Apr 2010 Edition 54 Page 1 Rambler Newsletter of the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club Incorporated Save on RAC Membership This message is primarily for Ontario & British Columbia amateurs. If you were thinking of becoming a RAC member or renewing your current membership, now is the time to do it. Here is why: There is a one-time "window of opportunity" open until May 1st to save 8% (ON) or 7% (BC) on the future price of a RAC Membership. Here is how it works. As of July 1st of this year, the Harmonized Sales Tax will be fully implemented in two more provinces, Ontario & British Columbia. That means that the total cost of an annual membership in Radio Amateurs of Canada will rise from $52.50 currently to $56.50 (ON) & $56 (BC). HST Transition Rules call for a pro-rated phase-in beginning May 1st. As of May 1st, RAC will have to collect HST on the portion of the membership that is after July 1st. Up until that date (May 1st), RAC only collects GST (5%) instead of the HST (13%-ON, 12%-BC). Therefore, the cost of RAC's annual membership will remain at $52.50 per year, until May 1st. RAC offers 1-, 2-, & 3-year memberships. Therefore, one can add-on to their existing membership up to 3 years more, or acquire a new membership for one to three years. If purchased before May 1st, it is only $52.50 per year, saving $4 (8%) in Ontario, or $3.50 (7%) in BC. RAC Membership is really a no-brainer. We need RAC to represent our interests before national & international governmental entities. No one else can advocate for us in these venues. There are many other benefits associated with RAC Membership, such as liability insurance, bi- monthly magazine, outgoing QSL bureau, etc. But the must-have need is a representative organization to protect and enhance the interests of amateur radio. RAC is that national advocate in Canada. Remember, you have approximately one-month to save on your RAC membership. I think all of us will want to take advantage of the savings involved here. Call RAC at 613-244-4367 or 877-273-8304, between 10am & 3pm, Monday to Friday. Remember, you have only one month to save; on May 1st the savings end! AMSAT/ARISS IN TORONTO The AMSAT/ARISS booth at the largest RadioFest in Canada, which took place in Toronto on Mar 27, attracted many visitors, and photographers, thanks to the excellent contribution from the Canada Space Agency (CSA). HAMEX 2010 is the name of the convention for this year and the Peel and Mississauga Amateur Radio Clubs invited us to participate. They provided us with tables, power and assistance for this annual event. Hats off to the organizing committee who made a huge success of the = Page 1 = Page 2 Rambler Apr 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 Trailers 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 = Apr 2010 Rambler Page 3 Continued from page: 1 event and made us feel part of their team. The AMSAT/ARISS participation displayed logos and information boards with pictures of astronauts involved in the ARISS program, a large AMSAT banner predominantly posted, and two 7ft posters on loan from the Canada Space Agency. Two mini satellite communications stations were used to show how easy it could be to break into the Amateur Radio satellite world. Satellite tracking was displayed on a Netbook and on a PDA to show how convenient and practical it really is. Numerous handouts explaining AMSAT and the ARISS program were swiftly cleaned out. We reserved copies of a pamphlet, explaining the ARISS program, for teachers and schools. Next time, we will have copies of the school application form for an ARISS contact, but ample indication of where to find it, and download it, was on our pamphlets and was passed on while in conversation with interested visitors. See: http://www.rac.ca/aris and http://www.ovmrc.on.ca/ari ss.htm The CSA was very generous in providing handouts, stickers, various magnetic logos, cards and trinkets, which were much appreciated by the attendance. We also ran out of AMSAT membership application forms, which is a good indication of the interest raised among the crowd. Let's hope that all these applications find their way back to Martha, who is our AMSAT's Office Manager. We had three active members of the ARISS-I Group on site, Darin Cowan, VE3OIJ, on the Project Selection and Use Committee, and the two Canadian delegates, Daniel Lamoureux, VE2KA for RAC and M.A Vigneault, VE3VIG for AMSAT. I guess we did not cause much trouble as the organizing committee, just before we left, asked us if we will be back next year. All in all, it was a very successful outing, allowing us to promote AMSAT and Amateur Radio SatCom, and the ARISS program with the participation of the CSA. Many showed renewed interest for this facet of Amateur Radio, experimenting with space communications. Maurice-André Vigneault, VE3VIG AMSAT Canada Delegate ARISS International Working Group ARISS School Selection Committee Note: AMSAT Amateur Radio Satellite Corporation ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station = Page 3 = Page 4 Rambler Apr 2010 MINUTES, OVMRC GENERAL MEETING, March 18, 2010 1. CALL TO ORDER The Vice-President, Beth VA3CEW, called the meeting to order at 19:40. There were 42 people in attendance. A quorum of members in good standing was present. 2. GUESTS AND VISITING AMATEURS Andrew, Bob VA3QV, Clare VE3NPC, Gil VE3JRY, Gord VE3FRB, Gord VE3GAH, Jean VE3DNI, Johnny VE3EIE, Kieran VA3KS, Reg VA3REG and Tyler VA3DGN. 3. ASSISTANCE Ian VE3IJJ would like information on installing a tower for HF and installing antennas in limited spaces. 4. PROGRAM a) Homebrew Night Six amateurs, Alan VA3STL, Bob VA3QV, Ernie VE3EJJ, Michel VE3EMB, Paul VE3NJS and Roy VA3CKD participated in the Club homebrew contest. In addition, Larry VE3WEH talked about a homebrew project that was crafted in the 1930s. Participants made a brief presentation describing their projects. Alan presented a direct conversion transceiver. Bob presented a W3EDP HF antenna (see, for example, http://va3qv.wordpress.co m/). Ernie presented a tweezers-like tester for measuring some of the electrical properties of surface mount components, a device for conveniently inserting an ammeter into the power feed line of a transmitter that can be used for setting such parameters as bias levels, and vice grips onto which he had welded dies for crimping connectors. Paul presented a meter for finding defective wires and dead junction boxes inside walls. Roy presented a foxhole AM radio receiver consisting of the classic coil of wire, a razor blade, a safety pin, a slider and a high impedance earpiece (see for example, http://www.wnyc.org/files /foxhole_radio.pdf). Michel VE3EMB presented two Software Defined Radio (SDR) projects. One was an implementation of Linux for the BF537 and the other was an assembly of high performance (HPSDR) units. The BF537 is a single board computer proposed by Ray W5IFS to experiment with SDR. The proposal appeared in an ARRL QEX column entitled SDR: Simplified. The BF537 is shipped with a version of the Linux operating system that lacks the support for interfacing with RF components. Therefore, Michel implemented Linux with device drivers that support communications between the BF537 and the RF world. For more information, see http://people.scs.carleton. ca/~barbeau/SDR/. The HPSDR is a next generation SDR kit available from TAPR (http://www.tapr.org/). Miche adi cfigai includes the following boards: Atlas (backplane that other boards plug into), Janus (high performance A/D converter), Power supply, Mercury (HF direct sampling receiver), Penelope (transmitter), PennyWhistle (power amplifier) and Excalibur (temperature compensated crystal oscillator). All boards use surface mount electronics. Some of them require assembly and testing. The radio is functional and demonstrations recorded by Michel can be viewed on Youtube (lookup VE3EMB). After exhaustive deliberations, the judges, Darin VE3OIJ and Sandy VE3HAZ, awarded first prize to Ernie, second prize to Alan and third prize to Roy. Congratulations to all the presenters. = Page 4 = Apr 2010 Rambler Page 5 5. COMMITTEES 5.1 Amateur Radio Exhibit a) Proposed Upgrades to the Club Station Maurice-André VE3VIG presented a summary of the upgrades proposed for the Club station VE3JW. Members in good standing were asked to vote on the motion that had been published in the Rambler of March 2010. After informative discussion among members on issues such as the state of Club finances and the expected accessibility of upgrades to amateurs and other visitors, the motion (see below) was passed unanimously. Thank you all for your support. Congratulations Maurice-André. MOTION: Moved by Michel VE3EMB and seconded by Darin VE3OIJ 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. CARRIED b) Graduates of Satellite Communications Course Maurice-André VE3VIG presented a certificate to Johnny VE3EIE and to Ante VA2BBW for successful completion of the satellite communications course offered by the Club. The satellite course is open to all amateurs. 5.2 Amateur Radio Training a) Convocation Ernie VE3EJJ welcomed Dave VE3ECV (absent), Jennifer VA3MOS, Mathieu VA3ECM, Pat VA3LTN and Peter VE3PKE to the ranks of licensed amateur radio operators. All graduated recently from the amateur radio theory course offered by the Club. As is the Club custom, the graduates received a diploma, a one- year membership in the Club, a one-year membership in Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), a package of promotional items from RAC and a copy of The RAC Operating Manual. Congratulations to the new graduates and to Ernie and the many other instructors. 5.3 Emergency Preparedness Paul VE3NJS informed members that he planned to have the Club trailer serviceable for Field Day. 5.4 Historical Larry VE3WEH read the names and call signs of amateurs who attended the March 17, 1958, meeting of the Ottawa Mobile Group, the precursor to the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club, Incorporated. The attendees were listed in a ledger brought to the Club meeting by Gord VE3GAH. Gord found the ledger in a filing cabinet that he had purchased some years ago. Thank you Gord. 5.5 Membership Joe VE3EUS reminded those members who ordered nametags to pick them up at the membership table. Anyone who wants a nametag should contact Joe. 5.6 Radio Operations The membership welcomed Patrick VA3CMD as the new chair of the radio operations committee. Patrick takes over from Doug VE3DLJ who recently resigned due to work commitments. Thank you to both Doug and Patrick. 5.7 Website Beth VA3CEW informed members that changes had recently been made to the Club website. In addition to a new appearance, the site is now much easier to navigate. All are encouraged to register for the new forum. Chris VA3SM, the webmaster, plans to post the available old issues of the Rambler on the website. Anyone with copies of old issues is invited to contact Chris so that we may provide as complete a = Page 5 = Page 6 Rambler Apr 2010 collection as possible. Further, anyone wishing to contribute an article to the Rambler should send a copy of the manuscript to Robert VE2AGE using the submit feature on the website. 6. NEW BUSINESS a) Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour Gord VE3RFB presented an illustrated talk on the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour. The purpose of his talk was to recruit additional amateur radio operators for this event that, this year, is scheduled for June 5 and 6. Already, the Tour is fully subscribed. Some 2,000 riders are expected to participate. Last year, there were over 50 volunteers providing support for the Tour. A more detailed account of the Rideau Lakes Tour appeared in the April 16 2009 issue of the Rambler. Additional information is available from Gord at VE3FRB@rac.ca. 7. COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR André VE3CLW commented on the exemption currently available to amateur radio operators while mobile. All members are invited to familiarize themselves with the pertinent sections of Ontario Regulation 366/09, Highway Traffic Act: Display Screens and Hand-Held Devices that states: 13. (1) Until January 1, 2013, drivers who hold a valid radio operator certificate issued under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) may drive a motor vehicle on a highway while holding or using a two-way radio. 13 (2) This section is revoked on January 1, 2013. Members will find the text of the entire Ontario Regulation 366/09 at http://www.e- laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/re gs/english/2009/elaws_src_reg s_r09366_e.htm. A link to the regulation will be added to the Club website. 8. UPCOMING CLUB MEETINGS The next meeting of the Club executive will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 19:00 at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The next general meeting of the Club will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 19:30 at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. 9. DOOR PRIZES AND DRAWS Door prizes were won by Alan VA3STL, Andrew, Arthur VA3BIT, Beth VA3CEW, Ernie VE3EJJ, Gord VE3FRB, Joe VE3EUS, Mathieu VA3ECM, Robert VE2AGE and Tyler VA3DGN. Joe VE3EUS and Larry VE3WEH donated a good number of the prizes. The 50/50 draw was won by Beth VA3CEW who graciously donated her winnings ($15.00) to the Club. Thank you Beth. 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 21:30 at which time the audience was invited to continue discussing homebrew projects with the presenters. 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 Next Meeting Thursday 15th April 19:30 CSTM = Page 6 =