QTC

QTC Newsletter

February 2011

Welcome to the "QTC Newsletter, official publication of the

Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club, Inc. "QTC" Newsletter

is transmitted monthly by e-mail directly to each member

of MAARC, Inc. and posted to the MAARC, Inc. Website.

We encourage your comments and input.

Support your Club through attendance at meetings,

volunteering on committees and participating

in Club social activities.

You'll find it gratifying to be part of the team.

MAARC is this year celebrating its
75th Anniversary
1936 - 2011

A regular feature of the "QTC Newsletter" is
"The Prez . . . Sez"

Through it our Club President reports on Club
activities, gives an update on the progress of
Club projects and outlines current Club objectives.

The Prez . . . Sez February 2011

Is the snow ever going to stop? I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the summer to get here. But while we're waiting for summer. we have a lot of work ahead of us. Organization is well on its way regarding our 75th Anniversary celebrations. Hats off to Jean-Guy, VE9LEV, for stepping up to the plate and taking over from Bill, VE1WG, who is temporarily out for health reasons. Bill will be assisting Jean-Guy. They will welcome your suggestions on activities that will mark this special year. Also welcome will be assistance from any member during this special year.

The Grant Project is moving along at a good pace. Stephen, VE9SC, and his Technical Team have deliverd their report along with recommendations. These are being studied and a decision will be made in the near future.

Marcel, VE9ML, is working on getting the Basic Amateur Radio Course in place. He is desperately looking for instructors, so please contact Marcel and help in this key club activity. This is one of the best ways to get new members to our club. New club member Charles, VE9CEL, has agreed to be the Team Lead for the Club's Public Relations.Marketing Team.

As everyone is aware by now, Bill 4 - An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicle Act is now law. A lot of work was undertaken by many amateurs in the province to try to convince the government that amateur radio operators should be exempted from this flawed legislation. I did eventually receive a reply from the Premier of New Brunswick to the letter sent to him and other members of the Legislature on behalf of the Presidents of MAARC, TCARC, and CARG.

A copy of the Premier's reply is included in this issue of QTC Newsletter.

Work is still ongoing to convince those in power to amend Bill 4.

So as can be seen, MAARC has a lot of challenges during the coming year. As previously stated, our 75th Anniversary, the Grant Project, and increasing club membership will be our main focus for 2011. These objectives cannot be accomplished by your club executive alone. We need every member to step forward and be counted. No matter how small your contribution, every little bit helps.

Jean-Paul LeBlanc, VE9BK

President

Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club, Inc.

PS: Two of our Club volunteers are out with health problems, QSL Bureau Manager, Wayne Gillcash, VE1RR and Club VP, Bill Gillis, VE1WG.

Both have undergone surgery and will be back in circulation soon. Bill is providing input from home with the assistance of Jean-Guy, VE9LEV and expects to be at our March meeting. We wish Bill and Wayne a speedy recovery.

DID YOU KNOW . . . . . . . . . . ?

The first convention of Radio Amateurs (Hamfest) in the Maritimes was held April 5th and 6th in 1924 at the Queen Hotel in Halifax.

A report of this gathering, complete with a photo taken at the banquet, took up a full page in the June 1924 issue of QST. Tweny-nine attendees appear in the photo.

Activities started with a general meeting at the NS Technical college with W. C. (Bill) Borrett, 1DD, ARRL Division Manager presiding. The current "VE" prefix for Canadian Amateurs was adopted later at the 1927 Washington ITU Conference.

It was only 7 years after the Halifax explosion and the city was still rebuilding. Just a few months earlier, the first successful two way trans-Atlantic contacts were made by Radio Amateurs in their development of those "useless shortwaves" to which they had been banned. Radio Amateurs were ingenious and were showing the way in development of short wave transmission over long distances. Their activities were fast becoming an international pursuit that attracted the interest of commercial radio companies. Even in 1924 the competitive spirit among Radio Amateurs was evident by the presentation of an award in the form of a cup to Arthur Grieg, 1BQ, of Halifax. It recognized his successful working of a number of European stations.

The "fun" element at this first "Hamfest" was observed by initiation of five Radio Amateurs into the "Royal Order of Trans-Atlantic Brasspounders !!"

"The Antenna Sextette" entertained at the banquet with their musical renditions.

Attending delegates then visited local Amateur stations and participated in contacts with stations in Europe and California. -VE1WG

A MESSAGE FOR ALL MAARC MEMBERS-

In the September 1995 issue of QTC Newsletter, an item on the front page urged all members to attend monthly Club meetings and actively participate by volunteering even a small bit of their time in support of Club projects and activites.

Taking a bit of literary license with the old line . . . "Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their party," the column suggested that in relation to MAARC it could be reworded to read: "Now is the time for all good members to come to the aid of their Club.”

Sixteen years later that old adage is truer than ever. We all lead busy lives with many demands on our time. But, if all of us pitch in it will only take a little of each member's time. And, each of us will have the satisfaction of knowing we personally contributed something to the Club's success.

MAARC has been very fortunate to qualify for a substantial government grant that will enable the Club to acquire equipment and facilities that will bring it to a "state of the art" standard. However the funding alone is not enough. The project needs planning, organization and most importantly, the participation of each individual Club member. It will be a Club in which all members can take special pride.

However, as members, we can only fully share in that pride if we have the satisfaction of knowing that we individually contributed something to the Club's successful renovation.

So let's all pull together. When we reach our goals, each member will be gratified and proud of the part they played in attaining their Club's objectives.

New Brunswick Premier Alward's reply to MAARC President LeBlanc

Dear Mr. LeBlanc:

Thank you for your e-mail on behalf of the Presidents of the Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club, the Tri County Amateur Radio Club and the Codiac Amateur Radio Group regarding Bill 4 which prohibits the use of most hand-operated electronic devices while driving. This is important legislation and the Minister of Public Safety, after much consultation and extensive research, brought forward this Bill to improve highway safety in New Brunswick.

I know the importance of amateur radio operators to search and rescue and emergency operations. I thank you for your efforts and your dedication.

As I am sure you are aware, hand-operated electronic devices are a factor in too many vehicle collisions. That is why our government is prohibiting their use while driving. However, we do not feel this Bill should limit the involvement of you and other amateur radio operators in times of emergency. In order for the Bill to be practical and enforceable, Bill 4 contains a number of exceptions. One of these was drafted specifically to meet the needs of amateur radio operators. The prohibition on use of hand-operated devices does not apply to the use of two-way radios for emergency or search and rescue operations. It is important to note that Bill 4 allows any driver to use hand-operated devices while the driver is parked and it does not prohibit the use of hands-free devices. Also, please note that Bill 4 in no way restricts passengers' use of any such devices.

The Government of New Brunswick is committed to improving safety on our roads, and we believe Bill 4 is an important step in achieving that goal.

Sincerely,
Honourable David Alward
Premier

* * * Membership Reminder * * *

It's that time of year again . . . . If you haven't had a chance to pay your dues for 2011, Club Treasurer, Bob Kirkpatrick has his receipt book and a membership card ready for you.

When not out of town he's at the meetings and frequently gets to the Wednesday morning coffee klatch.

No, it's not tax deductible, but heck . . . it's only 20 bucks!

> MAARC Meeting <

> This next MAARC meeting will be called to order at <

> 19:00hrs L (7pm) on Monday, February 21, 2011. <

> Storm date is next evening. <

> Club President JP LeBlanc will provide an update on <

> implementation of various projects funded by the <

> recent grant. Be sure to attend. <

Next month, we'll have an update on the friendly DXing and contesting rivalry between the LeBlanc brothers.
One is even building an antenna farm. Exciting stuff! Read all about it in March QTC Newsletter.

Remember our Club Stations are available to all members. Two HF positions plus a Space Station can be operated anytime, day or evening, by any member. There's exciting stuff in outer space and contact with the International Space Station will put you in direct contact with an astronaut. The HF bands offer interesting QSO's. Don't let these soon to be upgraded stations sit idle.

Currently we are in the process of preparing revisions to theMAARC, Inc. Website. A new introductory page is being drafted and other pages will be added including a click-on logo for the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) on the "Links" Webpage.

Other links to major Amateur Radio organizations will be added later. An Industry Canada page will also be added. The aim is to make the MAARC Web site a comprehensive source of information relevant to all Radio Amateurs and those contemplating active participation in the Amateur Radio Service. Remember to check into the MAARC Web site regularly for updates and new features.

Thanks to Larry McKnight, VE9ASB, for his work as our Web Master, and thanks to Jean-Guy Levesque, VE9LEV, for volunteering to help out. One of his first tasks will be preparation and submission of the Club's application for a special call sign to mark the Club's 75th anniversary. More on that in the next issue of QTC Newsletter.

Well that's about all for this month. We invite any and all of you to submit your ideas on subjects you'd like to see in QTC Newsletter. Also if you'd like to submit an item or article, it will be very welcome. Don't worry about spelling and composition. We'll make it presentable.

Remember QTCNewsletter is your publication and it is posted to the Web site and distributed directly by e-mail to Club members. Its goal is to keep members informed and reflect their ideas and experiences.

See you next month.

Bill, VE1WG

Editor

Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club, Inc.

Serving the community through Amateur Radio

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