GUYWIRE

OCTOBER    2005

Editor VE5SC sewert@sasktel.net

The online publication of the REGINA AMATEUR RADIO
ASSOCIATION is published monthly except July and August
and is distributed free of charge as a service of RARA
to all licensed hams in the Regina Area who have e-mail
addresses. Anyone NOT wishing to receive future copies
should send an e-mail to the editor and your name will
be removed from the mailing list.

The RARA WEBSITE can be found at
http://www.gpfn.sk.ca/hobbies/rara/index.html
   (Please note that the website will shortly
be moving to a new provider.  We will keep you informed.)
The website  contains RARA news, repeater lists as well as
links to other amateur resources.
Club meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month,
with the exception of July and August, at the Science Center.

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NEXT MEETING    WEDNESDAY  OCTOBER 12TH  7:30 PM
  IMAX BOARDROOM  SCIENCE CENTER
After the business meeting there will be a presentation
on the role of Ham Radio in recent disasters.


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   EDITORIAL

   It is seldom that we feature an editorial in the pages
of Guywire, but this month you will note that the Presidents
report is missing.
   The reason for this is that John VE5SJA is leaving our
fair city and has regretfully tendered his resignation as president
of the club, and we would be remiss if we didn't give him a
heartfelt thank you from the membership for his untiring
efforts to promote amateur radio, the club and its activities.
   In all my years as a member of this organization,
I haven't seen anyone put more time and effort into the
position.  John was never afraid to tackle problems that
seemed unsurmountable, and always stepped in when
no one else came forward to do a job.  He will be missed.
   Good luck in your new life John.

   20,000 HAMS HAVE NEW ACCESS TO HF.

Industry Canada reports that since the new regulations were
implemented on July 30, 2005,  19,995 Canadian amateurs
who held a Basic Only certificate before April 2, 2002 have
been granted access to the HF bands.

There remain  2450 amateur operators in Canada that do
not possess HF privileges. This does not imply that they
have not met the 80% pass mark but that as of today, Industry
Canada  has had no requests from these individuals for HF
privileges.

Effective immediately, HF operation on the bands below 30
MHz has been authorized by Industry Canada for:

a)                  amateurs who were certified with only the BASIC
Qualification prior to 2 April 2002;
b)                  amateurs who have been certified with both BASIC
and ADVANCED Qualifications;
c)                   amateurs with only the BASIC Qualification who
were certified after 1 April 2002, and who achieved a pass mark
of 80% or greater;

   -Credit   RAC

                      
  IRLP  -  ARISS  NEWS

ARISS, the Amateur Radio/International Space Station organiz-
ation arranges for amateur radio contacts with the Space
Station which allow students in classrooms around the world
to talk to the astronauts.  As you might imagine, the time the
astronauts have available for this project is limited, and as a
result, there is a waiting period of about two years for schools
to get a booking.
The club is approaching the Science Center to make a joint
application for a contact.  We feel that if we do it during the
summer months when schools are not in session we will have
a better chance of getting on the list, and working with the
Science Center would allow us to get a group of young
people together to ask questions.
In addition to individual contacts with the Space Station, the
conversations are carried on the IRLP Discovery Reflector
(node 9010) so anyone can listen in by dialling up the reflector
when a contact is in progress.
You can hear examples of previous contacts by accessing
www.discoveryreflector.ca  You will also find details of
ARISS upcoming contacts and other information on this site.


  HAM CLASSES

A new session of ham classes began Sept. 29th and will
run to November 22.  There are 5 prospective hams
enrolled.  Classes are held at the Sherwood Marketplace,
2925 Quance St. E. in their upstairs meeting room.
Contact VE5LAT for further details.
Is anyone out there interested in an Advanced class?
If there is enough interest we may arrange another
class.
   MORSE CODE RINGTONES

Want a morse code ringtone for your cellphone? Just go to
http://www.braintank.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/midi/morse2mid.php
and create your own.

   SCOUTS JAMBOREE ON THE AIR

The annual Scouts Jamboree will be on the air on October 15 & 16th.
Look for stations hosting scouting groups on the HF bands.  There
will also be activity on IRLP.  Australian groups will be on node
number 6391  and New Zealand on 6900.

   MORSE CODE IS ALIVE AND WELL
It's just over two years ago the mandatory requirement
of Morse code proficiency tests for access to the high
frequency amateur bands was removed. That historic
decision at the World Radiocommunications Conference
2003 resulted in many countries ending the code requirement.

But what, if any, impact has that decision had on the use
of Morse code by radio amateurs? There appears to be no
sign of a demise of CW interest and operation. Listen to the
HF bands and often there more simultaneous CW contacts
than there are on phone. Sometimes there's plenty of QSOs
on the bottom end of the band and no phone contacts to
be heard. DXpeditions and some special event stations
demonstrate that those which include CW in their operation
have great successes. Contesting is another area of CW
strength. Morse code operator clubs are attracting new
members. Requests for CW learning materials regularly
appear on the ham wanted and for sale sites, along with
second hand straight keys and paddles. Manufacturers
of paddles seem to be doing very well. New model ham
rigs continue to have in-built CW keyers. Samuel Finley
Breese Morse would indeed be pleased to hear that the
telegraphic code which bears his name, and created a
revolution in world communications, is being conserved
for the future by radio amateurs.
(Thanks to Jim Linton VK3PC and WIA News) 
 
Last Months puzzler:

What is Doherty modulation?
Answer:  Courtesy VE5SJA-  "Doherty Modulation is a modified
linear amplifier, low level modulated at the driver stages. What
distinguishes it from others is that it uses two RF output tubes, one which
handles the carrier and the negative modulation swings (the "Carrier tube")
and the other tube (the "Peak Tube"), which normally is cut off, but goes
into action during the positive peaks of modulation."

This Month Puzzler

Maximum permissable transmitting power levels are set out in
the Radio Regulations.  The regulations also limit the maximum
power that a transmitter may be capable of producing.  The
two are not necessarily the same.  What is the maximum legal
power level that a transmitter can produce?

Answer next month.