GUYWIRE
FEBRUARY 2009
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.ve5nn.ca
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: FEBRUARY 11TH 7:30 PM
IMAX BOARD ROOM SCIENCE CENTER
Take the elevator to the top floor and go past
the IMAX projection room.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
IF THE IMAX ENTRANCE DOOR IS LOCKED, SOMEONE WILL
BE AT THE DOOR WITH DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO GET TO THE IMAX
BOARDROOM.
NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO GUYWIRE PUBLISHED IN MARCH
due to the editor being away on holidays.
Members will receive an e-mail notice of the meeting date.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
CLUB ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP WITH SEVERAL POSITIONS OPEN.
ANYONE WILLING TO SERVE SHOULD CONTACT VE5EE.
THE 2009 SASKATCHEWAN HAMFEST WILL BE HELD AT LANIGAN SASK.
JULY 11TH 9-4 More details to come.
THE MOOSE JAW FLEA MARKET WILL BE HELD AT THE WESTERN
DEVELOPMENT MUSEUM APRIL 4TH
The ARRL NATIONAL CONVENTION will be held at the Dayton
Hamvention® May 15-17 at Hara Arena. According to ARRL
Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, the
ARRL National Convention will be filled with activities
and exhibits.
TECHNICAL REPORT
After a major rebuild, the Regina IRLP node on VE5WM repeater
is back in operation. Thanks go out to Doug, VE5DA for the
donation of a computer to replace the one that failed.
BERMUDA ANNIVERSARY CALLSIGNS
2009 is the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Bermuda
by Sir George Somers. Most local organisations are having
an event of some kind during the year. The Radio Society
of Bermuda has been issued with a special call sign
that can be used all year, it is VP9400/xx.
The xx suffix is the operator's call sign, i.e.
VP9400/LP. There are a few novice licence holders
who have a 3 digit suffix, i.e. VP9400/NMT. Special
pictorial postcards will be used to QSL.
-RAC
http://www.flixxy.com/helicopter-cable-inspector.htm
RAC ASKS FOR EXEMPTION
RAC president Dave Goodwin has sent a letter to Ron Lemieux,
Minister for Infrastructure and Highways on behalf of Manitoba
Amateurs in reference to Bill 5, which will regulate use of
cellphones while in the car. Dave has requested that Amateurs
have an explicit exemption from this proposed amendment as in
other provinces that have such a ban on handheld personal
devices such as cell phones and PCS devices while mobile.
-RAC
DISTRESS BEACONS PHASED OUT
As of February 1, the Cospas-Sarsat (Search and Rescue
Satellite Aided Tracking) satellites are no longer
monitoring distress beacons at 121.5 and 243 MHz.
All mariners, aviators and individuals who use
emergency beacons on those frequencies will need
to switch to the newer, digital 406 MHz frequency
if they want to be detected by the monitoring satellites.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
claims that in 2008, beacons monitored by the Cospas-Sarsat
worldwide system were responsible for almost 300 lives saved,
including 203 people rescued in 65 in at-sea incidents and
12 people rescued in 7 aviation incidents.
-ARRL
WEBSITES OF THE MONTH
How would you like the job of checking high voltage power
lines....by climbing out of a helicopter and sitting on
the wires Take a look at this website:
http://www.flixxy.com/helicopter-cable-inspector.htm
A lesson on how not to put up an antenna. Laurel and
Hardy show you what not to do. Go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIgqrHTEXbI&feature=related
LAST MONTHS PUZZLER
Which station started out as VE9OB and then was VE9CC
and what is its current callsign?
ANSWER: It is CHU, the National Observatory Time station
in Ottawa. Congrats to VE5AEO for the first correct answer.
Green Statement 2009: No trees were sacrificed in
the dissemination of this newsletter; we regret that a
large number of electrons were inconvenienced.
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 Assoc.
(VE5LAT) Box 153 Station Main
Regina, Sask. S4P 2Z6