Mar 2010 Edition 54 Page 1 Rambler Newsletter of the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club Incorporated Girl Guides liven up VE3JW 2010 said the big screen at the VE3JW Amateur Radio station, permanent exhibit of the Canada Science and Technology Museum, in Ottawa. On Saturday, Feb 20th, Beth, VA3CEW, fired up the group of Brownies and Guides we were hosting, to chant in V - E - 3 - J - W!! They put in so much energy into it that the call resonated over the crowded museum and drowned their public address system. This opening call proved to be a good omen as it reverberated around the world and provided us with far reaching contacts, rarely available in recent years. Darin, VE3OIJ, was handling the HF console and propagation was on our side as we connected with stations in Portugal, England, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, and Bernie, VO1ABN, in Newfoundland. I tackled the VHF/UHF console and made contacts coast-to-coast within Canada via the IRLP system. The guides got information on the Olympic Games in BC via contacts in Salt Spring Island, Squamish and Garibaldi Highlands, and also about the heavy snow in NovaScotia through a contact in Halifax; Steve, VE1SBC. G G ting for GOTA was organized by Guide Leader Julie Sculland and grouped the 194th Gloucester Brownies and the 79th Gloucester Guides for the event. She thanked us for the fun event and showed amazement at the far reaching contacts we made for her group. GOTA takes place every year on the third weekend of February and the VE3JW facilities have been available to the Guides through arrangements with the A providing access on special event days. Continued on page: 6 Figure 1 Girl Guides visit VE3JW = Page 1 = Page 2 Rambler Mar 2010 OVMRC Executive 2009-2010 President: Michel Barbeau, VE3EMB michel.barbeau@sympatico.ca, Vice-President: Beth Webster, VA3CEW cemwebster@canada.com, Treasurer: Robert Plante, VA3SHO plantrj@rogers.com, 613-231-6044 Assistant Treasurer: Arthur Smith, VA3BIT Arthur.smith@rogers.com, 613-795-1154 Secretary: Joe Lemieux, VE3EUS ve3eus@rac.ca, 613-745-5074 Standing Committee Chairpersons Amateur Radio Exhibit: Maurice André Vigneault, VE3VIG vig@mondenet.com, 613-749-9010 Amateur Radio Training & Accredited Examiner: Ernie Jury, VE3EJJ es282@freenet.carleton.ca, 613-728-3666 Historical: Larry Wilcox, VE3WEH larrywilcox@rogers.com, 613-747-5565 Membership: Joe Lemieux, VE3EUS ve3eus@rac.ca, 613-745-5074 Publicity & Programs: Vacant Radio Operations: Doug Lackey, VE3DLJ douglaslackey@hotmail.com Technical: Cam Milne, VA3FO cmilne@nortel.com, 613-763-8068 Emergency Preparedness: Paul Labbé, VE3NJS paul.labbe@usa.net Special Events Vacant Newsletter Editor: Robert Cherry, VE2AGE robert_cherry@hotmail.com Webmaster: Chris Wiesner, VE3CUZ ve3cuz@gmail.com, 613-837-2997 For information about the duties and responsibilities about all Executive and Chair positions, please visit the OVMRC forums, Member section or ontact any member of the Executive. Sponsors The OVMRC acknowledges the following organizations for their support of our activities: A e, Ottawa, ON B , Ottawa, ON ., Trois-Riviéres, QC Canada Inc., Mississauga, ON C Ltd., Ottawa, ON Travel-Mor Trailer Sales, Ottawa, ON The cb eb ie i hed by: Magma Communications Ltd. www.ovmrc.on.ca OVMRC Life Members Maurice-André Vigneault, VE3VIG Ralph Cameron, VE3BBM Doug Carswell, VE3ATY Doreen Morgan, VE3CGO Ed Morgan, VE3GX Bill Wilson, VE3NR (SK) OVMRC Repeaters 147.300 MHz(+) 444.200 MHZ(+) Amateur Radio Exhibit VE3JW Web site: ovmrc.on.ca/ve3jw.htm Canada Science & Technology Museum The Rambler is the official newsletter of the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club Incorporated and is published 11 times a year (monthly, except for July). Opinions expressed in the Rambler are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the OVMRC, its officers or its members. Permission is granted to republish the contents in whole or in part, providing the source is acknowledged. Commercial use of the contents is expressly prohibited. Submit articles to the editor or by e-mail to: Robert Cherry, VE2AGE robert_cherry@hotmail.com = Page 2 = Mar 2010 Rambler Page 3 MINUTES, OVMRC GENERAL MEETING, February 18, 2010 1. CALL TO ORDER The President, Michel VE3EMB, called the meeting to order at 19:40. There were 32 people in attendance. 2. GUESTS AND VISITING AMATEURS Andrew, Bob VE3MPG, Bob VA3QV, Jennifer, Kieran VA3KS, Mathieu, and Reg VA3REG. 3. PROGRAM Martin VA3SIE presented a talk entitled Summits on the Air (SOTA), Amateur Radio from the Summits of Québec. He described the origins of SOTA, its objectives, how it is organized internationally, how to get started and participate, some of the equipment commonly used to make contacts, the awards that are available to participants, the summits that have been defined in Québec, and some of the web tools used to manage SOTA contacts. Martin offered several tips to enhance personal safety while participating in SOTA, including the frequent use of weather radio while on the top of mountains. SOTA is an internet-based awards program that combines operating amateur radios with hiking in mountains. SOTA is a rather recent aspect of amateur radio. It was launched in Britain in 2002. It has become very popular in Europe, and is gaining the attention of amateurs in the United States as well as in Québec. The basic SOTA entity is the summit. Summits are grouped by region, regions are grouped by association, and associations are grouped by country. The objective of participating in SOTA is to make amateur radio contacts from the top of mountains. All contacts must be made on simplex. There are no power restrictions, but all radio equipment must be carried to the summit. To qualify for SOTA, a summit must be accessible to all. Points are earned for participation. The number of points earned depends on summit elevation, the degree of difficulty in reaching it, and the season when contacts are made. In SOTA terminology, an activator is an amateur who climbs a summit and operates a radio from it. A chaser is an individual working an activator. The chaser is generally located at a base station, but could be mobile or portable. Shortwave listeners can also earn points. At least four QSOs are required to score points from a summit. CQ SOTA is commonly used to solicit contacts. Activators are the ones who score the most points with respect to any given contact. Awards are available once a participant reaches cumulative scores of 100, 250, 500 and 1,000 points. A score of 1,000 points earns the Mountain Goat or Shack Sloth trophy. SOTA contacts on VHF are very common in Europe. In Canada, contacts are more often made on HF, particularly with low power (QRP) on CW because of the relatively lower weight of batteries that must be carried to the top. Frequencies commonly used in SOTA include 7.032 MHz, 7.118 MHz, 10.118 MHz, 14.060 MHz and 14.258 MHz. The Yaesu VX7R, the Elecraft KX1 (kit), the Hendricks PFR-3 (kit), the Yaesu FT817 and the Yaesu FT857 are radios commonly used in SOTA. Antennas include end-fed wires, inverted-V dipoles and beams. Telescoping poles are frequently used as masts. Some of the more popular models used include the Shakespeare Wonderpole, the Jackit pole and the Spiderbeam pole. = Page 3 = Page 4 Rambler Mar 2010 In the United States, SOTA associations exist in call sign area W1, W2 and W6. In Canada, an association currently exists only in the VE2 call sign area, although one is planned for the VE3 area. In the VE2 association, there are 10 regions, encompassing 63 summits. Mont Ste-Marie, identified as VE2 OU 001, in the Outaouais Region, and Mont Tremblant, identified as VE2 LR 002, in the Laurentides Region, are some of the better-know local SOTA summits. The SOTA Outaouais Region is managed by Martin VA3SIE. The SOTA website is located at http://www.sota.org.uk/. The VE2 association website can be found at http://www.summitsbase.org. uk/tiki- index.php?page=VE+Call+Ar eas. The reference manual for the VE2 association, which started in 2009, is at http://www.sota.org.uk/docs/A RM-VE2.pdf.A. Activations and alerts of up-coming activations can be found at http://database.sota.org.uk/de fault.aspx. SOTA maintains a database where participants can register, submit logs or view QSO statistics located at http://database.sota.org.uk/. An informative video summarizing the essence of SOTA has been prepared by the French radio amateur F6EWO. 4. COMMITTEES 4.1 Amateur Radio Exhibit a) Proposed Upgrades to the Club Station Maurice-André VE3VIG announced that the equipment upgrades to VE3JW that he had proposed at the previous general meeting of the Club had been prioritized and had been published in the February issue of the Rambler. He encouraged all members to read the proposal. The proposal will be put to a vote at the March 18 general meeting of the Club. b) Graduates of Satellite Communications Course Maurice-André VE3VIG presented a certificate to Beth VA3CEW for successful completion of the satellite communications course offered by the Club. The satellite course is open to all amateurs. c) White Cane Week Maurice-André VE3VIG reported that one visually impaired person had participated in the White Cane Week event hosted by the Club during the week of February 7-13. d) Guides on the Air On February 20, the Club will host a number of Girl Guides at the Club station VE3JW. The objective of this event is to introduce Guides to amateur radio and to help them make contacts. Club members and other amateurs who can assist with this event should contact Maurice-André VE3VIG at vig@mondenet.com. 4.2 Amateur Radio Training Ernie VE3EJJ reported that the lecture portion of the radio theory course offered by the Club had been completed. Five people are expected to take the examination that is scheduled for February 23. 4.3 Membership Joe VE3EUS announced that the nametags recently ordered by Club members had arrived and were available at the membership table. Anyone wanting to order a nametag should contact Joe. 4.4 Programs and Publicity Michel VE3EMB announced that Home Brew night would be held at the March 18 general meeting of the Club. Members are encouraged to make a 5 to 10 minute presentation on their home brew projects. Beth VA3CEW will chair a panel = Page 4 = Mar 2010 Rambler Page 5 of judges. Prizes will be awarded. 4.5 Radio Operations Larry VE3WEH announced that, due to job commitments, Doug VE3DLJ would no longer be able to chair the radio operations committee. As a result, another volunteer is required for that position. Thank you Doug for your efforts on behalf of the Club. 4.6 Special Events Michel VE3EMB announced that, due to other commitments, Peter VE3DPN would not be able to organize Club participation in field day that is scheduled for June. As a result, another volunteer is required to organize it. 4.7 Website Chris VE3CUZ announced that a new forum for shacks and equipment had been established on the Club website. He invited members to visit and to contribute photograph and other material. 5. NEW BUSINESS Bureau Looking for Amateurs Beth VA3CEW asked members to help the Bureau locate Ian VA3RIX. 6. COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR Larry VE3WEH advised members that the Seaway Valley Amateur Radio Club is seeking speakers for their general meetings. Those interested should contact Larry for details. 7. UPCOMING CLUB MEETINGS The next meeting of the Club executive will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 19:00 at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The next general meeting of the Club will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 19:30 at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. 8. DOOR PRIZES AND DRAWS Door prizes were won by André VE3CLW, Ante VA2BBW, Beth VA3CEW, Bob VA3QV, Chris VE3CUZ, David VE3ZZU, Doreen VE3CGO, Ed VE3GX, Ernie VE3EJJ, Hervé VA3RKO, Jamie VA3JME, Jennifer, Kieran VA3KS, Martin VA3SIE, Mathieu, Michel VE3EMB, Mike VA3MJB and Sandy VE3HAZ. Thank you to Ernie VE3EJJ and Michel VE3EMB for donating a good number of the prizes. The 50/50 draw ($27.00) was won by Reg VA3REG who graciously donated the proceeds to the Club. Thank you Reg. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 21:45 at which time the audience was invited to continue discussing SOTA with Martin VA3SIE. Subsequently, many of the attendees proceeded, as is customary, to the local coffee shop to talk radio. All are welcome to join in after the meeting. 10. SIGNED Joe VE3EUS, Secretary NOTICE OF MOTION At the general meeting of March 18th, members in good standing will be asked to vote on the following motion: Moved that the executive be authorized to spend up to $5,500 to upgrade the Club station VE3JW, substantially as published in the February 2010 issue of the Rambler. Signed, E3E, = Page 5 = Page 6 Rambler Mar 2010 Antenna Building Project Greetings, Darrel VA3RDC of the MARG and I are organizing an antenna building party. The antenna is called 'The Pounder', which is a Log Period Dipole Array(LPDA) for 2m. This is a very compact antenna which can be used for DF'ing or regular use. It only weighs 1 pound, thus the name, and looks like a Yagi, but end-fed. We don't know the costs yet, until we can gauge interest. I suspect it will be less that $20 per unit (but don't hold me to that). Additionally, it can be found in the ARRL Antenna Handbook 1991 (10-17). The specs can be requested from Darrel(va3rdc3730@gmail.c om) or me(va3sm@rac.ca) by email. 73 Chris OFFICE HELP WANTED Membership/Store Coordinator, RAC HQ (Ottawa) Radio Amateurs of/du Canada Inc. (RAC) is seeking a client-focused, people- oriented individual to manage membership relations and sales. This position includes soliciting and processing membership renewals, answering questions from members and prospective members on services offered by RAC, fielding membership concerns and complaints as well as managing RAC's store operations and processing orders. The successful applicant must have a high degree of inter- personal skills, be proficient in English and French (both written and spoken), have a background in sales or marketing, have administrative and clerical experience and be a licensed amateur radio operator. The individual must be a problem solver, interested in a challenge and must be able to work with and motivate a team of amateur radio volunteers. The successful candidate reports to the RAC Office Manager and is expected to undertake the duties of the Office Manager in the event of the . H are part time to full time. Pay: $13.00 per/hour. Please send questions and resumes to the President, Radio Amateurs of/du Canada Inc., at ve4baw@rac.ca. Continued from page: 1 You can open your station to GOTA by hosting Girl Guides during this special event, which runs for two days, Saturday and Sunday. Coordination is made with your local Guides Leader. A great way to introduce Girl Guides to the awesome world of Amateur Radio and help them to complete a radio contact to far away places. Pre-arranged contacts with other Guides groups during this special event is highly recommended and do provide much fun. We thank Beth and Darin for participating in the event and also, Larry, VE3WEH, who provided a contact while mobile in Ottawa. Till next year! Maurice-Andre Vigneault, VE3VIG Amateur Radio Exhibit Group VE3JW = Page 6 = Mar 2010 Rambler Page 7 OVMRC Field Day 2010: Call for Participants There will be this year an OVMRC Field Day on the grounds of the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The dates are June 26th and 27th. We will sign VE3RAM. I will coordinate the use of the frequencies and consolidate and submit the logs to the ARRL. This year, operators will have to provide their own power, their own shelter and their own equipment. There will be no food provided unless someone is willing to organize it. Paul VE3NJS is considering bringing the Club trailer for this event. Maurice-André VE3VIG and Ernie VE3EJJ are both planning to operate from their tent. Everyone is welcome. However, if you are planning to come and operate with your own equipment on the grounds of the museum for the Field Day, I need to know in advance since we have to provide a list of participants to the museum. I need to get your name only if your planning to setup your own station. You can email me at michel.barbeau@sympatico. ca . Michel VE3EMB OVMRC President RAC Bulletin 2010-007E Canadian Amateur Radio Access to 137 Khz. 2010-03-10 Industry Canada has approved access by Canadian radio amateurs to the Low Frequency (LF) band 135.7 - 137.8 kHz, subject to certain conditions. The Revised Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations, promulgated in December 2009 to incorporate changes arising from decisions taken at World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) 2007, permits amateur use on a Secondary basis subject to Footnote 5.67A. The Footnote states: "Stations in the amateur service using frequencies in the band 135.7-137.8 kHz shall not exceed a maximum radiated power of 1 W (EIRP) and shall not cause harmful interference to stations of the radionavigation service operating in countries listed in No. 5.67. (WRC-07)". Industry Canada has advised that Canadian radio amateurs may now use the band and that Schedule I of RBR-4 Standards for the Operation of Stations in the Amateur Radio Service will be amended in due course. Richard Ferch VE3IAY/VE3KI Vice President Regulatory Affairs Radio Amateurs of Canada = Page 7 =