Industry Canada releases analysis of comments received on the Morse requirement (Feb. 21 2005) Industry Canada has published their analysis of the comments received in response to their Consultation on "Recommendations from Radio Amateurs of Canada to Industry Canada Concerning Morse Code and Related Matters") According to Industry Canada, their analysis shows that there is overwhelming agreement that Canada should move away from having a Morse code requirement as the sole means of gaining access to the amateur spectrum below 30 MHz. There were 123 comments in favour of relaxed code requirements and only 19 that were clearly opposed. The remaining six comments were either neutral or did not address that issue. Details of the analysis can be found on the Industry Canada web site at: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf08280e.html or on this web site at: http://www.rac.ca/downloads/200502_ic_response_morse_e.pdf The French language versions can be found at: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/fr/sf08280f.html and http://www.rac.ca/downloads/200502_ic_response_morse_f.pdf The Department will now formulate a plan to implement the changes that have emerged from this consultation process. The results will be published in a revision to Radiocommunication Information Circular 2, Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service (RIC-2), and a notice to that effect will appear in the Canada Gazette at that time. (RAC News Service)
Report on National Antenna Tower Policy Review Released by Industry Canada (Feb. 21 2005) Industry Canada has announced the release of the Report on the National Antenna Tower Policy Review . This review was led by Professor David A. Townsend, Professor of Law at the University of New Brunswick, with the support and assistance of the National Antenna Tower Review Advisory Committee. RAC contributed to the study directly and through the Radio Advisory Board of Canada. The objective of the consultation was to examine possible improvements to Industry Canada's existing antenna tower siting policies and approval procedures. The department received Professor Townsend's Report on the National Antenna Tower Policy Review on December 6, 2004, and is currently reviewing its findings and recommendations. The annopuncement cn be found on the Industry Canada web site in English at: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf05353e.html and in French at: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/fr/sf05353f.html copies of the report are available for download from this web site by clicking here. http://www.rac.ca/downloads/200502_ic_antenna_report-e.pdf The report contains 34 recommendations to Industry Canada, but only one specifically mentions the amateur radio service. Recommendation 19: That Industry Canada should ensure that a flexible and expeditious land-use consultation model is available for the establishment and operation of radio stations (such as amateur stations) likely to have only a modest and localized impact upon their surroundings. This model should set out both the rights and obligations of antenna proponents seeking antenna approvals from land-use authorities. Several other recommendations may turn out to be important to amateurs who will be dealing with local land use authorities. In particular, Recommendations 1 to 13 as well as 25, 28 and 34, should be read carefully. Of course we will have to wait and see what action Industry Canada decides to take in response to the recommendations. (RAC News Service)
Later with connections to Georgian College meetings began at the College. In 1982 with the help of 10 of the active members the organization was incorporated. The Club now meets at Zehrs community room 472 Bayfield St. and provides service to the community and amateurs of central Ontario. Mission Statement: To develop and foster an interest in amateur radio in our community. To develop an independent network of people and facilities to promote public safety and assist in times of disaster. To provide a forum for Amateurs to congregate and exchange ideas and information. Meetings: The Club meets the second Tuesday of every month ( except December ) 7:00 p.m. at Zehrs Community Room, Big Bay Point Road at Yonge Street. On the Southwest corner of Yonge & Big Bay Point Road. For more information about the Barrie Club visit: www.barriearc.com
Hart House Amateur Radio Club at the University of Toronto
The Hart House Amateur Radio Club aims to provide an environment that allows its members to learn more about this hobby by interacting with one another and through the use of our radio shack. People of all abilities are welcome to join, and courses will be provided to introduce the basics. Our club is reasonably well-equipped. We have a number of antennas on the roof of Hart House. Some of these are for distance communication using short-wave radio frequencies. Amateur radio is regulated by the federal government, and stations and operators must be licensed by Industry Canada. Our club can help you to obtain a license and get involved in the amateur radio community. For more information about Hart House visit: http://hharc.sa.utoronto.ca
Kamloops Amateur Radio Club
Our system is open for use by any visiting Amateurs to our area and is also utilized when our members assist the public for various reasons, i.e.: stranded motorists, finding lost hikers, accidents, etc. We also work with the Provincial Emergency Program during actual and training exercises. To date we have repeaters in place on Greenstone Mt, Mt. Dufferin and Mt. Lolo serving the Kamloops area, Thynne Mt. serving the Coquihalla Highway, and South Forge Mt. serving Logan Lake, Merritt, Ashcroft and Highway #1 as far south as Lytton. Several of these repeaters are interlinked allowing communications throughout the whole system. For the most part, the cost of establishing and maintaining this system has been born by the donations of time and equipment from individual Amateur Radio Operators and the club. Over the years, our members have volunteered many hours assisting various groups. As is frequently the case, the organization being helped by our club, was operating in an area or terrain which precluded the use of normal communication channels. We continue to help many other organizations in our community to safely conduct their events. For more information about the Kamloops Club visit: www.karc.ca
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UMS Annual Fleamarket - Montréal,
Quebec Saturday, March 5 2005
Burnaby ARC Amateur Radio Flea Market (Sunday, March 6, 2005) Location: Cameron Recreation
Centre 9523 Cameron Street Burnaby, B.C. ( behind Lougheed Mall )
Radio and Computer Swap Meet
(Saturday, March 26, 2005)
Hamfest Laval-Laurentides 2005
- Laval, Québec Saturday, April 2
IARC Tenth Annual Flea Market
(Saturday, April 2, 2005)
Moose Jaw Amateur Radio Flea Market
(Saturday, April 2 2005)
Montreal Hamfest and Fleamarket
LaSalle (Montreal), Québec Saturday, April 9 2005
HAM-EX 2005 (Saturday, April 9, 2005) Sponsored by: The Peel Amateur Radio Club / Mississauga Amateur Radio Club Location: Brampton Fall Fairgrounds, located on Heart Lake Rd @ Old School Rd (North of Mayfield Road). Opens: Vendors: 7am Public: 9am Cost: $6 to the public Talkin: VE3PRC 146.880(-) and VE3MIS 145.430(-) Notes: Featuring Amateur Radio Equipment Manufacturers, Major Amateur Radio Retailers, New & Used Equipment / Parts, Computers, Parts, Software, Tables & Tables of Radio & Electronics Gear, Licensing Exams for Basic, CW, & Advanced Qualification, DXCC Card Checking, Exhibits, Demos, & Seminars, Gala Banquet with Guest Speaker, Door Prizes Galore & $1000 Grand Prize Draw For more info visit:http://www.ham-ex.ca
Winnipeg A.R.C. Spring Fleamarket (Sunday, April 17 2005) Location: Heritage Victoria
Community Club, 950 Sturgeon Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba
DOWN-EAST FLEA MARKET Saturday,
June 11, 2005
The Down-East Flea Market is the largest Ham Fest in Atlantic Canada. Details on Commercial Suppliers and associated Flea Market events will be published over the next couple of months. Location: Halifax Forum Complex
at the corner of Young and Windsor Sts. in Halifax
Tables: free and can be reserved by contacting David Nimmo at ve1nn@rac.ca Talk in Frequency: VE1PSR 147.270(+) Associated Social Events: Friday 10th Evening - 1900 at The Jolly Mug - for info contact Hugh ve1pq@rac.ca Saturday 11th Breakfast - at the Steak and Stein - 6061 Young St, Halifax Talk by Wayne-VE1WPH on the ISS set up Hope to see you there
SHF 2005 Committee...Hamfest Update The SHF 2005 committee has undertaken a centennial history project. Through the years, we have noticed a decline in the archiving of photographs and history of radio in our Province. We would like to restore our past and make it accessible for everyone. Do you have old photographs that you can part with for a while? Can you make us copies? How about writing up a few pages about what has happened over the last one hundred years in your home area. Anything you can help us with is much appreciated. Please contact the SHF 2005 Committee with any information you can share. Also, as this is the celebration of the province’s one hundredth birthday, we want to make this the biggest, best hamfest the province has ever seen! Do you have ideas that you would like us to explore? Let us know! The committee has also developed a survey for gathering input from the ham community. Visit the website, www.saskhamfest.com and fill it out online!
HAM Radio!
Amateur Radio Nets are the life blood of our hobby, on such nets as the Trans Provincial Net, Ontario Amateur Radio Service Net, Communications Ontario Net, Provincial Communications Net, Sandbox Roundtable Net and many local nets, hams meet their friends, pass messages, relay information from remote parts of Canada and test their transmitters and antennas on a daily basis. The Trans Provincial Net has been noted as one of the most popular Canadian Amateur Radio Networks with a coverage area from the Atlantic Provinces to Manitoba. With such a large number of Amateur Radio Operators assembled on one frequency we have an unique opportunity to serve our communities in a very tangible way. What is required? 1) Amateur Radio Certificate of Proficiency
issued by Industry Canada
This program is not intended to replace or compete with Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) but to augment that program as an independent group with a large force of active HF operators who would otherwise be non-participants. All active HF Hams who are able and ready to provide emergency communications in and out of their areas, are welcome and encouraged to register. We can be a valuable resource to provincial and municipal authorities in the event of an emergency, provided they know who we are and where we are. If you feel you would like to serve
your community via Amateur Radio, we ask that you register as a member
of
Full program details can be found
online at: oeco.hfradio.net
Community Emergency Resource Teams Society of BC
The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees. As of 1993, more than 10,000 people and over 267 teams have been trained. The training program that LAFD initiated makes good sense and furthers the process of citizens understanding their responsibility in preparing for disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their family and their neighbors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognizes the importance of preparing citizens. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and the National Fire Academy adopted and expanded the CERT materials believing them applicable to all hazards. The CERT course will benefit any citizen who takes it. This individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, if a community wants to supplement its response capability after a disaster, civilians can be recruited and trained as neighborhood, business, and government teams that, in essence, will be auxiliary responders. These groups can provide immediate assistance to victims in their area, organize spontaneous volunteers who have not had the training, and collect disaster intelligence that will assist professional responders with prioritization and allocation of resources following a disaster. History The Community Emergency Resource Teams Society of BC was founded in 1995 by active and former emergency response team members, as well as private citizens with specialized skills. The founders of CERTBC realized a need for cross-training those with specialized skills to be able to function in other capacities. This maximizes manpower when resources are limited and allows responders to understand what is happening in all aspects of an emergency response operation. CERTBC is NOT:
RAC Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Ontario Section
The Radio Amateur's Code The Radio Amateur is: CONSIDERATE never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others. LOYAL offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the Radio Amateurs of Canada, through which Amateur Radio in the Canada is represented nationally and internationally. PROGRESSIVE with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above reproach. FRIENDLY slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit. BALANCED radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community. PATRIOTIC station and skill always ready for service to country and community. The original Amateur's Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928 and still very valid today in 2005 !
CFARS FALLEX 2004 Prepared by: Ken Halcrow, CFARS Assistant Manager 20 January 2005 Edited by: Terry Bigelow VE1TRB The Canadian Forces Affiliate Radio System (CFARS) conducted a nation wide High Frequency (HF) radio communication exercise from Friday 3 December to Sunday 5 December 2004. It was designed to exercise all elements of the CFARS National and Regional components and to familiarize components of the Communications Reserve and selected government departments with the operating procedures and capabilities of CFARS. This years-expanded exercise included a number of Federal and Provincial organizations concerned with Emergency Preparedness. (CFARS operates on HF frequencies just outside of the normal amateur bands) Exercise Scenarios Exercise scenarios were tasked to the five Canadian regions as follows: a. Pacific Region - Earthquake b. Prairie Region - Snow/Ice Storm c. Central Region - Power Outage d. Atlantic Region - Weather/Flood e. Arctic Region - Satellite Communications Outage The five CFARS Regional Net Control Stations (RNCS) were tasked to develop exercise traffic based on the above scenarios. The emergency scenarios were to be gradually escalated in each of their regions over the exercise timeframe. Appropriate Essential Element of Information (EEI) message formats were to used throughout the exercise. (CFARS uses a specific message format called EEI) Concept of Operation Based on the above exercise scenarios a CFARS National Net Control Station (NNCS) was established at 763 (Ottawa) Communication Regiment to handle simulated emergency exercise traffic between the region and the Federal authorities in the Ottawa area. In addition, the five RNCS stations were to maintain regional nets in order to pass traffic from provincial or territorial authorities to federal departments. 763 (Ottawa) Communication Regiment The exercise participation of 763 (Ottawa) Communication Regiment continues to be a critical component of the exercise. They were deployed to a remote location 30 kms east of Ottawa. By exercising with 763 (Ottawa) Communication Regiment the members of CFARS are able to operate under other than normal CFARS net conditions and observe the Communication Reserve in an operational deployment. On the other hand, the Communication Reserve Detachment Commanders and Signal Operators had an opportunity to act as National Net Control station, pass emergency exercise traffic and observe first hand the High Frequency spectrum on a national basis. The Communication Reserve members were also able to observe the operating techniques and different communication mode capabilities of CFARS Amateur Radio equipment. We were able to learn from each other and appreciate each other's operating procedures, capabilities and limitations. CFARS Member Participation Participation in the exercise by CFARS members was excellent. There is no doubt that very long hours during a long weekend challenges all members and their families. A core group of 33 CFARS stations participated in the exercise as follows: Arctic Region 1, Pacific Region 4, Atlantic Region 4, Prairie Region 4 and Central Region 16. As expected the Prairie Region Net Control in Winnipeg and the Winnipeg CFARS members continue to provide the critical transcontinental HF link for the relay of exercise traffic. In a national emergency "NO DUFF" situation Winnipeg will be the vital HF national relay link. An example of CFARS interaction with provincial organizations was the Halifax, Nova Scotia Regional combined Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Dartmouth which was manned by a group of Amateurs operating the PS&EPC "Clover" station on the Amateur Radio band. Their participation in the exercise helped to identify the requirement for improved antennas at the EOC for this type of equipment. The operators also linked up with Edmonton via a VHF Internet Radio Link Project (IRLP) Reflector node to discuss the setting up of the "Airmail" software and the "Clover" digital mode. In addition, a number of CFARS stations communicated using the Saskatoon IRLP reflector to coordinate exercise activities. Local VHF/UHF repeaters were also used extensively. Another example of excellent CFARS interaction with local authorities and amateur radio repeaters and networks was the participation of the Victoria amateurs throughout the exercise. PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CANADA (PS&EPC) Throughout the exercise contact was maintained with Federal Government Departments in Ottawa such as the Government Operations Center (GOC) where simulated contacts were made with the Consequence Management Duty Officer and the Director of Operations. This type of activity is vitally important as it adds a touch of realism to the exercise scenarios and provides for end user customer responses for the message traffic. This is an excellent training vehicle for PS&EPC Operations Duty Officers as it allows for an introduction to CFARS operating procedures and the system capabilities. Conversely, the CFARS Affiliate Members become familiar with the Federal and Provincial Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) contacts and procedures. Affiliate Member Training - A Personal Responsibility Personal initiative, personal preparation and personal training in all aspect of emergency radio communications remains a critical element of CFARS operations. The EEI message format was used with great success during the exercise due to pre-planning and preparation. All members are encouraged to use their own initiative to become familiar with and use the new Amateur Radio digital modes either using a computer soundcard or TNC. In addition, members are encouraged to participate in local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) organizations and to remain active in local VHF/UHF and HF voice nets. PACTOR I-II HF To Internet E-Mail For the purpose of testing and affiliate member familiarization a dedicated CFARS HF to Internet Email "AIRMAIL" net was established during the exercise to pass EEI formatted message traffic. To put it simply the "HF PACTOR" trial was an "OUTSTANDING SUCCESS" and has proven that PACTOR I-III is a very robust and efficient method of passing large volumes of emergency message traffic. The point to point configuration of the experimental net indicated that even without an automatic HF to internet link a point to point connection is an efficient method of moving large volumes of traffic between two Pactor stations. Hopefully, the expansion of the CFARS PACTOR network to stations across the nation will be completed by this summer. Digital Mode Capability At a minimum the Regional and National NCS stations should have a computer data capability with soundcard software for MFSK16, PSK31/125, SSTV, RTTY and where required and personal or public funding is available a TNC capability of at least PACTOR I. Note that older TNC's such a the PS232 etc. can be modified to become Pactor I capable. SSB Voice Capability SSB voice communications is the primary communications mode for CFARS and will continue to be used throughout the system to pass message traffic where speed of transmission and the volume of message traffic is not critical. Members who have only the SSB voice capability should not despair since voice communications will undoubtedly prevail when all else fails. Conclusion CFARS FALLEX 2004 was a very interesting and successful exercise. The participation of CFARS Affiliate Members and Federal Departments will continue to expand.
Maritime Swap Shop The Maritime Swap Shop is held every Monday at 7:30pm local time on 3.750 MHz. All station are invited to checkin and post their wants and items for sale. The Maritime Swap Shop list can be found on many places on the internet, here are just a few: The Loyalist City Amateur Radio Club , hfradio.net , VE1AIC's Home Page and Truro Amateur Radio Club Please Note: The Maritime (on-air) Swap Shop, which was formerly held on Tuesday evenings, will now take place on Monday evenings at 1930 local time on 3750.
The Swap Shop list is posted every Monday on the Trans Provincial Net website, Ontario Swap Shop Listings , the swap shop list can also be found on packet by calling up VE3DID (Nick VE3NJG)
The Bulletin Needs Your Help I was quite intrigued when I read Garry Hammond’s (VE3XN) column in the Canadian Amateur for January and February 2005 on "Hobbies Hams Have!" In particular the card by Ake Palmblad (SM5UH) with his slide trombone caught my attention, I guess because I know that in the Millstream Barbershop Chorus that I sang with for two years, there were at one point four licensed Hams – VE1DHD (Howard); VE1WWG (Bill); VE1AOG (Arnie) and VE1AIV (Barry). And it got me thinking -- how may other Canadian musician Hams are there out there. I also have a good friend Glenn Wallis (VE1GK) in Windsor Nova Scotia who is an avid model train buff; there must be other engineer-wannabes out there too. We all know that Hams are multi-faceted individuals, so what other activities outside of Ham radio to Hams take part in? Please write and let me know all about your other hobbies, and PLEASE provide photos (.jpg sized to 4x5 inches is best). What do you do when you are not in the "Shack". I will be looking forward to hearing from you soon. 73 Howard - VE1DHD
Who really invented the Telegraph Machine From The Scotsman – Scotland’s National Newspaper Online Courtesy of John Brown (VE1DD) and published in the October 2004 edition (Vol. 65/8) of the Halifax Amateur Radio Club – Reflector. Two hundred and fifty years ago a Scottish inventor penned a theory that led to the electric telegraph and the mobile phone. The problem is, the scientist’s identity has never been established. Now, a St Andrews University academic has launched a search for the mystery genius, whose groundbreaking paper was simply signed with the initials "CM" when it was published in The Scots Magazine in 1753. Professor Colin Vincent, the university’s deputy principal, said the largely-forgotten article provided the impetus for a technical leap as important as the invention of the transistor or laser. He said: "There is no doubt that the mobile phone and the Internet are direct descendants of CM’s paper." Professor Vincent said the article had described for the first time how electricity could be applied to a wire to create a communication device. It was published more than 60 years before the invention was first demonstrated, which followed the invention of the battery. When CM put pen to paper, the steam engine had yet to be invented and the Industrial Revolution had still to dawn. Professor Vincent, a former head of the university’s chemistry department, became fascinated with "CM" when he worked on the development of lithium batteries, used in mobile phones. He believes the inventor deliberately hid his - or her - identity. Previous claims about who "CM" was have been incorrect. He said: "CM was clearly someone who understood the technology very well and had access to the latest developments in London. There were many ‘gentlemen dabblers’ around at the time, such as clergymen and schoolmasters, but we cannot even be sure CM was male." However, despite CM’s revolutionary work, which he termed "signaling at a distance by the use of electricity", he has not been linked with any other scientific research and appears to have sunk back into obscurity. The author’s imagined device, which he referred to as "an expeditious method of conveying intelligence", involved 26 parallel lengths of wire, one for each letter of the alphabet. In the article, CM described how electric current could be applied to one wire at a time to electrify a ball at the other end. This would cause a piece of paper with the name of that letter to move, so a message could be spelled out. An alternative method, using bells of different pitch, was also proposed. CM believed that practiced operators would be able to recognize the chimes of whole words rather than having to note down each letter. Professor Vincent said CM’s idea derived from his knowledge of friction-based electrostatic generators. While static electricity had been known since 1600, the machines remained the only way of making electricity. He added CM’s achievement was all the more amazing because other scientists experimenting with electricity at the time could not see any use for it in communications. Dr William Watson, a physician who had "forced a shock" through a wire across Westminster Bridge in London in 1747, wrote: "We are not yet so far advanced in these discoveries to render them conducive to the service of mankind." Professor Vincent said: "It was a remarkable stroke of inventive genius that took place in the mind of the enigmatic CM. It has led over a period of 250 years to a transformation of society, in a way that could not even have been contemplated in the middle of the 18th century." The invention of the battery by Alessandro Volta in 1800, enabling the storage of electricity, and the coming of the railways, which required faster communications, prompted a flurry of interest in CM’s work. Although the device was first attempted in France in the 1770s, its practical use was not demonstrated until Sir Francis Ronalds’s experiments in London in 1816. CM’s theory was also taken up by other British scientists, such as William Cooke and Charles Wheatstone, in the 1830s, and Samuel Morse in the United States, who invented the Morse Code. This led to the first transatlantic telegraph being laid in 1857, the telephone 40 years later, and, eventually, the mobile phone. Professor Vincent said that he was one of the only people in Scotland to be aware of CM’s key contribution to the development of communications. He added: "The mystery of CM’s identity remains, but we know with reasonable certainty that the inventive spark which led to today’s Internet and mobile phone networks took place in Scotland 250 years ago."
CY9SS DXpedition to
St. Paul Island - NA-094
I just heard that VY9SS is planning to mount a massive DXpedition to St. Paul Island in the late spring of 2005 and thought that I should share some of the excitement with you.
For more information about this
expedition, or if you are interested in assisting our endeavour by:
Please contact: Robby@CY9SS.COM Current Operator List to Date:
QSLing for CY9SS will be by: VE1JF Victoria Beach
Contest Station
My first experience at "real contesting"
came in 2003 when I had the good fortune to be invited to visit the VE1JF
Contest Station by Jim Fisher, and to take part in the ARRL WW DX SSB contest
weekend. Talk about being intimidated!
Jim Fisher has an AB from Princeton in Economics and a Harvard MBA. He has worked for or consulted to many of the largest companies in the world, specialising in an integrated approach to global organization structure, management processes, and executive compensation. He and his wife Hannelore had an opportunity to visit old friends from their Air Force days who had just moved to Nova Scotia. One of them said "You should see the place we almost bought, out on the cliff!" and the rest is history. To their surprise, Jim and Hannelore fell in love with and bought their present house, overlooking saltwater to the horizon from a 200' perch over the Bay of Fundy across the harbour entrance from Digby. They obtained landed immigrant status and moved here in 1998. Jim established a consulting company up here, The James Fisher Company Ltd., but so far has been busy with hamming and organising civic projects and hasn't gotten involved in consulting assignments...Time will tell. Jim had become interested in Amateur
Radio as a teenager, and was first licensed as KN0HIL in 1956. He obtained
his Extra Class license in 1964 and qualified for his choice of call W8JF
in the 1970s. Being naturally competitive, Jim took to contesting early
on in his Amateur Radio career. He also had the good fortune early on to
be taken under the wing of K3ANS in the Frankford Radio Club. That
experience had a profound and lasting effect on Jim. He became determined
to become a top-flight contestor and more importantly, he was committed
to sharing his knowledge and experience with others and motivated by the
many challenges of designing and settling-down a contesting station with
multiple stations on the same premises (even multiple signals on
the same booms!).
The top one is 330' over saltwater to the horizon; it and the bottom one have 51' booms, whereas the middle one is "only" 31'. Together they offer 2 2 on 40M, 3 3 3 on 20, 5 4 5 on 15, and 7 7 7 on 10 (the latter is modelled at over 20-dbi gain in every direction, especially over the water). Each band on each of the three antennas
is fed separately with a total of over 1,100 feet of low-loss coax on the
tower alone. StackMatch phasing units make it possible to select any combination
of these antennas on any band. "Hard-line" brings the signals
underground into a single-point-of-entry adjacent to the operating positions.
This affords a high level of flexibility at the operating station level.
The station is normally in a multi-operator, two-transmitter class, and
either station can select one, two or all three of the beams and have them
all aligned (stacked) or pointed in different directions. When
"stacked" the signal of this station is awesome, blowing most other stations
out of the water as they say! In addition, Jim has a "Four Square"
for 80 metres, and both a vertical and Inverted-V for 160. Jim says that
inadequate signal is when you call and the called station can't hear you
because of the pileup; adequate signal is when you call a rare station
in a big pileup and he can't hear the pileup because of your signal!
DX n' HF
At the present time there are 335 cur-rent entities listed on the ARRL DXCC list. If one has worked each of the current entities on all ten bands from 160 - 6 meters then the total number of possible current band-countries is 3350. The DX Challenge, a part of the DXCC Awards system, uses this metric to provide another goal for Dxers. How many band-countries can you work? With a little thought, you will quickly appreciate how difficult this challenge can be. The entry-level certificate (actually a plaque) from the ARRL is for those who have worked at least 1000 band-countries since the beginning of the DXCC Award on 15 November 1945. One can receive endorsements for each 500 additional band-countries. QSL card confirmations are taken from your DXCC records. At the present there are 1336 people
registered for the DX Challenge. Here are some revealing
statistics. The person with the most band-countries is John, W4DR who has
worked 3083 band-countries! This is an awesome number, since there are
only 267 new band-countries he can work, or an aver-age of 26.7 per band.
Just consider the challenge presented by 160 and 6 meters in achieving
a high country total. There are thirteen Canadians registered, including
the following people:
The Maritimer with the highest total is Paul, VE1DX, with 1719 band-countries. He is in 396 th place. When I register, my 1727 band-countries will put me in 391 st place. Just think for a minute about what personal operating patterns and skills are needed to be at the top of this game. Where are you in the listing? Who is the champion DX Challenger in HARC? Atlantic Canada? 73 de Scott, VE1QD
A Contesting Tutorial for the Beginner The following was extracted, with
permission, from the October 2004 monthly newsletter of the Halifax Amateur
Radio Club - the Reflector. DX n' HF is the monthly
column and was written this month by:
I want to stress that in order to have fun, just get in there and do it. You don't have to be a world-class expert to have fun. You are competing with yourself, or perhaps you may challenge a friend. Contesters love to work all stations. Some are in the contest big-time, and are very competitive; others only work the contest for a short period of time to have fun and give the other stations some points. Both are very important. The object of each contest is to work as many stations as possible, in as many different areas as possible, on as many bands as possible, and all within a given time period (usually over 24 or 48 hours on a weekend). Contest scores are calculated by totaling the number of QSO's you make and multiplying that number by the number of areas that you have worked (multipliers). The multiplier is very important for sure. Each contest is sponsored by some organization, and the rules for each contest are usually published in the magazines (CQ, QST), or available on the www (do a Google search), or just ask a club member. A contact in a contest is brief and fast. Stations usually exchange signal reports and province or state, or a zone number relating to your geographical location. Here in Nova Scotia we are in Zone 05 for CQ contests, and Zone 09 for the less popular IARU contest. Sometimes the exchange is a serial number, representing the number of stations that you have worked to that point in the contest, starting with 001. For some ARRL contests, the exchange is your ARRL section (Maritime or MAR for us here in Nova Scotia). For example in the CQ WW SSB (CQ World Wide Single Sideband) contest (Oct 30 & 31 this year) you would send 5905 to a station and you would receive a report like 5914 for someone in England for example. It is important that you know what to send and also what to expect. If you don't know, simply ask one of the stations you encounter in the contest what he needs for an exchange from you. Most will tell you simply and politely. Because the exchange is so brief and highly formatted, you will find that when working CW you can send and receive at speeds you never thought possible, because you have a reasonably good idea of what is being sent to you. Contest calls are short and the exchange brief. You should send only what is necessary, no extra information, names or good luck wishes. Keep it short and simple. For the big contests, such as CQWW SSB and CW and the ARRL DX SSB and CW contests, many people travel to exotic locations to activate these places to hand out contacts from places that may not normally have much activity. At the same time, it makes them rare and highly sought after, so their QSO rate it much higher that if they had stayed home in New York or Halifax. There are also many smaller contests, each with their own rules. There are RTTY contests, VHF/UHF contests, NSARA (Nova Scotia Amateur Radio Association) contest, and our big one for the club each year, which is Field Day, sponsored by ARRL. Several of our club members will be going to Jim Fisher's Contest Station - VE1JF - at Victoria Beach in Annapolis County Nova Scotia for the annual CQWW SSB contest this year. Jim has built a super contest station and it is truly a treat to experience. We will be competing in the muti-operator category, whereas from home you would likely operate and compete with others who are in the Single Operator Category. Jim is always looking for skilled operators, and the way to develop your skill is to get in a contest and experience it and have fun. You never know how much fun it is until you try it. The best HF conditions are always in the spring and fall seasons. So now is the time to make preparations; pick out a couple contests, and make your plans. If you are on the air and hear a contest going full force, jump in and help out some of the stations, they will be more than pleased to work a VE1. Have fun. I do. Richard E. (Dick) Grantham --VE1AI
Planning for the
Inevitable
Have you ever thought about what your family would do with all of your Ham gear if something were to happen to you? Do they have any idea about the true worth of the equipment that you have amassed? Apparently not, because often times Ham gear is literally given away at bargain basement prices to the first person to come along. Death and dying is clearly a very sensitive issue and not an easy one to discuss, especially with your loved ones. However, our Club - the Halifax Amateur Radio Club (HARC) - and I expect many other clubs across the Country, have often been called upon to assist in the sale of Ham equipment for a spouse or an estate. Our Club now has so much estate equipment on consignment that it has become a significant burden on the few who cart it from one flea market to the next in the hope of getting a reasonable price for the estate of the former owner. Faced with this growing problem, the HARC Executive recently discussed this issue and it was decided that it was inappropriate for the Club to be involved in the brokering of used equipment on behalf of the estates of deceased Hams. However, the Club does recognize the difficult position that surviving family members may encounter in trying to assess the true value of and then sell used radio equipment. To assist, HARC has formed a small advisory committee that will provide advice on the valuation of used equipment in such circumstances. Another solution to the problem - a route that a number of Club members have decided to take - is to name the Halifax Amateur Radio Club as the beneficiary of all of their radio equipment. This is a wonderful selfless way of supporting your Club, while ensuring that the hobby you love will ultimately benefit others through the use and disposition of your gear.
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