Page 54 May June 2014 TCA

• Focus more effort on communicating with
stations in a manner that eliminates the SABLE ISLAND, PARKS CANADA AND THE CY0P PROJECT
use of repeaters Aaron Carpenter, VA1AXC,
• Eliminate or dramatically reduce the use is now active from
of Internet as a transport pipe for digital Sable Island, CY0.
messaging. Request all stations route P2P Aaron is one of two
messages to a local pre-arranged HF Operations Coordinators
Pactor message hub station which would for Parks Canada at the
in turn deliver messages to Net Control new Sable Island National
• In addition to extra support stations on Park Reserve. Aaron has
HF, the net control voice and data been a licensed Amateur
portion of HF would be split between Radio operator for about
two stations (at different locations) to eight years but is new to
allow for continuous mode operation HF radio operating.
• Create a PIO position within the planning He works a rotating
team to manage and expand overall schedule for Parks
media coverage for the event Canada, which consists of
approximately two months
In spite of some minor problems, CrossBorder on the island, then two
2014 was a success well beyond our months back in Halifax, Nova Scotia with his family. His schedule on the island
expectations. With relative ease, Amateur keeps him very busy, but when he is “off duty”, he does have some time for getting
Radio systems worked smoothly and on the radio.
seamlessly to interconnect dozens of stations
in three provinces and fve states. From Alaska Aaron was a tremendous asset to the CY0P DXpedition team (Murray, WA4DAN,
to the Yukon and south into British Columbia, Rick, AI5P and Gary, VE1RGB) during their October 2013 DXpedition to Sable.
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California The CY0P team worked closely with him on fight scheduling, accommodations,
– Amateur Radio made it look easy to placement of antennas, location of the three stations and other logistical matters.
communicate internationally between As the DXpedition progressed, the team was able to instruct Aaron during his
numerous emergency program jurisdictions off-times on some of the intricacies of DX operating. Even though HF operating
and medical facilities. was new to him, he seemed very interested and asked many questions. The CY0P
team and Aaron became quick friends.
CrossBorder 2014 now has the distinction of
being the frst Amateur Radio exercise to have We were so appreciative for the opportunity to visit Sable Island and conduct
successfully linked all six of the PNEMA (Pacifc our DXpedition that we began to think how to contribute something back to this
Northwest Emergency Management Agencies) wonderful hobby and Parks Canada. After discussions with Parks Canada, and
signatories in one on-air event. upon the successful completion of the CY0P DXpedition, the CY0P team donated
all of the antennas, antenna masts, coaxial cables, etc to Parks Canada and the
Yes, there were operational errors in the Sable Station.
delivery of the exercise, but each one served to
validate the overall success and value of the Weeks after the DXpedition, we also obtained and shipped a Yaesu FT-897 HF
exercise as a learning experience for Amateur transceiver to Parks Canada. The above photo shows Gary Bartlett, VE1RGB
Radio operators. We can learn a great deal from (on the right) presenting the receiver to Aaron on behalf of the CY0P DXpedition.
our mistakes because they teach us more than The site of the presentation was the citadel on Citadel Hill in Halifax where Parks
what we think we learn from success in life. Canada has its offces and where Aaron works when he is not on Sable Island.
The size and scope of the exercise continued Since then, Aaron has been able to experience the thrill of being DX and the CY0P
to surprise many participants. In some cases team has further agreed to provide Parks Canada with an Icom all band, all mode
there was criticism the organizing community HF transceiver, a Heil Pro Headset, a Tokyo 1.1 solid state amplifer and a new all
had allowed the event to grow on a daily band antenna (antennas corrode very quickly in the salt spray on Sable). All of this
basis well in excess of what many thought was gear will be made available to future DXpeditions and guest operators who obtain
a usable catchment area for testing our critical permission to visit Sable Island.
Amateur Radio infrastructure. In response, the Please listen out for VA1AXC on the HF bands and congratulate him as an up-and-
organizing committee asserts the test area coming DX’er!
might very well mirror reality in an actual
Pacifc Northwest emergency.
Interestingly, one after action report actually focused on the value of the CBCG
The good news here is that we now know a (with respect to a local jurisdiction) and in turn has now formalized a procedure in
large percentage of the key players in many their communications plan for future events that might include contact with a CBCG
community emergency programs – and have Net Control station. This is a very positive step!
their contact information to add into our local Based on what the exercise design team learned in both preparing for and
communications plan. Likewise, every delivering this event, we would have no hesitation hosting a similar event with even
participant in the exercise now knows a little less lead time at some point in the near future. We’re simply ready to do it again!
more about their “beyond arms reach” mutual
aid emergency partner. Paul Peters, VE7BZ, would be happy to receive comments or questions from other
areas along the Canada / USA border that might be interested in starting a
cross-border organization. He can be reached at:radio@cvrd.bc.ca
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