GUYWIRE
MARCH 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. MARCH 12 7:30 PM IMAX BOARD ROOM Saskatchewan
Science Center. Use IMAX entrance and take elevator up to the top
floor. There will be an interesting live demonstration by Terry VE5TLW
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NOTE
The RARA annual financial statement for 2007-2008 can be seen on the
RARA Webpage. www.sarl.ca/rara
PRESIDENTS REPORT
Greetings
As I write this report, our education committee is working to locate a
venue for the next session of Basic Radio. Once the venue has been
secured the timeframe can be settled. As soon as these are confirmed we
will be able to start the newest session of classes. I would like to
thank Bill Wood VE5EE for heading the committee for Education this
term. Your hard work is appreciated by all members of the club. A big
thank you goes out to the amateurs that will devote some of their
personal time to creating effective training modules to enhance the
classes. It is your dedication that will help amateur radio in Regina
prosper for years to come.
Spring will soon be upon us, with that we will need to
bring up the thought of Burnside. The facility is believed
to be 100 years old this year. With that we still have the paint and
brushes to make the building look good again. Please set some time
aside this year to assist with the spring clean up at Burnside.
Last month Stan VE5SC made a wonderful presentation and demonstration
of IRLP. This is the first time in a couple of years that we were able
to hold the presentation in the Club Room and use the Club Equipment.
It is hoped that we will be able to use this facility more often. This
might even make a great meeting room for the executive meetings.
The election of officers is fast approaching. Please consider spending
a couple of hours per month with some amateur radio enthusiasts. The
business portion of the club is only about 20 to 30 minutes per month.
The rest of the regular meeting is for presentations and discussions.
This is a good way to stay involved with amateur radio.
This year we have to elect the following positions, President,
Secretary, and 2 members at large as directors. The change in directors
is very healthy for the club. It brings new ideas and new programs. It
gives the past directors a chance to look at the club in a different
perspective and then come back the next time with more new ideas and
programs. Please step up and put your name in for a director.
This month our regular meeting will enjoy a presentation
by Terry VE5TLW, on a new digital mode. He will bring a
laptop and a handheld to facilitate this presentation.
This new digital mode has some very unique options. This
is the place to find out what he can do with 5 watts.
I hope to see you at the next meeting.
Darrell Dickson VE5SX
ARES
The next ARES meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18th
at 19:30 at the Neil Balkwell Arts Centre (Stitchery Room) located at
2420 Elphinstone street (enter off of 15th Ave).
I hope to see you there.
73 - Terry (VE5TLW)
IRLP
The live demonstration of IRLP at the last meeting created a lot of
interest in the mode. Using the VE5NN club station transmitter, it was
possible to connect to reflector 9300 where repeaters from all over
Saskatchewan were connected for the 2 Meter Link Net. Then a call was
randomly placed to Freemantle Australia and a short conversation was
had with a ham there. The Sask. 2 Meter Link net can be heard Mon.-Fri
at 9:00 pm on the VE5WM repeater
WINNIPEG AMATEUR PREVAILS OVER CITY
On 23 January 2008, Gilbert Restiaux, VE4GIL learned that
the City of Winnipeg had dropped their objections to his
tower.
In 2002, Gil moved to a new neighbourhood. After checking
with planning authorities in the city, he
received their verbal agreement to erect a 48-foot tower
and HF yagi in his back yard. Five years later, one of
Gil's neighbours complained to municipal authorities
because he "did not like" the appearance of Gil's tower.
The neighbour lodged complaints by telephone twice a day
every day for several months. The City of Winnipeg
eventually laid two charges against Gil of violating
Winnipeg's zoning by-law. Gil hired a lawyer, did a
great deal of research, and enlisted the help of Tim
Ellam, VE6SH of RAC's Antenna Structures Committee.
Tim provided Gil and his lawyer with documentary
references that were of assistance to Gil's lawyer
in arguing that the city's attempts to regulate Gil's
Amateur Radio antennas were beyond municipal jurisdiction.
On 23 January, the day before Gil was scheduled to
attend court on the matter of his tower, Kerri Tymchuk, a solicitor for
the City of Winnipeg wrote to Gil's lawyer informing him that the city
"will not be pursuing this prosecution." Although not clearly stated in
Tymchuk's letter, Gil's lawyer suggested that the City of Winnipeg
understands it does not have jurisdiction over Amateur Radio antennas.
- rac
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
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.
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.
Today we feature Gordie Wightman, ex VE5XU. Gordie was an all-around
ham with more and varied interests than the average ham. As a
commercial radio operator, he had a variety of jobs including working
for Canadian Pacific Airlines as a radio operator on their flights to
Hawaii. (yes, they had radio operators on trans-oceanic flights in
those days). Gordie was interested in everything from UHF to 160
meters, being involved in satellite communications before it became
popular. It was his work with 160 meters that was most astounding. He
routinely worked all over the world on that band, which in itself is a
major feat, but having done it from his location in central Regina on a
30 foot lot, which is not exactly what you need to put up 160M
antennas, makes it even more amazing. Word had it that he had the help
of a few friendly neighbors and maybe even borrowed a spot or two on
telephone poles in the back lane. We salute the memory of Gordie
Wightman in this months glimpse into the past.
OLYMPICS SEEK HAMS
2010 Olympics seeks amateur radio volunteers
The Vancouver Olympics Committee (VANOC) has given Radio Amateurs of
Canada details of their search for ham radio volunteers to assist
during the Olympic Winter Games (Feb. 12-28, 2010) and Paralympic
Winter Games (March 12-21, 2010). Volunteers must have their own local
accommodation in Greater Vancouver or Whistler areas.
A note from Lowell KB6SDI informs us of the DMRAA Hamfest
in Des Moines Iowa April 27th at the 7 Flags Event Center
in Clive IA. More info TMulvin@msn.com
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
You think your antenna got covered with ice!
http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/Images/Snow/Snow_2008.htm
FREE ON-LINE BASIC AMATEUR COURSE
Emergency Management Ontario ARES Group are pleased to
announce a free online Basic Amateur Radio Course they developed to
certify interested volunteers in becoming Amateur Radio Operators. A
series of 8 Power Point Modules covering all the necessary information
to obtain Industry Canada Amateur Radio Certification. Visit the Free
Online Amateur Radio Course Today! www.emoares.org/course/ -information
courtesy HFRadio http://www.hfradio.net/
LAST MONTHS PUZZLER
If you were concerned about GHA, what part of the hobby
would you be involved in?
Answer:
Radio Amateurs can use GHA "Greenwich Hour Angle" formula to calculate
the position of both celestial and earth locations. It is used for
aiming an antenna for moon bounce communications. The formulas can also
be used to calculate the position of satellites in earth orbit, either
periodic or stationary.
thanks to VE5LAT
THIS MONTHS PUZZLER
The J-pole is a popular VHF antenna. By what other name is it commonly
known? Answer next month.
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