News & Information
News & Information
If anyone would like to add and news / info to this page, contact Jim Langille VE1JBL at [email protected]
Last Updated: May 11th, 2023
Last Updated: May 11th, 2023
S.M.A.R.T. 23 Recap
S.M.A.R.T. 23 Recap
The sixth annual Symposium for Maritime Amateur Radio Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) began on Friday evening May 5th with the first ever Meet & Greet at the Amherst Railway Station. It turned out to be a success with over thirty amateurs taking part over two hours. This will probably now be an annual part of SMART.
On Saturday, a sunny morning greeted everyone for SMART23 at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre in Springhill NS.
The doors opened at 7am for volunteers / flea market tables with Kevin Burke VE1KEV, Frank Marks VE1FSM and Mike Masters VE1ZB looking after the set-up of tables while Mike Embree VE1MY was on the talk in frequency of 147.285 VE1WRC directing hams to the event.
As the flea market tables were being set up volunteers were busy preparing for the rush of hams expected at 8am when the doors opened. Once opened, Terry VE1AS & Susan VA1SIS Duncan were tasked at looking after the entrance fees while Mike Caissie VE9MTV, Don Anderson VE9CUB & Gordon Cotton VE9GC gave out tickets for lunch and helped the hams collect their name tags.
Hams began filing in and soon were buying raffle tickets from Steve VE1OR & Colleen VE1CEO Orr and 50/50 tickets from Al VE1ZS and his wife Mary. Thanks to Dana Rushton VE1VOX for getting the License for the draws.
While this was going on, Ron Bickle VE1BIC, Tom Hughes VE1TWH and Robert Mannette VE1CA were busy preparing the classrooms with audio and video testing.
At 8:40am Mike Johnson VE1MWJ who again this year was MC gave the opening remarks and at 9am the first classes began. Over the next three and a half hours 6 classes were held before lunch began at 12:30pm.
Members of the Springhill Teen centre prepared hamburgers and cheese burgers on the barbecue while potato salad was dished out to all. After lunch, amateurs milled around the flea market and vendor tables, others collected their QSL cards from the VE1/VE0 QSL Bureau while others checked out the automobiles registered for best amateur radio install.
Other displays included the Halifax ARC promoting the club's 90th anniversary coming up later in the year, Maritime Contest Club, Old Timer's Club and the Atlantic Provinces Support Team for Amateur Radio (APSTAR).
At 2pm the afternoon classes began and after 4 more classes over the next two and half hours it was time to give out the door prizes and raffle prizes.
There was over one thousand dollars of door prizes this year including an ICOM handheld radio from Grant Saffarek VE9CXT from ICOM Canada which was won by Jon Gordon VE1JSG. Other door prizes were from Yaesu USA, Scott Davis N3FJP, Radioworld, WestCumb ARC, Moncton & Area ARC, Fredericton ARC, Halifax ARC, Kings County ARC and Greenwood ARC
Other prizes this year were from Maritime Lady Amateurs, Limitless Designs by Robin Stone and Streetsridge Custom Designs by Ann Cutmore who designed our logo for SMART and made our mugs and shirts for sale.
As always raffle prizes were from the WestCumb ARC including 3 radios. Winners of the radios were Mike Caissie VE9MTV, Rod Bourque VE9HV and Garrett Orr VA1OR.
The 50/50 was won by Craig Seaboyer VE1DSS from Antigonish NS.
The first “best auto install” generated a lot of discussion & interest. Frank VE1FSM was very thorough with his inspection and analysis of each vehicle and their radio installation.
Winner of best radio installation went to Mike Masters VE1ZB while Brad Ross VE1ZX took second place.
The organizing committee for SMART would like to thank the following presenters who hosted the classes.
Chris Pye VA1PYE, Fred Archibald VE1FA, Al Penny VO1NO, Gordon Cotton VE9GC, Brent Taylor VY2HF, William McMaster VY2WM, Robert Schoefield VE1RSM, Craig Seaboyer VE1DSS, Len Morgan VE9MY, Bill Karle VE1YY,
Jason Ingraham VE1PYE and special guest Walter Rawle AC1AE.
We also want to thank organizer George Dewar VY2GF who worked very hard to find these presenters for the event.
We would also like to thank the Municipality of Cumberland for their continuing support and the staff at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre who set up the centre and looked after all our needs throughout the day.
Finally a big thank you to all the amateurs who attended the event and their continuing support of SMART. Without all of you this event would not take place.
For more information, winners and pictures from SMART23 go to the
WestCumb ARC website at www.westcumb.ca
If I missed anyone my apologizes. Please let me know.
Hope to see many of you next year at S.M.A.R.T.24.
Jim Langille VE1JBL
Coordinator S.M.A.R.T.
Grand Prize Winners SMART23
Grand Prize Winners SMART23
Left to Right: Rod Bourque VE9HV Moncton NB, Garrett Orr VA1OR Warren NS,
Mike Caissie VE9MTV Irishtown NB & WARC President Kevin Burke VE1KEV.
IRG system upgrades and changes coming soon
The IRG repeater system will undergo hardware and programming upgrades soon. Some of the highlights are:
Replacement of linking hardware and reprogramming of repeater controllersChanges in some zone configurations to allow for future expansion
Addition of new repeaters
Changes in linking codes and programming to improve reliability
Phase-in of CTCSS ("PL tones") on repeaters
The phase-in of CTCSS will be done gradually, but will require users to program the correct CTCSS codes on their radios ("PL tones"). The plan is to use 151.4 on VHF repeaters, and 141.3 on UHF repeaters. Users should start preparing for this change now - get out your instruction manuals!
Members will be updated as the project progresses, via these e-mails and announcements on-air.
You can find out more details and keep updated on the IRG Web Site Revamp page.
Stay tuned for further news in the weeks ahead!
VE1AIC Maritime Repeater Listings Update
VE1AIC Maritime Repeater Listings Update
Good Morning,
For all concerned I have just updated my Repeater Linking database and
there are some significant changes and new pages.
http://ve1cra.net/main/linking.html
1. My Repeater Linking Info page now has Separate tables for MAVCOM and
IRG. The main Linking table now includes the "Moncton System".
http://ve1cra.net/main/linkcode.html
2. Since IRG codes are not Public, a new page and table shows the Zone
layout only. This info has been removed from the original Linking table.
http://ve1cra.net/main/linkcode-irg.html
3. To make it a bit easier to understand the MAVCOM linking structure, I
have sorted the table by "HUB" .
http://ve1cra.net/main/linkcode-hub.html
4. A few of us are working on updating the Linking Map that was created
by PCARC. It's a work in progress but you can view the current Updates here.
73, Ron
VE1AIC
Halifax Amateur Radio Club 90th, Anniversary
Halifax Amateur Radio Club 90th, Anniversary
Traveling to the Maritimes or in the Maritimes this summer? Interested in amateur radio? If so, join us for the Halifax Amateur Radio Club’s (HARC) 90th Anniversary Celebration and Conference.
This will be a three-day event in the hobby of amateur radio. Attendees can expect expert presentations, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities. Join us as HARC marks 90 years of ham radio and its contributions to the hobby.
The conference will take place in Halifax starting the evening of Friday August 18 through Sunday August 20, 2023.
Conference Access with Passes Speaker Series Area (PASS): This is the main area of the conference where the speakers will present their talks and presentations. The main hall will be set up with a stage and audiovisual equipment for the speakers.
Gala Dinner (PASS): The HARC 90th Gala dinner is a semi-formal event that takes place in the evening and will be a highlight of the conference. It will include a reception with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a sit-down dinner with multiple courses. The dinner will also feature keynote speakers and award ceremonies to recognize outstanding contributions to the ham radio community.
Halifax Waterfront/Museum of the Atlantic (PASS): This is an optional Sunday morning activity that attendees can participate in during the conference. The tour will start with a guided walk along the scenic Halifax waterfront with stops at historical landmarks and points of interest. The tour will then continue with a visit to the Museum of the Atlantic where attendees can explore the radio room and exhibits related to the history of maritime communication and radio technology. The museum also features two ships, the HMCS Sackville and the CSS Acadia, which attendees can tour and learn about their maritime history. Open to the Public.
Tradeshow Area/Coffee Breaks (FREE): This is the area where vendors and exhibitors will set up booths to showcase their products or services. Attendees can visit each booth to learn about the latest technology, products, or services in the ham radio industry.
Event Station Ham Radio Room (FREE): This is a special area of the conference where attendees can participate in hands-on ham radio activities. The ham radio room will have several stations set up with different types of equipment and antennas for attendees to experiment with. Trained volunteers may be
available to provide guidance and assistance. In addition to the event station, there will be static displays of vintage equipment setup throughout the conference area.
Sunday Service at the Salvation Army Church (FREE): This is a unique religious service held on the conference’s final day, which is open to all attendees who wish to participate. The service will be held at the Salvation Army church. It may include music, prayer, and sermons related to the theme of emergency
communications and the role of volunteers and professionals in this field.
Touch a Truck/Show & Shine (FREE): This is an outdoor event where attendees can explore various communication vehicles and equipment. Trucks, trailers, and other vehicles may be set up with ham radio equipment for attendees to touch and feel. This event may also include demonstrations of emergency
communication techniques or other ham radio applications.
For updates on the conference visit the HARC website, www.halifax-arc.org
VY0ERC "On The Air"
VY0ERC "On The Air"
Pierre VE3KTB will be back in Eureka on Ellesmere Island (NA-008) in Nunavut, Canada from the 15th of March to the 12th of April 2023.
He will be QRV from Eureka Amateur Radio Club as VY0ERC and VE3KTB/VY0 on HF bands as well as FM and linear satellites by SSB, Digital & CW.
Updates will be posted on Twitter and QRZ.com:
https://twitter.com/pierre_fogal
QSL via M0OXO. Logs will be submitted at the end of activation.
CYØS Sable Island Activation now planned for March 20-30, 2023
The CYØS DXpedition team received great news on January 31st as Parks Canada - Sable Island approved the 2M EME operation from the island. It has been many years since any EME activity has taken place from CYØ. Lee WW2DX is the team's EME op and he is ecstatic about the official approval. Lee is excited to be able to give so many EME DXers a new one. Parks Canada conducted a frequency study and determined that the high-power levels on 2M EME shouldn't create a problem.
The CYØS team also provided Parks Canada with every frequency from 1.8 MHz to, and including, the Six-meter band. All frequencies the CYØS team plans to operate were approved. Obviously, if interference issues arise, the team will work to correct the interference. Because of the very strict weight limits on the two aircraft, Lee has been very busy retooling the EME antenna array to minimize, as much as possible, the overall weight. The CYØS team has been managing the weight issue, and according to our calculations, we are now under the weight limit.
Thanks again to DX Engineering for providing the low-band antenna materials and Spiderbeam for providing the 18M and 12M antenna masts. The team will be using Yagi antennas on 10-20 Meters. The 10, 15 and 20 meter monoband Yagis have been assembled and tested. The Cushcraft A3WS 12/17 Yagi has been assembled and is currently being tested. Each Yagi antenna will be placed in individual heavy duty ski bags for transport with the team to Sable.
Several CYØS team members have presentations scheduled for DX foundations and clubs leading up to the DXpedition. The CYØS QRZ page is now up and operational. More content will be added as we get closer to the DXpedition.
And now, for the really exciting news...in November. a well known DXer and DXpeditioner (Anonymous) made an extremely generous offer to the team. Any donations received for the DXpedition will automatically be matched, effectively doubling the donation! A $100 donation will be matched with another $100 for a total of $200. The match program applies to any donation of any size up to the day of the beginning of the DXpedition on March 20, 2023.
To contribute, click the "Donate" button on the left-hand button stack on any CYØS website page!
For more information, CLICK HERE
Atlantic Provinces Support Team for Amateur Radio.
Atlantic Provinces Support Team for Amateur Radio.
We are pleased to announce the creation of APSTAR, the Atlantic Provinces Support Team for Amateur Radio.
Its purpose is to assist newly-qualified Amateur Radio operators by providing a forum and website where their questions can be answered by more experienced hams.
The Sept/Oct issue of TCA featured an article entitled Southern Alberta Support Team for Amateur Radio – Filling the Gap. The author, Jerry (VE6TL), recounts the establishment of SASTAR which is a group dedicated to ensured newly licensed
amateurs are easily able to embrace what amateur radio has to offer.
Prior to the appearance of the article Jerry had been contacted and asked if he would be available to assist in establishing a similar group in the Atlantic provinces. He readily agreed and the process to create the Atlantic Provinces Support Team for Amateur
Radio (APSTAR) was started. Dave (VE1HUL) agreed to look after creating the website while George (VY2GF) created the APSTAR group. The group is where dialogue between licensed amateurs or aspiring amateurs takes place. Ideally registered
members of the group would consist of those asking questions and those willing to provide answers.
Groups.Io is essentially an email system linking registered members. An individual seeking information would first forward a subscribe email which would require approval by one of the listed “owners” of the group. Once approved the individual could post a
message which would be forwarded to everyone registered. Any responses would be seen by all those registered. Groups.Io has different membership levels based on the number of individuals using it.
At present APSTAR is using the free level available for groups with less than one hundred members. Initially to keep from exceeding one hundred individuals could be requested to unsubscribe once their query has been answered.
Going forward persistent subjects could be dealt with using a video-communication service such as Google Meet. This document will be forwarded to Atlantic provinces clubs, ISED designated examiners and other parties deemed to have an interest in
mentoring. It’s hoped knowledgeable individuals will come forward and serve as mentors.
The latest issue of the Canadian Amateur magazine from the Radio Amateurs of Canada has an article on APSTAR.
APSTAR is definitely a work in progress so comments and suggestions are most welcom
Groups.Io - https://groups.io/groups
Kings County Net
Kings County Net
Received a notice from Murray MacDonnell VE1LJ who wanted to get the word out about the Kings County ARC 2 Meter Net every Monday evening
7 PM local time, on the VE1AEH repeater, 147.180.
Murray
VE1LJ
TARC VHF Winlink Packet Gateway
TARC VHF Winlink Packet Gateway
Hi All,
I wanted to advise everyone that thanks to John Langille VE1CWJ and Brett Nelson VE1NEL the Truro Amateur Radio Club now has a VHF Winlink Packet Gateway up and running at the club room as of December 13th.
The name of the Gateway Station is VE1AO-10
For those with packet stations this will give you the ability to send emails to the world over VHF through the Gateway using the Winlink Express email program. If you do not already have a Winlink email address you can go to Winlink.org download the program and sign up for an email address. Winlink Express can also be used as a regular email program directly over the internet for those who wish to use it that way.
For those in the Truro area with line of site communications, the gateway can be accessed locally on a frequency of 145.07khz using Packet Winlink mode on the Winlink Express email program.
For those outside the Truro area that do not have line of site communications, you can access the Gateway through the VE1TAL Node on the MARCAN Packet system.
Winlink Express is slowly becoming the go to program for providing Amateur Radio operators the ability to send and receive emails over the air waves. With the use of a portable/mobile packet station and a laptop, whether as an exercise or in emergency situations, Amateur Radio operators in the Truro area will now have the ability to send emails over the air waves from remote locations.
The TARC invites everyone to try out the Gateway. Let us know your experience using Winlink and the Gateway, which are just additional tools for enjoying the vast hobby of Amateur Radio.
In the new year we will be putting on a discussion and demonstration following a club meeting, probably February or March.
73
Dave
CARC VHF RMS Packet Gateway
CARC VHF RMS Packet Gateway
This is very timely, since the Charlottetown Amateur Radio Club (CARC) has just recently deployed a VHF RMS Gateway in Charlottetown. This gateway, VY2WM-11, can be accessed directly on 147.510 Mhz or accessed via VE1CRA-1. It will support the processing of Winlink Packet messages when connected to directly or through VE1CRA-1. It will also process VARA-FM messages for those who can connect to it directly. VARA-FM is a protocol which supports much faster message handling than Winlink Packet.
Currently this gateway is hosted at the home QTH of VY2WM. Direct simplex coverage is limited, with the installation running 25 watts through a quarter wave antenna about 20 ft above ground.
The CARC is looking for a permanent installation with greater coverage and reliable back power and internet access.
We welcome all users who are able to connect to the gateway and try it out. The CARC is also fully supportive of any efforts by maritime clubs or individual amateurs to promote the use and extension of the capabilities of a Winlink network.
--
73 fer now de
Bill McMaster, VY2WM
President, Charlottetown Amateur Radio Club
Eight new amateurs on Prince Edward Island
Eight new amateurs on Prince Edward Island
Good afternoon, everyone
After a wait for ISED to catch up and issue/confirm chosen call signs, (and some delays caused by my poor typing skills when uploading the exam scores) I am pleased to report that we had eight new amateurs pass their Basic, some with Honours, last night. In addition, Micah VY2MIC, passed his Advanced exam.
Our new hams and call signs are as follows:
Bushra Bashir (YL) VY2BBK, Stratford
Maggie MacEachern (YL) VY2MMM, Tarantum
Tracey Allen (YL) VY2TAZ, Covehead
Graeme Brown (OM) VY2WT, Glenfinnan
Rick Hews (OM) VY2WTF, Belfast
Arden Gallant (YL, 12 years old!, daughter of Micah Gallant) VY2ALG, Wheatley River
Fraser Ashworth (OM, ex G7NEJ) VY2FA, Charlottetown; and
Julia Ashworth (YL) VY2JA, Charlottetown
We had a great class, and some of the above are going to try to write again to see if they can get their Honours. Also, we had one unsuccessful candidate and three class members who were not able to write last night, so we hope to have a couple more new hams to announce in the coming weeks.
The class was delivered by the Charlottetown Amateur Radio Club from early September to Late November, over 10 sessions - including an interruption caused by Hurricane Fiona at the end of September. The class was taught by Club President Bill VY2WM, Vice-president Joel VY2KW and myself. We used the Coax Publications Basic Study Guide, and leaned heavily on the excellent slide decks created/adapted by Al Penney. We also want to thank The Canadian Red Cross, who kindly allowed us to teach in their boardroom each night. Several Red Cross volunteers participated in the class and some of them are among the new amateurs listed above. It was a great relationship that we hope will continue. We already have more Red Cross folk on a list for next time.
It was a super class of students, and our ratio of 5 YLs to 3 OMs is something very special to celebrate. We are now scrounging surplus VHF/UHF gear for short-term loans while they figure out what areas they want to expand into with our great hobby.
73
Brent Taylor, VY2HF / W1PJ
Stratford, PEI, Canada
(RAC) Certified Emergency Coordinator
Industry Canada Accredited Examiner: Aviation and Amateur Radio Licensing
Grid Square FN86
Grand Manan Island repeater to be relocated
IRG News - November 15 2022
The VE9GMI repeater (146.955-) repeater is off the air, and will be relocated to Campobello Island when scheduling permits.
Other services at the Airport Road site were moved to a privately owned tower with the start of the NB-TMR Radio system in 2016. We were fortunate to be able to have the repeater remain active at the old site until it was removed on November 10, and the old site will be decommissioned.
The new location for the repeater will be on Campobello Island; an on-air date will be announced when the move is complete. The frequency will remain unchanged, and it will remain in the South West Zone for linking.
While we won't have a repeater physically located on Grand Manan Island, coverage on the island can still be quite good from the Maces Bay (444.875+) and St. George (147.225+) repeaters, and others. It will likely be good from the new site also.
The Campobello Island site is expected to provide the advantage of increased coverage to other Fundy Isles and coastal areas. In addition, the linked audio will be vastly improved -- the old GMI site required a UHF audio link, while the new Campobello site will benefit from the seamless microwave audio link enjoyed by other sites.
We thank the Departments of Transportation and Infrastructure and Public Safety for their support in this move, and for allowing the extended life of the old GMI site, and also a thanks to VE9MB Murry Brown for his foresight and work in establishing the IRG repeater on GMI.
Changes to the RAC Field Organization
Sections
Changes to the RAC Field Organization
Sections
As previously reported, on May 25 the Board of Directors of Radio Amateurs of Canada approved changes to the “RAC Field Organization” which will take effect on January 1, 2023. This will be most noticeable during Field Day.
Beginning in 2023 the Maritime Section (MAR) will be deleted from contest to be replaced by Nova Scotia (NS) and New Brunswick (NB).
Here are the new Canadian sections beginning in 2023
The end result will be 14 Sections:
• Alberta (AB)
• British Columbia (BC)
• Manitoba (MB)
• New Brunswick (NB)
• Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)
• Nova Scotia (NS)
• Ontario North (ONN)
• Ontario South (ONS)
• Golden Horseshoe (GH)
• Ontario East (ONE)
• Prince Edward Island (PE)
• Quebec (QC)
• Saskatchewan (SK)
• Territories (TER)
New Canadian Amateur Radio Frequencies
New Canadian Amateur Radio Frequencies
RBR-4 Update: July 2022
For immediate release:
On July 28, 2022, Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) released an update to a very important document for Canadian Radio Amateurs: “RBR-4 – Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service”.
The document specifies what frequencies we may operate on and with what bandwidths.
There are two major new additions to our spectrum:
472 to 479 kHz, also known as 630 metres: on this new band, we are allowed to run a maximum of five watts EIRP, using emissions with a maximum bandwidth of 1 kHz.
5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz in the 60 metre band: this is a new worldwide allocation. Canadian Amateurs are allowed to run a maximum of 100 watts ERP, using emissions with a maximum bandwidth of 2.8 kHz.
The new 60 metre band is in addition to our existing fixed-frequency allocations at 5332, 5348, 5373 and 5405 kHz. The new 15 kHz-wide allocation overlaps our existing authority to use 5358.5 kHz. Canadian Amateurs are unique in having authority to use 100 watts ERP on the four spot frequencies and on the new 15 kHz worldwide segment. Amateurs in most countries are limited to 25 watts or less and may operate only in the new 15 kHz-wide segment.
Please note that Amateur Radio is a Secondary radio service on these bands. Amateurs may not cause harmful interference to Primary users and we may not claim protection from interference by Primary users.
There are other small changes in RBR-4 that bring Canadian Amateur Radio regulations in line with changes agreed at several previous World Radio Conferences (WRCs) of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
Radio Amateurs of Canada would like to thank former Regulatory Officer Richard Ferch, VE3KI, for his dedicated work over several years to bring these changes forward.
You can find the English version here:
https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf10650.html
You can find the French version (IPR-4) here:
https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/fra/sf10650.html
If you have any questions, please contact RAC Regulatory Affairs Officer Dave Goodwin, VE3KG, at [email protected]
Dave Goodwin, VE3KG
Regulatory Affairs Officer
Radio Amateurs of Canada
QRPer is a personal website administered by Tom Witherspoon – K4SWL. He created the site in order to have a fun, dynamic space to connect some of his favorite external QRP web sites. There are a lot of QRP websites on the internet–some with amazing content–and he especially like those sites that give first-hand accounts of QRPers, in the field or at home, using their QRP equipment. CLICK HERE for more.
In the latest edition of QRPer John Leonardelli VE3IPS reviews his trip to Nova Scotia to get his lobster fix. As he always does, he prep his radio with local repeaters, look up local radio clubs, museums and check the POTA and SOTA map for locations to operate from. He also attended the Halifax Flea market on June 4th. Click Here for the complete story.
Fredericton Amateur Radio Club
Fredericton Amateur Radio Club
The Maritime Amateur would like to thank the Fredericton Amateur Radio Club for their generous donation to this website.
It will go toward renewal of the MA website in 2023.
Click on the logo to enter the FARC website.
Cape Breton ARC
Cape Breton ARC
There you go! We are up and running!!
Updated: February 15th, 2022
After a bit of work we are up and running at Cape Breton Amateur Radio Club!
We are really looking forward to spreading the fantastic hobby of Amateur Radio on Cape Breton Island!!
Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]
Wires-X Updates
Wires-X Updates
Ron MacKay VE1AIC has updated information on his website dealing with a common problem with Wires-X. CLICK HERE
Ron's site has a wealth of information about amateur radio here in the Maritimes including repeaters, APRS , Digital modes including D-star, DMR, Fusion, Hot Spots and Packet.
Maritime Contest Club
Maritime Contest Club
A new link has been added to the website with the addition of the Maritime Contest Club.
If you would like to join the Maritime Contest Club, simply send a request to: [email protected]. Anyone with a valid Amateur license in the Maritimes and Newfoundland Labrador is welcome.
Contribution to Amateur Radio in Canada
Hamshack.ca is my contribution to the amateur radio hobby, by providing an easy-to-use site for all licenced amateur radio operators to buy, sell and swap surplus ham radio gear. Hamshack has been developed to modern web development standards and incorporates an intuitive design to make it easy to add your ham radio listings to the site. In addition, Hamshack utilizes powerful filtering and search tools making it easy for users to quickly locate items listed on the site. Potential buyers can filter listings by ham radio category and item location. As well, Hamshack features a powerful Search function which dynamically displays items matching the search criteria entered.
Don VE7DXE
SMART22 Recap
SMART22 Recap
SMART22
On a cold rain/snow mix Saturday morning Apr.30th, 2022 the WestCumb ARC hosted the 5th annual Symposium for Maritime Amateur Radio Technicians at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre in Springhill NS.
After two years of cancellations due to COVID the event was nearly postponed again due to a rise in COVID cases but with the organizing committee making masks mandatory, it was decided to go ahead. There were only a few cancellations due to masking but many amateurs emailed me personally and thanked us at the event for mandating masks.
The event was set at a maximum 150 registered members and sold out in less than two weeks. Flea market tables also sold out quickly.
We had the most displays ever at SMART with tables representing Maritime Contest Club, Radio Amateurs of Canada, Maritime Lady Amateurs, Old Timers Club, Roger Stein VA1RST from Halifax running the VE1-VE0 QSL Bureau and Douglas Silliker VY2DS from Summerside running the VE9/VY2 QSL Bureau. We were also expecting the Nova Scotia Amateur Radio Association (NSARA) but they had to cancel at the last moment due to a illness.
Everyone was treated to free coffee and tea when first arriving and everyone received a free barbecue lunch which included hamburgers, hot dogs, water and a soft drink.
There were eight classes during the day and also a presentation in the afternoon from Nova Scotia Public Safety Field Communications..
This was a real team effort to hold the event this year, losing seven regular volunteers but several new members stepped up.
The list is long of whom to thank so here goes. If I miss anyone my apologizes.
- The Municipality of Cumberland for the donation of the Community center for the event. Eileen Davage Marketing Officer at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Center who worked with us very closely to prepare the building for our use. Ron Maine and Mandy Hunter from Maintenance who were instrumental in helping us with any problems throughout the day.
- The mayor of Cumberland County Murray Scott for the opening remarks in the morning.
- Mike Johnson VE1MWJ who was the MC for the day and also worked tirelessly at obtaining funding for the event, buying of food and collecting the barbecues.
- Mike Masters VE1ZB for helping Mike VE1MWJ with food items.
- George Dewar VY2GF who looked after finding the presenters for SMART22.
- Dana Rushton VE1VOX for getting the licenses for the raffle and 50/50 draws.
- Kevin Burke VE1KEV for looking after the setup of the flea market / display tables and also working the barbecue.
- Robert Mannette VE1RMJ for the setting up of computers in each class and working the barbecues.
- Robert's girlfriend Amber who helped look after the raffle ticket table and helped give out the food during the lunch hour.
- Ron Bickle VE1BIC for the setting up of sound systems and computers in each room, video recordings and taking all the official photos for SMART. Coming Soon.
- Tom Hughes VE1TWH for video recording the classes and setting up a YouTube channel dedicated to SMART. Coming soon
- Jim Hannon VE1AFH for manning the canteen throughout the day for tea & coffee.
- Mike Embree VE1MY who was looking after call-ins via ham radio throughout the morning on VE1WRC. Later in the day Mike also looked after the Old Timer's Table, WestCumb ARC table and helped out on the 50/50 table.
- Ron Blue VE1BBB who worked the 50/50 table.
- Terry & Sue Duncan VE1AS / VA1SIS who looked after the Raffle tickets.
- Frank Marks VE1FSM who as a new member to the WestCumb ARC looked after selling of items that had come our way lately from the wife of a former amateur radio operator.
- Joe Clememts VY2JC/VE1JCC and his wife Tracy who looked after receiving the funds and passing out the name tags as amateurs entered the building in the morning. Joe and Tracy also helped give out the food during lunch hour. Tracy also drew all the tickets for the draws at the end of the day.
- Jean-Pierre Ouellette VE9ADV from the Moncton ARC who helped out with the barbecues.
- John Langille VE1CWJ who during lunch hour held a class outdoors in the snow/rain mix and showed his skills of making several satellite contacts on a pass including Greenland, Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, France, and Spain.
- John Scott VE1JS was also there again this year looking after award verification and LOTW confirmation.
We would like to thank the presenters whom without them there would be no classes.
Craig Seaboyer, VE1DSS, Al Penny VO1NO, Neil Hughes VE1YZ, Chris Pye VA1PYE, Jean-Paul LeBlanc VE9BK, Bill McMaster VY2WM, Fred Archibald VE1FA and Bill Karle VE1YY.
Thanks also go out to all the sponsors for the event including Scott Davis N3FJP for his annual donation of his amateur radio software package, Radioworld for their regular contributions of gift cards, Mike Embree VE1MY for his donation of an antenna, Craig Seaboyer VE1DSS and the Antigonish ARC for their donation of a Raspberry Pi kit, Moncton & Area ARC, Greenwood ARC, Kings County ARC, Loyalist City ARC and the Truro ARC for their donation of several gas cards, ICOM Canada and Yeasu USA for their ball caps and Nova Scotia Public Safety Field Communications for their donations.
The main event this year was the arrival of Nova Scotia Public Safety Field Communications who attending this year with two of their new communication vehicles. The team of Scott Hawkes VE1SLH, Al Cyples VE1CYP / VE1TMR and Mark Turner VA1TMR spent the day showing off the vehicles and answering any questions brought up by amateurs. At 2pm in the afternoon Scott gave a presentation to everyone in the arena and it was very well received.
Winners of the Grand Prizes were Lorne Anderson VE1BXK who won the 50/50. The other half of the 50/50 was donated this year to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Fund.
The three other Grand Prizes donated by the WestCumb ARC included a Diamond Vertical Duel Band Antenna won by Ken Holmes VE1UF, Yaesu FT-70DR portable Fusion radio won by Mike Caissie VE9MTV and Michael Harvey VE1MBH walked away with the Yaesu FTM-300D Mobile Fusion Radio.
Finally we would like to thank all the 127 amateurs who braved the weather, the price of fuel and still dealing with COVID to take in the event this year. Not one person complained about wearing masks.
Without all of you this event would not have happened.
Hope to see many of you again next year at SMART23.
Jim Langille VE1JBL
World Radio History Magazines
World Radio History Magazines
Here is the site I go to get books. Scroll down the page and on the left is a list of books from A’s up. I have a lot of them downloaded and in a file on a thumb drive. When you click on a Mag like popular electronics it has them listed by year and month some copies they don’t have
https://worldradiohistory.com/index.htm
Ivan (Tiny ) VE9TIC
73 Magazines
73 Magazines
I was purging some of my saved websites and came across this one, maybe some of you may be interested in looking at the old magazines. 73 Magazine (also known as 73 Amateur Radio Today) was a United States-based amateur radio magazine that was published from 1960 to 2003. It was known for its strong emphasis on technical articles and for the lengthy editorials in each issue by its founder and publisher, Wayne Green. The magazine title, 73, means "best regards" in amateur radio lingo.
https://archive.org/details/73-magazine
73 - Ken VY2RU
Webmaster - Jim Langille VE1JBL