GUYWIRE
APRIL 2008
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:
www.sarl.ca/rara
The website contains RARA news, repeater lists, net
listings 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: WED. APRIL 9TH 7:30 PM IMAX BOARD ROOM Saskatchewan
Science Center. Use IMAX entrance and take elevator up to the top
floor. This is the Annual General Meeting. Post meeting event TBA
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PRESIDENTS REPORT
Good Day
This month brings us to our Annual General Meeting.
This is a exciting time for the club, we will be electing
3 directors as well as the secretary and the president.
I would like to thank the members or Regina Amateur Radio Association
for allowing me to hold the office of president for the past 2 years. I
have enjoyed the tenure and learned much along the way. I would like to
thank the past directors for their assistance and encouragement. I
would like to thank Stan VE5SC for his knowledge and assistance. A very
large thank you for Allan VE5LAT, his expert knowledge and guidance in
assisting me with the term, and his keen treasurer abilities allowing
the club to have very detailed and clear accounting practices. I will
now enjoy being a member at large for the next couple of years.
The educational classes have just started on Tuesday April 1, 2008. We
have 11 students enrolled. I would like to mention that the club
members that have signed up to assist with teaching should be commended
for your enthusiasm and generosity for donating your time and wisdom.
With any luck we may have a few more members joining our club in the
near future. Please let the students know that they are encouraged to
join us for the monthly meetings.
This is now spring and with this our minds turn to
maintenance. In particular Burnside. We should be setting
up some dates in the next few weeks to allow us to maintain
the yard and building. Please consider assisting with this. Maybe we
should have a day set up and have a BBQ at the same time.
Field Day 2008 is now on the agenda for discussion.
Maybe you have a idea you would like to try for
field day.
If you have and thoughts and ideas now is a good time
to come out to the meeting and let your thoughts be known.
Congratulations go out to the executive members that will
be elected on April 12, 2008. Have some fun during your term.
I would like to invite you all to join us for the April 12, 2008
meeting.
73's
Darrell Dickson
VE5SX
ARES
The Regina City Police have once again asked us to provide coverage for
their 1/2 marathon course. The marathon is Sunday April 20th - the walk
begins at 7:30 and the run at 8:30 am to approximately noon. If you can
assist, please let me know by email or phone (584-2602).
For your calendars as well. We have been asked to provide
communications for the Echo Valley Challenge on June 21st and the
Pancake Half Ironman on Sunday June 29th.
-VE5EE
WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY APRIL 18TH
STOLEN EQUIPMENT ALERT
From George VE5UU we get this note:
My vehicle VX-5R Tri-band portable serial number 9H110769 c/w two
FNB58LI Lithium-Ion batteries, MH-34B4B -[Speaker mic, 12V 2 AHr
gel-cell battery in black case, CN-3 SMA male to BNC female adapter,
case for radio and shoulder strap and bag kit for all the above has
been stolen. These were removed from my vehicle last wedensday night in
Pilot Butte. Any one finding or seeing them should call the RCMP or
myself at (306) 781-4050. Also taken was a Sony DSC-S40 4.1 Mega pixel
camera along with several memory sticks all in a black shoulder bag.
Thanks for you help.
George Harwood
VE5UU
MANITOBA/RAC HAMFEST
The Winnipeg Amateur Radio Club will be holding a Hamfest
from August 8 – 10, 2008, in conjunction with the Radio Amateurs of
Canada (RAC) Annual General Meeting. Hilton Suites – Winnipeg Airport
1800 Wellington Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3H 1B2
voice: 204-783-1700
tollfree: 1-800-HILTONS
fax: 204-786-6588
www.winnipegairportsuites.hilton.com
All bookings must mention Winnipeg Amateur
Radio Club in order to get the negotiated group
rate.
Hamfest Web site http://www.mts.net/~warc/hamfest
MOOSE JAW FLEA MARKET
Moose Jaw Amateur Radio Club Annual Flea Market
April 12, 2008 Western Development Museum
Moose Jaw, SK Contact
Brebda @ ve5tg@sasktel.net for more info
or go to http://www.maritek.sasktelwebsite.net/ve5ma/
BRANDON FLEA MARKET
From the Winnipeg Club Newsletter we learn that the
Brandon Amateur Radio Club will hold their Flea Market
on Sunday April 27th. at the Riverview Curling Club,
420 Maryland Ave. in Brandon Vendor doors open at 11.00
hrs and the public at 12:00 hrs. Lunch will be sold.
SOME Q CODES THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE STUDY GUIDE
QBA - My antenna is BIG!
QBA? - How big is your antenna?
QBO - Don't sit next to that guy in the meeting.
QBO? - Buddy, can you spare some soap?
QBS - It's getting deep in here.
QBS? - Did I tell you about the one that got away?
QCP - I am using Cat Power(From Rotary Cat Power Wheel)
QCP? - Are you using Cat Power?
QCW - I am going to whistle Morse Code on FM (or SSB)
QCW? - Why are you whistling Morse?
QDR - Damn Right the frequency is busy!(In response to QRL) QDR? - Do
you have a Receiver? (In response to QRL)
QET - Phone home.
QET? - Has anyone called me from another planet?
QFH - This frequency is MINE! - go elsewhere.
QFH? - Is this frequency hogged?
QHI - I am jumping in quick to say hi, then going QRT.
QHI? - Are you leaving after only one transmission?
QLF - I am sending with my left foot.
QLF? - Are you sending with your left foot?
QOK - Your last transmission was Okie Dokie.
QOK? - Was my last transmission OK?
QPM - Your signal is purr modulated.
QPM? - Is my signal purr modulated?
QRC - Warning, rag chewer on frequency.
QRC? - Are you a rag chewer?
QWC? - Who cares?
QWC - I don't care
QZZ - I fell asleep at the mike.
QZZ? - Is that a 60Hz hum, or are you snoring?
-VE3FAB
PROFILES OF OUR PAST
In each issue we will offer a glimpse into the
lives and accomplishments of Regina hams from the past
and how they made their mark on the local radio scene.
This month we highlight Art Driver ex VE5CM.
Art was active in the club in the years following the
war. Art was both an experimenter and traffic operator.
His interest in nets prompted him to donate the Art Driver Efficiency
Trophy which was awarded yearly at hamfests. Art lived in an area of
twenty five foot lots and was plagued with BCI, broadcast interference.
To placate his neighbors, Art had his basement shack lined with tin and
had all incoming and outgoing wiring bypassed. It worked. Art worked
many years for Sask Power, and on his retirement he took a job at a
gravel pit weighscale at Findlater. It was a job that made for a lot of
spare time, so Art set up his rig at the site and made contacts between
trucks.
WE DIDN'T MAKE THIS ONE UP!
Reuters reports that police in central England were searching for the
party who left a hacksaw embedded in an 11,000 volt power cable near
the town of Creswell. Police suspect that the owner, or owners, of the
hacksaw were attempting to cut through the cable to make off with the
valuable copper wiring contained within. Copper prices have doubled in
the past four years, setting off a wave of thefts of infrastructure
wires and cables. The would-be thief, who also left a blowtorch at the
scene, would likely have been seriously injured, or at least badly
charred. However, a check by police of local hospitals did not turn up
any suspects. Approximately 800 electric customers in Creswell were
without power for several hours as a result of the incident.
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
Going on a trip and want to know which repeaters are active in that
area or maybe you just want a list of provincial repeaters? For a free
on-line listing go to:
http://nwham.com/index.php?module=PostWrap&page=http:
//nwham.com/repeaters/keyword.php
Note that this URL should be entered as one continuous line. This
database will be kept current for Sask. listings. It allows you to
display or print out information in several formats.
LAST MONTHS PUZZLER
The J-pole is a popular VHF antenna. By what other name is it commonly
known?
Answer: It is known as the Zepp or Slim Jim.
THIS MONTHS PUZZLER
What is the smallest country in the world and what is its prefix?
Answer next week.
MEMBERSHIPS ARE NOW DUE
R.A.R.A. Membership Application 2008– 2009
(Please write clearly and enter Y or N in boxes as required)
Name: _____________________________________________
Call Sign: ______________ Current RAC membership
Mailing Address: _____________________________________
_____________________________________
e-mail Address: _____________________________________
Renewal or New Membership
Single Membership ($30) ____ Family membership ($35) ____
I have enclosed $____ for ____ membership(s) indicated above. Please
include this application with your fee to club treasurer Allan Tidball
or mail cheque to Regina Amateur Radio Association
(VE5LAT) Box 153 Station Main
Regina, Sask. S4P 2Z6