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Moncton Area |
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Moncton, NB March 2010 |
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Welcome to QTC Newsletter, official publication of the Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club, Inc. QTC is transmitted monthly by e-mail directly to all members of MAARC, Inc. and posted to the QTC Webpage of the MAARC, Inc. Website. We encourage your comments and input. |
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A regular feature of QTC Newsletter is “The Prez . . . Sez” Through it, President Marcel reports on Club activities, gives an update on the progress of Club projects and outlines Club objectives. Marcel will be happy to respond to your questions, comments and suggestions. |
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THE PREZ . . . SEZ When you’re busy, time just seems to fly by. Here we are already at the beginning of March with several of our current Club projects completed and only a couple left to finalize. Installation and testing of the R7 vertical HF antenna has been wrapped up. It is performing well and with three HF antennas, both Club HF stations can now operate simultaneously. (Check our photo Webpage.) The HF transceiver assigned to this station is interfaced with the Internet and can be operated with either the “N1MM” or “Ham Radio Deluxe” software programs. JP, VE9BK, is getting the bugs ironed out for a remote control system enabling Club members who are in restricted living accommodation to get on the air via the Internet from their homes. It is expected that this feature will be available in about a month. The Club’s Packet antenna has been repaired and under the Club’s arrangement with Jean-Guy Landry, VE9BUF, the Club Packet station is operational with a new computer installed. It will enable the Club to participate in “Operation Handshake” and provide regular Packet operation from the Club rooms. Connection to the Internet from this terminal is also under consideration. A new computer processor with an LCD monitor has been acquired, courtesy of Warren MacKnight, VE9MA, through a Bell Aliant program to assist non-profit organizations. It has been set up to operate in conjunction with our Space Station. A cable glitch affecting the Space antenna elevation control has been repaired and the Space Station is now ready for a complete checkout. Club member, Denis Bourque, VE9EMS, has volunteered to assist with this and give a talk at the March regular meeting. The interest and help from Warren and Denis in getting the Space Station operational is very much appreciated. It’s very gratifying to see a good turnout at our monthly meetings. Many thanks to Bill Wallace, VE9WW, for the interesting talk and demonstration of semi-automatic keys he gave at the February meeting. Bill’s collection is a very professional presentation. Thanks also to Travis McCluskey, VE9TM, and Bill Gillis, VE1WG, for their participation in the demonstration. We encourage all Radio Amateurs, regardless of Club affiliation to attend our meetings and take advantage of the programs. The planned presentation by Denis Bourque, VE9EMS, at the March 15th regular meeting on the Space Station is much anticipated. We invite all to attend and take in this fascinating subject. See you then. Special thanks to all who have pitched in with their help and advice on various Club projects. Your participation enhances the Club spirit and makes it a more effective organization. 73, Marcel LeBlanc, VE9ML |
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Marcel has donated much time and effort to the projects outlined in his letter. He’s been the driving force in getting them off the ground and lining up the help needed to complete the work. Let’s give him our full support and assistance. Many thanks, Marcel. -- QTC Editor |
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Did You Know . . . . . . ? The first case of deliberate RF interference was recorded in London, England in July of 1903. It occurred when Sir John Ambrose Fleming (Fleming valve) was giving a public lecture on synchronic (tuned) receivers at the Royal Institution. Fleming’s receiver used his valve as a diode with a tuned input circuit. Neville Maskelyne, an early day Ralph Nader, had an interest in radio that was overshadowed by his relentless pursuit and rooting out of deception. The claims made by Fleming that synchronic receivers would reject unwanted signals were considered by Maskelyne to be false. He had a reputation for exposing fraud and despite his interest in wireless, this would be no exception. Maskelyne set up an untuned spark transmitter at a location close to the Royal Institution and proceeded to send the word “rats” and other disrespectful comments at crucial points in the demonstration. All of this, even though it amused the audience, was very annoying to Fleming. It resulted in accusations flying back and forth with no one proving anything. Maskelyne didn’t realize it, but he established another first. His untuned spark transmitter was so close to Fleming’s synchronic receiver that regardless of how selective the receiver was, high level interfering signals completely detuned it. It was a classic case and the first recorded instance of what came to be termed, “front-end overload.” It led to the launch of a new bureaucracy . . . radio regulation ! -VE1WG
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Here’s a book list we published in QTC Newsletter some years ago that originated with the Mt. Baker ARC in Bellingham, WA. It was recommended reading then by author, Mike Crabtree, AB0X who thought it should grace the wall of every ham shack. A HAM STATION ON CREDIT by I. O. Lotts DXING FROM YOUR CAR by Moe Beale DISSIMILAR METALS ON ANTENNAS by Wyatt Rust MATTER, ENERGY AND AMATEUR RADIO by I. N. Stein ALL-BAND TRANSCEIVERS by R. F. Riggs MAKE MORE CONTEST Q’S by Collin More EARY WIRELESS GEAR by Ann Teaks ANTENNA HARDWARE THAT’s FOREVER by Stan Les Steele CERTIFICATE HUNTER by Hunt A. Ward WORK EXPEDITIONS MORE THAN ONCE by Toby Sure PHYSICAL FITNESS FOR CONTESTERS by Jim Shorts RISKY DRIVE TO DAYTON by Ray Darr HEMORRHOIDS & THE CONTESTER by Red B. Hind
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Mentioning the Unmentionable Well, we hoped it wouldn’t be necessary to bring up this subject in QTC, but it just can’t be avoided. It surfaces about this time every year. All of us firmly resolve to deal with it promptly but it always seems to elude our good intentions. It’s a matter that our patient Treasurer agonizes over and it just won’t go away until we meet it square on. By now you will have guessed what it is. That’s right. It’s our annual Club dues. Next time you’re at the Club, any member of the Executive will be glad to scratch out a receipt. The Treasurer will follow-up with your name on a new membership card and an official receipt. It’s just that simple. Ask anyone who’s done it. They’ll tell you about the warm glow that came over them and the sense of truly belonging they experienced after paying their annual dues of just twenty bucks. Sorry – Club dues can’t be claimed as a deduction on your income tax. |
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Are You OK In The Call Book ? How many times have you heard that question? If it was directed to you, would you be able to answer, “Yes.” Or, would you need to reply that you have moved. Then get into the often trying process of transmitting your new address through heavy QRM with a good chance that it will be misread.
http://www.callsign.ca/ch_adr_ra.php or contact the Industry Canada Amateur Radio Service Centre at: Phone: 1-888-780-3333 (toll free) Fax: (613) 991-5575 E-mail: spectrum.amateur@ic.gc.ca Unfortunately, many Amateurs are neglecting this responsibility to the point where the Call Sign data base is so corrupted as to make it unreliable Do yourself, the Amateur community and the QSL Bureaus a favor and conform to the regulations by attending to this important matter without delay. |
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Things Heard on and off the Bands Overheard at one of VE9ML’s Morse code training classes: Overheard very weakly from a new Amateur through the QRM on 75 meters:
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If you have been a Radio Amateur for twenty years or more, the Old Timers Club invites you to join their unique organization. For a one-time (non-recurring) fee of eight dollars you can become a life member of this prestigious Club which this year is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding. An attractive membership certificate is provided to display in your shack. Membership forms are at the MAARC Club rooms. Contact OTC Sec’y-Treas: |
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HF Propagation No, your ears are not deceiving you. HF conditions are improving perceptibly. For all the latest on sunspot activity, check into the ARRL Website from the MAARC Website and go to the K7RA Solar Update. There is also other extensive data on the MAARC Website “Propagation & Standards Webpage.”
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Again, we invite all members to share their experiences in Amateur Radio. Whatever aspect or activity in Amateur Radio excites your interest it will likely be of relevance to others. Spreading the word on your special pursuits will put you in touch with others having similar interests.
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Do you have a technical problem? Need help with an antenna? Looking for a special piece of gear? Wish to join in a particular pursuit? Let’s hear about it and through the pages of the QTC Newsletter, any assistance you need will be offered and shared with all. That’s what Amateur Radio is all about. |
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MAARC is embarking on a new membership campaign. As a member of the Club, your help is needed. Please contact fellow Radio Amateurs who are not on the Club’s roster and encourage them to join. Make sure they have a copy of the letter written by the Membership Committee so they will be fully aware of all the advantages in being a member of MAARC. |
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* MAARC’s 75th Anniversary 2011 * Additional proposals are invited. |
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REMEMBER – You saw it here first in QTC Newsletter ! |
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