Welcome to our Amateur Radio Club website!

We are the premier Amateur Radio Club in Belleville and surrounding areas.

  Canada 150: Join the Celebration!     NEW Vimy Ridge Commerative Call Sign for part of 2017.

For complete details of our up-coming meeting, please click here.

Industry Canada  Call Sign Lookup 

QRM Contents available Here QRM Newsletter Archive - Click on link to obtain the .PDF file. 2016 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2015 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec(pt 1)  Dec(pt 2) 2014 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2013 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2012 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Weekly Breakfast Join us for breakfast every Saturday @ 08:00 hrs at Quinte Restaurant located at 135 Cannifton Rd, in Belleville, Ontario. The food is terrific and the costs are quite reasonable. For directions and a map, click here.

QARC Directors  (2016-2017) President               Mike Papper VE3OX   ve3ox@rac.ca  Vice-President (Director at Large)                              Mike Drake VA3BKQ va3bkq@rac.ca  Secretary         Bob Moore VE3QWB       ve3qwb@rac.ca  Treasurer  Dave Ackerman VE3UGT  ve3ugt@rac.ca  Club Communications                            Tim Pekkonen VE3UO  ve3uo@rac.ca  Club Membership  & Correspondence                          Bob Moore VE3QWB   ve3qwb@rac.ca  Webmaster       Chris Wiesner VA3SM   va3sm@yahoo.ca 

Field Day Summary 2015 Call Used: VE3RL GOTA Station Call: (none) ARRL/RAC Section: ONE Class: 4A Participants: 20 Club/Group Name: Quinte and Prince Edward Radio Clubs Power Source(s): Generator Power Multiplier: 2X Bonus Points:    100% Emergency power             400    Media Publicity                            100    Set-up in Public Place                 100    W1AW Field Day Message          100    Submitted via the Web                    50    Total Bonus Points                      750 Score Summary:                            CW   Digital  Phone   Total    Total QSOs     358       116      350    Total Points    716       232      350    1298             Claimed Score = 2,596 Submitted by: Al Law, VE3FZ E-mail: allaw44@gmail.com Comments: Band/Mode QSO Breakdown:                       CW                     Digital              Phone                     QSOs  (W)        QSOs  (W)        QSOs  (W) 160m 80m                 15   100         100    100 40m               249   100             7      30            73    100 20m                 51   100         107      30          121    100 15m                 18   100             2      30            44    100 10m                 25   100           12                      12 6m 2m 1.25 Other Satellite GOTA TOTAL                  358          228                    250

VE3QAR Repeater Information Page

VE3QAR 146.985 MHz

146.985 transmits 118.8 Hz tone on output, carrier access on input // IRLP Node 2090 444.475 transmits 118.8 Hz tone on output, and requires 118.8 Hz tone on input. Both Repeaters are co-ordinated through the  St Lawrence Valley Repeater Council.

QARC Bylaws CORPORATE SEAL 1. The seal, an impression whereof is stamped in the margin hereof, shall be the seal of the Corporation. CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP 2. Membership in the Corporation shall be limited to persons interested in furthering the objects of the Corporation and shall consist of Full Membership, Associate Membership, Family Membership, Life Membership and Honourary Life Membership. I) Full Membership: shall include members holding a Certificate Of Proficiency in Amateur Radio issued by Industry Canada. Full membership requires payment of the annual dues and entitles one vote per member in Corporation business. II) Associate Membership: shall include all others interested in Amateur Radio. Associate members are required to pay 2/3 of the annual dues and are not allowed to vote on Corporation matters. III) Family Membership: shall include any family of two or more members in the same household who hold a Certificate Of Proficiency in Amateur Radio. Dues are not required to be paid by the second and/or any further family members. Such members are deemed to have Full Membership, with the right to vote on Corporation business, but shall not receive copies of the bulletin. IV Life Membership: a) having been a member for twenty consecutive years, a person may purchase a Life Membership by paying two (2) year's dues at the current rate, and shall have Full Membership voting privileges. b) a person may purchase a Life Membership at any time by paying fifteen (15) years dues in advance at the rate of dues in force at the time of purchase, and shall have Full Membership voting privileges. V) Honourary Life Membership: (a) any person, whether an Amateur Radio Operator or not, having rendered distinguished service to, or in the field of, Amateur Radio, shall be eligible for Honourary Life Membership and accepted as such by a vote at any meeting of the Corporation when a quorum of the membership is present. His rights and privileges shall be those of an Associate Member and not subject to dues or assessment. If elected from the membership, he would not be deprived of his rights as a Full Member. However, such privileges do not include membership in any other Amateur Radio organization when an additional expense to the Corporation is involved. (b) when a person purchases a Life Membership, or is elected an Honourary Life Member, his name, call, and the date shall be added to that section of the Regulations of the Corporation reserved for that purpose. 3. There shall be membership dues. Dues are to be renewed on or before the beginning of the fiscal year starting July 1 of said year, and the amount of annual dues is to be fixed by the Board of Directors, and approved by a quorum of members present at any regular meeting or annual meeting. Members not renewing their dues prior to January 1 of fiscal year shall cease to be members of the corporation and their names removed from the membership list. 4. Any member may withdraw from the Corporation by delivering to the Corporation a written resignation and lodging a copy of the same with the secretary of the Corporation. 5. Any member may be required to resign by a vote of three-quarters (3/4) of the members at an annual meeting or a regular meeting provided that any such member shall be granted an opportunity to be heard at such meeting. HEAD OFFICE 6. Until changed in accordance with the Act, the Head Office of the Corporation shall be in Belleville, in the Province of Ontario. BOARD OF DIRECTORS 7. The property and business of the Corporation shall be managed by a board of 5 directors of whom 3 shall constitute a quorum. Directors must be individuals, 18 years of age, with power under law to contract. Directors must be Full Members or Life Members of the Corporation. All Directors must be elected by the membership at an annual meeting. A person who is not a member may be elected a director, but must become a Full Member or Life Member within ten (10) days of election or else cease to be a director. 8. The applicants for incorporation shall become the first directors of the Corporation whose term of office on the Board of Directors shall continue until their successors are elected. At the first May annual meeting of members, they shall elect a new Board of Directors who shall replace the provisional directors named in the Letters Patent of the Corporation, to be effective on the first day of the next fiscal year. 9.Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting for a 1 (one) year term. 10. The office of director shall be automatically vacated: a) if a director has resigned his office by delivering a written resignation to the secretary of the Corporation; b) if he is found by a court to be of unsound mind; c) if he moves his place of residence to a place far enough outside of Belleville, in the Province of Ontario, that he cannot effectively perform his duties because of the distance; d) if at a special general meeting of members, a resolution is passed by two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at the meeting that he be removed from office provided that any such member shall be granted an opportunity to be heard at such meeting; e) on death; provided that if any vacancy shall occur for any reason in this paragraph contained, the Board of Directors by majority vote, may, by appointment, fill the vacancy with a member of the Corporation. 11. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at a time and place that shall from time to time be determined by the directors provided that 48 hours written notice of such meeting shall be given, other than by mail, to each director. Notice by mail shall be sent at least 14 days prior to the meeting. There shall be at least one (1) meeting per year of the Board of Directors. No error or omission in giving notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors or any adjourned meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall invalidate such meeting or make void any proceedings taken thereat and any director may at any time waive notice of any such meeting and may ratify, approve and confirm any or all proceedings taken or had thereat. Each director is authorized to exercise one (1) vote. If all the directors of the Corporation consent thereto generally or in respect of a particular meeting, a director may participate in a meeting of the board by means of such conference telephone or other communications facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other, and a director participating in such a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at the meeting. 12. The directors shall serve as such without remuneration and no director shall directly or indirectly receive any profit from his position as such; provided that a director may be paid reasonable expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation as an officer, or in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. 13. A retiring director shall remain in office until the dissolution or adjournment of the meeting at which his retirement is accepted and his successor is elected. 14. The Board of Directors may appoint such agents and engage such employees as it shall deem necessary from time to time and such persons shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors at the time of such appointment. 15. A reasonable remuneration for all agents and employees shall be fixed by the Board of Directors by resolution. Such resolution shall be in force and effect only until the next meeting of members when such resolution shall be confirmed by resolution of the members, or in the absence of such confirmation by the members, then the remuneration to such agents or employees shall cease to be payable from the date of such meeting of members. INDEMNITIES TO DIRECTORS AND OTHERS 16. Every director or officer of the Corporation or other person who has undertaken or is about to undertake any liability on behalf of the Corporation or any company controlled by it and their heirs, executors and administrators, and estate and effects, respectively, shall from time to time and at all times, be indemnified and saved harmless out of the funds of the Corporation, from and against; a) all costs, charges and expenses which such director, officer or other person sustains or incurs in or about any action, suit or proceedings which is brought, commenced or prosecuted against him, or in respect of any act, deed, matter or thing whatsoever, made, done or permitted by him, in or about the execution of the duties of his office or in respect of any such liability; b) all the costs, charges and expenses which he sustains or incurs in or about or in relation to the affairs thereof, except such costs, charges or expenses as are occasioned by his own wilful neglect or default. POWERS OF DIRECTORS 17. The directors of the Corporation may administer the affairs of the Corporation in all things and make or cause to be made for the Corporation, in its name, any kind of contract which the Corporation may lawfully enter into and, save as hereinafter provided, generally, may exercise all such other powers and do all such other acts and things as the Corporation is by its charter or otherwise authorized to exercise and do. 18. The directors shall have power to authorize expenditures on behalf of the Corporation from time to time and may delegate by resolution to an officer or officers of the Corporation the right to employ and pay salaries to employees. The directors shall have the power to enter into a trust arrangement with a trust company for the purpose of creating a trust fund in which the capital and interest may be made available for the benefit of promoting the interest of the Corporation in accordance with such terms as the Board of Directors may prescribe. 19. The Board of Directors shall take such steps as they may deem requisite to enable the Corporation to acquire, accept, solicit or receive legacies, gifts, grants, settlements, bequests, endowments and donations of any kind whatsoever for the purpose of furthering the objectives of the Corporation. OFFICERS 20. The Officers of the Corporation shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary,Treasurer, and any such other officers as the Board of Directors may determine. Officers must be elected by the membership at an annual meeting. Any two offices may be held by the same person. Officers need not be directors, but shall be Full Members or Life Members in good standing. 21. Officers shall serve as such without remuneration and no officer shall directly or indirectly receive any profit from his position as such; provided that an officer may be paid reasonable expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties. 22. The Officers of the Corporation shall hold office for a term to be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, beginning on the first day of the next fiscal year from the date of election, or until their successors are elected or appointed in their stead. Officers may be removed by a motion sustained by 3/4 of the members present at a regular meeting. DUTIES OF OFFICERS 23. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of the Corporation and of the Board of Directors. He shall have the general and active management of the affairs of the Corporation. He shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. 24. The Vice-President shall, in the absence or disability of the president, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the president and shall perform such other duties as shall from time to time be imposed upon him by the Board of Directors. 25. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation and shall keep full and accurate accounts of all assets, liabilities, receipts and disbursements of the Corporation in the books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all monies, securities and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such chartered bank of trust company, or, in the case of securities, in such registered dealer in securities as may be designated by the Board of Directors from time to time. He shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be directed by proper authority taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and directors at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or whenever they may require it, an accounting of all the transactions and a statement of the financial position, of the Corporation. He shall also perform such other duties as may from time to time be directed by the Board of Directors. 27. The Secretary may be empowered by the Board of Directors, upon resolution of the Board of Directors, to carry out his affairs of the Corporation generally under the supervision of the officers thereof and shall attend all meetings and act as clerk thereof and record all votes and minutes of all proceedings in the books to be kept for that purpose. He shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or president, under whose supervision he shall be. He shall be custodian of the seal of the Corporation, which he shall deliver only when authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors to do so and to such person or persons as may be named in the resolution. 28. The duties of all other officers of the Corporation shall be such as the terms of their engagement call for or the Board of Directors requires of them. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS 29. Contracts, documents or any instruments in writing requiring the signature of the Corporation, shall be signed by any two officers and all contracts, documents and instruments in writing so signed shall be binding upon the Corporation without any further authorization or formality. The directors shall have power from time to time by resolution to appoint an officer or officers on behalf of the Corporation to sign specific contracts, documents and instruments in writing. The directors may give the Corporation's power of attorney to any registered dealer in securities for the purposes of the transferring of and dealing with any stocks, bonds, and other securities of the Corporation. The seal of the Corporation when required may be affixed to contracts, documents and instruments in writing signed as aforesaid or by any officer or officers appointed by resolution of the Board of Directors. MEETINGS 30. The annual or any other general meeting of the members shall be held at the head office of the Corporation or at any place in Canada as the Board of Directors may determine and on such day as the said directors shall appoint. The Auditor(s) shall be appointed at the annual meeting for the ensuing year. 31. At the first meeting of the fiscal year, in addition to any other business that may be transacted, the report of the directors, the financial statement and the report of the auditors shall be presented. The members may consider and transact any business either special or general at any meeting of the members. The Board of Directors or the president or vice-president shall have power to call at any time, a general meeting of the members of the Corporation. The Board of Directors shall call a special general meeting of members on written requisition of members carrying not less than 5% of the voting rights. 15% of the membership present in person at a meeting plus the presence of 3 of the Directors will constitute a quorum. 32. Fourteen (14) days' written notice shall be given to each voting member of any annual or special general meeting of members. Notice of any meeting where special business will be transacted shall contain sufficient information to permit the member to form a reasoned judgement on the decision to be taken. Notice of each meeting of members must remind the member that he must be present in person to vote. Each voting member present at a meeting shall have the right to exercise one vote. There shall be no proxy voting. 33. No error or omission in giving notice of any annual or general meeting or any adjourned meeting, whether annual or general, of the members of the Corporation shall invalidate such meeting or make void any proceedings taken thereat and any member may at amy time waive notice of any such meeting and may ratify, approve and confirm any or all proceedings taken or had thereat. For purpose of sending notice to any member, director or officer for any meeting or otherwise, the address of the member, director or officer shall be his last address recorded on the books of the Corporation. MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS (AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE) 34. The minutes of the Board of Directors (or the minutes of the executive committee) shall not be available to the general membership of the Corporation but shall be available to the Board of Directors. A copy of the minutes of each meeting shall be made available on request to each Director. VOTING OF MEMBERS 35. At all meetings of members of the Corporation, every question shall be determined by a majority of votes unless otherwise specifically provided by statute or by these by-laws. FINANCIAL YEAR 36. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year shall start on July 1 and end on June 30 of the following year unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors and approved by a majority of members at a regular meeting or annual meeting. COMMITTEES 37. The Board of Directors may appoint committees whose members will hold their offices at the will of the Board of Directors. The directors shall determine the duties of such committees, and may fix any remuneration to be paid. AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS 38. The by-laws of the Corporation not embodied in the letters patent may be repealed or amended by by-law enacted by a majority of the directors at a meeting of the Board of Directors and sanctioned by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members at a meeting duly called for the purpose of considering the said by-law, provided that the repeal or amendment of such by-laws shall not be enforced or acted upon until the approval of the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs has been obtained. AUDITORS 39. The members shall, at each annual meeting, appoint an auditor to audit the accounts of the Corporation for report to the members at the next annual meeting. The auditor shall hold office until the next annual meeting provided that the directors may fill any casual vacancy in the office of the auditor. The remuneration of the auditor shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. BOOKS AND RECORDS 40. The directors shall see that all necessary books and records of the Corporation required by the by-laws of the Corporation or by any applicable statute or law are regularly and properly kept. RULES AND REGULATIONS 41. The Board of Directors may prescribe such rules and regulations not inconsistent with these by-laws relating to the management and operation of the Corporation as they deem expedient, provided that such rules and regulations shall have force and effect only until the next annual meeting of the members of the Corporation when they shall be confirmed, and failing such confirmation at such annual meeting of members, shall at and from that time cease to have any force and effect. INTERPRETATION 42. In these by-laws and in all other by-laws of the Corporation hereafter passed unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular number of the masculine gender shall include the plural number or the feminine gender, as the case may be, and vice versa, and references to persons shall include firms and Corporations. ****************************************************************** REGULATIONS OF THE CORPORATION Quinte Amateur Radio Club Incorporated 1. Terms of Office The Executive of the Quinte Amateur Radio Club are to be elected at the May (annual) meeting of the Club.Their term of office shall be one year, commencing at the start of the next fiscal year immediately following the date of election,that is from July 1 to June 30. 2. Honourary Life Members: Bill Barrie VE3AAS 2006       Life Members: Syd Horne VE3EGO 2005 Tim Pekkonen VE3UO (ex.VE3HCM) 2005 Michael Papper VE3OX (VE3VMP) 2003 Ivan Graham VE7GTT (VA3IG, VE3GTH) 1992 Don Davenport VE3BPL 1992 The names of any deceased Honourary Life members, or Life Members shall be removed from these rolls, and added to the Roll of Honour. 3. Roll of Honour   · James Allan (Al) Smith VE3GI (Hon Life Member 2006; SK July 29, 2013) · Al Taylor VE3WV (Hon Life Member 2008; SK Jan 26, 2012) · Richard (Dick) Hayes VE3EER ( Life Member 2008; SK Nov 2, 2011) · Bob SandsVE3BOB (Hon Life Member 2006; SK May 5, 2011) · Albert BakytaVE3BHK (Hon Life Member 2006; SK Aug 28, 2010) · Ronald ChapmanVE3IVC (Hon Life Member 2000; SK Dec 23, 2009) · Harold CarruthersVE3NW (Hon Life Member 2006; SK Dec 9, 2006) · Al Smardon VE3OX (Hon Life Member 2005; SK Aug 3, 2005) · Gerry Ingles VE3HBR · William Thompson VE3RW · H.R.(Reg) Varcoe VE3RR (Hon Life Member, 1977) · T.W.R. (Ross) Dryden VE3AUU (Hon Life Member, 1992) · W.B. (Buster) Doubleday VE3NF (Hon Life Member, 1974) The Roll of Honour posthumously honours the memory of individual members of the Quinte Amateur Radio Club who contributed significantly to the Hobby of Amateur Radio. 4. Dues At the time of Incorporation of the Quinte Amateur Radio Club, dues are $15.00 per fiscal year. Dues were set to $ 20.00 per fiscal year at the February 1994 meeting. Dues were set to $ 25.00 per fiscal year at the March 1998 meeting. Those persons who are Full-time students of a High School or other institution of higher education may become Full members of the Corporation upon payment of 1/2 of the annual dues provided they are qualified to become full members. (Amendment April 1994) Those persons eligible to join the club during the fiscal year shall pay dues as follows: First Quarter: (July August September): $25.00 Second Quarter: (October November December): $20.00 Third Quarter: (January February March): $15.00 Fourth Quarter: (April & May): $10.00 Note: It is expected that new members joining in June would normally pay Full Dues for the following fiscal year. Amendment: September 16, 2015:  New dues will be $10 for RAC members, and $15 for non-RAC members. 5. Amendments and Additions These Regulations may be amended or added to by a 2/3 majority vote of members in attendance at a regular meeting where a Quorum is present. Proposals for amendments or additions shall be submitted in writing at any regular meeting, but may not be voted on until the next regular meeting. Only Regulation No.8, Rules for the Reg Varcoe Award, may be amended by the Executive. 6. Club Property a) Club property is the property of the members as a whole. b) Club Property shall only be disposed of by a majority vote at a regular meeting when a quorum of members is present. One month's notice shall be given to all members before any vote shall be taken. c) Proceeds from the sale of Club Property shall be placed in the Club treasury. d) In the event of dissolution of the Quinte Amateur Radio Club, all club property shall be disposed of. The proceeds from such sales shall be donated to a charitable organization chosen by a majority vote at a regular meeting when a quorum is present. 7. Reg Varcoe Fund In 1977 Mr Reg Varcoe VE3RR who since 1961 has donated the Reg Varcoe Award together with a subscription to the Radio Society of Ontario, donated the sum of $100.00 to the club.The interest from this fund is to pay the subscription mentioned above as requested by Mr Varcoe. Due to the fact that the R.S.O. is discontinued, a subscription shall be made on behalf of the member to a magazine as selected by the Club Executive. 8. Reg Varcoe Award a) This award was instituted by Mr Reg Varcoe VE3RR to encourage Amateurs to take part in emergency work,experimenting, or any other activity that will add to the prestige and pleasure of the Amateur Radio fraternity. b) The trophy is awarded annually covering the period ending June 30. It is to awarded to the club member or associate member (including officers and directors) who, in the opinion of the membership, has made the greatest contribution to Amateur Radio in general or to the Quinte Amateur Radio Club. c) The trophy may be for outstanding work in any of the following: emergency service; assistance to members in obtaining their license; pioneering work on unused frequencies or new techniques; traffic handling; or any other outstanding Amateur Radio activity or service to the community. d) The award shall be a plaque to which a tab shall be added each year showing the name of the winner,his callsign and the year. The winner may keep the plaque for one year. In addition to the plaque, there will be a subscription for one year to an Amateur publication as selected by the Executive. This subscription will be paid for by the Reg Varcoe Fund as per Quinte Amateur Radio Club Regulation No 7. e) Nominations will be submitted in writing to the Executive, stating the reasons for nomination,and signed by two members or associate members,including officers and directors,of the Club.The winner shall be decided by a ballot of the members present at any regular meeting. f) Rules for the Reg Varcoe Award, Regulation No 8, may be amended by the Executive at the beginning of the contest year.

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Fall 2016 Schedule Sep 26 : Introduction to DC Components; Ohm's Law; Appendix I  (MD) Sep 28 : AC Components/Impedance (MD) Oct 3  : Waves/Wavelength/Freq/Bands/Propogation (BC) Oct 5 : Transmission Lines (BC) Oct 10 :  NO CLASS due to Thanksgiving Oct 12 : Antenna (BC) Oct 17 : Regulations (MP) Oct 19 : NO CLASS due to QARC meeting Oct 24 : Modulators/Transmitters/Receivers (BC) Oct 26 : RFI/Safety/BCI/TVI (DM) Oct 31 : NO CLASS due to Halloween Nov 2 :  Review (BC/MD/ALL) Nov 7 :  Station Operation / Q Signals (ALL) Nov 9 : Diodes/Transistors/Tubes/Power Supplies (MD) Nov 14 :  REVIEW Lessons #1 & #2 (BC/MD/ALL) Nov 16 : NO CLASS due to QARC meeting Nov 21 :  EXAM administered by Doug VE3ZDG Instructors and contacts. Brian Credico VE3GRA  - BC -  (instructor) Al Law VE3FZ - AL - VE3FZ@kos.net (instructor) Mike Papper - VE3OX - MP - ve3ox@rac.ca (co- ordinator & Regulations) Doug Monk VE3ZDG - DM - dmonk@kos.net (instructor & examiner) Matthew Dwight - VE3FL - MD - matthew@mdwight.com (instructor) Tim Pekkonen - VE3UO - tim.ve3uo@gmail.com (resourse) Joe Laferla - VA3JLF - joe@laferla.ca (President PERC) Mike Papper - VE3OX - ve3ox@rac.ca (President QARC) Map to Mike's House

Meeting Minutes: September 21, 2016     Directors present: • President Mike Papper VE3OX • Club Communications Tim Pekkonen VE3UO • (Acting)Secretary & Webmaster Chris Wiesner VA3SM ​ 19:00: Mike VE3OX opened the meeting and welcomed all members and guests. ​ Members and Guests in attendance: 30 ​ Guests included: Gale & Justus Ullmann (SWL) Jack (SWL) Drew VE3UIN Ed Vaughan (SWL) Linda Evans (SWL) Richard G4LGX John VE3ZJP Gerry VE3APF   ​​ Silent Key: Mike announced, with sadness, that Warren Wright VE3JPW has passed away. His obituary is here ​ Mike made several announcements: - there was a 50/50 draw conducted by Matthew VE3FL on behalf of the Prince Edward club. It was won by Greg VE3CH who pocketed $13. - up-coming meetings: October - Glenn MacDonell VE3XRA, President of RAC; November - Drone project by Jamie Zieman VA3RZD. - due to Dave Ward's health issues, we are looking for a member to step forward as co-ordinator for future fox hunts. Next fox hunt is scheduled for October 16th. - we are looking for volunteers to help with Halloween, Monday October 31, and the Santa Claus Parade Sunday November 9. The parade route begins at the Fairgrounds and ends at Bayview Mall. - a new commererative call sign (VE100VIMY-VE3) for Vimy Ridge Battle will be available soon. Here is a link. ​ Repeaters: Tim VE3UO reports no issues with either repeater. Matthew VE3FL gave an update for the PERC repeater. Treasurer's report can be found in the last issue of QRM, the Club's newsletter. ​ Online Course: Paul VE3KBI announced that the next free online course will begin in mid December 2016. ​ 19:35 Coffee break ​ 19:50 Presentation of the MESH network by Hans VE3OR and Bob VA3NGE. The presentation included an introductory video describing the basics about MESH network. Afterwards, Hans gave a live demo where 3 routers and one AP were activated. Some audience members were able to logon to the MESH with their cell phones or tablets to interrogate status of other nodes.  Hans also showed us several home brew antennas for 440 Mhz and 5cm bands. Hans also provided the audience with a handout "Broadbandf Hamnet(TM) Router Shopping Guide", which he prepared himself. It lists the make/model and version numbers of compatible routers. To obtain this document, please contact Hans VE3OR There were many questions and  much discussion about this fascinating part of our hobby. For more info, also link to hsmm-mesh.org ​ 21:00 Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Minutes: May 18, 2016

 Directors present: • President Mike Papper VE3OX • Vice-President (Director at Large) Mike Drake VA3BKQ • Treasurer Dave Ackerman VE3UGT • Club Communications Tim Pekkonen VE3UO • Club Membership & Correspondence Bob Moore VE3QWB • Secretary & Webmaster Chris Wiesner VA3SM Members and Guests in attendance: 21 19:00 Mike VE3OX opened the meeting and welcomed all members and guests. Guests included: Brian VA3BAH, Pieter VE3NXE, and guest speaker Bill VE3CRU. No Silent Keys reported. Mike VE3OX initiated some discussion on the value of being a RAC member.  Reportedly, the ratio of RAC members in our Club is 68%. Tim VE3UO is considering a power increase on the repeater to 20W. CANWARN training/info session will be on May 28 in Belleville. See Mike VE3OX for more details. Dave VE3UGT gave a Field Day update. The number of stations will be determined on the Saturday morning. It will probably be 3A. The MS Bike ride will be on July 10. We are still looking for volunteers. Since there are no meetings in July and August, a dinner is planned for July 20 at The Boat House Restaurant 18:00h. The location of the August dinner will be determined at the July dinner. Elections: Tim VE3UO administered the elections for the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2016. The following Director positions were acclaimed: Mike Papper VE3OX, Mike Drake VA3BKQ, Dave Ackerman VE3UGT, Bob Moore VE3QWB, & Tim Pekkonen VE3UO. Current Director Chris Wiesner VA3SM declined to serve another term. Tim asked if there were any nominations from the floor for a Director position. There were none. Nominations were closed. There was a round of applause for Chris' involvement with the Club. The Directors will determine at the next Executive meeting who will serve in the Executive positions. 19:30 Coffee Break 19:45 Bill Burgess VE3CRU gave a very spirited presentation on his antenna systems, van, and brought in several Yagi antennas with plans and kits. It was a most informative and fun presentation. 21:00 Meeting adjourned.  

Meeting Minutes: April 20, 2016

Directors present: • President Mike Papper VE3OX • Vice-President (Director at Large) Mike Drake VA3BKQ • Treasurer Dave Ackerman VE3UGT • Club Communications Tim Pekkonen VE3UO • Club Membership & Correspondence Bob Moore VE3QWB • Secretary & Webmaster Chris Wiesner VA3SM Members and Guests in attendance: 27 19:00 Mike VE3OX opened the meeting and welcomed all. Guests included: Cindy Fort, Paul VA3ZYX, and Peter VE3KWM. Welcome! We hope you enjoyed the meeting! Silent Keys reported: Eric Ambler VE3EJA passed away at Campbellford Memorial Hospital on April 13, 2016 in his 88th year. Our condolencses to Eric's family. Mike asked if there were any questions or comments with respect to our latest QRM newsletter. There were none. News: Paul VE3KBI reports that the online course is completed. There are 8 new amateurs in the area. Congratulations! Paul also expressed thanks to: Mike, Tim, Lee, Matthew and Dave Ward for their contributions and help for the course. Fox hunt to be held on May 7. We are looking for a manual fox. Anyone interested? Tim presented Mike an official 'ICOM' shopping bag. HI HI New Business: MS Walk to be held on May 15, 2016 Dayton, OH May 20-22 19:22 Coffee Break. Brian Williams VA3BRW gave us a very long and detailed overview of his latest travels to Iceland. Thank you, Brian! 21:20 Meeting adjourned. For next meeting info, follow this link.  

Meeting Minutes: March 16, 2016

Directors present: • President Mike Papper VE3OX • Vice-President (Director at Large) Mike Drake VA3BKQ • Treasurer Dave Ackerman VE3UGT • Club Communications Tim Pekkonen VE3UO • Club Membership & Correspondence Bob Moore VE3QWB • Secretary & Webmaster Chris Wiesner VA3SM Members and Guests in attendance: 27 19:00 Mike VE3OX opened the meeting and welcomed all. Mike gave us an update about the new Fusion repeater. It has arrived and was set up by Tim VE3UO. It will be put into service shortly. Mike also welcomed our guest Don Borst. A birthday card was passed around for signatures to celebrate Tim's (VE3UO) 60th birthday. Happy Birthday, Tim! There were no Silent Keys reported. Mike asked if there were any questions or comments with respect to our latest QRM newsletter. There were none. Treasurer's Report is in QRM. Refer to this document when convenient. Repeater Update: Tim VE3UO reported that there is a firmware update available for the repeater. News: VE3TJU may be relocating. The Fire Department is moving out of the existing building in June 2016. We are looking to relocate a 100' tower. Does anyone have a property which could accommodate such equipment? Paul VE3KBI reports that the online course is progressing well. Review and exam will be held in Hastings on April 9/10. He expects 15-20 new hams when exams are done. New Business: Mike VE3OX announced that we will be conducting a logo contest for out 70th anniversary in 2017. The requirements will be posted in QRM and on website. Bob VA3NGE announced that there are a number of QSO parties in April.  Ontario QSO party will be on April 16/17, as well as others in VA and LA (USA). Tim VE3UO announced that the Pitter-Patter Run will take place on April 17. It should be finished by noon. Police check requirements have been reduced. Please check with Tim for the proper form. 19:30 Coffee Break. Dave Ward VE3BIP gave a very good presentation and overview on Bitcoin, a virtual currency. He will be providing internet links shortly so that anyone interested can learn more. Thank you, Dave! Editor's note: Another good source of information is found at http://www.coindesk.com/ and http://www.wired.com/2011/11/mf_bitcoin/  and finally http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2015/12/11/ should-you-invest-in-bitcoin-10-arguments-in- favor-as-of-december-2015/#659e1866540e 20:35 Meeting adjourned. For next meeting info, follow this link.

Meeting Minutes: February 17, 2016

Directors present: • President Mike Papper VE3OX • Vice-President (Director at Large) Mike Drake VA3BKQ • Treasurer Dave Ackerman VE3UGT • Club Communications Tim Pekkonen VE3UO • Club Membership & Correspondence Bob Moore VE3QWB • Secretary a& Webmaster Chris Wiesner VA3SM Members and Guests in attendance: 21 19:00 Mike opened the meeting and welcomed all. Mike gave us an update about the new Fusion repeater. It has arrived and was set up by Tim VE3UO. It will be put into service shortly. Mike also welcomed our newest member, Jason VA3JLG from Belleville. There were no Silent Keys reported. Announcements: We are looking for ideas on how to celebrate our 70th anniversary. Paul Hazell VE3KBI reported that there are 21 students registered for this year's online course. The exam is to be held on April 10. Location to be determined. Bob VE3QWB had contacted Quinte West's John Whalen. He forwarded the request to the Fire Chief, who is responsible for emergency services. Chris VA3SM indicated that we may qualify for a Trillium grant. The Peel Amateur Radio Club received $42,000.00 from Trillium and were able to purchase a communications trailer, similar to Kevin's VA3THB, antennas and several radios for HF, UHF and VHF. John VA3JO asked if we can help promote the Distracted Driving exemption. Field Day 2016: There was some discussion about location.  Dave VE3UGT to confirm. Also, ARRL added two new activities. 19:25 Break. Thank you, Hans VE3OR for assisting with coffee and cookies. Peter VE3UR gave a demonstration of the DV4 Mini Dongle, which allows one to communicate via internet/radio worldwide. It was very interesting! Tim VE3UO gave a short demonstration of our new Fusion repeater. It will be put into service soon, and will be in AUTO mode. FM in - FM out, Digital in - Digital out operation on 444.475 118.8 subtone. 20:10 Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Minutes: January 20, 2016

Directors present: • President Mike Papper VE3OX • Vice-President (Director at Large) Mike Drake VA3BKQ • Treasurer Dave Ackerman VE3UGT • Club Communications Tim Pekkonen VE3UO • Club Membership & Correspondence Bob Moore VE3QWB • Absent, due to sickness, with apologies, Secretary & Webmaster Chris Wiesner VA3SM Members and Guests in attendance: 22 The meeting was called to order at 7pm by President Mike. Due to time constraints for our presenter, we started the meeting with Mike calling on Bob VE3QWB to introduce our Skype guest. Bob introduced Bob Greenberg, W2CYK, in Long Island, New York. He will be talking about his repeater program called RFinder. This is the Worldwide Repeater Directory which includes IRLP, Echolink, AllStar, Dstar, Winlink and more information for over 175 countries. It is the official repeater directory of Radio Amateurs of Canada and Amateurs in UK, Italy, Mexico, Germany, Spain and France. When a Canadian amateur pays the ten dollars subscription fee, 30 per cent of it goes to RAC. He will be using both Skype and JoinMe to talk to us. For information see http://www.rfinder.net/blog/ Last year Bob VE3QWB purchased a one year supscription for RFinder, to see how well it worked, got the app running on his phone ok, but had some difficulty getting it running properly on his laptop, so sent an email to RFinder support. After a few email exchanges with Bob Greenberg, the problem was fixed. Bob W2CYK offered to do a Skype presentation for QARC. So, Bob contacted Brian VA3BRW, who has set up a Skype presentation before, to see if he would do it again. He said he would, so, Bob passed the meeting over to Brian and our guest. We were able to hear Bob Greenberg in Long Island, as he explained what he was doing on his computer, using JoinMe, we were able to see what was showing on his screen. He pulled up repeaters in the Belleville area, showed how there is information available with each repeater, and showed how easy it is to set up a list of repeaters along a route. The route he showed us was from Belleville Ontario to Signal Hill in Newfoundland. Very impressive. Also impressive is how RFinder can send the repeater information to CHIRP or RT Rig Programmer software, so you can program your rig with a list of repeaters along any route you will take. When finished showing his screen, Brian switched back to Skype so we could see Bob. When the presentation was done, Bob VE3QWB held up for the camera, a coffee mug with the QARC logo and Bob's W2CYK callsign on it. He thought that was great, enjoyed visiting with us, and hoped folks would try his program.Thanks to Tim VE3UO for arranging for the mug and sending it to Long Island. Thanks to Brian VA3BRW for the time he took setting up, and equipment he used, to make this presentation possible. After the presentation Mike called the meeting to order by welcoming everyone and asked if anyone received new equipment for Christmas. Nobody did. Mike welcomed Brian Thistle, who is interested in becoming an amateur operator. Then Mike asked if there was any information on any silent keys. There were none. Announcements: Mike mentioned our club membership stats currently show we have 55 members (including paid members, Amateur spouses, Life Members and Honorary Members) with 60% being RAC members, 40% non RAC members. He also informed us he has received a second $20 cheque from the DRAM class action civil suit first mentioned last year. Repeater Updates: Dave VE3BIP told us he and others are looking into linking VE3QAR and VE3TJU, so when an operator talks to either repeater, his voice will come out of both repeaters, they are experimenting with different ways of doing this. The idea is to combine both coverage areas, even when using a hand held. Once they are twinned, only one IRLP node will be needed. Since the QAR IRLP link is down, the TJU one can still be used. More info to follow. Tim said although the QAR 2 metre repeater is still working ok, the 70 cm one is not servicable. Yaesu has extended the sale on their Fusion repeater, but instead of $500US it is now $600US, however, an analogue repeater could be $ 1950.00. The Fusion unit will auto select incoming signals, analogue or Fusion digital, and can be set to output analogue or Fusion digital. It can be changed remotely, if someone wanted to experiment with digital output on 70cm. *http://tinyurl.com/zjrenpn* Motion by Tim VE3UO, that we purchase a Yaesu Fusion repeater. Seconded by Dave VE3BIP. Carried, unanimously. Tim mentioned the upcoming Belleville Community Policing Pitter Patter run, possibly on April 17, starting at Loyalist College. If you already have a police check, this year you just have to sign a form stating you have been good. Contact Tim if you can help with communications for this event: VE3UO@RAC.CA Doug VE3ZDG informed us that Keith VA3KRV donated a generator to keep the batteries at VE3TJU charged, and he thanks Keith for doing so. Paul VE3KBI reported the Quinte, Peterborough, and Tri County Amateur Radio Clubs will be holding a two month online Basic Ham Radio course begining February 1, 2016. The course review and exam will be on April 9 & 10th, 2016. Last year 94% of the students passed the exam with honours, the other 6% still passed, but not with honours. If you know of someone that would like to take the course we will be taking registrations up until January 31, 2016. Contact Paul for more information; busyagain@bell.net or President Mike ve3ox@rac.ca. We took a break for drinks and snacks. Thanks to Hans VE3OR for setting it up again. Treasurers report: Dave VE3UGT gave a report, the club has $ 8,083.75 in the bank. Mike reminded everyone there is an executive meeting at his place the first Wednesday of every month, any member is welcome to attend if they want to bring up any business, or email Mike at: VE3OX@RAC.CA Old business: Dave VE3UGT was asked how much the dues are for 2016-2017. He said $10.00 for RAC membeers and $ 15.00 for non-RAC members. Cliff VA3CAF said it has been some time since he first asked about who the contact person is for the Quinte West emergency plan. Since QARC is the amateur contact club, and the QWARC is not interested in being the contact club, has it been straightened out yet who the QARC contact person is? Peter VE3UR said although he has been taken off the list by RAC, he still gets phone calls. ARES was supposed to contact us back in October 2015, but they have not done so. There was further discussion, it was decided to leave things as they are until RAC or ARES makes a decision. New Business: Doug VE3ZDG was at a Kingston ARES meeting last week, there are communications problems with ARES head office. Mike mentioned again that QARC will be celebrating it's 70th year in 2017. He is wondering if we should look at a new logo, maybe a BBQ at Zwick's Island, or in the park behind Mike's home. Anyone with any suggestions please contact Mike: VE3OX@RAC.CA Winter Field Day will be held from noon January 30 til noon January 31. Peter will be setting up in the parking lot near Meyers Pier, after the Hams & Eggs breakfast . Anyone interested is welcome to join him, or you can participate from your home. For more information contact Peter: phodgson@kos.net Our next meeting will be on Wed. Feb. 17 at 7 pm. Peter VE3UR will be giving a presentation with his Yaesu Fusion hand held radio and a dongle plugged into his laptop and show how with that equipment he can see radio activity, and talk to other Fusion users, around the world, For our meeting on March 16, Dave VE3BIP will be giving a presentation on Bitcoins, a form of digital currency, created and held electronically. If you wanted to read up on the subject, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin. Mike adjourned the meeting at 8:33. Minutes taken by Bob Moore VE3QWB

Top

Weekly Bay Bridge Net  Tuesdays @ 19:30h VE3TJU 146.730 Mhz The net takes its name from the Norris Whitney Bridge - the "Bay Bridge" which joins Belleville to Prince Edward County, which symbolically links the two Amateur Radio Clubs.

The following schedule indicates whether Prince Edward (PERC) or Quinte (QARC) has responsibility for net control. (The back-up frequency for the net is VE3QAR - 146.985 MHz.)

2016 Bay Bridge Net Controller Schedule Jan 05 Matt VE3FL           Jan 12 Doug VE3ZDG            Jan 19 Peter VE3UR             Jan 26 Ian VE3EP                                                                   Feb 02 Greg VE3CH            Feb 09 Al VE3FZ                  Feb 16 Matt VE3FL          Feb 23 Open                                                                      Mar 01 Peter VE3UR        Mar 08 Ian VE3EP             Mar 15 Greg VE3CH            Mar 22 Al VE3FZ              Mar 29 Matt VE3FL                                     Apr 05 Doug VE3ZDG           Apr 12 Peter VE3UR           Apr 19 Ian VE3EP               Apr 26 Greg VE3CH                                                            May 03 Al VE3FZ             May 10 Matt VE3FL          May 17 Doug VE3ZDG           May 24 Peter VE3UR         May 31 Ian VE3EP

Jun 07 Greg VE3CH           Jun 14 Al VE3FZ             Jun 21 Matt VE3FL         Jun 28 Doug VE3ZDG       Jul 05 Peter VE3UR   Jul 12 Ian VE3EP     Jul 19 Greg VE3CH    Jul 26 Al VE3FZ   Aug 02 Matt VE3FL   Aug 09 Doug VE3ZDG   Aug 16 Peter VE3UR   Aug 23 Ian VE3EP     Aug 30 Greg VE3CH   Sep 06 Al VE3FZ Sep 13 Matt VE3FL   Sep 20 Doug VE3ZDG   Sep 27 Peter VE3UR Oct 04 Ian VE3EP    Oct 11 Greg VE3CH   Oct 18 Al VE3FZ     Oct 25 Matt VE3FL Nov 01 Doug VE3ZDG  Nov 08 Peter VE3UR  Nov 15 Ian VE3EP    Nov 22 Greg VE3CH   Nov 29 Al VE3FZ   Dec 06 Matt VE3FL  Dec 13 Doug VE3ZDG  Dec 20 Peter VE3UR Dec 27 Ian VE3EP

Get Your Amateur Radio License!

Other Links of Interest:  Industry Canada - Amateur Radio Exam Generator Software ExHAMiner- A self-test program for candidates to the Canadian Amateur Radio certification (Basic & Advanced) Radio Amateurs of Canada: Getting Started in Amateur Radio The Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide can be purchased online via the Coax Publications Website. Other items can be purchased from Radio Amateurs of Canada through the RAC Store. Canadian Callsign Databases: Industry Canada Amateur Radio Services Page. (Note: www.callsign.ca is no longer in service.)   List of Industry Canada Accredited Examiners After you successfully write the Basic Exam, and receive your callsign, you can also get callsign license plates with the RAC Logo(Ontario only).

Information about obtaining an Amateur Radio License in Canada can be found on the  and the Amateur Radio Certification Fact Page.

ARISS

ARISS Program Educational Outreach School Selection Committee Promotional Package for Teachers and Schools First, a word about Amateur Radio 1. What is Amateur Radio? Amateur Radio is a unique, fascinating and friendly hobby that captivates the interest of millions of people around the world. Amateur radio is all about the skill and fascination of communicating using radio. Radio amateurs have their own communication satellites, talk to the international space station and are at the very cutting edge of technology in many areas. Amateur Radio operators come from all walks of life. They are all ages, sexes, income levels and nationalities. Whether they prefer Morse code, voice communication on a hand-held radio, or computerized messages transmitted via satellite, they all have an interest in what’s happening in the world, and they use radio to reach out. Fun for Everyone! Some are attracted by the ability to communicate across the country, around the globe, or even with astronauts on space missions. Others may like to build and experiment with electronics. Some enjoy using Amateur Radio’s digital communications opportunities. Those with a competitive streak enjoy “DX contests,” where the object is to see how many stations in distant locations they can contact. Some like the convenience of a technology that gives them portable communication. Mostly we use it to open the door to new friendships over the air! Amateur Radio has its roots in the 19th Century, developed along with radio communications in the 20th Century and is now a vibrant and exciting hobby for the 21st Century. What other hobby can link you with others around the world with a similar interest. You can even talk to the astronauts on the International Space Station! Amateur Radio encompasses all methods of Radio Communication from working through satellites, bouncing signals off the moon, microwave links, television, to simple radio contacts. You can take part in radio contesting, radio orienteering, contact remote islands and countries around the world. Amateur Radio has something for everyone who has an interest in radio communications, it could even provide the platform to an interesting and exciting career. Amateur Radio the 21st Century hobby, to find out more and to discover a whole new world, see at www.rac.ca and start your journey of exploration – It could change your life! 2. What is ARISS? DO YOU KNOW THIS LOGO? It belongs to an international organization supported by NASA and the space agencies of Canada, Russia, Japan and Europe. It is also firmly backed by the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) as well as Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) and Amateur Radio organizations around the world. Seen this way, we could think that this is an organization of great importance. In fact, its main objective is to excite youths about science, technology, engineering, and to steer them towards a career in that direction. How does it accomplish this? First of all, this objective is also one of NASA’s objectives. What can be more interesting for youths today, and this already for a decade, than to follow the evolution of the International Space Station and the cosmic adventures of those living aboard? Especially when they are our compatriots. In order to bring youths and astronauts closer together, we have asked NASA to install, on board the Space Station, Amateur Radio equipment that would allow astronauts and cosmonauts to communicate with students on the whole planet, without taxing official NASA communications channels. This opening to the world of Amateur Radio also serves as a recreation for crews aboard the ISS, and as a contingency channel of communications. The ARISS International Working Group, that’s its name, develops mentors and operations teams in the participating countries in order to facilitate school/astronauts contacts with students around the world. ARISS is a logo for “Amateur Radio on the International Space Station”. As representative for Canada, I sit on the ARISS Educational Outlook – School Selection Committee (EO/SSC). In concert with the Operations Committee, which does work on-site, and which is available to assist schools, we receive the requests for contacts, NASA schedules them, and the Operations teams handle the contacts on-site. The ARISS Group also has an Administration Committee and Technical committees who discuss about necessary equipment and new projects for the Space Station. Recently, NASA advised us that in the future, due to the added number of astronauts on board the ISS (they now number six) there will be more opportunities for “ARISS contacts”. Therefore, we must insure sufficient school inscriptions to the ARISS program in order to reach as many students as possible. That is the purpose of this note. We have launched a promotional drive for the ARISS program in order to reach teachers and schools and inform them of this program, which is available for all. What you have to do is ask for it and prepare the students. This is all explained on the ARISS website where you can learn about conditions and download the application form for an ARISS contact. Visit: http://www.ariss.org/ A promotional tour brought us to visit the Amateur Fests in Quebec City, Ottawa, and on Oct 24, we were in Montreal. Our display booth drew lots of visitors, especially in Montreal where we had two giant posters, more than 2 metres high, showing astronauts Robert Thirsk and Julie Payette. These visits have allowed us to meet with licensed radio amateurs who are in contact with schools, but we also count on parents to talk to schools where their children attend. We hope that this message will be heard so that we can introduce many students to the ARISS program. We have developed an ARISS promotional package for teachers and schools. It contains information on the ARISS program, a presentation text and a short list of the main points. This list is also in a Power Point presentation and included in the package. This package is meant as a guide for the radio amateur or the teacher who would like to present the ARISS program to a school. To receive the teachers/schools promotional package contact: ve3vig@ncf.ca Maurice-André Vigneault, VE3VIG   Part of ARISS booth display at Montreal with mini satellite station Here is an example of how we present Amateur Radio to the public in general and especially to teachers and schools in order to interest them in the ARISS program. 3. Good news for teachers and schools! At our Amateur Radio demonstration station VE3JW located at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, we have the opportunity to encounter many teachers, school staff, parents and youths. We’ve come to realize that a good number of these visitors are not aware of a very important program for students: the ARISS program. Amateur Radio is friendly “High-Tech”. It leads students to a piqued interest in science and technology. The friendliness of Amateur Radio operators helps students be less intimidated about technology. We generally introduce Amateur Radio as a service to the community and as a hobby. We demonstrate our fully operational Amateur Radio station capability, which allows us contacts all over the world, be it in several modes: Morse code, voice, or digital modes. We acknowledge the existence of concurrent communications systems available on the market such as computers, cell phones, skype, etc. Nevertheless, we mention the valuable skills needed in certain modes for emergency communications, and the heightened level of accomplishment one feels by successfully making a distant contact in these different Amateur Radio modes on Amateur Radio equipment assembled by one self. We explain that when propagation is not favourable on the bands, we revert to satellite communications through the many Amateur Radio satellites now orbiting the Earth. We notice interest picking up as we bring up a popular satellite-tracking program on the large screen in the middle of our display. The satellites on the screen are all Amateur Radio satellites, built and controlled by Amateur Radio volunteers all over the world. You can project your voice over many thousands of kilometers through these satellites, making friends at a distant location. There is one satellite in space that is more important than others, and that is the International Space Station. NASA has authorized Amateur Radio on board the ISS! We show pictures of astronauts on the ISS talking to students, and we point to the Kenwood TM-D700 they use. We have the same unit in our VHF/UHF display. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), although used at times for casual contacts and packet communications, is mainly an educational outreach program for students to incite them to branch towards science. They now can talk with the astronauts, and have been doing exactly that since year 2000. For an example of this, we show one of our own contacts, displayed at our exhibit, the Sunita Williams/Ecole Le Prélude contact in 2007. That brings up even more interest. We mention that we have done several contacts from this Ottawa area and asked them which area are they from. When they indicate their hometown, we often counter with: “There’s a great club in your area!” as we look up the Clubs list on the RAC web page. Local clubs or individual radio amateurs can help set up a contact if they so wish. The ARISS program is there for all students, all you have to do is asked for it and go through the preparation. The program is normally for primary and secondary levels, but even college students have done a contact. It takes normally around 12 months to complete a contact. This allows time for students to prepare by doing research on space, the ISS, the astronauts. The result of their search will help them write their own questions for the astronauts. We normally set up antennas on the roof of the school, with radios inside the gym. This way, the whole school can participate as well as parents and guests. The media, TV and Radio stations, newspapers, etc. are present. Students just beam when they hear their name called by the astronaut. A very exciting and interesting experience for students of all ages. Even the faculties will benefit from the ARISS program. Students have a lot of fun participating in this educational outreach program as they learn about space, geography, satellites and Amateur Radio. By that time, the interested visitors are provided with a folder explaining the program and including their ARISS delegate coordinates, as well as an Internet address to look up the application form for a contact. When parents with youths show up at our exhibit, I ask the youths if they would like to talk with an astronaut, as I point to the picture of a class of students talking with Sunita Williams. Then I tell them that, through their school, there is a program available. It’s called the ARISS program. Parents are quick to pick up on the high interest shown by their children. 4. Here is a Point by Point of the above text ARISS Good news for teachers and schools Amateur Radio • Friendly “High-Tech” • leads students to a piqued interest in science and technology • the friendliness of Amateur Radio operators helps students be less intimidated about technology. • Amateur Radio as a service to the community • Amateur Radio as a hobby • Several modes: voice, Morse code, digital • Essential skills in emergency situation • Sense of accomplishment after successful contact on air Amateur Radio satellites • Several satellites in different modes • Distant contacts on the higher frequencies • Making new friends at a distance • When you’re licensed, satellites are yours (since you’re licensed to operate on the satellites frequencies) ARISS • One satellite is more important than others • International Space Station • Carries Amateur Radio for school contacts • to incite students’ interest in science • clubs in your area to help you set up a contact • ARISS program for all students • just ask and go through the preparation Set-up • around 12 months for a contact • time for students to research on space, the ISS, the astronauts • students write their own questions for the astronauts • whole school participates and benefits (gym or auditorium) • learn about space, geography, satellites and Amateur Radio. See: www.ariss.org for program outline and application form Ask a student “Would you like to talk with an astronaut on the ISS?” Now, here is some more details on the ARISS program. 5. ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station ARISS is a volunteer program which inspires students, worldwide, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math through amateur radio communications opportunities with the International Space Station (ISS) on-orbit crew. Students learn about life on board the ISS and explore Earth from space through science and math activities. ARISS provides opportunities for the school community (students, teachers, families and local residents) to become more aware of the substantial benefits of human spaceflight and the exploration and discovery that occur on spaceflight journeys along with learning about technology and Amateur Radio. ARISS is an international working group, consisting of delegations from 9 countries including several countries in Europe as well as Japan, Russia, Canada, and the USA. The organization is run by volunteers from the national amateur radio organizations and the international AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) organizations from each country. Since ARISS is international in scope, the team coordinates locally with their respective space agency (e.g. ESA, NASA, JAXA, CSA, and the Russian Space Agency) and as an international team through ARISS working group meetings, teleconferences and through electronic mail. For an ARISS contact application form see: www.ariss.org ARISS Contact Options ARISS school contacts can be performed in one of two ways: – a DIRECT radio link between an amateur radio station set up in your school and the amateur station onboard the ISS – a TELEBRIDGE, where a dedicated ARISS amateur radio ground station, located somewhere in the world, establishes the radio link with the ISS. Voice communications between your students and the astronauts are then patched over regular telephone lines. One of the goals of this program is to involve students with amateur radio. A direct contact will give your students an opportunity to speak via amateur radio and learn how the radio system works. If your school has an amateur radio station that you plan to use for a direct contact, then the station must meet certain technical requirements that are outlined in section I of the ARISS Contact Requirements form. If you do not have a station, then you may be able to work with a local ham radio club to have them install and operate a portable station at your school. To learn more about amateur radio and to locate an amateur radio club near you, please contact your ARISS representative. If you are unable to support a direct contact then a telebridge can also be a rewarding experience for students and faculty. The ARISS team will help the school set up the telebridge contact and give your students an opportunity to speak via amateur radio and learn how amateur radio works. For either direct or telebridge contacts, please work with your local amateur radio operators who can mentor your school in technology lessons and many related skills. Cosmonaut Sergei Treschev, RZ3FU, checks out the ARISS ham station located in the ISS Zarya Functional Cargo Block. The US call sign is NA1SS; the Russian call sign is RS0ISS. [NASA Photo] Here is an AMSAT and ARISS promo pamphlet for radio amateurs. 6. For Radio Amateurs Amateur Radio on the International Space Station ARISS is a volunteer program which inspires students, worldwide, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math through amateur radio communications opportunities with the International Space Station (ISS) on-orbit crew. Students learn about life on board the ISS and explore Earth from space through science and math activities. ARISS is an international working group, consisting of delegations from 9 countries including several countries in Europe as well as Japan, Russia, Canada, and the USA. It is run by volunteers from the national amateur radio organizations and the international AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) organizations from each country. Since ARISS is international in scope, the team coordinates locally with their respective space agency e.g. ESA, NASA, JAXA, CSA, and the Russian Space Agency. NASA schedules all ARISS contacts, which requires at least 12 months for completion. This allows students time to research and write their own questions. For a direct contact with the ISS, usually, antennas are mounted on the roof of the school and radios installed in the gym. This allows the whole school to participate, as well as parents and guests. A contact can also be done via telebridge with the help of a station located in the footprint of the ISS. Media are quite interested by this type of event. Teachers and schools in your area should be made aware of the ARISS program. You will find more details and the application form for an ARISS contact, students/astronauts, at: www.ariss.org     The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) plans, builds, and manages the launches and operations of our orbiting satellites. The Corporation has several affiliates around the world. To name just a few: AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-UK, JAMSAT and, of course, AMSAT-NA. Many other countries have their own AMSAT unit and they all work together to see to the development and the advancement of our satellites. 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the Corporation, which was founded eight years after the launch of our first satellite, OSCAR-1, in 1961. We have covered quite a path, while remaining at the cutting edge of space communications. OSCAR-40 was the largest and most complex of our satellites. We are now heading towards even more efficient satellites operating with the help of Software Defined Radios and modular construction techniques. NASA has put their trust in our ability in space by ordering a satellite to be placed in orbit around the planet Mars. World AMSAT organizations participate in this task and the satellite is being put together at the AMSAT-DL laboratories in Germany. In order to continue this great thrust in space, and to insure our place in space communications, the Corporation needs your help. Join AMSAT and participate in the evolution of space communication in this new program which the U.S. has named “Moon, Mars and beyond”, and benefit from the privileges of your membership. To find out more, visit: www.amsat.org. More information about Canada’s space program can be found here. Your AMSAT Canada Delegate, Stefan Wagener, wageners@gmail.com

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On    Monday    November    20,    2006    students    of Madoc     Public     School     and     Centre     Hastings Secondary   School   had   the   opportunity   to   ask   ISS Commander   Michael   Lopez-Alegria   KE5GTK    a total of 21 questions. Co-organizers   Liza   Allan ,   Educational Assistant   at Madoc   Public   School   and   Rob   Allan ,   Teacher   at Centre   Hastings   Secondary   School   and   students in    the    Space    Club,    along    with    members    of    the Quinte   Amateur   Radio   Club   have   been   preparing for   this   day   for   close   to   a   year.   The   students   have been    researching    Expedition    14    and    learning techniques for communicating by amateur radio. The   contact   is   possible   through   ARISS—Amateur Radio   on   the   International   Space   Station.   ARISS arranges       amateur       radio       contact       between astronauts    and    school    children.    These    events provide   valuable   learning   opportunities   for   young people    by    introducing    them    to    communications technology. The    radio    equipment    used    was    provided    and operated    by    members    of    the    Quinte    Amateur Radio   Club   David   Ward   VE3BIP ,   Tim   Pekkonen VE3UO ,   and   Peter   Hodgson   VE3UR .   Additional equipment   and   advice   were   provided   by   Canadian ARISS     Mentor/     Coordinator     Steve     McFarlane VE3TBD, and Lori McFarlane. Note:   Rob   Allan   subsequently   wrote   and   passed the Amateur Basic exam, and is now VE3HAR .

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