The Monitor

Ten club members ventured out from Brantford on Monday May 28^th to take the CANWARN training course held at the University of Waterloo. CKCO meteorologist Dave MacDonald welcomed everyone and Randy Mawson of Environment Canada conducted the training. This spotter-training program was a great refresher for those of us who had taken it in the past. Our three controllers were also present, as the Brantford CANWARN station has now been set up in the Red Cross building.

In a notice from Industry Canada the Technical Requirements set out in the Radiocommunication Information Circular 2 (RIC-2), "Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service", has been amended.

Effective May 19, 2001, this notice grants full operating privileges in all amateur radio frequency bands below 30 MHz to Amateur radio operators holding the basic and 5 w.p.m. Morse code qualification.

Copies of the revised RIC-2 are available from the Industry Canada web site at: http://strategis.gc.ca/SSG/sf01226e.html

YARA TO THE RESCUE. Read about how the Yukon Amateur Radio Association supported a military coordinated international air search and rescue mission.

VA3RAC: CANADA’S 35A FIELD DAY EXTRAVAGANZA. The story of this "dc to daylight" Field Day operation from Canada’s capital.

THE ARKANSAS CATFISH DIPOLE. A portable 20-meter antenna that’s easy to assemble and easy on your wallet too.

CANWARN is a joint program of Amateur Radio and Environment Canada where hams become the eyes and ears of Environment Canada during severe weather. On this site are a CANWARN fact sheet, weather watcher information, CANWARN training material, and a link to local/personal CANWARN websites. This site also boasts a list server that contains several mailing lists that you can subscribe to. If you are a controller or spotter, this site has some valuable information.

NA-125. Gilles, VE2MAM, will sign VE2MAM/p from an island in the Quebec Province (St. Lawrence Gulf) West Group, June 16-21st. Activity will be on 20-10 meters SSB, possibly 80/40 meters also. QSL via the bureau to the homecall.

In July, a group of Tajik Hams/Tourists are planning to climb a nameless peak on the Central Pamir mountainous system and name it "Radio Amateur's Peak". At the present, paperwork is in progress, but the actual name can be allocated only after the expedition, and this will involve many other factors. Altitude of this mountain is about 5800 meters above sea level. The ham operators involved are Vladimir/EY8HB, Faruh/EY8AV and Nodir/EY8MM. Faruh/EY8AV will stay in the base camp and coordinate the trip for EY8HB and EY8MM who will attack the mountain's peak. A special callsign was requested and they hope to sign EY1ARP. It will be used only from the top of the mountain. All other times the operators will sign homecall/4. The equipment to be used is an IC-706MK2G and QMAC-HF90 TXCVRS. For 20 meters, they will have a wire vertical made from a lightweight fishing rod. For 40 meters, they will use an Inverted Vee. This expedition will be limited to battery power for which they will carry 7AH batteries to the peak. They will save the power for the mountain top operations and for emergencies. For a few more details, pictures of the mountain, and possible updates, check the following Web page: http://www.qsl.net/ey8mm/ey1arp.html

Special Event call sign VC7U has been authorized for use by Mr. Steve Howard for the period from May 22, 2001 to June 21, 2001 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first Rhodes Scholarships awarded in 1976 to Canadian women.

Special Event prefixes has been authorized for use by all Canadian Radio Amateurs residing in the province of Quebec from June 15 to July 15, 2001 for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of RAQI (Radio Amateur du Quebec Inc.) Special Event Prefixes assigned to this special event will be CG2 for VE2's and CF2 for VA2's.

Special Event call sign VC2A has been authorized for use by Mr. Guy Lamoureux from June 15 to July 15, 2001 for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of RAQI (Radio Amateur du Quebec Inc.)

Special Event call sign VC9H has been assigned for celebration of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Longest Covered Bridge in he World located in Hartland, New Brunswick. The authority is valid from June 17, 2001 to July 17, 2001. Contact Hugh Clark (ve9hc@rac.ca)

Smiths Falls, ON: DX Hounds, VB3RC, 1600Z June 29 to 2200Z July 2, celebrating 175 years of the Rideau Canal in Ontario, Canada. 14.258 7.258 21.258 28.328. Certificate. Robert J Calver, 419 Bates Rd, RR#3, Jasper, ON K0G 1G0, Canada.

This is a story about three QRP mobile cyclists (John VE3JC, Russ KB8U, and Ken VE3ELA) who were determined to bike from Ontario to Ohio for the QRP convention FDIM (Four Days In May) and the Dayton Hamvention.

We left from John's QTH in London, ON at 12 noon Sat. May 12th. Loaded down with gear for the next 8 days, the bikes handled quite different than normal! We chose to favour the paved back roads during our trip, as they were safer, and generally more scenic. Stopping for supper in the little town of West Lorne, ON was a treat. People along the street were interested in the bikes and radios, where we were from, and headed to. Russ' bike (a recumbent) proved to be a kid magnet. Children everywhere delighted to watch and shout out as we pedaled along. Dogs of every description would charge out to welcome us. There's something about bikes that seems to drive dogs crazy! Finally around 8:30 PM we arrived at Rondeau Provincial Park. After setting up the tents, we tried a few CQs on 40m, but had no luck.

Up early Sunday morning, we were on the road by 8:10 AM. Breakfast stop was in Cedar Springs, ON. It appeared on the map that we would have an easy day's ride to make the 4:00 PM ferry across Lake Erie from Leamington, ON to Sandusky, OH. As it turned out, we pedaled our hearts out, and just made the ferry with minutes to spare. It was imperative to keep that schedule, as the ferry did not run again until the next week! Completing the 4-hour lake crossing, we continued riding to Traveland Park, just south of Sandusky. Throughout that day on the road, we managed to make several 2-way QRP contacts from our bikes. We entered the "Leap-Frog mode", each passing our riding partners in turn as they stopped to log their QSO.

Monday morning after breakfast at Micky D's, we hit the road again. It surprised and amazed us that every side road (even one lane wide) was paved! Nice long flat stretches made for easy pedaling. We stopped at Green Springs, OH for an excellent pub lunch. (We came to rely on the recommendation of passing locals for our food stops!) Making good time, we decided to try and reach Findlay, OH. The forecasted rain eventually arrived. Soaked through, we opted to stay at a motel in Findlay for the night.

Tuesday morning, we phoned Bill Kelsey N8ET, who had been expecting us. George Dobbs G3RJV had flown in overnight to visit, and Bill fired up the grill to cook us all a wonderful breakfast! Then we had a tour of Bill's comfortable shack and Kanga U.S. Headquarters, located in his beautiful lakefront home. George took some snapshots of us, which were posted on the web at: http://www.bright.net/~kanga/kanga/bike.htm

By 1:00 PM we had to get back on the road to make our next campsite. Rain showers continued all day. That afternoon we watched in awe as a major thunderstorm developed, and eventually overtook us. Pelted with hail and wet to the bone, a local resident took pity seeing us huddled under a tree by the roadside, and offered his garage to wait out the worst of the storm. There was unanimous agreement to take another motel and dry out located in Lakeview, OH (recommended by our Good Samaritan!) near Indian Lake State Park, the intended campsite.

Wednesday was our longest day on the bikes. Of course it rained again, but nothing like before. That afternoon we made contact on 2m with Jim Gumbert NC8Y, from Tipp City, OH. He happily cycled out to meet us, and graciously guided us to our final destination (Ramada Inn-QRP Central!). We stopped to gorge ourselves at a great Chinese restaurant, visited a neat cycle shop in Tipp City, and then joined the bike path running along the riverside in Dayton. A few detours were required, as the path was not yet completed. They involved lifting our laden bikes and trailers over highway guardrails and sets of railway tracks, and puffing up steep glacial moraines! Around 10:30 PM, when we stopped to get drinks at a service station, John discovered his rear tire was flat! Luckily he'd brought along a spare tube, and replaced it. At 11:15 PM we rode up jubilant to the front entrance of the Ramada, after 350 miles pedaled in 5 days. We celebrated our success that evening with a bottle of champagne. We were physically exhausted, but charged with excitement, having finally arrived at QRP Mecca, and anticipating the next four days!!

ARCI's FDIM (Four Days In May) at the Ramada Inn began early Thursday May 21^st with several speakers giving some excellent talks on QRP subjects. Here are some of my favourites:

George Dobbs G3RJV covered building techniques with SMT devices. He offered a cool little starter kit and manual, consisting of a simple receiver, transmitter, AF amplifier, and probe, all using SMT parts. Bill Kelsey N8ET delved into the tools, equipment, and tips for homebrewing. Jim Kortge K8IQY explained his design for a 40m to 17m transverter. The New Jersey QRP Club kitted and sold this neat project at FDIM. They also had PSK31 Warbler kits converted to 30m. All these kits were just too hard to resist!

Thursday evening featured an Author's Social. John VE3JC and I displayed our radio-equipped bicycles that we'd rode down to Dayton. We answered many questions and met some great people. The German maker of the Palm Mini-Paddle set them up to try and buy. I had to have this fine example of German engineering!

Friday morning the shuttle bus arrived at 7:30 to take us to the Hamvention at Hara Arena. After a day spent combing the outdoor fleamarket and dodging rain showers, we returned to the Ramada hotel for QRP Vendors' Night. The room was abuzz with people and activity when we got there. Marshall Emm N1FN, brought a wide range of keys and kits from Morse Express and OHR. I bought a 4:1 balun kit for my LDG Autotuner from him. The North Georgia QRP Club was selling their NOGAWatt wattmeter and SWR kit, and the NOGAPiG - too cute to pass up!

Saturday morning dawned and it was another trip to Hamvention. We left early to join the BMHA (Bicycle Mobile Hams of America) 28-mile afternoon ride out of Tipp City, north of Dayton. We hurried back to the Ramada to arrive a half-hour late for the Banquet. But we caught up eating with the rest of our table, as we were famished! After dinner I presented the Foxhunt Team trophies to the "Big Dawgs". Three of the team members were present to receive their awards! A strong showing this year with QRP’ers from the U.K., Germany, and Japan, I found it gave FDIM more of an international flavour. Following drawings for the 70-odd door prizes, everyone wandered over to the hospitality suites, where the Building Contest entries and Shirt Pocket Radios were on display. You could handle the projects to get a good look, and chat with the builders about their creations. Too much fun!!

Sunday morning we gave a talk about our cycling trip from London, ON to Dayton at the BMHA forum, in the arena at Hamvention. It was very well attended. We brought our bikes along, and discovered many Hams were interested in doing some bicycle mobiling. One final tour of the exhibits and fleamarket, then it was time to hit the road home. My brother Ric VE3RLX had driven down in John's van with the bike racks, so we loaded the bikes and all our treasures for the "quick" 7-hour trip (compared to 5 days by bike!) back to Ontario.

In addition to a rechargeable 12V battery, homebrewing tools and components, I brought back a few good antenna books, ARRL Handbook, and QRP project books. I was disappointed to miss out on a neat little briefcase, that when opened revealed 2 solar panels, and a charge controller with switchable output voltages. Before I returned to his booth, the vendor had sold every one he had! Most dealers offered "special prices" on their wares, so it was a challenge to locate the "best deal" on a particular item. Acres of vendors, and 30,000 fellow Hams searching alongside, made it so interesting.

If it wasn't there, you didn't need it!!

Ken La Rose VE3ELA Midland, ON

Field Day. See Bob VE3AVU if you are interested in participating this year on June 23^rd & 24^th.

Ontario Hamfest 2001. Sponsored by the Burlington ARC on July 7^th at the Milton Fairgrounds 9:00 AM.

Brantford HamFest. Sponsored by the Brantford ARC on August 18^th at the Burford Fairgrounds 9:00 AM.

LARC 24^th Annual Fleamarket. Sponsored by the London ARC on September 23^rd 9:00 AM.

At our May 15^th meeting, one of our newer members, Ron VA3TV, gave a demonstration of PSK31, which is becoming quite popular on the HF bands. He set up his laptop computer in the meeting room and had it connected to his mobile HF rig in the parking lot. Using a software program called DigiPan (free on the internet) and a simple interface that he constructed, we were able to monitor the activity on 20 meters. This was the first time that some of our members were able to view this digital mode of communications.

This month’s installment was on power supplies. VE3BSE brought in a 13.8-volt high current regulated power supply that he built using the LM723CN 14-pin plastic DIP integrated circuit. He discussed the theory on this type of power supply and then he took the cover off to display its components. This was supplemented with handouts including a schematic diagram.

On Saturday May 26^th, Paul VE3IUA participated in a disaster simulation in Hagersville, which was run by the Red Cross. A powerful tornado touched down and homes, businesses, and hydro towers were destroyed with debris blocking the roads making them impassable. Red Cross workers quickly set up an Emergency Shelter and Command Post at the Hagersville Secondary School. Paul had help from Jason VA3JPB and both reported having a good time during this exercise.

The ever-dwindling ham radio marketplace has just gotten one company smaller. This with the announcement by Kachina Communications -- the creator of the computer controlled H-F radio -- that the company is abandoning the ham radio marketplace.

Effective May 24th, the company says it stopped producing all High Frequency radio products. That includes the pioneering computer controlled 505DSP transceiver and accessories. Kachina’s decision is not a big surprise, given the sluggish economy and ever slowing demand for top of the line HF ham band transceivers.

Many in Kachina’s top management are hams. As such, leaving the Amateur Radio market was not an easy decision. But, worldwide demand for amateur radio gear in general is falling, with HF radio sales particularly slow. Bailing out of the market was the only sensible choice for Kachina to make.

On June 16, 1800 to 2400 UTC, kids of all ages are invited to experience ham radio during Kid's Day. Amateurs are encouraged to invite youngsters into their shack to enjoy the fun. Kid's Day began in 1994 with a one-hour program created by the Boring Amateur Radio Club in Boring, Oregon. The youngsters exchanged names and their favorite colours. Forty kids participated. Last year, more than 1000 took part in the event, now sponsored by ARRL. There's no limit on operating time. The suggested exchange is name, age, location and favorite colour. You may work the same station again if the operator has changed. Call "CQ Kid's Day."

Complete information is on the ARRL Web site, http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kd-rules.html