On behalf of the MAARC Executives, I regret to inform all that because of the current Covid-19 pandemic, MAARC has postponed the Flea Market 2020 until a later date. The venue, The Riverview Lions Club, has not received permission to reopen for bingo, weddings or other events. We had hoped to hear that they had opened but even with permission to open, the social distancing requirements would be next to impossible to adhere to.

We had set the July 1 date as the decision date for go or no go as we need to get the word out as we have amateurs come from Fredericton, Bathurst, PEI and Halifax who attend. Not only is it a flea market, it is a well attended social event but with little ability for social distancing with all those who attend.

We will ask the Net Controllers of the area nets to begin letting the local amateurs know that we are looking at a date in 2021, maybe end of March or first of April.

Thanks all for understanding and as always, 73.

Ross, VE9GCS
Flea Market Chairman

Field Day 2020 is now in the books. A big thanks to Marcel, VE9ML, to Jaime, VE9GOM and to Misha, VE9GIS for helping us get the VE9EMM callsign on the air. We had help from JP, VE9ADV and Oscar, VE9OSK also to set up and to operate.

Misha brought his trailer with the 24 foot tower and we put the 3 element Tri-band beam on it because we had tested the Log Periodic antenna on Wed. and found it was 3.8 to 1 SWR on 20 meters. After Jaime, VE9GOM climbed the tower and put up two 80 meter wire antennas, a dipole and a slopper, he must have moved the feedline for the Yagi because we re-tested it and found it was 1.5 to 1 on 20 meters.

That being said, we were on the air as VE9EMM and made 283 contacts. Most on 20 meters SSB and CW and a few on 80 meters CW. While not a score to win a trophy, the fact that we shut down at 10:30 Sat. and didn't go back on the air until Sun. at 8am makes the 283 score a pretty good score.

Thanks to all who helped setup and those who came to operate the station.

73, stay healthy and keep the social distancing so we can beat this Covid 19 virus.

Ross, VE9GCS

Field Days 2020 at the MAARC Clubhouse. This is a last minute notice to MAARC members who are interested in participating in Field Days 2020 during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Marcel, VE9ML and I spent some time there yesterday and this morning setting up for this weekend. The big beam antenna is not working on 20 meters but is fine for 15 and 10 meters. We have asked Misha, VE9GIS to bring his trailer with the 24 ft tower and we will mount the 3 element Tri-band yagi on it so we will have something for 20 meters. Also, Jaime, VE9GOM is going to climb the tower and replace the broken 40/80 meter dipole with an 80 meter dipole that Marcel built six or seven months ago. That will give us a second operator to work 40 meters from the back room.

The clubhouse has been marked with red X's where the chairs should be to maintain the 6 ft distance. Everyone going into the clubhouse will need to sign in so that if anyone does show signs, we will be able to track contact. Without having to say it, if someone is not feeling well, please stay home.

We are meeting at 10am on Saturday to get everything ready for a 3pm start time. The Field Days runs for 24 hours until Sunday at 3pm. Those interests in participating, please come on Saturday at 10am and help us setup and thanks.

73, Ross

Special thanks to the all the volunteers quickly putting this event together. 73.

In the Province of New Brunswick Radio Amateurs since the 1950's have had the privilege of obtaining vehicle license plates displaying their radio call sign.
 
For several years, Fred LeBlanc, VE9UN, has been devoted to ensuring continuation of this special benefit. His administrative experience gained through a long career with the NB government make him uniquely qualified to facilitate the acquisition of call sign plates by Radio Amateurs in New Brunswick.
 
Fred has very helpfully laid out specific directions related to call plate acquisition in the document below. These steps are essential to obtaining this special concession and must be followed precisely to avoid difficulty. 
 
Radio Amateurs in New Brunswick are greatly indebted to Fred for his dedication in overseeing the application process and ensuring the ongoing availability of call letter plates.

​The new procedure can be found here.