This allocation, on a secondary basis, requires a public
consultation through the Canada Gazette, which we expect will occur
in the second quarter of 2012. It is important that Canadian
Amateurs comment on the draft once released.
As an interim step, Industry Canada will issue special licences for
60M. The process requires a formal licence application, payment of a
licence fee, and the use of a special call sign instead of your
amateur call sign. If you wish to obtain a temporary, paid license to
operate on 60M, please contact your local Industry Canada Regional
Office.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. CANWARN Training April 22-28
CANWARN training will be held in the following locations:
On Tuesday April 24, in Goderich, 1:30 PM, in the Goderich Community
Centre (Old Arena), 180 McDonald St.
Also on April 24, in Clinton, 7 PM, at the Central Huron Fire Hall,
410 Beech St.
On Thursday April 26, in Parry Sound, 12:30 PM, at the Bobby Orr
Centre, 7 Mary Street.
On Saturday April 28, in the Washago/Orillia area, 9 AM, at the
Community Room, MASK Arena, 6147 Rama Road (north of Casinorama and
south of Airport Road on Rama Road)
Also on April 28, in the Ottawa area, 9 AM, at the Nepean Sailing
Club, 3259 Carling Avenue, Nepean.
To register for any CANWARN training session, please send an email to
geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
3. OPN seeks net controllers
The Ontario Phone Net has an immediate need for both regular and
alternate Net Control Operators. Regular positions are for one shift
a week. Alternates are to substitute on an "as needed" basis.
The OPN currently meets daily at 1900 Eastern Time, on 3745 kHz.
If you would like to help out, please contact Shawn VE3PSV on the
Ontario Phone Net, or via NTS message.
-- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, acting net manager
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Radio Scouting IRLP Calling Channel
Radio Scouting and Jamboree on the Air now have a meeting place for
IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) contacts. IRLP Node 9091 is a
dedicated Topic Channel for Radio Scouting.
Recommended times for calling are 1800Z and 0100Z, but the channel is
available for use 24/7. It's recommended that once two stations make
contact, they agree upon a different IRLP node, disconnect from the
Topic Channel and connect using the new node, freeing Node 9091 for
more contacts. For more information about Topic Channels, visit
www.irlptopics.net [48]
-- Southgate ARC News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for April 21, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. New Deputy Director Ontario North/East
Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA, of Ottawa is the new Deputy Director for
Radio Amateurs of Canada, North/East Ontario Region. Glenn is
currently president of the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club, and led the
team that made presentations to the Ottawa city council regarding
amateur radio exemptions for antenna systems. He has worked for the
Federal Government and was an advisor on issues related to Canada's
space program.
Glenn will bring administration, innovation and management skills to
RAC, and we look forward to working with him as part of the
North/East Ontario team.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. Distracted Driving in Ontario
The amateur radio exemption from Ontario's distracted driving
regulation will expire at the end of 2012. RAC has been lobbying for
a permanent exemption. On April 16, MTO proposed a five-year
extension of the current exemption. You can view the regulatory
notice in the provincial registry at tinyurl.com/ddo9043 (Delta Delta
Oscar Nine Zero Four Three). The deadline for comments is May 30.
RAC will be providing comments to the Road User Safety Branch of MTO
on this issue and will continue to press for a permanent exemption.
We thank all organisations that supplied letters of support to assist
us in obtaining this extension.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. CANWARN Training May 2 - May 5
CANWARN training will be held in the following locations:
On Wednesday, May 2, in Kitchener, 7 PM, at Bingemans Conference
Centre, 425 Bingemans Centre Drive,
On Saturday, May 5, in Toronto, 9 AM, at the Environment Canada
offices, 4905 Dufferin St
To register for any CANWARN training session, please send an email to
geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Special Event Stations
From May 1st to May 30th, special event station VC2CBS30 will
commemorate the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of the Club
Radioamateur Sorel-Tracy VE2CBS Inc. QSL via VE2DWE. For more
informatinon visit www.ve2cbs.qc.ca [65]
From May 1st to May 31st, special event station VC3D will celebrate
the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. QSL via VE3FXX.
-- RAC Special Events Database
5. Register your Field Day Location
ARRL provides the Field Day Station Locator, a free, interactive map
that helps amateurs or those interested in Amateur Radio find a
public Field Day site near them. To view or add sites, go to
www.arrl.org/field-day-locator [66]
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for April 28, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
1. Section Traffic Manager Needed
Ontario Section is in need of a Section Traffic Manager, to serve
until the Section reorganization is complete this fall. The
appointment description can be found at tinyurl.com/fsd251r (Fox
Sierra Delta Two Five One Romeo). In the interim, net reports and
station activity reports should be sent to the Section Manager, Allan
Boyd VE3AJB, via email, ve3ajb (at) vianet.ca.
Ontario Section thanks outgoing STM Glenn Killam, VE3GNA, for his
many years of great work in the position.
-- Allan Boyd, VE3AJB, Ontario SM
2. CANWARN Training May 8 - May 10
CANWARN training will be held in the following locations:
On Tuesday, May 8, in Toronto, 7 PM, at the Environment Canada
offices, 4905 Dufferin St.
On Thursday, May 10, in Peterborough, 7 PM, at the Peterborough
Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. North.
To register for any CANWARN training session, please send an email to
geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Smiths Falls Flea Market
The Rideau Lakes Amateur Radio Club will hold its 28th Flea Market on
Saturday, May 12, at the Smiths Falls Curling and Squash Club, Old
Sly's Road, in Smiths Falls. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on
VE3RLR repeater, 147.21 (+). This is a new location; visit
ve3rlr.dyndns.org for a map and more information.
-- RAC Events Database
4. Special Event Station VE3A
From May 10 to June 9, special event station VE3A will commemorate
the Diamond Jubillee of HM The Queen of Canada. Expected frequencies
are 28.490, 21.290, 14.290, 7.143 MHz. QSL via VE3RHE (Direct or via
Bureau) or N0OKA (Direct Only); we will also be using LoTW. For more
information see VE3A on QRZ.com.
-- RAC Events Database
5. Special Event Station VX3W
Members of the Manotick Amateur Radio Group will be operating special
event station VX3W from Fort Wellington in Prescott, Ontario, on
Saturday, May 19th from 10:00 EDT to 16:00 EDT (1400Z to 2000Z) to
commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Operation will
be mostly HF phone, but local operators may find us on VHF or UHF
simplex. For more information visit tinyurl.com/vx3w-2012.
QSL via Manotick Amateur Radio Group, c/o 609-45 Holland Avenue,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Y 4S3.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for May 5, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
1. New ECs in Bruce District
Wayne McLean, VE3WWM, has become the new ARES Emergency Coordinator
for Orangeville and Dufferin County. Wayne has been quite active in
ARES as an assistant to outgoing EC Alex Giger VE3LFJ. Thanks go to
Alex for his years of service as EC.
Also, Tim Eaton, VE3RTE, CEC, has become the new Emergency
Coordinator for Kincardine and Bruce County. Tim has been active for
years in Grey County ARES, and is now filling the long-standing
vacancy in Bruce County.
On behalf of RAC, I thank both Wayne and Tim for taking on these
important positions in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.
-- Brad Rodriguez, VE3RHJ, Bruce District EC
2. CANWARN Training May 16
CANWARN training will be held on Wednesday, May 16, in Dufferin
County, 7 PM, at the Dufferin County Museum, corner of Hwy 89 and
Airport Road in Mulmur.
To register for any CANWARN training session, please send an email to
geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. U.S. Armed Forces Day Crossband Test
On May 12th, the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast
Guard are co-sponsoring the annual Military/Amateur Radio Crossband
Communications Test in celebration of the 62nd anniversary of Armed
Forces Day (AFD).
Participating military stations will transmit on selected military
MARS frequencies and listen for Amateur Radio stations in the amateur
bands. SSB and CW will be used. QSL cards will be provided to those
stations making contact with the military stations. For schedules and
frequencies, download the PDF information file from
tinyurl.com/bwx5pvu (Bravo Whiskey Xray Five Papa Victor Uniform).
-- ARRL Bulletin Service
4. Bailing Out a Radio Club
Is your radio club struggling? You might find this article
interesting, about a tugboat captain who discovered amateur radio
after a career-ending injury, and then proceeded to join and
revitalize his local radio club. It's a story full of ideas and
inspiration. See www.arrl.org/bailing-out-a-radio-club [71]
-- ARRL Web
5. Amateur Radio Posters for Download
The RSGB has made available a collection of amateur radio promotional
posters that can be used when demonstrating the hobby to the public.
The posters can be downloaded from www.rsgb.org/posters [72]
-- Southgate ARC News
6. Understanding Digital Modulation
Confused about QPSK, 16QAM, and 4FSK? Louis Frenzel, W5LEF, writing
in Electronic Design, offers a nice overview of different techniques
for modulating a radio signal with digital data. Find it on-line at
tinyurl.com/crqeqdg (Charlie Romeo Quebec Echo Quebec Delta Golf).
-- ARRL Contest Update
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for May 12, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC E-mail Bulletins
The Radio Amateurs of Canada National Bulletin Service will email to
you any breaking news items that are of interest to Canadian
Amateurs. This could be frequencies being used for international
emergency that you need to stay clear of, or it could be information
on a new frequency assignment. To learn how to subscribe for free go
to rac.eton.ca/racbullemail.htm
-- The RAC Report
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. CANWARN Training May 26 - 27
CANWARN training will be held:
In Belleville on Saturday May 26, at 10 AM, at the Belleville Library
Conference Room, 254 Pinnacle Street.
Near Sudbury on Saturday May 26, at 9 AM, at the Lionel E. Lalonde
Centre, 239 Montee Principale, in Azilda.
In Espanola on Sunday May 27, at 1 PM, at the Pinewood Inn, 378
Centre St.
In Elliot Lake on Sunday May 27, at 7 PM, at the Renaissance Centre,
20 Veterans Way.
To register for any CANWARN training session, please send an email to
geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Museum Ships Weekend
The worldwide Museum Ships Weekend Event will be held from 0000Z
June 2nd through 2359Z June 3rd. Last year 83 ships in 13 countries
around the world participated in the event. Operators that work at
least 15 different ships are eligible for a certificate. For a list
of ships, suggested frequencies, and other information, visit
www.nj2bb.org/museum [75]
-- AMSAT News
4. Learn CW Online
Fabian, DJ1YFK, offers the "Learn CW Online" web site. LCWO is a
Morse Code learners program for all levels of expertise. It's free
of charge and no installation is needed -- just internet access.
Find it at www.lcwo.net [76].
-- Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
5. CircuitLab Online
CircuitLab Editor is a free online application for designing,
testing, editing, and sharing electronic circuits. It's intended
for students, educators and engineers, and hobbyists, to test
circuit designs before breadboarding. It's web-based, so all you need
is Internet and a web browser. Find it at www.circuitlab.com [77].
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for May 19, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. 60 Metre Consultation
Industry Canada has Gazetted the request from Radio Amateurs of
Canada for access to 60M. See the gazette item at
tinyurl.com/gazette60m. A consultation process now begins, which is
one of the last steps before final approval.
Industry Canada is seeking input on five items. RAC feels it is
important for amateur radio operators to comment on this proposal.
The five items, and the comment procedure, are explained at
www.rac.ca/en/news/bulletins/2012/26 [80]. Comments on these items must
be received prior to June 12th.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. CANWARN Training May 28 - 31
CANWARN training will be held:
In Sault Ste Marie on Monday May 28, at 7 PM, at the Delta Sault
Ste Marie, 208 St. Mary's Drive.
In Timmins on Tuesday May 29, at 6:30 PM, at the Timmins Inn and
Suites, 1800 Riverside Drive.
In Temiskaming Shores on Wednesday May 30, at 6 PM, at College
Boreal, 280 Armstrong St.
In North Bay on Thursday May 31, at 6:30 PM, at the North Bay Public
Library, 271 Worthington.
To register for any CANWARN training session, please send an email to
geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Special Event VC3E
From June 1 to June 30, special event station VC3E will commemorate
the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. QSL via VE3JPP.
-- RAC Special Events Database
4. Bread and Honey Festival Special Event
On June 2nd and 3rd, the Mississauga Amateur Radio Club will operate
a special event station at 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. Requests for QSL cards to MARC, c/o
Michael Brickell, VE3TKI, 2801 Bucklepost Crescent, Mississauga, ON
L5N 1X6 Canada, with an SASE. For more information visit marc.on.ca
-- RAC Events Database
5. Central Ontario Hamfest
The Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo Amateur Radio Clubs will hold their
Central Ontario Hamfest and Fleamarket on Sunday, June 3rd, at the
Waterloo Regional Police Association Recreation Centre R.R. 2, 1128
Rife Rd. North Dumfries Township. This is just west of Cambridge,
beside Hwy 401, between exits 268 & 275. General admission at 9 am,
talk-in on VE3KSR 146.970 (-) 131.8 Hz tone, and 146.520 simplex. For
more information visit www.hamfest.on.ca [81]
-- RAC Events Database
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for May 26, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. 60 Metre Consultation Paper
The consultation paper regarding the addition of 60 metre frequencies
to the Amateur allocation can be found at tinyurl.com/consult60m.
Remember that you must submit comments no later than June 12.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. CANWARN Training June 4-7
CANWARN training will be held:
In Thunder Bay on June 4, at 7 PM, in Room 196 Shuniah Building,
Confederation College, William and Edward St.
In Atikokan on June 5, at 7 PM, at the Atikokan Fire Hall, 101
Goodwin St.
Near Fort Frances on June 6, at 7 PM, at the Lavallee Community
Centre, 78 Colonization Road, in Emo.
In Renfrew on June 6, at 6:30 PM, at the Best Western, 760 Gibbons
Road.
In Kenora on June 7, at 7 PM, at the Fire and Emergency Services
Facility and Regional Training Centre, 100 14th Street North.
To register for any CANWARN training session, please send an email to
geoff.coulson (at) ec.gc.ca
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. London Vintage Radio Club Flea Market
The London Vintage Radio Club will hold its annual flea market on
Saturday, June 9, at the Hammond Manufacturing parking lot, 394
Edinburgh Road North, in Guelph. This is not the museum location;
this is the northwest corner of Edinburgh Road and Speedvale Avenue.
Entrance from Speedvale Avenue only. General admission is free and
starts at 7 am. The Hammond Museum of Radio on Southgate Road will
be open for visitors in the afternoon. For more information visit
lvrc.homestead.com/fleamarket.html
-- RAC Events Database
4. Kitchener Special Prefix
From June 12 to June 26, amateurs in the Region of Waterloo, Ontario
may use prefix CJ3 for VA3, and prefix CK3 for VE3. This is to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the City of Kitchener. For more
information search CK3ZUP on qrz.com.
-- RAC Events Database, and qrz.com
5. Syracuse 6m Repeater
Repeater KD2SL, a six meter repeater in Syracuse, New York, is
now on the air. This repeater uses the former Channel 3
television antenna, and is on 53.67 MHz (input 52.67 MHz) with a
103.5 HZ CTCSS tone. For more information visit www.kd2sl.com [84]
-- via Keith Harvey, VA3KRV, OBS
6. AMSAT Field Day Rules
Field Day runs 1800 UTC June 23 to 2100 UTC June 24, and AMSAT will
have a concurrent event for operation via amateur satellites.
The congestion on FM low-earth-orbit satellites was so intense in
prior years that their use is limited to one-QSO-per-FM-satellite.
This includes the International Space Station. You will be allowed
one QSO if the ISS is operating Voice. You will also be allowed one
digital QSO with the ISS or any other digital, non-store-and-forward,
packet satellite (if operational).
The complete listing of the AMSAT Field Day Rules is posted on-line
at: www.amsatnet.com/fd2012.pdf [85]
-- AMSAT News Service
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for June 2, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Field Day is Just Around the Corner
This year's Field Day is just weeks away, and by now your
preparations should be well under way. 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. For rules and details, visit www.arrl.org/field-day [88].
This is also a great time to recruit new Hams, or encourage "just
licensed" Hams to join you to get their "feet wet" with pile ups,
experiencing for the first time the thrill of having the world at
their fingertips. Field Day is also a great time to recruit new RAC
members, or to repatriate ones who have not renewed for one reason or
another. Why not place some RAC membership forms on your Public
Information table?
-- Doug Mercer VO1DTM/VO1DM CEC, Chief Field Services Officer
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. CANWARN Training June 11
The final CANWARN training of 2012 will be held in Dryden on June 11,
at 7 PM, at the Dryden Fire Services Training Room, 189 Colonization
Avenue. To register, please send an email to geoff.coulson (at)
ec.gc.ca
-- Geoff Coulson, Environment Canada
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. SS Keewatin Homecoming
On June 23, the SS Keewatin returns home to Port McNicoll. The "Kee"
is an Edwardian era steamship, built in 1905, that provided passenger
and freight service on the Great Lakes until the mid 1960's. For the
last 45 years she has been a tourist attraction in Michigan. Now, a
local developer is bringing her back to Ontario. She is the last of
her kind; learn more about her at www.sskeewatin.com [89].
Local hams will provide communications for the Keewatin's homecoming,
and have been asked to develop a Marine and Ham radio museum and to
establish an active ham radio station on board. For more information,
visit tinyurl.com/keewatin. To volunteer, contact Michael, VA3LKI
via email, va3lki (at) yahoo.com, with a brief summary of what skills
and talents you can bring to the project.
-- Michael Moreau, VA3LKI
4. Special Event Stations
From June 15 to July 15, the following special event callsigns have
been authorized: VC2L will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the
Laval-Laurentides Amateur Radio Club; QSL via VE2NHK. Special Event
Station CG7CWPC will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the C. W.
Parker Carousel at the Burnaby Village Museum; QSL via VE7EES, or
visit www.ve7bar.org [90] for more information. And VX3ROYL will
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 (Escape of the
Royal George); QSL via VE3NOO.
Also, from June 17 to June 30, VX3T will commemorate the 100th year
of the Calgary Stampede; QSL via VE3IKV. Search VX3T at qrz.com for
more information.
-- RAC Events Database
5. Radio Canada International QRT
On June 25, Radio Canada International will end its shortwave and
satellite broadcasts, and abandon its transmitter facility in
Sackville, New Brunswick. An 80 percent budget cut means RCI will
also stop producing its own programming and will shut down its news
department. RCI will maintain a "Web presence"...but only 22 percent
of the developing world has access to the Internet.
-- CQ News Service and Montreal Gazette
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for June 9, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Canada Day Contest
The RAC Canada Day Contest runs from 0000 - 2359 UTC on Sunday, July
1st. This is a great opportunity to have a little fun on the
airwaves and compete with others over a twenty four hour period.
What better way to celebrate Canada's birthday!
For rules and details, see the PDF file at tinyurl.com/canday2012.
The very best of luck to everyone and have fun!
-- Doug Mercer VO1DTM/VO1DM CEC, Chief Field Services Officer
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. NTS Liaisons Needed
The net manager for the Second Region (2RN) Cycle 2 nets, Bill W2MTA,
has put out a request for additional Canadian stations to check into
the two 2RN daytime nets. Currently there is no liaison to either
net from Ontario. These times are 1:45 pm and 6:30 pm Eastern Time
on 3925 kHz. The early session usually reverts to 7235 kHz due to
propagation issues.
If you are a CW operator, the Hit and Bounce Slow Net (HBSN) is
looking for Canadian stations to check into the net on 3574 kHz at
7:30 am Eastern.
-- via Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Special Event Calls
From June 18th to July 2nd, special call VC390IC (Victor Charlie
Three Nine Zero India Charlie) will commemorate the 90th Anniversary
of the Kitchener Waterloo Amateur Radio Club; QSL via VE3ZUP. Search
VC390IC on qrz.com for more information.
From June 25th to July 25th, special call VX3X will commemorate
the Centennial of the War of 1812; QSL via VE3OP.
-- RAC Events Database
4. Nunuvut/IOTA DXpedition
From June 21st to July 2nd, Dick AH6EZ and Harry K9DXA will be active
as YV0/homecall from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Activity will be on 80-6
meters, with a focus on 30/17/12 meter bands using CW, SSB and RTTY.
They hope to travel to Marble Island between June 25-29 to activate
IOTA NA-185 for several hours on one day. And on July 1st, they will
be active as VY0RAC for the Canada Day contest. For more details,
visit ah6ez.yolasite.com
-- Southgate ARC News
5. Too Old for Contesting?
I hope none of you are ever inclined to send an email like this
old-timer received, but if you are -- or if you're tempted to be
rude on the air to a new operator -- I hope his story, at
www.arrl.org/too-old-for-contesting [93], gives you pause. And remember,
you're never too old for contesting.
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for June 16, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Operators wanted for VA3RAC Canada Day Contest Station
The Canada Day Contest is fast approaching and Radio Amateurs of
Canada are looking for a VE/VA Amateur to operate under the VA3RAC
call sign. You must be a RAC member and once the contest is over you
must submit a copy of your log to RAC Headquarters so we can verify
QSL requests. Here is your chance to be a rare one and never have to
leave your home QTH!
Reply to Jeff Stewart, VA3WXM via email, va3wxm (at) sympatico.ca
For complete contest rules see tinyurl.com/canday2012
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. ARES Input to POINT Discussion
The Ontario government has invited Radio Amateurs of Canada to
participate as a member of the Province of Ontario INteroperabilty
Task group (POINT).
Ian Snow VA3QT will represent the Ontario Section Manager at the
semi-annual POINT meeting to be held on 27 June. We will have the
opportunity for a 10-minute presentation to describe our ARES
capabilities, and to outline where government policies (or lack
thereof) limit ARES groups from reaching their full potential.
DEC's and EC's are invited to provide -- in bullet form -- talking
points for the presentation. Send comments, with "POINT Comment" as
the subject line, to va3qt (at) rac.ca with copy to ve3ajb (at)
vianet.ca. Comments must be received no later than 20 June.
-- via Allan Boyd, VE3AJB, Ontario Section Manager
3. OPN needs your help
The Ontario Phone Net has an immediate need for both regular and
alternate Net Control Operators. Regular positions are for one shift
a week. Alternates are to substitute on an "as needed" basis.
The net also needs liaison stations to carry traffic to and from
local nets in all parts of Ontario. If you can help, please contact
Shawn VE3PSV on the Ontario Phone Net, or via NTS message. The OPN
currently meets daily at 1900 Eastern Time, on 3745 kHz.
-- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, acting net manager
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Special Event Prefixes
From July 1 to July 31, for the Bicentennial Celebrations of the War
of 1812, Canadian amateurs are authorized to use the following
special prefixes: XL for VA, XM for VE, XN for VO, XO for VY.
Also, from June 30 to July 15, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary
of the Regina Cyclone, operators may use CJ5 for VA5, CK5 for VE5.
-- RAC Events Database
5. Special Event Callsigns
From July 1 to July 30, special event callsigns VE260AEJ and VE360HX
will commemorate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. QSL via VE2AEJ
and VE3HX, respectively.
From July 1 to July 31, for the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812:
CG3B will operate Canada Day from Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake,
QSL via VE3FOI. VX2I will operate from Ile Verte for the IOTA
Contest, QSL via VE2EBK. XM31812 will operate all bands and modes
from July 13 to 15, QSL via VE3ATX. For these three callsigns, visit
qrz.com for more information about their operation.
-- RAC Events Database
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for June 23, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. BC/Yukon Section Manager Election
Congratulations are extended to Paul Giffin, VA7MPG who was recently
elected Section Manager for British Columbia/Yukon, for the balance
of his appointed term that ends October 30, 2013. He ran unopposed
eliminating the need for a balloted election.
-- Doug Mercer VO1DTM/VO1DM CEC, Chief Field Services Officer
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. Second Region NTS Update
Effective July 1, Second Region net Cycle Two at 1345 local time
will be deactivated. Cycle Three, at 1830 local time, continues.
-- Bill Thompson, W2MTA, 2RN Net Manager, via Glenn VE3GNA
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Calgary Stampede Special Event
From July 5 to 15, the Calgary Amateur Radio Association will operate
special event station CK6S, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the
Calgary Stampede. Planned frequencies are 3.825, 7.180, 14.250,
21.320 and 28.475 MHz +-QRM. QSL via bureau or direct to VE6A0,
following the CK6S listing on QRZ.com.
All amateurs within the City of Calgary can use special prefixes
CJ6 for VA6 and CK6 for VE6 for the same period. Work 10 Calgary
stations and you can qualify for the Stampede City Award.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
4. IARU HF World Championship
The IARU HF World Championship 2012 will take place July 14-15,
beginning 1200 UTC Saturday and ending 1200 UTC Sunday. The
objective of this contest is to contact as many other amateurs,
especially IARU member society HQ stations, around the world as
possible using the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meter bands. The rules
for this year are available at www.arrl.org/iaru-hf-championship [98].
-- RAC Bulletin Service
5. The Rooster Roster
If you happen to be travelling in Eastern Ontario early any morning
and 146.520 is quiet, you might try the Watertown NY repeater on
147.255+ (no PL tone). At 7:30 each morning a great bunch of guys and
gals get together for an informal chat net, called the Rooster
Roster. This net has been going for over 7300 consecutive sessions.
The repeater has excellent coverage, reaching north to the Ottawa
area, west to at least Brighton and east nearly to Cornwall. There
are a great bunch on the Roster each day and they welcome new
checkins, so why not give them a "bean for the pot"?
-- Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
6. WRTH A-12 Shortwave Schedules Available
The World Radio and Television Editorial team has announced that the
Summer 'A' season broadcasting schedules file is now available to
download, free of charge, from the WRTH website. The 87-page PDF
file is about 3.1 MB in size. To get a copy visit www.wrth.com [99] and
follow the link "Latest PDF Updates."
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for June 30, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Convention 2012
Radio Amateurs of Canada will hold its 2012 National Convention on
the weekend of August 10-12, at the Concordia University College of
Alberta, at 7128 Ada Boulevard, in Edmonton. There will be a solid
program of speakers and events covering all aspects of Amateur Radio.
For more information visit the web site, convention2012.rac.ca
-- RAC Events Database
2. Amateur Radio Online Service Centre
Industry Canada's new Amateur Radio Operator Certificate Services
page is up and running. Sign up, and you can access your account
online, make address changes, apply for call signs, etc. Almost all
items that required either faxing or mailing can now be done online
in real time. Have your Certificate of Proficiency with you and sign
up today, at tinyurl.com/icservice
-- The RAC Report
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
3. 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
4. Milton Hamfest
The Burlington Amateur Radio Club will hold its annual hamfest on
Saturday, July 14, at the Milton Agricultural Fairgrounds in Milton.
General admission at 9 am; talk-in on 146.520 simplex. For more
information visit www.barc.ca [30].
-- RAC Events Database
5. Radio Netherlands Ends English Service
Effective June 29th, Radio Netherlands has terminated its English
language services. Both shortwave broadcasts and webstream have
ended, due to steep budget cuts imposed by the Dutch government. For
more information visit tinyurl.com/rnw2012
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for July 7, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. 60 Metre Comments Posted
Industry Canada has been prompt to post the 47 comments to the 60
metre consultation, SMSE 010-12. You can read them at
tinyurl.com/sf10418 (Sierra Foxtrot One Zero Four One Eight)
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. RAC seeks IT Volunteers
RAC is looking for IT volunteers to be part of the website
restructuring, development and management team. Experience with web
design and programmers with a coding knowledge of PHP 5.3.6, MySQL,
IIS and Apache would be an asset.
The potential for other development platforms and recommendations
will form part of the scope for this website enhancement and
redesign. This will initially include daily support to the RAC HQ
staff on the existing website and MySQL databases. Interested
parties please contact the RAC Corporate Secretary, Linda Friars,
VE9GLF.
-- The RAC Report
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Special Event Callsign
From July 25 to August 2, call sign CY9M will be used by the 2012 St.
Paul Island DXpedition. QSL via VE3EN. Visit www.cy9m.com [104] for more
information.
-- RAC Special Events Database
4. Ham Nation Changing to Wednesdays
Beginning on July 11th, the TWIT.tv program Ham Nation will be on
Wednesday evenings. Bob Heil, K9EID, who hosts Ham Nation says that
the move is good news for his program due to the strong lead-in shows
that network owner Leo Laporte has chosen to precede it.
The netcast will still take place live at 9 P.M. Eastern Time, with
video and audio podcasts available for download at twit.tv/hn about
24 hours later.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
5. Canada Scouts ARISS Contact Successful
On Saturday, June 23, Scouts in Halifax called astronaut André
Kuipers, PI9ISS during an Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station (ARISS) contact via telebridge station VK5ZAI in Australia.
Over 150 were in attendance at the event. The contact was Webcast and
the presentation will be transmitted by Aliant IPTV Atlantic during
July/August, and eventually distributed on CD to interested parties.
Media coverage included 3 television stations, two newspapers, a 20
minute radio interview, and articles to appear in the periodicals of
the Royal Astronomical Society, Halifax Public Libraries, and Radio
Amateurs of Canada.
-- AMSAT News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for July 14, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
1. Laurentian Net seeks net controllers
The Laurentian Net is looking for additional Net Control Operators.
This is an information and traffic handling net that meets at 18:45
Eastern Time, seven days a week, on 3.755 MHz. If you would like to
help, please contact Shawn VE3PSV on the net.
-- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, Laurentian Net Manager
2. Weather Radio Listeners Net
There is a new net on IRLP. The Weather Radio Listeners Newsletter
Net meets on Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM on the Ontario Public
Service Reflector 9034. It is primarily focusing on Weather Radio but
we can discuss other related topics as well. For more information,
contact Gord VA3WXA at blindgordie (at) gmail.com.
-- Gord Maybee, VA3WXA
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Special Event Callsign
From August 3 to August 5, special event station XL31812 will
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 at Fort
Amherstburg. QSL via VA3CSS.
-- RAC Special Events Database
4. Online Repeater Directory
www.repeaterbook.com [107] is a free North American repeater directory,
maintained by volunteers. You can search by state or province, and
further by frequency, features, linking system, highway coverage, and
more.
-- Handi-Ham News
5. VHF Antenna Comparisons
VE7BQH has updated his 2m and 6m antenna comparison tables and
provided additional information on each antenna. These tables
provide the results of computer models for dozens of commercial and
homebrew VHF antennas. The tables are available in plain text and
Excel format at tinyurl.com/6mtable
-- AMSAT News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for July 21, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Ottawa-based Technically Qualified volunteer needed
As a member of the Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest
Group, RAC has been invited to appoint a volunteer to sit on
the 700Mhz definition working group. This group will sit at the table
with Public Safety Canada, government agencies and the private
business sector to develop the 700Mhz Emergency Communications
program. It is anticipated that two or three Ottawa meetings will be
necessary as well as occasional teleconferences. If you possess skills
and interest in this area, are technically qualified in land
mobile radio systems, and would like to be considered for this
position, please contact Doug Mercer, email dougvo1dtm (at) gmail.com
-- Doug Mercer VO1DTM/VO1DM, Chief Field Services Officer
2. Deputy Director Appointed for the Midwest Region
Radio Amateurs of Canada Midwest Region Director, Derek Hay, VE4HAY,
is pleased to appoint Allan Grant, VA4AJG, as Deputy Director. The
Midwest Region includes all the VE4 and VE5 call sign area of
Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Deputy Directors may attend RAC Board
meetings as observers, and if the Director cannot attend, may be
authorized to vote the Director's proxy.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
3. Collingwood Net Seasonal Suspension
The Collingwood Amateur Radio Club's 2 metre net, normally held 7 pm
each Thursday on the 145.37 MHz Blue Mountain repeater, will be
suspended for the rest of the summer. It will resume in September.
-- Helena Short, VE3GFS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Nunavik Youth Connect With ISS
On July 4, youth attending the Cirqiniq Summer Camp in Kuujjuaq,
Quebec (Nunavik), Canada spoke with on-orbit astronaut Joe Acaba,
KE5DAR via an ARISS contact. Telebridge station K6DUE in Greenbelt,
Maryland provided the radio connection.
-- AMSAT News
5. ARISS Digipeater Moves to 437.550 mhz
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
digipeater has changed frequency from 145.825 MHz to 437.550 MHz.
Packet operations were moved to the Columbus Module UHF radio when
the Kenwood D700 radio was recently powered off due to needing an
additional air purifier to support the recently arrived Automated
Transfer Vehicle or ATV. This appears to be a long term impact as
ATV is currently scheduled to depart from ISS in September.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for July 28, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Convention Update
The RAC Convention 2012 speakers list has been updated. The
convention is being held August 10-12 at Concordia University
College, Alberta. For the latest information visit their web site,
convention2012.rac.ca.
-- J.T. Mitchell, VE6OH, RAC Director Alberta/NWT/Nunavut
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival
The Niagara Peninsula Amateur Radio Club will operate special event
station VE3WCD, for the 34th annual Canal Days Marine Heritage
Festival, in Port Colborne, on the Welland Canal. Operations will be
on August 4th and 5th from 1300Z to 1800Z, on or about 7.250, 14.250,
21.250 and 28.250 MHz. The group will also have RAC and ARES
displays for the visiting public. For QSL information look up VE3WCD
on qrz.com.
-- VA3RJ Events Page
3. Hymers Fair Special Event
From August 15 to September 14, call sign VX3FAIR will commemorate
the 100th Hymers Fall Fair. The fair itself is September 2 and 3 in
Hymers, near Thunder Bay. QSL via VE3XT.
-- RAC Special Events database
4. CQ Adopts 5-Day Contest Log Deadline
Participants in CQ-sponsored contests will now have five days after
the end of a contest to either upload or mail their logs. Previously,
the contests had a four-week window for log submissions.
The change takes effect with this fall's CQ World Wide DX Contest
and will apply to all future CQ-sponsored contests.
-- CQ News Service
5. Heathkit Declares Bankruptcy
The owner of the revived Heathkit company has confirmed that the
company is filing for bankruptcy. In August 2011, Heathkit announced
it was returning to the kit building business, and in September, that
it would once again be manufacturing Amateur Radio kits. The
business was not successful, and the assets of the company are now
being auctioned off.
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for August 4, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Edmonton Conference Cancelled
The organizers of the Conference that was to be held at the Concordia
University College in Edmonton, Alberta, on 10-12 August have advised
RAC that the Conference has been cancelled.
RAC wishes to thank the organizers for their hard work in preparing
for that conference and regrets the need for the cancellation. RAC
understands that those persons who have registered are in the process
of having their registration fee refunded and that the Conference
Organizing Committee will be contacting registrants directly. If you
do not hear from the Organizers then you may wish to contact them by
email, convention2012 (at) rac.ca, or telephone 780-466-5779.
-- Linda Friars, VE9GLF, RAC Acting Corporate Secretary
2. RAC Canadian Call Sign Search
Some amateurs have contacted RAC about incorrect address information
being displayed on the "Canadian Call Sign Quick Search" on the RAC
website, or requesting that no address be displayed.
Both of these issues can only be corrected by the holder of the call
sign contacting Industry Canada at 1-888-780-3333, or via email to
spectrum.amateur (at) ic.gc.ca, or by creating a user account on the
Industry Canada website at tinyurl.com/icamateur. Industry Canada
requires amateurs to keep their address current, and offers the
option not to publish that information online.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. Canadian Amateur Radio Clubs Listing
There is a listing of Canadian Amateur Radio Clubs on the RAC
website at tinyurl.com/rac-arcs. There are some clubs that have
not been updated for a few years. So, as of January 1, 2013, and
bi-annually thereafter, any club listing that has not been updated
within the last two years will be deleted.
If your club is not current and the club wishes to have their club
information listed, please contact Geoff Smith VA3GS via email,
cdnclubs (at) gmail.com.
This list is not to be confused with the RAC Affiliated Club list
which is displayed under the link "Affiliated Club Program, RAC" in
the Site Map on the RAC website.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend
The 15th annual International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
runs 48 hours, from 0001 UTC August 18 to 2359 UTC August 19. So far
365 entrants from 38 countries have registered for this year's
event. Their objective is to promote public awareness of lighthouses
and lightships and their need for preservation and restoration, to
promote amateur radio, and to foster International goodwill. For
more information visit www.illw.net [114]
-- Southgate ARC News and illw.net
5. I Can Work This Thing
Looking for a non-PDF manual for the Kenwood TS-590S? Web site
www.icanworkthisthing.com [115] offers manuals for a variety of ham
equipment, in a text format accessible to the visually handicapped.
The site also has manuals for some consumer electronics, and
submissions of new manuals, cheat sheets, and quick start guides are
always welcome.
-- Handi-Ham News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for August 11, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. New Ontario Section Boundaries
On September 1, the current Ontario Section will be replaced by four
new Sections: Ontario North (ONN), Ontario East (ONE), Ontario South
(ONS), and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The new sections are
described on the RAC blog at blog.rac.ca, or see the map at
tinyurl.com/rac2012map. All four Section Manager Positions have
been filled and will be announced shortly.
The ARRL has recognized the four new sections and they will be
effective for the ARRL November Sweepstakes. Several other vendors of
logging/contest software have also announced changes, some not
effective until January 2013. Please verify with your vendor well in
advance of upcoming contests.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. VE3LC to Represent RAC on 700 MHz Group
Recently, the Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group
(CITIG) invited RAC to appoint a representative to the 700 Mhz
definition working group. This group will help to define the network
architecture and technical interoperability requirements for a
nationwide broadband mobile data network operating in this band.
RAC has appointed Norm Rashleigh VE3LC. Norm is currently the RAC
Radio Advisory Board of Canada (RABC) representative, and he has just
completed a term as Vice President Industrial Liaison. We thank
Norm for volunteering yet again.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. RAC Incoming QSL Bureau
RAC members are reminded that all VE/VA cards to VE/VA amateurs are
to be sent to the RAC Incoming Bureau in Saint John, not to the
Outgoing QSL Bureau. QSL's sent to the Outgoing Bureau will
experience delivery delays. This QSL service is only available to
RAC members.
Also, if you choose not to receive QSL cards via the bureau, please
notify your respective bureau and also post your QSL requirements to
services such as QRZ.com. Thousands of QSL's are received annually,
sorted, sent to the various Provncial/Territorial Bureaus at RAC's
expense, only to never be claimed.
-- Len Morgan, VE9MY, RAC Incoming Bureau Manager
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Junk-in-the-Trunk Swapmeet
The 4th Annual Junk-in-the-Trunk Loonie Event will be held on
Saturday, August 25, in the parking lot of the Newmarket Theatre,
505 Pickering Crescent, Newmarket. Open to all at 7:30 am; admission
is free to buyers. Talk-in on 146.52 simplex or the 147.225 repeater.
For more information visit www.ontarioswapshop.com [118]
-- RAC Events Database
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for August 18, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. New Ontario Section Managers
The four new Ontario Section Managers are:
Ontario North: Allan Boyd VE3AJB
Ontario East: Michael Hickey VE3IPC
GTA: George Duffield VE3WKJ
Ontario South: Ian Snow VA3QT
These appointments/nominations are effective immediately, for a
two-year term.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. RAC Annual General Meeting
Radio Amateurs of Canada will hold its Annual General Meeting on
Saturday, September 22, in Montreal, Quebec. It will be hosted by
the Montreal Amateur Radio Club (VE2ARC) which is celebrating its
80th anniversary this year.
This will be held in conjunction with the second annual Radio Talk
conference at the same location. All RAC members are encouraged to
attend the Annual General Meeting. For more information see the PDF
file at tinyurl.com/rac2012agm
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. Call Sign Database Clarification
Regarding the Ontario Bulletin of August 4th: form IC2381, requesting
an amateur radio callsign, authorizes Industry Canada to disclose
that information on a public database. This has been the practice
for many years. You may request that your address be removed, but
call sign, name and qualifications will remain visible on the public
website.
Regarding incorrect addresses, section 15 of RBR-4 requires amateur
radio operators to notify Industry Canada of a change of mailing
address within 30 days.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. CW Open
All amateurs are invited to participate in the CW Open, a set of
three separate 4-hour CW contests being held September 1 from
1200-1559Z, September 1 from 2000-2359Z and September 2 from
0400-0759Z. You can participate in 1, 2 or all 3 sessions, on 160,
80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters. The contest exchange is a sequential
serial number and given name. For full rules and information, visit
www.cwops.org/cwopen.html [121]
-- via Glenn Killam VE3GNA
5. Amateur Rocketry and Ham Radio Presentation
On Tuesday, September 4, the Central Toronto Amateur Radio Club's
monthly meeting will be about Amateur Rocketry. Clayton Wozney will
provide an overview of Amateur Rocketry, including some live display
units that he's built, and will show how ham radio plays a role in
this hobby. The meeting is free, and will be held in the basement
level theatre of the Leaside Retirement Residence, 10 William Morgan
Drive, Toronto. Talk in on VA3XPR repeater, 441.950 (+), 100.0 Hz
tone. For more information visit www.va3cta.net [122]
-- RAC Events Database
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for August 25, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Question Bank Updates
Radio Amateurs of Canada and Industry Canada are undertaking a
review of exam questions in the Basic and Advanced qualifications.
We welcome suggestions and comments from Amateur Radio Operators, on
the following topics:
a. What questions are not technically correct in the current exams?
b. Which questions are no longer relevant to the Amateur Radio
Service and should be removed?
c. Which topics should be added to the exams to replace older
questions?
Submissions should be received by RAC by August 31st, 2012. For
more information visit the RAC Blog, blog.rac.ca
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. Amendment to Quebec Cell Phone Ban
On June 6th, the Quebec Legislature amended their ban on using cell
phones while driving, to specifically exclude "a two-way radio, that
is to say a cordless voice communication device which does not allow
the parties to speak simultaneously." The legislation also
authorizes the Minister of Transport to grant additional exemptions.
Radio Amateur du Quebec (RAQI) is proud to have contributed, by its
representations to the authorities concerned, to this clarification
of the law, permitting all Quebec radio amateurs to continue to use
their mobile communications equipment in their vehicles as they
always have.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
3. Non-Amateur Use of Frequency in BC
During the Canadian Paragliding National Championships, from August
5th to 12th in Pemberton, BC, the organizers stated that all
participants must use a VHF radio tuned to 146.415 MHz. Amateur
operators are the primary user of this allocation, and RAC expressed
to Industry Canada its concerns about incursion by non-authorized
users.
Industry Canada has notified the group that use of Amateur Radio
Frequencies by persons who are not in possession of a valid Amateur
Radio Operator's Certificate is not permitted. The group has assured
Industry Canada that all participants who used the channel were
properly licensed, and has added a notice to their website indicating
this requirement.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Alouette Special Events
From September 1 to September 30, special call sign CK3A will
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Alouette, the first Canadian
satellite. QSL via VE3JPP.
Also commemorating Alouette is special call sign CG3X, from September
29 to October 28. QSL via VE3ZUP. Alouette 1 was launched on
September 29, 1962, and was switched off after 10 years of
operation. It is still in orbit.
-- RAC Special Events Database
5. Ottawa Hamfest
The Ottawa Amateur Radio Club will hold its 16th Annual Hamfest on
Saturday, September 8, at the Carp Agricultural Fairgrounds, W. E.
Johnston Arena, at 3832 Carp Road (near Falldown Lane) in Carp.
Tailgaters open at 8 am, indoor fleamarket at 9 am. Talk-in on VE2CRA
repeater, 146.94 (-), 100 Hz tone. Following the fleamarket, the OARC
is proud to sponsor the RAC Forum and Technology Update. For more
information visit www.oarc.net/fleamarket [125]
-- RAC Events Database
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for September 1, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
1. New Eastern Ontario DEC
Effective September 1st, Lance Peterson VA3LP has been appointed
District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) for the Eastern Ontario ARES
District, previously known as Seaway/Capital District.
Lance has been an advanced amateur radio operator since 1978, and
served in the Canadian Armed Forces as an avionics technician.
He has been Assistant DEC since 2004 and has also served as interim
EC for Prescott-Russell ARES. Please join me in supporting Lance in
his new position.
-- Michael Hickey, VE3IPC, Ontario East Section Manager
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. TFMCS AGM and Picnic
The Toronto FM Communications Society will hold its Annual General
Meeting and Picnic on Sunday, September 16, at 11 am, at the VE3RPT
Repeater Site, Skyloft Ski Resort, 722 Chalk Lake Road, in Uxbridge.
Membership renewals will be accepted before the meeting. For more
information visit www.tfmcs.org [128]
-- via Ontario Swap Shop
3. Azores Islands Hunt
Hams from Europe and North America will activate stations on all nine
Azores islands, prefixes CU1 through CU9, from 1200 UTC September 29
to 1200 UTC September 30. Everyone contacting at least five
different CU islands during the 24-hour event will be entered into a
lottery for a free trip to the Azores. Also, the first 25 operators
to contact all nine CU islands will be entered into a second lottery.
For more information visit azores-islands-hunt.com
-- CQ News Service
4. Field Day Logs Posted
The combined list of Logs Received for Field Day 2012 has been posted
online, at www.arrl.org/logs-received [129]. The list includes all logs
submitted via the www.b4h.net [130] website, as well as those submitted via
e-mail and US Mail. More than 2600 submissions have been received.
-- ARRL Web
5. Lightning Protection Info
The ARRL web site offers a three-part series about lightning
protection, at www.arrl.org/lightning-protection [131]. And the Institute
for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEE) publishes a 61-page PDF
on "How To Protect Your Home and Its Contents From Lightning,"
available at tinyurl.com/ieee-lightning.
-- ARRL Contest Update
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for September 8, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Simulated Emergency Test
The RAC Simulated Emergency Test (SET) will be held October 13-14.
This nationwide exercise is the chance to test your emergency
operating skills and readiness in an emergency-like deployment. The
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the National Traffic
System (NTS) and members of the RAC Field Organization will
participate and practice emergency operation plans, nets and
procedures.
RAC Field Organization Leaders may opt to conduct their local or
Section-wide SET on a different date, so check with your local
Section Manager or Emergency Coordinator for the exact date in your
area. Contact information, and more information about the SET, is
posted on the RAC website, www.rac.ca [134].
-- The RAC Report
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. London Flea Market
The London Amateur Radio Club will hold its 35th Annual Flea Market
on Sunday, September 23, at the Western Fair Grounds, Special Events
Building, 900 King Street, 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 [135].
-- RAC Events Database
3. Special Event Station ON44CLM
Special event station ON44CLM will be active from 16 October until
15 November, to commemorate the liberation of Knokke, Belgium by
the Canadian Army in 1944. CLM stands for "Canadian Liberation
March." For more information visit www.on44clm.be [136].
-- RAC Bulletin Service
4. Volunteers for Honduras Needed
The International Health Service is looking for volunteer radio
operators to go to Honduras to assist their medical/dental teams,
from 15 February to 1 March 2013. They hope to have all
volunteers signed up by 1 October 2012.
IHS has sent medical/dental teams to the mountain and Moskito Coast
areas of Honduras for 30 years, always with a radio operator on each
team. Portable Winlink 2000, HF voice and VHF FM are used for
logistics, medical consults, and team health and welfare messages. If
you want experience in the closest thing to a real disaster
communications emergency, in foreign no-infrastructure conditions,
and want to use your hobby for something good at the same time,
please contact John Kirckof K0UUP, email JMKKEK (at) Yahoo.com
-- Winlink Emcomm Group
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for September 15, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Commercial Operations Evicted from Two Meter Band
Recently a transportation company based in Reinfeld, Manitoba was
observed to be operating illegally on 144.100 Mhz. Upon contact from
RAC, the company ceased operating in the two meter band and shifted
to a business band frequency. Industry Canada was notified and is
working with the company to secure a licensed channel.
Also, a home moving company Winkler, MB was observed in Alberta to
be operating on 144.940 Mhz. The moving company was also contacted
by RAC and agreed to move their operations to their correctly
licensed frequencies.
RAC suspects that the radios being used by these companies are
modified Amateur Radio equipment. We thank those amateurs who have
provided assistance in these cases. Reports of confirmed or suspected
illegal operation should be emailed to regulatory (at) rac.ca
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
2. Brampton Day Event
The annual Brampton Day celebration is set for Saturday, September
22, and ARES has been invited to participate. Our display will
operate a portable station on battery power, as no Hydro will be
available. We plan to operate from 9 am - 2 pm local time, VHF/UHF
on the PARC repeaters - 146.880, 443.550 and 443.600 - as well as
HF. Those who wish to be a part of this event please email rcupfield
(at) rogers.com.
-- via Richard Upfield, VA3RMU
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Halton County Radial Railway Museum Event
The Mississauga Amateur Radio Club will operate VE3MIS as a special
event station on 22 September, from 1400-2000 UTC, from the Halton
County Radial Railway Museum. SSB Frequencies will be 7.227, 14.240,
21.315, and 28.480 MHz +/- QRM, as propagation permits. Requests for
QSL cards to MARC, c/o Michael Brickell, VE3TKI, 2801 Bucklepost
Crescent, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 1X6 Canada, with an SASE. For more
information visit www.marc.on.ca [139] and click on "HCRR Event".
-- VA3RJ Events Page
4. NTS Newsletter
A new publication has been created by James Wades WB8SIW, called
"QNI". It deals with all aspects of the National Traffic System and
makes for an excellent read. Jim plans on issuing monthly newsletters
and encourages all amateurs to read along and to supply additional
copy on related subjects. The September issue as a PDF file can be
found at tinyurl.com/sep2012qni
-- Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
5. 100 Years of Standardized Radio Prefixes
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the use of ITU callsign
prefixes, special event station PB100PREFIX will be on the air
between October 4th and the 31st. Visit www.pb100prefix.nl [140] for
details.
Following the loss of the Titanic in April 1912 -- call sign MGY,
with "M" meaning the Marconi company -- there was agreement that
there should be international standards for radio communications.
Several international meetings led to the callsign prefix system that
we use today.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for September 22, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Radio Amateur Chris Hadfield VA3OOG to command ISS
The BBC reports that astronaut Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG will be the first Canadian to command the ISS. His big moment will begin when he launches to the station on a Soyuz rocket at the end of this year. For three months, the 52-year-old will serve as a flight engineer in the Expedition 34 crew.
Then, in March 2013, he will assume command of Expedition 35 for three months, before returning to Earth in his Soyuz capsule.
Read the full BBC story at the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-170925462 [143].
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. Ontario Amateurs Represented at POINT Meeting
Representing the new Ontario Provincial Council, Ontario-South Section Manager Ian Snow VA3QT attended the Province of Ontario Interoperability Task Group (POINT) on Sept 18th. POINT is a steering group composed of emergency management stakeholders drawn from Ontario ministries, municipal governments, and professional associations. On Sept 19th Ian was joined by Scott Carter VE3CGN, Ontario SEC at the Canadian Interoperability Technical Investigation Group (CITIG) meeting where presentations were given on progress towards standard operating procedures. The emphasis at this time is on common practices rather than technical specifications for future communication systems.
ONS Section Manager - Ian Snow, VA3QT
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Republic of Kosovo - On The Air!
On September 17th, shortly after 1700z, international and local ops started operating as Z60K from near Pristina, Kosovo on both 20 and 17m SSB. Operators included Emil/9A9A, Bob/MD0CCE, Martti/OH2BH and
Pekka/OH2TA. Local TV recorded the moment live on air. QSL via G3TXF.
-Southgate Amateur Radio News.
4. K3EST RETIRES FROM DIRECTOR OF CQWW DX CONTEST
CQ Magazine has announced that Bob Cox, K3EST, has retired as Director of the CQ World Wide DX Contest and as CQ's Director of Contesting. Cox has been at the helm of the CQ World Wide DX contest for 35 years. During his tenure he guided the competition through numerous changes in technology
and growth to become the world's most popular amateur radio contest. Cox's retirement is effective immediately. A successor has not yet been named. (CQ)
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for September 29, 2012
NATIONAL
1. RAC Bulletin 2012-057E - Distracted Driving Bulletin: Ontario Extends
Exemption (Issued 2012-09-25 )
The Radio Amateurs of Canada are today announcing written confirmation
from Minister Bob Chiarelli of the Ontario Provincial Government
regarding a five year extension of exemption to the Ontario distracted
driving law. In his letter, Minister Chiarelli explains that the
current exemptions for both Amateur Radio and Two Way Commercial
Radios will be extended until January 1st, 2018.
Minister Chiarelli expresses his hope that in that time commercial
hands free alternatives will be found for two way radios. While RAC
finds victory in the five year extension, a permanent solution is
desired and required.
The Radio Amateurs of Canada will continue to pursue a permanent
exemption for Amateur Radio operators in Ontario. Similar exemptions
already exist in many other provincial jurisdictions in Canada -
thanks in part to the efforts of local amateurs and RAC's national
strategy to address distracted driving legislation.
The Radio Amateurs of Canada is Canada's national voice for Amateur
Radio. Our efforts not only promote the Amateur Radio Service but
protect it from regulatory interference that may lead to less
capability to provide emergency communications. Not already a RAC
member? Why not join today at www.rac.ca [134] and find out about the many
benefits our members enjoy across the country and the world beyond.
Bill Gade, VE4WO
Regulatory Affairs
ONTARIO SECTION
2. RAC Simulated Emergency Test
A reminder of the RAC Simulated Emergency Test (SET) to be held October 13-14.
ARES and the National Traffic System (NTS) will participate in and practice
emergency operations plans, nets and procedures.
If you are an ARES member, please join in, if you are not, please give a listen
on your local VHF repeater, or on one of the provincial HF net frequencies to
aquaint yourself with the traffic flow.
RAC Field Organization Leaders may opt to conduct their local or
Section-wide SET on a different date, so check with your local
Section Manager or Emergency Coordinator for the exact date in your
area. Contact information, and more information about the SET, is
posted on the RAC website, www.rac.ca [134].
OTHER
3. Hamilton Hamfest
The Hamilton Amateur Radio Club will hold its annual hamfest on
Saturday, October 13, in the Concession Building at the Ancaster
Fair Grounds 630 Trinity Road, at the south-west corner of highways
52 and 53, just west of Ancaster. General admission at 9 am; talk-in
on VE3NCF repeater, 146.760 (-), 131.8 Hz tone. For more information
visit www.hamiltonarc.ca/activities/harc-hamfest/ [146]
4. Daily MF/HF/6M Propagation Forecasts
Thomas Giella has announced that his NZ4O Medium Frequency, High
Frequency and 6 Meter Radio Wave Propagation Forecast is now
published on a 'daily' basis. It can be found on line at
www.solarcycle24.org [147]. Each new edition will be available at around
1300 UTC.
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for October 6, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
1. 2012 Jamboree on the Air
This year's Jamboree on the Air will be held on October 20 and 21.
Last year's effort saw a 600% increase in reported Scout
participation in the USA -- 3,000-plus American Scouts were a part of
exciting activities and a superb introduction to the fun and
technology of Amateur Radio. For more information visit
www.scouting.org/jota [150] or www.scout.org/jota [151]
-- ARRL Contest Update
2. Montreal South Shore Hamfest
The Montreal South-Shore Amateur Radio Club will hold "the biggest
hamfest in Quebec" on Saturday, October 20, at Place Desaulniers,
1023 Taschereau blvd, Longueuil (10 minutes from downtown Montreal).
General admission at 9 am; talk-in on VE2RSM repeater, 145.390 (-)
103.5 Hz tone. For more information visit www.ve2clm.ca [152] and click
the "Hamfest" link.
-- RAC Events Database
3. Humanitarian Award Nominations Open
Nominations are open for the 2012 ARRL International Humanitarian
Award. This award is conferred upon an amateur or amateurs world-wide
who demonstrate devotion to human welfare, peace and international
understanding through Amateur Radio.
Nominations should include a summary of the actions that qualify the
individual (or individuals) for this award, plus verifying statements
from at least two people having first-hand knowledge of the events
warranting the nomination. All nominations and supporting materials
must be submitted in writing in English to ARRL International
Humanitarian Award, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 USA, no later
than December 31, 2012. For more information see
www.arrl.org/international-humanitarian-award [153]
-- ARRL Web
4. IARU Region 2 Newsletter
The September 2012 issue of the IARU Electronic Newsletter is now
available for download. It's a 160 Kbyte PDF file, which you can
find at tinyurl.com/iaru0912
-- IARU News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for October 13, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. NARED database update
RAC is developing a new database for ARES/EmComm personnel. We are
requesting that Section Managers ask their Emergency Co-ordinators to
provide a list of their ARES members. The only information required
is a name and call sign. In response to concerns, this information
will be kept confidential and will not be placed in a database.
Also, we ask each group to estimate how much growth they anticipate
each year. Please send responses by email to racnared (at)
gmail.com by November 15. Questions can be sent to that address.
-- Pat Barrett, VE3RNH, NARED Manager
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Trans-Canada Highway Special Event
From October 27 to November 25, special event callsign XL3A
will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Trans-Canada Highway.
QSL via VA3RVK.
-- RAC Special Events Database
3. Space Station Deploys Five CubeSats
Five research CubeSats with Amateur Radio communication systems
were successfully deployed from the International Space Station
on October 4th.
TechEdSat will send AX.25 packet telemetry at 437.465 MHz. The
TechEdSat team is asking for assistance from amateurs in decoding and
relaying data. Follow the mission online at twitter.com/TechEdSat
F-1 will send telemetry at 145.980 and 437.485 MHz using 1200-baud
packet and CW. Amateurs are asked to monitor and submit reports. For
information visit fspace.edu.vn
Also, FITSAT-1 will transmit telemetry on 437.445 MHz and 5.84 GHz.
WE WISH will send CW telemetry and occasional SSTV at 437.505 MHz.
And RAIKO will transmit high-speed data at 2.2 and 13 GHz.
-- ARRL Web
4. Ham Info Toolbar
John, G0DPC offers a free Ham Radio and SWL Toolbar for your web
browser at www.haminfobar.co.uk [156]. It's available for Windows, Mac,
and Linux systems using either the Safari, Internet Explorer,
Firefox, or Chrome browser.
-- AMSAT News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for October 20, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
1. Collingwood Net Resumes
After a summer hiatus, the Collingwood Amateur Radio Club has resumed
its weekly two metre net, every Thursday at 7 pm, on the VA3ROG
(Blue Mountain) repeater, 145.37 (-), 156.7 Hz tone. All are welcome
to check in. The club has also resumed its monthly meetings, second
Tuesday of the month at 7 pm, at the Collingwood Town Hall.
-- Helena Short VE3GFS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. 30 Meter Multi Mode Weekend
On October 27 and 28, the 30 Meter Digital Group (30MDG) will
celebrate its 5th anniversary with a "30 Meter Multi Mode Weekend"
event. The objective is to promote the use of different digital
modes on the unique 30 Meter Band. It's not a contest; there are no
exchanges, log submissions, or trophies. For more information visit
www.30mdg.net/news.html [159]
-- Don KB9UMT, via Paul Caccamo VA3PC
3. York Region Hamfest
The York Region Amateur Radio Club will hold its 36th hamfest on
Saturday, November 3, at the Markham Fair Grounds, at the northeast
corner of McCowan Road and Elgin Mills Road (10801 McGowan Road) in
Markham. General admission at 9 am; talk-in on VE3YRA repeater,
145.350 (-). For more information visit www.yrarc.ca [160]
-- RAC Events Database
4. CQ seeks WPX Contest Director
The appointment of Randy Thompson, K5ZD, as director of the CQ World
Wide DX Contest has created an opening for director of the CQ WPX
Contest. Interested contesters are invited to apply. You must be an
experienced contester with particular knowledge of the WPX Contest,
must be a proven administrator, able to work well with other people
and to meet deadlines for submitting material for publication in CQ.
For more information visit tinyurl.com/cqwpx110
-- CQ News Service
5. Accessible Emergency Preparedness Info
The Northeast Texas Public Health District has compiled 18 Emergency
Preparedness Topics and formatted the information to be friendly to
deaf, blind, and limited sight populations. The information is in
video and downloadable document format for public use, at no charge.
Find it at www.accessibleemergencyinfo.com [161]
-- Handi-Ham News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for October 27, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Hurricane Sandy Update
As of Saturday morning Hurricane Sandy is projected to make landfall
on the U.S. East Coast, and Environment Canada forecasts that it will
impact parts of Eastern Canada. Amateurs are asked to keep the
frequencies of the Hurricane Watch Net clear: 14.325 MHz, 7.268 MHz,
and 3.950 MHz.
-- RAC Bulletin Service and hwn.org
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
2. GTA Section Appointments
For the new Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Section, Rick Harrison VA3NV
has been named Section Emergency Coordinator. Rick has previously
served as EC for Oakville and DEC for GTA West, has extensive
experience in Marine Search and Rescue, and was a founding member and
leader of the Halton Region Emergency Communications Team.
Also, Ray Chow, VE3ZXC, has been named Club Coordinator. Ray is the
administrator of the GTA Presidents' Council, and holds executive
positions with the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club and with the
Toronto FM Communications Society. His job is to ensure that the
voice of local amateur radio clubs is heard by our national
organization.
Please join me in welcoming Rick and Ray, and support them in these
important assignments.
-- George Duffield, VE3WKJ, CEC, GTA Section Manager
3. Huron Challenge
On October 16-18, ARES volunteers participated in the Huron Challenge
exercise, "Trillium Resolve", a week-long simulated emergency
involving federal and provincial agencies, Bruce Power, and
municipalities from several counties. The scenario included multiple
tornadoes striking towns and the Bruce Power plant, causing
widespread power and communications failures.
Ten hams from Bruce and Grey counties activated amateur-radio-
equipped EOCs in Kincardine, Walkerton, and West Grey, and set up
portable stations in Southampton, Goderich, Tiverton, and
Flesherton. VA3EMO in the provincial EOC in Toronto was also staffed
for the event.
-- Brad Rodriguez, VE3RHJ, DEC Bruce District
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Youth HF Station Giveaway
On January 1st, 2013, Amateur Radio Supplies of Haverhill,
Massachusetts will give a complete HF station to a young amateur,
to promote youth in amateur radio DXing and contesting.
Applicants from any country under the age of 21 are invited
to provide brief answers to the following three questions.
1. How often are you able to operate on the HF bands?
2. Where (what QTH) do you typically operate from?
3. How do you intend to use the equipment provided?
Apply online at www.amateurradiosupplies.com/youth-s/222.htm [164].
Nominations will also be accepted.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
5. Introduction to Satellite Tracking
A 3-Part Video Series, "Introduction to satellite tracking and
listening" is available from the Southgate ARC site. This video
covers the basics of satellite tracking using the free Orbitron
software. Visit tinyurl.com/3PartSatelliteTrackingVideo
-- AMSAT News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for November 3, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. VE3AJB Receives Accolade
Former Ontario Section Manager, and current Ontario North Section
Manager Al Boyd VE3AJB has been recognized with an OPP Accolade
award. This award recognizes an individual whose actions and
behaviours demonstrate and/or exceed commitment to the OPP and their
communities.
Boyd joined the OPP in 1981, and currently holds the position of
community service officer for Manitoulin detachment, North East
Region. Our congratulations to Al !
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. OPN Seeks Net Controller
The Ontario Phone Net is looking for a net control operator for the
Saturday net. The net starts at 1900 Eastern Time, on 3745 kHz.
If you would like to help out, please contact Shawn VE3PSV on the
Ontario Phone Net, or via NTS message.
-- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, acting net manager
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Kingston Hamfest
The Kingston Amateur Radio Club will hold its annual hamfest on
Saturday, November 17, at the Military Communications & Electronics
Museum, 95 Craftsman Blvd., in Kingston. General admission at 9
a.m.; talk-in on VE3KBR repeater, 146.94 (-), 154 Hz tone. This
event is co-sponsored by the museum, and the museum will be open.
For more information visit www.ve3kbr.com [167]
-- RAC Events Database
4. GRE quits the scanner business but Alinco not affected.
GRE, the radio manufacturer which also represents Alinco
in the United States, has ceased all manufacturing of
scanner radios. The good news is that Alinco product sales
and service will continue.
The news was a bit of a shock to the GRE group in Belmont,
California where word from Japan earlier this month that GRE
personnel in Asia and the United States were being dismissed
and scanner operations were being discontinued. The Belmont
office will stay open for sales and service of the Alinco product line.
(Amateur Radio Newsline)
5. Canadian AM Stations Leaving the Air
More AM stations are leaving the medium wave AM broadcast
band in Canada than are coming on the air, according to
the trade publication Radio World. It says since 2009,
some sixteen Canadian AM broadcasters have gone
off the air, several have moved to the FM band and
companies have closed the least profitable stations.
A quick search of the Canadian Radio-Television and
Telecommunications Commission site shows 727 remaining
commercially licensed radio stations, not broken down by service.
(trade publication Radio World)
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for November 10, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
1. Ontario North Section Appointments
The following appointments in Ontario North Section Field Services
are effective November 1st:
Dave Hayes, VE3JX, of Sault Ste. Marie, is Section Emergency
Coordinator. Dave was a former EC for the City of Sault Ste. Marie
and the DEC for Albany District, and recently sat as a board member
on the section restructuring advisory committee.
Paul Caccamo, VA3PC, of Callander (just south of North Bay) is
Official Bulletin Manager. Paul is the DEC for the Magnetawan and
North Bay District and has been an Official Bulletin Station for many
years.
Pat Dopson, VE3HZQ, of Sudbury, is Section Traffic Manager. Pat was
a former EC for the City of Sudbury and active member of both the
Sudbury and Manitoulin Amateur Radio Clubs, and is very experienced
with CW and Traffic Handling.
Please join me in welcoming these gentlemen to their new positions.
-- Allan Boyd, VE3AJB, Ontario North Section Manager
2. New DEC for Loyalist District
Effective September 1st, George Williams, VE3SIQ has been appointed
the new DEC for the Loyalist ARES District. George has been
licensed since 1989, Advanced and 5 wpm CW, and previously served as
EC for Frontenac ARES from 2008 to 2011. We thank him for accepting
this important position and we wish him every success. George can
count on the support of Scott Carter as the SEC and of me as Section
Manager.
George replaces Bill Milligan, VA3WOW who has been the Loyalist DEC
for the past 10 years, Bill has stepped down for personal reasons.
Everyone in the District and at the Section level thanks him very
much for his years of valued service and dedication, and we wish him
well.
-- Michael Hickey, VE3IPC, Ontario East Section Manager
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. CK3B Special Event
From November 28 to December 28, special event call sign CK3B
will commemorate 50 years of Conservation by the Nature Conservancy
of Canada. QSL via VE3JPP.
-- RAC Special Events Database
4. Winlink saves Bounty crew
On Monday, October 29, during Hurricane Sandy, a replica of the HMS
Bounty -- built for the 1962 film Mutiny on the Bounty -- sank off
the coast of North Carolina. Ship's electrician Doug Faunt, N6TQS,
reported that calls for help by satellite phone, HF radio, and the
Maritime Mobile Net went unheeded. But with the ship's Winlink
amateur rig they were able to email the U.S. Coast Guard for help.
As a result, 14 of the 16 crew were rescued.
Sadly, ship's captain Robin Walbridge, KD4OHZ, did not make it to a
life raft, and is presumed dead.
-- ARRL Web, via Paul VA3PC
5. Hams Respond to Sandy
Even though Hurricane Sandy was declared a post-tropical cyclone by
the time it made its final landfall, the storm still had winds in
excess of 80 miles per hour. Hams from the Carolinas to Maine
responded to requests for assistance and activated local nets,
supported the Hurricane Watch Net's and the VoIP Hurricane Net's
operations, assisted their local and state Emergency Operations
Centers and provided assistance at shelters and wherever needed.
For the full story, visit tinyurl.com/arrlsandy
-- ARRL Web
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for November 17, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. VE3KZ appointed to Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Robert Nash VE3KZ of Milton, ON, who has been
appointed to the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. The
appointment recognizes an amateur for outstanding achievement for
sustained service to amateur radio in Canada, or amateur radio at
large. Bob will be presented with this award in Toronto in early
2013, at which time a more detailed summary of his contributions to
amateur radio will be published in The Canadian Amateur magazine.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
2. Frontenac "Sandy" Report
On Monday, October 29, the Frontenac EmComm group activated for
Hurricane Sandy. The evening before, the ARES EC in Watertown NY
checked in to our net to coordinate plans, and an email was sent out
to our members. A listening watch began at 0800 local Monday on
VE3FRG, VE3KBR, and Watertown repeaters, and the National Hurricane
Center HF frequencies. A digital network was also set up. All of
this was reported to the county CEMC. Winds in Frontenac County
peaked at 86 km/hour, and when it was clear that worst weather had
passed, the group shut down at 2200 local. Our thanks to all who
participated, and stood by ready to assist.
-- via Bill Nangle VE3CLQ
3. Prince Edward "Sandy" Report
On October 29, Prince Edward County ARES had eight members with
backup power standing by: two HF/VHF home stations for relay, and
five mobiles. The Belleville Red Cross station was jointly staffed
by Hastings and Prince Edward ARES, and had three operators standing
by from early Monday. ARES EC Doug Monk, VE3ZDG, contacted Prince
Edward County officials to notify them of our status. ARES members
remained active from 2000 local time Monday to 0800 Tuesday.
-- via Doug Monk, VE3ZDG
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Weather Transmitter Wanted in Minden
The Minden Amateur Radio Club is lobbying for an Environment Canada
weather station to be installed in the Minden area. Club President
Dorian Young, VE3YBG, says that there have been two weather
emergencies in the past few years -- a massive snowstorm and a wind
storm -- and "with Minden hosting the Pan Am Games in 2015 it would
be a wonderful addition to have a weather transmitter in the area."
Since the Algonquin Park weather radio went off the air, Minden's
closest transmitter is in Orillia. Addressing the club via
conference call, Denis Paquette of Environment Canada said it
typically takes two years to find a location and install a new
transmitter. Visit tinyurl.com/minden-weather-radio for more.
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
5. PRISM available for Amateur Radio AX.25 Packet
The Japanese PRISM satellite has been opened up for use by radio
amateurs. The satellite was built by the University of Tokyo and
launched on January 23, 2009 into a 660 by 670 km orbit. It uses
AX.25 packet radio and can now be used by amateur radio operators as
a store-and-forward message box. For more information, visit
tinyurl.com/ax25prism
-- Southgate ARC News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for November 24, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. IRLP/EchoLink Weather Net
The Weather Radio Listeners Newsletter Net meets every Saturday night
starting at 7 pm Eastern Time on IRLP Reflector 9034, and if you have
a computer, Echolink node 223557. It is hosted by Gordon Maybee,
VA3WXA, and has information about Weather Radio and also CANWARN.
We hope to make this a Cross Canada Net to include all provinces and
Territories. We are looking for Québec stations as we do not yet
have anyone checking in from there. For more information go to
www.maritimeamateur.ca [174] and click on CANWARN, then click on CANWARN
News.
-- Jim Langille VE1JBL
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
2. Lanark "Sandy" Report
The Lanark North Leeds (LNL) ARES group members on October 29th were
advised by EC VE3BSB and VE3UIX about which repeaters had standby
power when looming tropical storm Sandy was about. Though they were
not called upon, this info serves for future needs. Norm VE3VY had
Winmor available and was in contact with Kingston ARC hams that were
on standby.
-- via Norm VE3VY
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Radio Welcomers Needed
Have a little spare time? I am looking for someone to help create
and send "welcome to the hobby" radiograms to new amateurs. You'll
need to place several small programs and one database in a folder on
your computer. Then, every few weeks, you download the callsign
database from Industry Canada, "unzip" it, and run a program that
tells you the new callsigns. Then get the name, address, and phone
number online, and create a radiogram using whatever program works
best for you.
If you are interested in helping out, and gaining valuable practice
in formatting message traffic, email ve3gna (at) rac (dot) ca.
-- Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
4. WWVB Broadcast Format Change
As of October 29, Radio Station WWVB has been broadcasting a phase
modulation (PM) time code. The new signal provides improved
performance in new products that are designed to receive it.
Existing radio-controlled clocks and watches will not be affected by
the new broadcast protocol, and will continue to work as before.
A few clocks that used information from the carrier -- specifically
the Spectracom NetClock and receivers manufactured by True Time
during the 1970s and 1980s -- will no longer be able to read the time
code and will be obsolete. For more information, visit
tinyurl.com/new-wwvb
-- Amateur Radio Newsline and WWVB
5. Good Amateur Radio Operating Practices
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has made available a
leaflet on good amateur radio operating practices. You can download
the PDF file at tinyurl.com/5ragel4 (Five Romeo Alpha Golf Echo Lima
Four)
-- Southgate ARC News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for December 1, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Weather Radio Net new reflector
The Weather Radio Listeners Newsletter net will switch IRLP
reflectors as of Saturday December 8th. The net has moved back one
hour to 7:00 PM ET and it will switch to IRLP reflector 9038. This is
due to a demand for Echolink check-ins and this should also help to
expand the scope of the net. For more information or to sign up for
the newsletter mailing list, email blindgordie (at) gmail.com.
-- Gord Maybee VA3WXA
2. VO1DTM Email Change
RAC's Chief Field Services Officer, Doug Mercer VO1DTM, advises that
he has closed his vo1dtm (at) hotmail.com email account. If you sent
an email which went unanswered, that may be why. If you need to
reach him, please use his contact info on page 4 of The Canadian
Amateur, or email vo1dtm (at) rac.ca or dougvo1dtm (at) gmail.com.
-- Doug Mercer VO1DTM
3. Ontartio North/East Director Acclaimed
Congratulations are extended to Mr. Bill Unger, VE3XT who was
recently acclaimed as the RAC Director for Ontario North East. Mr.
Unger ran unopposed, eliminating the need for a balloted election.
His term as Director will be for two years starting January 1, 2013
and ending on December 31, 2014.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
4. OPN Seeks Net Controllers
The Ontario Phone Net is looking for net control operators for the
Friday and Saturday nets. The net starts at 1900 Eastern Time, on
3745 kHz. If you would like to help out, please contact Shawn VE3PSV
on the Ontario Phone Net, or via NTS message.
-- Shawn Gartley, VE3PSV, acting net manager
5. Ontario-South Section Webmaster Needed.
A webmaster is needed to manage a new Ontario-South Section website
that will be hosted on the new RAC server but will be under the
direct control of the Ontario-South Section Manager. The site will
be open to the general public and its design and content will be
influenced as much by Section club and association needs as those of
the Section management team and Field Service operations. If you
feel you have the necessary skills to develop this website, and are
prepared to accept the challenge of designing a website 'from the
ground up', please contact Section Manager Ian Snow at
va3qt (at) rac.ca.
-- Ian Snow VA3QT
ITEMS OF INTEREST
6. Doomsday Special Event
According to one of the three Mayan Calendars, the End of the world
will occur on December 21, 2012. To celebrate this once in a
lifetime event, Special Event Station N0D (Now Zero Days) will be
activated for three days during and possibly after the end of the
world. December 20; is a celebration of the end of the world.
December 21, the day of destruction, we will be on the air as long as
possible. December 22...that is a little iffy right now.
Amateur radio stations around the crumbling globe are invited to
contact N0D, who will be operating from a secret undisclosed
location. QSL with SASE to the address in qrz.com. If Doomsday
actually does happen, we regret that a QSL will not be possible so
hold on to your SASE until the 22nd at least. For more information
visit www.nowzerodays.com [177]
-- AMSAT News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for December 8, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Diamond Jubilee Special Prefix
From December 29 to December 30, Canadian amateurs have been
authorized to use special prefixes in commemoration of the Diamond
Jubilee Year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Use CF for VA, CG
for VE, CH for VO, and CI for VY.
-- RAC Special Events Database
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
2. Toronto ARES D-Star Net
The Toronto ARES D-Star net is Tuesday night at 8:30pm, using the
XRF005A reflector on VE3RPT 145.250MHz (-) and VA3PMO 444.250MHz (+)
in Toronto, and linked to other repeaters across Canada and the USA.
The purpose of this net is to promote and exercise the Mutual Aid
Program between the ARES and EmComm Groups in the Greater Toronto
Area and to distribute club activity news of interest to all net
particpants. The XRF005A reflector is located at the Grand River
Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario.
-- Ralph Muecke VE3VXY, via George Duffield VE3WKJ
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. GLETN Time Change
Effective November 30, due to band conditions, the Great Lakes
Emergency and Traffic Net will hold its pre-net at 7:30 pm, and the
main net at 8:00 pm, Eastern Time. GLETN meets on 3.932 MHz, 365
nights a year. All amateurs are welcome.
-- Grant K8VFZ, via Shawn VE3PSV
4. Morse Telegraph in Spielberg's "Lincoln"
Members of the Morse Telegraph Club played an important role in the
production of Steven Spielberg's film "Lincoln." Several members
provided period telegraph instruments and technical advice. With
their help, nine of the sixteen telegraph positions depicted in the
War Department were fully operational.
The Morse Telegraph Club was founded in 1943 to perpetuate the
knowledge, history and traditions of telegraphy. Chapters are located
throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, visit
www.morsetelegraphclub.org [180]
-- RAC Bulletin Service
5. NTS Training Scripts
K.C. Richey, KD8LZB, has taken time to develop five brief training
scripts on the mysteries of NTS and traffic handling. They are short
enough to be incorporated into local VHF and HF net time periods.
You can find them online at at tinyurl.com/nts-scripts as well as on
the Radiograms Yahoo group page for members.
-- Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for December 15, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Club Liability Insurance
Affiliated Clubs are reminded that their current Liability Insurance
expires 31 Dec 2012 and it must be renewed BEFORE 31 Dec 2012. TIME
IS RUNNING OUT. It is the club's responsibility to complete the
necessary forms and have them processed to ensure continuation of
their Liability Insurance. With offices being closed during the
holiday season your immediate attention is required.
-- G Linda Friars, VE9GLF, RAC Insurance Program Administrator
2. RAC Canada Winter Contest
The 2012 RAC Canada Winter Contest will run from 0000 to 2359 UTC on
December 29, CW and phone, on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2
metres. The object is to work as many Canadian stations as possible.
Stations in Canada send RS(T) and province or territory. VE0s and
stations outside Canada send RS(T) and a serial number. For more
information download the PDF file at tinyurl.com/racwinter2012
-- RAC web page
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. Straight Key Night on OSCAR
You are cordially invited to participate in Straight Key Night on
OSCAR 2013, conducted by AMSAT for all radio amateurs throughout the
world. This year's event is dedicated to the memory of John Thompson,
W1BIH/PJ9JT, who passed away in 2012.
SKN on OSCAR is simple and informal. Just operate CW through one or
more satellites on 1 January 2013 (0000 to 2400 UTC), using a
straight hand key. You need not send in a log, but all participants
are encouraged to nominate someone they worked for Best Fist.
-- AMSAT News
4. Logbook of the World Updates
The ARRL has created a new informational page to issue daily status
updates and information of interest to the Logbook of The World
(LoTW) user community. These updates will include planned downtime
and changes that will impact LoTW operations. In addition, LoTW's
processing queue is now updated hourly, telling how many logs and
QSOs have been uploaded to the LoTW system and are awaiting
processing. New hardware that will improve LoTW's throughput is on
order and is expected to be running in six to eight weeks.
-- ARRL Web
5. Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning
The web site www.arhab.org [183] is "the premier site for near space
explorers and enthusiasts dedicated to the education and study of
aerospace science via Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning." Click
the "missions" link for a listing of recent and upcoming balloon
flights.
- AMSAT News
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for December 22, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Section Manager election results
Congratulations to Craig Seaboyer VE1DSS who was recently elected
Section Manager for the Maritimes for the balance of a two year term
that commenced March 1, 2012. He ran unopposed eliminating the need
for a balloted election.
-- Doug Mercer CEC VO1DTM/VO1DM, Chief Field Services Officer
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
2. Toronto D-Star Net Update
The Toronto ARES D-Star Net has moved from reflector XRF005A to
XRF005B, and has added a 1.2 GHz repeater.
This net meets every Tuesday night at 8:30pm EST, using the XRF005B
reflector on VE3RPT 145.250MHz (-), VA3PMO 444.250MHz (+), and VE3YYZ
1287.500Mhz (-) in Toronto, and linked to other repeaters across
Canada and the USA. The XRF005B reflector is located at the Grand
River Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario.
-- Ralph Muecke VE3VXY, via George Duffield VE3WKJ
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. FreeDV Ham Radio Digital Voice Software
FreeDV is an application for Windows and Linux that allows any HF SSB
radio to be used for digital voice mode with a bandwidth of just 1.1
kHz. Speech is compressed down to 1400 bit/s then modulated onto a
1100 Hz wide QPSK signal which is sent to the Mic input of a SSB
radio. On receive, the signal is received by the SSB radio, then
demodulated and decoded by FreeDV.
You can see a demonstration of FreeDV at tinyurl.com/freedv-video.
Download the free program at www.freedv.org [186]
-- AMSAT News
4. Maritime Amateur Website
The Maritime Amateur website was launched in March 2008 with the
purpose of sharing information among radio amateurs in Nova Scotia,
New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Now in its fifth year, it
has had over 43 thousand hits and has a membership of over 110 hams.
Check it out at www.maritimeamateur.ca [174].
-- Amateur Radio Newsline
RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for December 29, 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
1. Distracted Driving Update
RAC is pleased to inform Ontario hams that Ontario Regulation 253/12
has amended the amateur radio exemption sections of former Ontario
Regulation 366/09. This extends the amateur radio exemption for
hand-held devices until January 1, 2018.
RAC will continue to pursue a permanent exemption for Amateur Radio
operators in Ontario, similar to those in many other provinces.
Meanwhile, we recommend that you carry a copy of your certificate and
a copy of the exemption in your vehicle. You can find it at
tinyurl.com/ont2013rac.
-- RAC Bulletin Service
2. Changes in the Contraventions Regulations
There has been an announcement in the Canada Gazette as to changes
in the Contraventions Regulations concerning the enforcement of the
Radiocommunication Regulations.
These changes will allow peace officers including Municipal,
Provincial and RCMP police officers to issue tickets for certain
offences under the Radiocommunication Regulations.
The changes may be seen at: tinyurl.com/cz49jx5 (Charlie Zulu Four
Nine Juliet Xray Five)
-- Bill Gade, VE4WO, Regulatory Affairs
ONTARIO SECTIONS NEWS
3. NTS Routing to/from Ontario
For the past two years, due to de-activation of the Eastern Canadian
Regional Net (ECN), traffic to and from the Eastern Canadian
provinces has been routed through the Second Region Net. Effective
January 1, 2013 this will change.
Until Eastern Canada re-establishes a regional net, traffic to
Eastern Canada should be routed via the NTS Digital Network (NTSD).
Sections with digital liaisons should route this traffic through
their digital reps.
Any Canadian stations in the eastern provinces may check into any net
with their outgoing traffic.
-- Marcia Forde KW1U, Eastern Area NTS Chair
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. GLETN Time Change Update
Effective immediately, the Great Lakes Emergency and Traffic Net is
holding its main net at 7:30 pm, Eastern Time. There is a "post-net"
afterwards, at 8 pm. GLETN meets on 3.932 MHz, 365 nights a year.
All amateurs are welcome.
-- Grant K8VFZ, via Shawn VE3PSV
5. VE3COLD Special Event
From 1700 UTC Saturday January 26, through 1700 UTC Sunday January
27, special event station VE3COLD will operate for the Society for
the Preservation of Amateur Radio Winter Field Day. The plan is to
operate indoors at an agricultural research farm, on all contest
bands 160m through 6m. QSL via VE3ZUP. For more information search
VE3COLD at qrz.com.
-- RAC Special Events Database and qrz.com
6. Contesting News Website to Shut Down
After five years, the contesting news website radio-sport.net is
closing. In a posting on the site, founder Jamie Dupree, NS3T, said
increasing demands at work and at home were keeping him from having
enough time to devote to running the web site.
-- CQ News Service
Links
[1] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/739%23comment-form
[2] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/739%23comment-form
[3] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/category/info/nbarc
[4] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/category/info/rac-bulletins
[5] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/category/info/radio-maintenance
[6] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/category/info/station-info
[7] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/790%23comment-form
[8] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/790%23comment-form
[9] http://www.radio-1.ca
[10] http://www.rac.ca/fieldorg/fsd251r.htm
[11] http://www.sstv-handbook.com
[12] http://www.amsat-f.org
[13] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/791%23comment-form
[14] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/791%23comment-form
[15] http://www.vp6t.org
[16] http://www.nparc.on.ca/bigevent
[17] http://www.arvn.tv
[18] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/793%23comment-form
[19] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/793%23comment-form
[20] mailto:vo1prb@rac.ca
[21] http://www.orcadxcc.org/bcqp.html
[22] http://www.emcomm.org/thc/scoreboard.htm
[23] http://www.contestuniversity.com
[24] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/798%23comment-form
[25] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/798%23comment-form
[26] http://www.farweb.org
[27] http://www.dk3wn.info/files/rs39.zip
[28] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/799%23comment-form
[29] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/799%23comment-form
[30] http://www.barc.ca
[31] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/806%23comment-form
[32] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/806%23comment-form
[33] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/809%23comment-form
[34] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/809%23comment-form
[35] http://www.lcarc.ca
[36] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/808%23comment-form
[37] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/808%23comment-form
[38] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/807%23comment-form
[39] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/807%23comment-form
[40] http://www.ham-ex.ca
[41] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/814%23comment-form
[42] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/814%23comment-form
[43] http://www.arnewsline.org/yhoty
[44] http://www.arrl.org/fieldday
[45] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/823%23comment-form
[46] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/823%23comment-form
[47] http://www.irlp.net
[48] http://www.irlptopics.net
[49] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/824%23comment-form
[50] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/824%23comment-form
[51] http://www.2o12L.com
[52] http://www.2o12W.com
[53] http://www.lwca.org
[54] http://www.qsl.net/n5lf/cw-nts.html
[55] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/825%23comment-form
[56] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/825%23comment-form
[57] http://www.gb100mgy-fortperchrock.co.uk
[58] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/833%23comment-form
[59] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/833%23comment-form
[60] http://www.va3cco.com/oqp
[61] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/832%23comment-form
[62] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/832%23comment-form
[63] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/838%23comment-form
[64] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/838%23comment-form
[65] http://www.ve2cbs.qc.ca
[66] http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
[67] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/840%23comment-form
[68] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/840%23comment-form
[69] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/846%23comment-form
[70] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/846%23comment-form
[71] http://www.arrl.org/bailing-out-a-radio-club
[72] http://www.rsgb.org/posters
[73] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/852%23comment-form
[74] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/852%23comment-form
[75] http://www.nj2bb.org/museum
[76] http://www.lcwo.net
[77] http://www.circuitlab.com
[78] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/861%23comment-form
[79] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/861%23comment-form
[80] http://www.rac.ca/en/news/bulletins/2012/26
[81] http://www.hamfest.on.ca
[82] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/862%23comment-form
[83] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/862%23comment-form
[84] http://www.kd2sl.com
[85] http://www.amsatnet.com/fd2012.pdf
[86] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/863%23comment-form
[87] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/863%23comment-form
[88] http://www.arrl.org/field-day
[89] http://www.sskeewatin.com
[90] http://www.ve7bar.org
[91] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/921%23comment-form
[92] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/921%23comment-form
[93] http://www.arrl.org/too-old-for-contesting
[94] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/922%23comment-form
[95] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/922%23comment-form
[96] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/923%23comment-form
[97] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/923%23comment-form
[98] http://www.arrl.org/iaru-hf-championship
[99] http://www.wrth.com
[100] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/924%23comment-form
[101] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/924%23comment-form
[102] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/925%23comment-form
[103] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/925%23comment-form
[104] http://www.cy9m.com
[105] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/926%23comment-form
[106] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/926%23comment-form
[107] http://www.repeaterbook.com
[108] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/927%23comment-form
[109] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/927%23comment-form
[110] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/928%23comment-form
[111] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/928%23comment-form
[112] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/929%23comment-form
[113] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/929%23comment-form
[114] http://www.illw.net
[115] http://www.icanworkthisthing.com
[116] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/930%23comment-form
[117] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/930%23comment-form
[118] http://www.ontarioswapshop.com
[119] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/939%23comment-form
[120] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/939%23comment-form
[121] http://www.cwops.org/cwopen.html
[122] http://www.va3cta.net
[123] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/938%23comment-form
[124] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/938%23comment-form
[125] http://www.oarc.net/fleamarket
[126] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/937%23comment-form
[127] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/937%23comment-form
[128] http://www.tfmcs.org
[129] http://www.arrl.org/logs-received
[130] http://www.b4h.net
[131] http://www.arrl.org/lightning-protection
[132] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/956%23comment-form
[133] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/956%23comment-form
[134] http://www.rac.ca
[135] http://www.larc.ca
[136] http://www.on44clm.be
[137] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/957%23comment-form
[138] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/957%23comment-form
[139] http://www.marc.on.ca
[140] http://www.pb100prefix.nl
[141] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/958%23comment-form
[142] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/958%23comment-form
[143] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-170925462
[144] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/959%23comment-form
[145] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/959%23comment-form
[146] http://www.hamiltonarc.ca/activities/harc-hamfest/
[147] http://www.solarcycle24.org
[148] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/960%23comment-form
[149] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/960%23comment-form
[150] http://www.scouting.org/jota
[151] http://www.scout.org/jota
[152] http://www.ve2clm.ca
[153] http://www.arrl.org/international-humanitarian-award
[154] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/961%23comment-form
[155] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/961%23comment-form
[156] http://www.haminfobar.co.uk
[157] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/962%23comment-form
[158] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/962%23comment-form
[159] http://www.30mdg.net/news.html
[160] http://www.yrarc.ca
[161] http://www.accessibleemergencyinfo.com
[162] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1001%23comment-form
[163] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1001%23comment-form
[164] http://www.amateurradiosupplies.com/youth-s/222.htm
[165] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1002%23comment-form
[166] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1002%23comment-form
[167] http://www.ve3kbr.com
[168] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1003%23comment-form
[169] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1003%23comment-form
[170] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1004%23comment-form
[171] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1004%23comment-form
[172] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1005%23comment-form
[173] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1005%23comment-form
[174] http://www.maritimeamateur.ca
[175] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1006%23comment-form
[176] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1006%23comment-form
[177] http://www.nowzerodays.com
[178] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1007%23comment-form
[179] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1007%23comment-form
[180] http://www.morsetelegraphclub.org
[181] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1008%23comment-form
[182] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1008%23comment-form
[183] http://www.arhab.org
[184] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1009%23comment-form
[185] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1009%23comment-form
[186] http://www.freedv.org
[187] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/login?destination=comment/reply/1010%23comment-form
[188] http://www.ve3nbc.ca/user/register?destination=comment/reply/1010%23comment-form