Page 64 January February 2018 TCA

On September 12 there was some list generated. Since different FEEDBACK: OUR
minor BBS activity as part of an people have different ideas of what READERS WRITE
exercise up the valley. to pack, the list of possible items
Messages from Deep River were was larger than any one kit. Quite In 2017, Frank D. Grant,
posted on the VA3OFS BBS in a few good ideas were generated, VE3FT, well known
and the pros and cons of packing
Ottawa, to be picked up by a former Radio Inspector
station simulating the Outpost heavy vs packing light were with DOT and DOC
discussed.
station at Ottawa Red Cross. celebrated his 100th
Submitted by PR-ARES Group
On September 24, the Peel and Coordinator Lance, VA3LP birthday.
Ottawa clubs sponsored an NVIS The celebration was
“Event”, where stations around The Prescott‑Russell (PR‑ARES) held at his retirement
Ontario attempted to contact each group provided inter‑agency
other using NVIS antenna dispatch services between the residence in Ottawa.
techniques on the 80, 60 and 40m Clarence‑Rockland Fire Rescue, A number of family
HF bands. This was the second the Prescott‑Russell EMS and friends were in
year of this event and once again, Ambulance service during the attendance. Two celebrants were Keith Baker, VE2XL and June
Ottawa deployed stations in the “Défi Coureurs des bois Challenge Baker, VE2XS, of Beaconsfield, Quebec.
deep east and west ends of the 2017” held at the Lavingne Natural
city, about 55 kilometres apart. The Park in Bourget on September 23. When Frank was posted from a far north DOT Communications
eastern station deployed to a spot The group also provided FRS Land station to become a Radio Inspector at the Regina,
they hadn’t seen before. Set up handhelds to the organizers to Saskatchewan DOT Office, two of his earliest applicants for
there took about a half hour from keep in touch with the Amateur Amateur Radio licences were Keith and June Baker.
wheels stopped to on the air. Both Radio dispatcher and the local ATV
weather and propagation were club who provided off‑road patient Frank administered the exams and Keith became VE5XX and June
quite different from the first time transfer. The system of Amateur became VE5YY in 1955. We have enjoyed a lifelong friendship ever
the test was run. and FRS worked very well and since that time.
helped to keep all the individual
While last year’s propagation was sites connected and organized. Keith Baker, VE2XL & June Baker, VE2XS
hot and the weather was rainy, this
year it was the reverse, with 80m This year’s ARES organizer was properly. The laptop at the MEOC Frank, VO1HP, reports that the
Jeff, VA3ISP, assisted by Dean,
unusable, and 40m nearly so, and required a reboot during the VO1FN/b receive site will be shut
very July‑like weather. The VA3OFF and Gilles, VE3NPI. exercise. It has had issues before down for the winter. Several of the
exercise proved the usefulness of The Prescott‑Russell ARES group so it has been replaced with one of transmitter sites across the pond
60m for communications beyond was out on October 31 again this our old laptops. Unfortunately, all have advertised that they will also
VHF simplex or repeater range, year for Goblin Patrol in Prescott‑ of our laptops are old enough to shut down for the winter months.
and beyond ground‑wave range for Russell for the 8th year. Starting receive a pension! Given the damage caused by a late
HF. Some low power contacts were around 5 pm, the following ARES winter storm back in March, it was
made, but high power was required Members were out in force: Jeff, In early October, as part of the decided that it would be best to
if the message was to have a VA3ISP (in Bourget/Cheney and monthly Ottawa ARES/EMRG shut down the VO1FN site and
chance to get through on the first Net Control), Lance, VA3LP (in repeater test, packet messages remove the antennas until spring
attempt. One station in Northern Clarence‑Creek and Clarence were passed between AEC Mike, brings more favourable weather.
New York questioned the “contest Point), Norm, VA3NPL (in Rockland), VE3FFK, in Ottawa and GC Bob,
style” activity on 60m until it was Mike, VE3IPC (in Alfred), Michel, VE3YX, in Point Alexander to Chris, VO1IDX and some others
explained that it really was a test, VE3VBM (in Hawkesbury area), check the operation of the packet are working on getting the linked
and not a contest. It was nice to Dean, VA3OFF (in Bourget) and network. repeater at Grand Bank back on
hear real world signal reports, as Harry, VA3ZAK (in Rockland). – 73, Michael Hickey, VE3IPC the air. This repeater kept
opposed to the “59‑73, QRZ” style A few members of the public Amateurs from the southernmost
of the contest world. stopped to ask who we were and Districts Reporting: parts of the island in contact via
the Cross Island Link but it has
Eastern Ontario and Severn
The Ottawa ARES/EMRG group others thanked us for being out to ECs (GCs) or Assistants reporting: been off the air for a number of
reports that the usual monthly support the kids. It was a great VE3FFK, VE3YX, VA3LP & years. Hopefully, this project will
evening, but a little cool, but no
repeater test was conducted on Frontenac GC VE3HRW. progress quickly and we will once
October 4, with all repeaters rain, so it was great for the kids. DECs reporting: VA3LP. again hear those guys of VHF.
It was fun for all.
working. Participants were: Gord, OBS reporting: VE3YX, VE3FFK,
VA3GLK, Tim, VA3PYC, Jeremy, Submitted by RCW-ARES Group VE3KII and VE3IQZ. The RAC Canada 150 operations
VA3ZTF, Jean, VE2OCQ, Mike, Coordinator Bob, VE3YX have been going well. There has
VE3FFK (at Red Cross), Stuart, The Renfrew County West NEWFOUNDLAND-LABRADOR: been lots of support for this event
VE3SMF, GC Richard, VE3UNW (RCW‑ARES) Group reports that SM: Boyd Snow, VO1DI here in the section and VO1RAC
(also at Red Cross) and Ed, there were four Wednesday and VO2RAC have had great air
VE3VLF. During the test, the team evening nets in both months. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER time.
checked the dimensions and SM REPORT: There it is, as I have it, for this time
specifications for the backup On September 12 the group September usually marks the end around. Please remember that our
battery at Red Cross, as it was due participated in a Nuclear Plan of summer, but this year it seemed wonderful hobby is meant to be
for replacement. One was ordered Reception Centre setup exercise. as though summer just wanted to enjoyed by all who participate. If
for installation next during next The Reception Centre is the Deep keep going. I don’t think you would there is a club or ARES group in
month’s test. The VHF Winlink River Arena. The exercise plan did find many who would take offense your area, join in, or at least
gateway and BBS systems were not include any communications, to our WX during those months. support their efforts. Please keep
checked and found to be working. however group members arranged This also made those last minute up the good work and keep the
October 14 saw the running of a for the Red Cross to send messages outside jobs just a little more news coming.
to the Municipal EOC in Point
“first time” event, called a Butterfly Alexander and to the Red Cross in comfortable. – Boyd Snow, VO1DI
Run. Once again having Amateurs Ottawa. Yvonne, VE3RYA and The TCP Repeater Group has
there helped avoid some of the Tony, VA3HWH, set up the voice/ been busy with a new building and Newfoundland-Labrador
logistical pitfalls that rookie packet station in the MEOC, Mike, QTH for the VO1TBR (147.300 +) Traffic Totals
organizers fall into. As I wasn’t VE3FFK, acted as Red Cross in repeater, currently at Bay de September
there, I don’t have a list of Ottawa and Ean, VE3TLG, Ron, Verde. The new location of this Cod Jigger Net: 432
members participating. VE3ZRV and GC Bob, VE3YX, repeater will be on 12 O’Clock Hill Evening Traffic Net: 911
VHF Caribou Net: 296
The next day there was an ARES/ set up the station in the Reception in Old Perlican. This site allows a October
EMRG exercise that was held on Centre. little better coverage with more Cod Jigger Net: 446
October 15, where members were Messages were passed amongst ASL height. The group is hoping to Evening Traffic Net: 980
asked to check their Go Kits the three stations to establish that complete the move before winter VHF Caribou Net: 287
against a specific tasking. The kits the voice repeaters, packet nodes sets in, but there is still some work
were inventoried and a combined and packet BBSs were working to get done before the move.
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