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)
SONRA
Born in 1959 - The Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SONRA) was formed, from the dissolution of the Newfoundland Radio Club. The main purposes of SONRA are to secure the pleasures and benefits of persons interested in Amateur Radio by furthering co-operation among its members, further the interest of Amateur Radio in the community, and provide services to its membership related to Amateur Radio. Serving Radio Amateurs of Newfoundland & Labrador - For a number of years, SONRA provided services to all the Amateurs of the Province in the form of a VO Callbook, Call-plate administration, VO Newsletter, just to mention a few, but the growth in the Amateur population over the past few years made this task increasingly difficult. The advent of new regional and local clubs around the Island and in Labrador, plus a shift in the Amateur population density from the Avalon Peninsula area to the remainder of the Province, resulted in SONRA being overwhelmed with the expense of providing the services to roughly 1000 Amateurs from the funding base of a membership of roughly 300. A provincial organization starts and falters - As a result, in 1991 the thrust was reinitiated to form a Provincial organization to administer to the entire Amateur population of the Province and in 1994, through the work of Don Wyatt (VO1KX) and Mac Moss (VO1AT), the Provincial organization, VOARA, was formed, taking on many of the provincial responsibilities that had been a part of SONRA's mandate in the past, thus allowing SONRA to be one in a list of many clubs operating to serve its members and general area. Unfortunately, VOARA is no longer actively operating so all provincially-oriented activities, such as the WAVO award, Smallwood Field Day trophy and the provincial call book were returned to SONRA for continued administration. SONRA has continued to operate and holds meetings regularly. The main thrust of the club is in the area of the education of the Amateurs and the operation of those services which have proved to be of great benefit to not only the membership, but to the community as well. Currently, SONRA is involved in many facets of the Amateur Radio service to the local community, as well as Amateurs themselves. SONRA is affiliated with the local Emergency Measures Organization, providing emergency communications when called upon. We are affiliated with Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) and support the Incoming VO Bureau. We operate an HF station from the site where Guglielmo Marconi received the first wireless transatlantic signal in 1901 and operate a multi-function station from another historic site, Admiralty House, which was used during World War II as a major communications post for the North Atlantic. We are the only group officially sanctioned to operate special Marconi events from Signal Hill through our partnership with Parks Canada. SONRA helped make history on June 25th, 1997, as Paul J. Piercey (VO1HE) and Dan Goodwin (VO1MX) assisted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in making the first amateur radio contact by a reigning British Monarch. The contact was between VO500JC, at Cabot Tower in St. John's, NF and GB500JC in Bristol, UK. Martyn Phillips (G3RFX) responded to Her Majesty on behalf of the people of Bristol and amateurs around the World. SONRA & the Marconi Anniversiary
- December 12, 2001 marked the 100th anniversary of the reception of the
first wireless trans-Atlantic signal by Guglielmo Marconi. Once again,
our club, in co-operation with several levels of government and amateur
groups around the world, provided a showcase event while making the historic
contact with Poldhu at 1600 UTC.
The SONRA WWW page (http://www.sonra.ca)is just another step that takes advantage of all communication methods possible. If you are interested in our organization you can contact us via the following methods: Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs
Fredericton Amateur Radio Club News Congratulations to the following who passed their Basic Examinations last evening: BASIC
and to the following who passed both the Basic and 5 wpm CW: BASIC & 5 wpm
Thanks to all the instructors and especially the students for their hard work and dedication. "See you on the radio". David Hildebrand (VE9AV)
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
Return to News Index
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
Durham Region Amateur Radio Hamfest
(Saturday, April 23, 2005)
Location: This is the hamfest you always knew as "Pickering", the big one. It's still at the Iroquois Park Recreation Centre on Victoria Street at Henry Street. Get to the Brock STREET exit in Whitby on the 401 then turn south on Brock and west on Victoria (right) (first street south of 401). A couple of blocks and you'll see the site. Opens: Vendors 7:30 am, Public
9 am to 1 pm
Notes: Lots of parking for all. Vendors enter west entrance on Victoria Street. Public enters from Henry Street. If lot is full, use (approved) parking at GO station right across the road. ATM machine on site. 3 food outlets on site. For more info visit: http://drhamfest.tripod.com
Calgary and Area Flea Market (May 14 2005) Sponsored by: Calgary Amateur Radio Association, Calgary Communications Club and The Southern Alberta Repeater Association Location: EASTSIDE CITY CHURCH 1320 Abbeydale Dr SE, Calgary, AB (Take Memorial Drive East off of Deerfoot Trail and go all the way to the East end, then turn South) Time: Saturday, May
14, 2005 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Notes: 50/50 draw, lunch available and more.... Need more information and table rental? CONTACT: Tim Thompson, VE6BZ 403-253-4893 or 403-829-4893 tlt46@telus.net
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
London Amateur Radio Club 28th Annual Fleamarket (Sept. 25 2005) Sunday, September 25, 2005, located at the Western Fair Grounds Special Events Building, London Ontario. 9:00am to 1:00pm Vendor setup at 7:30am. Admission: $6.00 , tables $ 10.00 Free parking, Air conditioned, commercial dealers, snack bar facilities, wheelchair accessible with handicap washrooms Inquiries: email: hamfest2005@hamster.foxhollow.ca
or phone / mail to Doug Tompkins, VE3IDT (519) 439-5113
Website: http://larc.ca/newsletter/LARC-HAMFEST-2005.pdf
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:
Getting Environmental Canada Weather Updates by Email Were you aware that Environment Canada has a FREE service whereby they will send you weather warnings, forecasts, etc. by email. Sterling (VE9SK) tells me that various services are offered including bulletins only for specific locations, forecasts up to three times a day, everyday, selected days, etc If interested you can go to www.weatheroffice.pyr.ec.gc.ca/e-products and select the subscription(s) of your choice. David Hildebrand (VE9AV)
RAC Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Ontario Section
The 9th Annual Ontario QSO Party 2005 (April 16-17 2005)
The Ontario QSO Party is open to all amateur radio operators regardless of license class and shortwave listeners world-wide. Objective: For Ontario stations to contacts as many amateur radio stations as possible on as many bands as possible world-wide. For stations outside Ontario to make as many contacts with Ontario amateur radio stations as possible. Frequencies: (Phone/CW) All HF Bands 160-10 meters with the exception of the WARC bands. All VHF/UHF Bands. For full details about this fun event visit the ODXA website: http://www.odxa.on.ca/oqp/index.html
White Cane Contest Results February 2005 by Dave Vail VE1GM (Treasurer, YARC) I am pleased to report that there were seven entries from White Caners and 22 from Sighted Amateurs for a total of 29 competitors. The following areas were represented: 1 from PEI, 1 from Maine, 2 from Newfoundland, 3 from Quebec, 9 from Nova Scotia and 13 from New Brunswick. 1st Place winner in the White Caner category - Ron Sivret, VE9RON with 112 points. 1st Place winner in the Sighted category - Wayne Sabean, VE9SAB with 109 points. The callsigns of all other entrants were put into a hat and there was a drawing for a wall plaque showing appreciation for contest participation, and the winner was Mike Corkum, VE1CKR. The plaque was donated by a friend of VE9RON. The contest was sponsored by the Yarmouth Amateur Radio Club and certificates were supplied by Garth Wyman, VE1JAX.
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 !
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! The Bulletin is in the process of developing a series of short articles on how Amateur Radio impacts on family and in particular, we are interested in writing about families of Hams. Considering the rapidly ageing Ham population, we would love to find out about young people (teens to late 20s or so) who are getting into Amateur Radio where there is already one or more Hams in the family. If you fit the above criteria, or if you know of someone who does, please let us know. We would like to do a short piece for the Bulletin on your experience in Amateur Radio. What we need is a short bio that includes some of your personal background – work, other hobbies, what attracted you to Amateur Radio and how Amateur Radio has impacted on your life and how it has strengthened the bond between family members, if indeed it has. Please forward information to Howard Dickson at: VE1DHD@RAC.ca
CF3VEDAY by Bob Cooke VE3BDB
The station is operated by members of The Wireless Set No. 19 Group, a Canada-based world-wide group of Radio Amateurs who collect, restore and/or operate vintage military communications gear. This website [ www.qsl.net/vc3vday ] will compliment the CF3VEDAY station by providing information about station operation, including times, frequencies and names of operators. The month of May will see the official opening of the new Canadian War Museum and this station will also conduct on-air activities from Ottawa to mark that event, using vintage military equipment. Amateur Radio operators are encouraged to invite a veteran into their shacks to allow contact with other veterans and to have contact with CF3VEDAY during its brief existence. They may even hear the "chirp" of a WS#19, renewing old memories for some. Radio Amateurs could also consider inviting young people in to view and use their radio equipment, to learn more about the stellar contribution of Canada's war veterans and to demonstrate what Amateur Radio is all about. This in itself could be a valuable history lesson to those persons under 65 who have no memory of, or appreciation for, the historic contributions of Canadians during a bitter fight against tyranny on the sea, on the land and in the air. We will be offering an original, colourful QSL card to all Amateur Radio stations that contact and send a QSL card to CF3VEDAY, as well as to SWLs who hear the station and who submit a full reception report. Please read the QSL/SWL report information: www.qsl.net/vc3vday/ Please visit the CF3VEDAY website for full details: www.qsl.net/vc3vday/ Bob Cooke VE3BDB
Probably for the first time ever, the Algoma Amateur Radio Club Field Day operation for 2004 was cancelled less than a day before operations were to begin due to lack of participants. I then wondered what I could do to salvage something of the event for myself. With less than 24 hours to get it all together, the only viable option was to operate in class 1D, home station with commercial power. With no laptop computer at all, and no desktop computer in the crowded radio room, there was some wedging to be done. Worse, I had no logging program and didn't want to use the one used by the club for many years because it was out of date and would not recognize an important new ARRL section created in 2000. I was able to download the most recent version of CT on the internet but it took quite a bit of time to get it working as it should. In spite of all that, I was up and running only a few minutes after the opening gun went off at 2 pm on Saturday afternoon. When the smoke had all cleared 24 hours later, it turned out that I placed first in Canada and fourth overal in the 1D class. If multi-operator entries are factored out, I placed second overall. The 1D class has the second largest number of entries, second only to the 2A class. I worked CW exclusively. See 2004 December QST, page 98 for the entry in the listings. 73, Bob, VA3BZ
Promoting HF and DX within Your Club by D. Howard Dickson – VE1DHD I recently had a most enjoyable lunch with friends Scott Wood (VE1QD) and Dick Grantham (VE1AI) over a bowl of my home-made seafood chowder. As an aside, it is amazing what you can learn to do once you are retired! The purpose of our meeting was to firm up some plans that the three of us had been discussing on and off now for some time, to go and do some DXing from one of our local island this spring. However, during this discussion, Scott raised the broader notion of the need to actively encourage HF and in particular DXing and contesting within the Halifax Amateur Radio Club community, and I thought that this was something worth mentioning in the Bulletin, because it could apply to any club in Canada. Promoting HF is not a new idea. In fact, those who read the Bulletin on a regular basis will have seen several of the pieces on DXing and Contesting that Scott, Dick and I have written for the Halifax Amateur Radio Club newsletter – the Reflector – in an effort to promote HF activity within the Halifax Club. With the very real likelihood of Industry Canada dropping the Morse Code requirement for HF band access here in Canada, isn’t it time for all of us to think about how we can encourage our colleagues who are currently Basic-licensed to get onto and get active in the new HF world that is going to be available to them. As Scott pointed out, one way of doing this is to set up a formal (or informal) mentoring program in the Club specifically for HF. The list of potential HF activities over the spring and summer is quite extensive (see below) and offers excellent opportunities for each of us to get out there and work with those who will soon be on the HF bands. Use this as an chance both to educate on the different protocols that exist on HF, but more importantly, to pass on our deep enthusiasm for the HF bands and for the many and varied activities that they will now be able to pursue – DX country hunting; DX rag-chewing; and contesting on SSB, CW and the new digital modalities such as PSK31. Where to start? Field Day would seem to be the logical place and you can easily involve new Hams by ensuring that your Club includes a GOTA (Get on the Air) Station in their planning for Field Day 2005. Encourage one of the newer licensees to take on the task of organising the GOTA station this year. If you have an HF-equipped club station, that is an excellent venue to bring newer HF recruits together to work alongside seasoned veterans in some of the more "friendly" contests – the RAC Canada Day Contest is an excellent one for those who are new to contesting to "cut their teeth on". For those who are fortunate enough to live in Atlantic Canada or on the West Coast, and even those in the Great Lakes Basin, we have relatively easy access to myriad islands and lighthouses where portable stations can be set up and operated during the IOTA (Islands on the Air) weekend in July, or the International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend in August. Both offer excellent opportunities to involve new Hams is setting up a portable station and operating in a remote location. JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) is another excellent event for your Club to participate in and again, it offers an excellent opportunity to involve newly licenses Hams in setting up and operating both HF and VHF/IRLP stations; the latter will be most familiar to them and a place where they will be able to demonstrate their shills. Experiencing the eager sense of excitement on the faces of those young Scouts when they make their first contact on the other side of the country or on the other side of the world is well worth the investment of a few hours over that weekend in October. Finally, one of the initiatives that the Halifax Club started in 2004, and plans to repeat this year, is our DX Forum. You can read all about our 2004 DX forum in the Bulletin – November 14, 2004 edition, but essentially it was designed around one or two special invitation speakers who talked about their DX and Contesting experiences and provided an excellent venue for information exchange and social interaction. I recommend it highly. The bottom line is – get out there and actively promote HF to our new Ham colleagues. We must protect the HF bandwidth that has been assigned to Amateur Radio, and what better way than to use it and at the same time, encourage others to do the same. List of Summer 2005 Amateur Radio Activities – 24-26 June Field Day
73 from Seabright, Nova Scotia.
Winlink 2000
Digital Radio Email Messaging System
If you are a Ham with an RV or a
"Camp" in a remote corner of this Country of ours, you probably know all
about Winlink 2000 and Airmail, so you can
fast forward to the next article in this edition of the Bulletin.
However, if you have not heard of Winlink 2000, please read
on.
All of this is now possible using HF Amateur Radio and the Winlink 2000 system running PACTOR I, II or III, on any of the HF bands from 3.5 to 30 MHz. The mobile user, whether on the high seas, in jungles of a remote region of the world (see the article on VE6KBS - Karl in Calgary, Alberta and his use of Airmail and Winlink 2000 while in Kenya), or travelling in an RV, now has the ability to provide family and friends with the state of their well-being, along with the joys of their travels. Mobile and maritime users have the ability to transmit GPS co-ordinates and to post their positions on a map, and to gain access to a host of global text-based and graphic weather information and other helpful material whenever or wherever they need it. Winlink 2000 and Emergency Communications -- The Winlink 2000 (WL2K) VHF radio-email digital network system also greatly extends the ability of the Radio Amateur to provide a public service to the greater community, by linking the Internet email system with the more traditional Amateur Radio packet system. The Winlink 2000 system was designed specifically for emergency communications where local or regional communications are disrupted, including cell phone overload and the loss of the Internet, and where the accuracy of the information being passed is paramount, and where a paper trail is essential.
Those readers who have been involved in emergency communication situations where formal message handling was used will appreciate just how slow and tedious the process of passing a long and complex voice message can be. There are many places where errors can occur, particularly at the final stage when the radio operator receiving the message has to copy it down "legibly" on a three-part form.
How often have you though how wonderful it would be if all formal message handling could be done on a computer, with operators using a keyboard to fill in a Message Form template, cut and paste into an Outlook Express email, and away it goes to the recipient. Winlink 2000 is just that vehicle and operates in exactly that way. It uses standard PC email programs such as Outlook Express, so minimal training is required. Large amounts of data can be exchanged accurately, including damage and status reports; work assignments; lists of supplies and equipment needed; medical information; and anything else that is text or graphic based. But, best of all, there is a permanent, stored record of each message sent. Winlink 2000 on the VHF side has the capability of being a very effective system for emergency communications. By using the Paclink email-based VHF/UHF Packet-to-Winlink 2000 system, and employing existing VHF Packet networks (ah HA..so….. Packet is not dead), mobile or portable Winlink 2000 stations can deployed to a disaster site incident command centre, and to hospitals and Red Cross comfort stations, thereby providing "last mile" communications coverage back to the local Emergency Operation Centre. In the event that the Internet fails, Paclink can operate on its own. But in the case of a widespread disaster where the Internet is down, long-haul Winlink 2000 can be employed using Airmail for message-based HF-to-Winlink 2000, as a substitute for the Internet. You may then be interested to know
that there are already many organizations and agencies in the USA using
Winlink
2000 for emergency communications, and I understand a few in Canada
that are either considering a Winlink system or are already using one.
Perhaps your EMO communications group should look into this new message
handling technology.
Winlink 2000 node or
PMBO (Personal Mail Box Office) operators ensure that HF-based Winlink
2000 traffic (Airmail) is passed into, out of, and
across the country. There are currently three Winlink 2000
PMBO HF operators in Canada. Here in Atlantic Canada VE1YZ - Neil
is one of those operators. Neil is a retired Air Canada pilot and
lives at the Head of St. Margaret's Bay just to the west of Halifax.
The other two are:VE6KBS - Karl in Calgary and VE2AFQ - Andre in Montreal.
A practical Example of Winlink 2000 Winlink keeps Karl
- VE6KBS - in contact with family and fiends as he climbs
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!
Return to News Index
Howard: I read with interest "bulletin mar1305n" that arrived by e-mail today. The section on the Radio Amateur's Code, written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, back in 1928, got me thinking. While I agree wholeheartedly with the Code (of ethics) he wrote, I offer this for consideration as well: What does AMATEUR RADIO stand for? It stands for: A Advocate
- Always presenting Amateur Radio in as positive way.
R Ready
- To lend a hand.
73 de VO1JDH
Hi Howard,
I will go back to read more about the Winlink system/capability. (And here I've only recently downloaded Echolink, but have not yet had the time to jump into tutorials and exploration.) Cheers,
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