Page 64 May June 2014 TCA

has approximately 12 members, a indicated it could do should RAC FIELD ORGANIZATION REPORTS
new website at (http://www.ve1rti. complete communications fail and National Traffc System (NTS) Net Reports
ca), had its frst annual fshing the ARES group is required to take Net (Manager) Sessions QNI QTC
derby, participated in several action to facilitate the need for January 2014:
contests, helped a fellow Amateur communications.
with a disability gain new freedom APSN (VA6IX) 31 2624 34
by acquiring specialized radio The RCMP were very pleased with Avonlea ARG 29 189 0
equipment, held a public the operation and demonstration BCEN (VE7XLH) 31 357 26
demonstration, and held monthly and FES-NL left with a positive
meetings and weekly nets. sense that Amateur operators or BCYTN (VE7WJ) 31 580 59
ARES personnel have to be given CECA (VE7GN) 4 43 9
It’s a great feeling to help rebuild the ability to put the required
this club that had at one time a equipment in place to make this IRLP 9300 23 741 112
fairly large membership. Our goals happen should the need arise. MEPN (VE4LB) 29 734 3
are to grow this small group to Further meetings and planning will MMWXN (VA4GD) 31 613 1
include classes and support for be held to ensure everything
new Amateurs, participate in local required will be enabled within the MRS (VE4HK) 9 298 0
events and organizations, and FES-NL building and the command MSMN (VE4AEW) 23 665 0
promote ham radio in a positive trailer. All persons onsite that day NSARC 24 29 0
light. left with a positive note that
Amateurs can provide the required Sask ARES 4 250 0
My goals for the next year as communications when called upon Sask Evening Phone/CW 31 946 3
Section Manager for the Maritimes to do so”.
include active participation in the Sask Wx 31 452 0
Executive of the Antigonish There is a move underway to have February 2014:
Amateur Radio Club, communicate an Amateur gathering/hamfest in APSN (VA6IX) 28 2124 18
with as many local radio clubs as the Gander area this coming
possible and try to encourage a summer, probably in early BCEN (VE7XLH) 28 279 32
few stories out of the local September. Gander was decided BCYTN (VE7WJ) 28 451 80
Amateurs to submit to the TCA, on because it is the midpoint of the CECA (VE7GN) 4 46 12
have a presence at the local island from anywhere, and the area
Amateur Radio hamfests / has a fair number of Amateurs. MEPN (VE4LB) 28 610 0
feamarkets and build relationships MMWXN (VA4GD) 28 454 1
with local community leaders to This idea sprang out of a chat MRS (VE4HK) 9 263 0
promote ham radio and RAC. between Ira and Cal, VO1CAL.
Since then an ad-hoc committee MSMN (VE4AEW) 20 529 0
– Craig Seaboyer, VE1DSS has been formed to make some
plans. It would probably be a
NEWFOUNDLAND AND weekend event, starting sometime That’s diffcult to do in this world of I was talking with Ira, there he is
LABRADOR: on a Saturday and ending Sunday hustle and bustle when personal again, about starting a CW Net for
us newbies who are somewhat
time seems to get less and less.
SM: Vacant after a bite of breakfast. This is not These volunteers are keeping the apprehensive about jumping in to
intended to be a Club event but just
JANUARY-FEBRUARY the meeting of a bunch of Amateur traditions alive and that mode of the hobby. I remember
SM REPORT: Amateurs for food, fellowship, deserve our thanks and the frst time I checked in on SSB
camaraderie, fun and telling of appreciation. Too many times back in 1993 and afterwards I was
Despite the snowy dreary weather Amateurs are ready to criticize for a wreck from the stress of that frst
these past two months, Amateur “lies” i.e., the stretching of the the slightest of things, not plunge. What we would like is to
truth. Some ideas have been
Radio life carried on. Paul kicked around with respect to a considering the commitment made get a voice controller(s), who
Burggraaf, VO1PBB, Ira, VO1IRA, by the controller or the hurt would ask for CW checkins and
and Paul, VO1UF, all assisted in an feamarket, barbecue and dance, feelings it could cause. So at your allow us, faws and all, to make, in
emergency exercise involving Fire operation of a portable station, next net checkin, please thank the the beginning, the shortest CW
exploration of area tourist
and Emergency Services attractions, and so on. controller for making the checkin possible. From there, as
Newfoundland and Labrador commitment. Also, if something we gain confdence, allow us to
(FES-NL) and the RCMP. Here’s a Anyone wishing to help out or bothers you with respect to the pass a bit more traffc and
report compiled by Paul and Ira: make suggestions as to planning manner in which a controller eventually move to an all CW Net.
of an itinerary should get in contact operates his net, discuss it privately This net would also allow
“On February 10, VO1PRB, VO1UF with the two head honchos or any with the controller or refer it to the experienced CW operators to
and VO1IRA along with the
RCMP’s Garry Collins, Information Amateur around the Gander area. chief controllers, Bill, VO1WB, for check in, but not in a manner as to
the CJ Net and Lester, VO1UL, for
technologist, and Keith Frampton, Remember, the more participants, the Evening Net. This is a hobby impress others with speed and fst
so as to discourage those new to
the more fun and less work to be
Sergeant, and FES-NL’s Regional shared around. This could be the remember. the mode. What is needed here is
Emergency Management Offcer,
Bill Collins, participated in an chance to put a face to an Amateur With sadness I have to advise you encouragement and practise and
emergency exercise. The FES-NL you’ve talked to or heard on the of the passing of one of our NL hopefully draw others to the CW
nets! I would suggest by early
side of the hobby. Comments?
command trailer was taken from August the committee would like to Amateur icons, John Tessier,
the storage facility and the mast VO1FX. John was always a My thanks go to Paul Burggraaf,
extended to mount the homebrew have a confrmed number of gentleman. I met him frst in 1993 Paul Fisher and Ira Stacey for their
multi-dipole for 80, 40, 20, 10 and participants for bookings and a when he gave me my 5 WPM Code contributions to this report.
small participation fee to cover
15 metres. test. He was a saint to pass me Remember, Amateur Radio is a
incidental costs. When you plan
After 30 minutes of preparation, your summer, keep this event in then, but I guess he saw my hobby; have fun with it.
commitment to the hobby. He was
the antenna was positioned and mind. More news to come after any always active in Amateur and Here are the latest Net reports
ready for testing the Pactor Mail formal meeting. broadcast radio with a particular thanks to Ira:
System. VO1PRB fred up the unit I’d said it before but I need to love for station, VO1AA, at Cabot
and we were able to make contact mention it again; we should be Tower. Most of the display items Cod Jigger
with post offce station VE1YZ in there originated from his collection January 468
Halifax and as well, we were able very grateful to all our VO net as well as station VO1BZM at February 426
controllers on both the Cod Jigger
to send an email to the cellphone and Evening Nets. These people Admiralty House in Mount Pearl. Evening
of FES-NL’s Bill Collins who also make the commitment to be His tireless commitment to the NL January 949
dropped by the site. The RCMP Amateur scene was always February 979
members in attendance were around at a specifc time or else appreciated; a standard for all of
they make arrangements for
pleased with the ability of our someone else to cover for them. us to aspire to. Charlie Marsh, VO1VZ
equipment to do what was NL Section Bulletin Editor
62