The Monitor

Due to health issues, Eric VE3DSL has decided to step down as co-editor of the Monitor.  Eric has been part of the Monitor staff since 1995 and has certainly done a commendable job over the years.  Thanks for your service Eric!

Consequently, the Monitor is looking for another co-editor.  If you are interested in helping out each month, please contact me.  The salary is comparable to the pay scale the editors of other radio club’s newsletters are getting these days.

You’ll notice that the printed version of this issue looks different as I’m experimenting with another template.  The email version will continue without any changes though.  Let me know what you think!

Ric VE3RLX

VE3TCR V.H.F. has been plagued by repeater interference.

I began to notice this about two weeks ago on a Thursday afternoon.  It sounds like a “carrier” with the sound of a “whining” fan in the background.

It has not been constant but two things have been noticed.

On dry days, when there is no rain or snow, and when the humidity is low, there is hardly any interference.  However when it has been raining or snowing, the interference increases.

Last week, I traced the interference too the area around the Brantford General Hospital.  Last Wednesday afternoon I further traced it to either Fire Station No. 2, or the new Shell gas station on the corner of St. Paul Avenue and Dundas Street.

We’ll keep you informed about this problem and we will let you know when a solution is found.

Dave VE3ZVR, Co-chair Repeater Committee

As all of you have probably heard, Bob VA3BIK’s XYL, Isabella was involved in a horrific automobile accident in January.  All of us know Isabel as she has attended most club events with Bob and has been the club’s unofficial nurse.  We can report that Isabel is finally home from a London hospital after some extensive plastic surgery.  Their living room has been turned into a hospital room for the time being and we wish her a speedy recuperation.  Bob and Isabel’s daughter and son-in-law were also involved in a bad automobile accident in December.  Their daughter has survived but their son-in-law is still in a coma at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.  With the family van destroyed in Isabella’s accident, Bob was driving to the London and Toronto hospitals in a loaner vehicle when he was hit by a tow-truck.  Bob was not hurt but I think their family has been through enough this winter.  If things happen in three’s, hopefully nothing more will happen and they can get back to a somewhat normal life again.

It was reported that Don VA3DWG had a mild stroke in January and that’s why he hasn’t been down to the club recently.  He is still having a problem with his speech so it’s not advisable to call him on the phone, but if you want to send your good wishes, he can be emailed at: dgrand@infinity.net

Also, Gary VE3TDI lost his brother last month.  Our condolences go out to Gary and his family and it’s good to see Gary back out to the meetings recently.

Our good member Gerry VA3AAG and XYL who moved to northern Ontario also experienced a tragedy when his home burned down during their holiday in Holland.  We understand that Gerry is lodging with another Ham and his family up north and is able to keep in touch with us on HF using his friend’s radio.  We wish Gerry and his XYL good luck as they try to put their life back together after losing their possessions.

On January 29th, the club invited Al VE3MWX of Allan’s Antenna Tower and Satellite Service to give us a talk on his antenna experiences.  He brought along some examples of the coax connectors used in commercial applications and some commercial catalogues.  Al fielded a lot of questions regarding Amateur Radio tower installations, proper grounding techniques, and explained the correct way to seal our coax connections to resist damaging moisture.  Antennas seem to be a hot topic with Hams and hopefully Al will be back again with a sequel.

At the February 5th meeting, Ken VA3DDB presented a live APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) demonstration.  He illustrated how this mode works and provided a handout on an introduction to APRS.  This system uses unconnected packets to distribute position reports, weather information and messages between users.  An APRS symposium is being planned for late March or early April here in Brantford.  I think quite a few members seemed interested in this mode, so packeteers, lets dust off those TNC's and we'll wee you on the map!

Celebrating it’s 51st show, on May 17 - 19, 2002, the Dayton Hamvention® is the world's largest Amateur
Radio gathering and trade show.  Hamvention's 2002 theme is Emergency Communications/Public Service.

If you are planning to attend this years event at Dayton's Hara Arena Complex, NOW is the time make the arrangements.  More details can be found on their website at http://www.hamvention.org/

CQ VHF magazine will resume publication as a quarterly in the spring of 2002.  The magazine had been published monthly from 1996 to 1999.  However, a weak advertising and newsstand sales market made it economically unviable by the end of 1999.  The new CQ VHF is designed with these marketplace realities in mind and will rely primarily on subscription revenues to meet expenses.

CQ VHF will retain the friendly, conversational, look and feel of the original, but its technical content will be somewhat higher-level.  While the original magazine was intended largely to reach newcomers to amateur radio, its primary audience, in fact, turned out to be the experienced and established VHF’er.  With this in mind, the new version will focus more on meeting the technical needs of experienced VHF’ers without sacrificing the attention to the newcomer that has always been a hallmark of CQ publications.

The magazine will be available by subscription for $25.00/year US and over the counter at ham dealers.  Longtime CQ magazine “VHF-Plus” Editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, will be editor of the new quarterly.  The first issue is due out in May.

That dream involves a micro-satellite in low-earth orbit, acting like a conventional dual-band two-metre / 70 centimetre repeater, accessible from ground-based handheld transceivers.  It would perform other, more esoteric functions, of course.

The AMSAT North America Board of Directors approved the concept, and more details of this exciting new project should be announced shortly.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station got a new antenna January 14, thanks to a space walk by Expedition 4 crewmembers.

Installation of the new antenna on Zvezda paves the way for two separate ham stations aboard Space Station Alpha.  The ARISS initial ham station gear--single-band hand-held transceivers for 2 meters and 70 cm--now is installed in the Zarya Functional Cargo Block.  Tentative plans call for a 2-meter station to remain in Zarya, while a second 70-cm station will be set up in Zvezda using the newly installed antenna.

TCA January/February 2002
A REVIVAL OF INTEREST IN THE J-POLE AND SLIM JIM ANTENNAS.  Read about these most popular home-brew antennas.
RAC NATIONAL CONVENTION.  If you are in the Vernon, BC area around the end of July, plan to attend.

QST February 2002
BUILD AN APRS ENCODER TRACKER.  Read how a club or a public-service group can benefit from this real-time tracking system.
A PORTABLE TWIN-LEAD 20-METER DIPOLE.  This resonant portable dipole is perfect for portable QRP.

CQ February 2002
A TALE OF THREE CONTINENTS.  Working real DX on 6-meters.
HOMELAND SECURITY: WILL YOU BE READY IF NEEDED?  How to prepare a Go-Kit and what should be included.

ARRL International DX, CW – 0000z Feb 16 – 2359z Feb 17.

CQ 160m SSB – 2200z Feb 23 – 1600z Feb 24.

ARRL International DX, SSB – 0000z Mar 2 – 2359z Mar 3.

President George W. Bush spoke January 31 via Amateur Radio to members of the Northern Florida Amateur Radio Emergency Service Net (NFAN).  The president was in Florida to spotlight five volunteer groups for their value to the new Office of Homeland Security—among them the Volusia County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES).

President Bush recognized the valuable service Amateur Radio operators provide in times of emergencies.

GRENADA, J3.  Bill, K4LTA and Ruby, K4UPS are QRV as J37BO and J37RO, respectively.  Activity is on all bands, including the newer bands and 6 meters, using CW and SSB.  During some of the upcoming contests, they will use J38A.  QSL to home calls and J38A via K4LTA.

US VIRGIN ISLANDS, KP2.  Norm, K8NI and John, W8LBY are QRV from the WP2Z-Windwood site until February 13.  They are signing KP2/homecalls, with activity mostly on the newer bands and using PSK31.  QSL to home calls.

SEYCHELLES, S7.  Karesz, HA8EU is QRV as S79EU from Mahe Island, IOTA AF-024, until February 18.  Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using CW and some SSB.  QSL via HA2NM.

AFGHANISTAN, YA.  Look for YA0USA and YA5T to be QRV as time permits.  QSL YA0USA via K4YT and YA5T via KU9C.

Ft Myers, FL: Ft Myers Amateur Radio Club, Inc, W4LX. 1500Z Feb 11 to 2100Z Feb 15. The Edison Festival of Lights and Thomas Edison's Birthday. 28.430 21.330 14.230 7.230. Certificate and QSL. FMARC, PO Box 61183, Ft Myers, FL 33906.

Marquette, MI: Hiawatha Amateur Radio Association, K8LOD. 2000Z Feb 15 to 2000Z Feb 17. Celebrating the 13th running of the UP 200 Sled Dog Championship. 21.300 14.225 7.225 3.850.
Certificate. Rich Schwenke, N8GBA, 21 Smith Ln, Marquette, MI 49855.

Alexandria, VA: Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club, K4US. 1600Z Feb 16 to 2100Z Feb 17. Commemorating George Washington's Birthday. 18.080 14.240 10.110 7.240. Certificate. Mount Vernon ARC, PO Box 7234, Alexandria, VA 22307.

Round Rock, TX: Cen-Tex Contest Group, WA5DTK. 0001Z Feb 23 to 2359Z Mar 6. Commemorating the siege days at the Alamo. 28.465 21.265 14.265 7.265. QSL. Barry Brewer, WA5DTK, 603 Broken Bow Dr, Round Rock, TX 78681-7401. For more information, e-mail jbrewer@constant.com

The West Desert Amateur Radio Club will sponsor special event station W7U to commemorate the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.  W7U will be on the air from February 8 until February 24.  Look for W7U on or around 3.768, 14.250, 21.300 and 28.400 MHz.  QSL to W7EO, PO Box 98, Grantsville, UT 84029

Burlington Spring Fleamarket
Sponsored by the Burlington ARC.
Saturday February 16th at 9:00 AM
Royal Canadian Legion, 828 Legion Rd, Burlington.

HAMEX 2002
Sponsored by the Peel and Mississauga ARC’s.
Saturday March 23rd at 9:00 AM
Brampton Fairgrounds.

Durham Region Amateur Radio Hamfest
Sponsored by the North Shore and South Pickering ARC’s.
Saturday April 27th at 9:00 AM
Iroquois Park Recreation Centre, Whitby.

Annual Spring Hamfest and Fleamarket
Sponsored by the Skywide ARC.
Saturday May 11th at 9:00 AM
Westway United Church, 8 Templar Dr., Etobicoke.

New Zealand has streamlined the route to obtain an Amateur Radio license.  New Zealand now offers just two license classes, Limited and General.  The Novice and the Novice/Limited licenses no longer are issued, although holders may retain them and continue to operate; some also may be eligible for an almost-instant upgrade.  The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) administers the volunteer examination program there, and examinations are supervised by examiners from NZART branches.  Candidates get two hours to complete a 60-question test and must answer 40 questions correctly to pass.  The Morse code speed to qualify for the General-grade license has been lowered to 5 WPM.  The General License provides access to all Amateur Radio bands with full privileges.

The ARRL Letter says that Amateur Radio played a role in the rescue of two people aboard the sailing vessel Antigone after it ran aground off Honduras on Thursday, January 24th.

Ed Petzolt, K1LNC, of Hobe Sound, Florida, told the Letter that, despite some apparently deliberate interference, members of the Intercontinental Net on 14.300 MHz helped relay communications from the vessel, which was equipped with a High Frequency marine radio.

David Walz, AG4LI/HR6, in Honduras was in contact with the boat and passed traffic from the stranded mariners to the Net.  Petzolt said he was able to patch the US Coast Guard in Miami through to Walz, so the Coast Guard could obtain additional information and coordinate with Honduran authorities.

Petzolt said the two passengers aboard the 40-foot vessel were safe, and the boat was on the beach.  The FCC is reportedly investigating the interference issue.

On January 30, Marsha Stone, XE2/KF6TIQ, was scuba diving at 77 feet off Mexico when she encountered problems while surfacing.  It's believed that she developed a pulmonary embolism as a result of the dive.  She also was exhibiting possible neurological symptoms.  Stone was aboard her sailboat She Wolf with three other passengers at the time, including her sister.  Other amateurs sailing in the vicinity came to Stone's aid.

Members of the Intercontinental Net on 20 meters learned of the situation and offered to help.  Bob Botik, K5SIV, in Austin, Texas, phone-patched Stone to her personal physician, who advised that she needed to get to facilities in Cabo San Lucas as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, aboard the sailing vessel Spirit Quest, Kathy Brownell, W6ATM, and her physician-husband Doug rendezvoused with Stone's vessel, and the couple was able to provide oxygen and comfort to the victim as well as transport to the Naval Landing Station at Socorro Island, Mexico, for an airlift.

Also rendering aid was Barb Campbell, XE2/KB0RIZ, a registered nurse aboard the sailing vessel Blue Chablis.  Campbell's vessel reportedly stayed alongside Spirit Quest throughout the night to lend assistance when the victim's boat arrived at Socorro.  The She Wolf and Spirit Quest maintained contact on marine VHF frequencies.

Stone was transported to Cabo San Lucas the following day.  She had undergone treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, and, as of February 5, was able to stand and walk without assistance.

On February 4 a woman identified as Miranda Middleton--an Australian national in her mid-20s--became seriously ill while aboard the sailing vessel Baggywrinkle in the Caribbean.  Skipper Benjamin Shaw, KG4OAQ, got on 20 meters to seek assistance on the Intercontinental Net. Unable to copy Shaw well, Dave Franke, WA5EZW, alerted Ed Petzolt, K1LNC, in South Florida by telephone.

No stranger to dealing with maritime emergencies via ham radio, Petzolt contacted the US Coast Guard in Miami, which patched him through to its San Juan, Puerto Rico, station.  The US Coast Guard in turn contacted Coast Guard officials in St Vincent and the Grenadines.  Coast Guard detachments in the US and in the Grenadines came up on frequency, and Petzolt was able to relay information between the Coast Guard and Shaw's vessel as necessary.

Middleton was picked up by the St Vincent Coast Guard and was taken to Kingstown for treatment.  Shaw said that when Middleton arrived at the hospital, she was experiencing numbness and partial paralysis.  He added that she was doing much better following treatment.

It was a game seen by millions, but what TV viewers did not see was the work of a group of New Orleans area hams who were a part of the behind the scenes communications effort for the game.

New Orleans area hams assisted the American Red Cross as they provided tracking for those sent to area shelters or hospitals should the unthinkable occur.  Several Emergency Response Vehicles were in use feeding the workers and standing by in reserve should they be needed in an emergency.  The ERV's had a staff of 2 plus a ham with voice capability and APRS tracking.  There were "Action Teams" standing by with a ham and a dual band HT.  Hams also manned a command post trailer at City Hall as well as the Red Cross operations center on Canal Street and another Red Cross office in suburban Metairie.  The communications operations began on Friday, February 1st and continued Saturday as well as Super Bowl Sunday.

Amateur Radio operators in Turkey were among the first to respond in the wake of a earthquake that rocked the province of Afyon on Sunday February 3rd.  More than forty were killed and at least 170 were injured injuries were reported in the aftermath of the 6 point zero trembler.  Structures were destroyed and lines of communications were cut.

Enter Amateur Radio.

According to an ARRL bulletin, members of Turkey's Civil Defense Search and Rescue Team responded following the quake.  The bulletin quotes Aziz Sasa, TA1E, the president of the Turkish national Amateur Radio society as saying that S-A-R communicated with it's headquarters in Ankara and within the affected area.  This was because ham radio was the only long and medium-range communication resource available until normal lines of communications was restored.  Most ham radio communications was on VHF using a system of linked repeaters.

- you buy electrical black tape in ten packs.
- you've stripped wire with your teeth.
- you’ve told your son that, "One day, all this will be yours", and he doesn't respond.
- you'd rather help a buddy put up a new tower than mow the lawn.
- you've grabbed the wrong end of a soldering iron.
- you start giving out RST reports when you are on the telephone.
- the propagation forecast means far more to you than the local weather forecast.
- the microphone or visual aids at a meeting don't work and you rush up to the front to fix it.
- you tell the XYL, when she notices a new rig in the shack, why that has been there for years.
- your watch is set only to UTC.
- at night, when you pray, it starts off something like: CQ CQ CQ GOD DE (your callsign).
- you ever had to patch your roof after an antenna project.
- Ham radio magazines comprise more than 50% of your bathroom library.
- you ever put a GPS tracker in the XYL's car, just so you could watch her on APRS.
- you and the XYL took a cruise so you could visit the radio room.
- you ever tapped out HI in Morse on your car horn to another ham.
- you ever had an antenna fall down.
- your teenager refuses to ride in your car because it looks like a porcupine.
- you know the Latitude and Longitude of your home QTH.
- you go into the local Radio Shack store and the clerk asks you where something is.