Hi Everyone:
The meeting tonight is at North Delta. For those of you who ordered connectors they will be available for pickup. If you haven’t paid please bring cash and collect your goodies. As a topic for discussion tonight Tom has booked the North 40 for field day but he did throw out the question do we want to go there. So give it some thought and provide an alternate site and why. We will be having four or five students from our recently finished course rewriting the exam for various reasons. I would ask to consider them while they are writing and lets keep the noise level down.
See you all tonight at 7
Gord

Hi Everyone:
The meeting tonight is at Tsawwassen. Tickets for the Burger and Brew event will be on sale. Bob is still looking for more prizes for the event. See you all there at 7.
Gord

Those that have been reviewing the minutes of the Board will know that RAC is offering a one year basic (i.e. eTCA) membership to newly certified hams. The purpose of this program is to increase RAC membership.

This activity is being enabled by Industry Canada through the Amateur Radio Service Centre in Sault Saint Marie Ontario. IC is providing to all persons that receive a certificate a letter from RAC that contains a “coupon” offering a one year free eTCA membership to a newly certified ham.

While this program is very new there has been an uptake of 125+ since December. We will not know until the renewal cycle how many will choose to renew their membership. There are roughly 2300 net new hams certified a year in Canada.

The only issue that has arisen is that IC does not discriminate between net new hams and those person receiving enhanced certification (eg. advanced) and so all hams receive our letter and coupon. Some hams other than new hams are attempting to access this offer. While the context of the letter is clear we will review the text of the letter for 2015.

Please refer all inquiries to the office.

There will be an article in the next Newsletters to Clubs on this offering. Clubs offering training to new hams may want to note this RAC activity as an additional inducement.

Geoff ve4baw

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Burger & Brew Ticket are for sale. $15 per person, Thursday April 24 at Sundance Pub. I you have attended in the past you know the fun time it is. Some of the proceeds from this event go to pay the insurances we pay and in turn keep our dues low. Get out and support this event. Come along and bring your friends.
We have a letter available to you to help you soliciate a door prize for the event. I you can get just one prize that would be great. Try an establishment where you are known and you will probably see how easy it is to get one. Any questions about obtaining prizes please email VE7BJC @ rcristofoli@telus.net

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From Rebecca: VA7BEC

> Hi
>
> I wonder if you’d let club membership know that the BCQP log submission deadline is fast-approaching: March 31
>
> Some clubs had a great on-air presence, with many members calling CQ or dropping by to say hit to stations that were CQing. Many logs that have been received so far include Qs with operators who themselves have not submitted a log. There’s no requirement to submit a log, of course, but it’s possible that these operators intended to submit a log and didn’t get around to it right away and then forgot. Or perhaps the email w/log attachment got lost in cyberspace.
>
> I replied to everyone who sent in a log as confirmation of receipt. So if you know of any BCQP participants who did not receive a confirmation email, please have them resend their log. The email address is bcqp@orcadxcc.org
>
> A glance at submitted logs and comments from participants indicate another whale of a good time, especially for BC operators who called CQ. Many submitted logs have at least 100 Qs but some have far, far more than that. It doesn’t really matter, though, if a log has five or 500 Qs, because the objectives of BCQP are to get operations on the air, try out some operating strategies and have fun at the radio.
>
> Here are some highlights:
> • About 120 BC operators were on the air, either on their own or in teams.
> • 32 out of 36 districts were activated
> • As of mid-March, the log count stands at 120, comprising 35 from BC, 79 from outside BC and six check logs.
> • Active participation continued to expand, substantiated by a wider geographical range in the logs submitted so far.
> • More logs have more Qs.
> • More YLs were on the air.
> • From comments that came with logs, BCQP 2014 was lots of fun and perhaps even a bit more competitive than in previous years as many operators wanted to scoop up a certificate or plaque for the shack wall.
>
> Stay tuned for more details and official results. A special report will be prepared and uploaded to the Orca DXCC website in May — early-June at the latest. I’ll send around the link when everything is finalized. Thanks again for your support.
>
> 73,
> Rebecca VA7BEC
> BCQP, Contest Coordinator, Orca DX and Contest Club

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From Clay’s Corner Clay Freinwald, K7CR, CPBE

In the category of you learn something new everyday …The April issue of QST has a great article about how radio amateurs were relaying messages back at the beginning of radio communications. Yes, this was prior to radio and TV, we are talking 1916 and 1917. I always knew the Vacuum Tubes were called Valves elsewhere in the world, however I had never heard the term ‘Thermionic Valve’. This brings up the idea of using new, or different, terms, especially when communicating with technophobes – Stop using the term Vacuum Tube or Tube – And start calling the devices Thermionic Valves…and while you are at it …Stop using the word ‘Antenna’ and start using the word ‘Aerial’. And, while I’m at it…Eliminate the word ‘equipment’ from your vocabulary when ‘Apparatus’ has a much nicer ring to it.

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Hi Everyone:
The meeting tonight is in North Delta. Burger & Brew Tickets will be on sale.
This is a 2nd call for volunteers for Run For Life on April 13. If you can spare about 4 hours on Sunday morning to help out it would be appreciated. Please note, you do need the corp ID to participate.
See you tonight at 7
Gord

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Tickets are available for the Burger & Brew on Thursday April 24. $15 p/p. The money generated from this fund raising event helps to keep our dues as low as they are. Tickets available at all meetings or email Os (VE7OSK). os@kienapfel.ca
Bob (VE7BJC) informed us last night he has secured a few prizes for the event. He is asking everyone if they can try to get just one prize for the event. Try a place where they know you really well. They are usually the easiest to get a prize from since they know you. Any questions contact Bob at: rcristofoli@telus.net

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First call for volunteers for Run For Life on April 13. We will be needed from 9 am to noon. In the past we have been finished before that. Email if you can help out. We need about 10, but as usual more the merrier.

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Another first call. This time for Delta Triathlon on April 26. You will be needed from 7 am to the finish which is probably somewhere around noon. Again more the merrier with around 15 being the minimum. If you can help out email Darrel: darrels@me.com

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Next Friday March 21 is the deadline for purchasing the connectors for the coax cable people bought. If you want to order you must have your request into Dave (VE7PKE) by March 21 at the latest.

From VE7PKE:

Now that everyone has their coax I am sure coaxial connectors are the next order of business.

Tom has sourced some quality connectors for the coax. I will be coordinating the order collection and distribution of the connectors.

To ease the financial issues we will round the prices up to give the club a very small fund raising opportunity. These connectors are high quality and are only available in Crimp. The club has the proper crimping tools. If there is interest I am happy to organize a crimp fest event were we can do the terminations as group effort.

Please let me know by Friday March 21st your requirements. qty of connectors, size of Coax and style. Most ham gear has UHF connector.

LMR 400 connectors

11-11T-3-TGN LMR400 N male $8.00 each
17-03T-7-DNN LMR400 UHF Crimp Male $5.00 each
13-10T-1-DGN LMR400 BNC Crimp Male $5.00

LMR240/240UF

11-11L2-TGN LMR240 N Male $8.00 each
17-03L2-7-DNN LMR240 UHF Crimp Male $5.00 each
13-10L2-DGN LMR240 BNC Male $5.00 each

Please express interest to Dave Miller VE7PKE ve7pke@gmail.com

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This from KG7CTA

They are still looking for someone who has broadcast technical experience who can speak on their behalf. If you know of somebody please email Judson at KG7CTA@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 18, 7pm
View this email in your browser

Canadians & Americans demand Point Roberts remain pristine and radio tower free

The Cross-border Coalition filed a Formal Petition and Information Objection with the US FCC to deny the renewal of KRPI’s radio license and we are continuing to prepare for a Whatcom County Hearing to oppose construction permits for 5 border blasting radio towers in Point Roberts.

KRPI’s attorneys and consultants have responded to our Formal Petition and the Cross-border Coalition is now preparing our counter response.
We will submit this final reply to the FCC by March 6th..
Tremendous energy has gone into preparing this response and both efforts require expensive legal counsel. Success is our only option.

If we care about our mutual communities’ health, peace of mind and property values its not too late to contribute to this legal fight.
If you’ve contributed already and can help again, please do so.

If you want to learn more about this fight, and the many new details that have transpired over the last 2 months, plan to attend our Town Hall meeting on March 18th, 7 pm. Stay informed, get involved and stand up for your right to live without radio frequency interference in your largest financial and emotional investment…. the place we all call home.

The Power to stop the radio tower farm is in Our hands.

Invite your neighbors & Join us at our next
Town Hall, Tuesday, March 18, 7pm
Tsawwassen United Church, 693 53rd Street
HELP FUND THE LEGAL FIGHT:
www.notowers.webs.com for credit cards
Checks payable to: PRTA/FTT
P.O. Box 158, Point Roberts, WA 98281

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Have a good week everyone

Hi Everyone:

The meeting tonight is in Tsawwassen. Burger & Brew tickets will be available for purchase. $15 p/p. For those taking the DRATS Course/Exercises if you have your D-Rats on a laptop and are having issues bring your laptop along and we will see if can get you going.

This is your first call for Run For Life on Sunday, April 13 in North Delta. Although more the merrier we need about 10 volunteers. This would require your services from 9 am to about noon. Usually we are finished before that. If you can help out please email me: gdick@telus.net and we will put you down on the list.

See you tonight at 7
Gord

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Burger & Brew tickets are now available. It’s being held at Sundance Pub, Thursday April 24. Tickets are $15 p/p. This is always a fun event and if you haven’t attended in the past give it a try. Bring your friends, all are welcome. This is one of the events that’s help keep our dues as low as they are. Email me any ticket requests and I will have your tickets ready for pickup either at a meeting or at the door.

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For those involved in the DRATS exercises, the second exercise will be emailed out tomorrow. If you haven’t finished or started the first one, no worries just keep plugging along. The exercises are not about speed but about understanding. It appears the first exercise was a lot of fun for most as seen by the emails sent out.

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Our next basic course starts April 1. Please promote as much as possible as we are behind the usual totals. All info on the website: www.deltaamateurradio.com

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From VE7PKE:

Now that everyone has their coax I am sure coaxial connectors are the next order of business.

Tom has sourced some quality connectors for the coax. I will be coordinating the order collection and distribution of the connectors.

To ease the financial issues we will round the prices up to give the club a very small fund raising opportunity. These connectors are high quality and are only available in Crimp. The club has the proper crimping tools. If there is interest I am happy to organize a crimp fest event were we can do the terminations as group effort.

Please let me know by Friday March 21st your requirements. qty of connectors, size of Coax and style. Most ham gear has UHF connector.

LMR 400 connectors

11-11T-3-TGN LMR400 N male $8.00 each
17-03T-7-DNN LMR400 UHF Crimp Male $5.00 each
13-10T-1-DGN LMR400 BNC Crimp Male $5.00

LMR240/240UF

11-11L2-TGN LMR240 N Male $8.00 each
17-03L2-7-DNN LMR240 UHF Crimp Male $5.00 each
13-10L2-DGN LMR240 BNC Male $5.00 each

Please express interest to Dave Miller VE7PKE ve7pke@gmail.com

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Picked up this tid bit about the Point Roberts Towers from Clay Freinwald, K7CR and his newsletter Clay’s Corner

Meanwhile, just to the North of Seattle the battle of Point Roberts continues. What makes this interesting is that the FCC has approved the application for the multi-tower array for KRPI, leaving final approval with Whatcom County. The site is on a little finger of real estate that sticks into US territory from Canada. In fact, the only way get there (by land) is to drive into and out of Canada. The residents of Tsawwassen, just across the border (in B.C.) are really upset. As is the case with many issues involving these matters, the objectors express concerns about health. You would think that, but now, with zillions of AM Radio towers all over the world that the health impact would have been resolved long ago. It may have been, but to the residents near this site, it’s a focus of their concern. Wonder if this would have been handled different if the station were owned by CBS?

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Walking Down Memory Lane also from Clay Freinwald, K7CR and Clay’s Corner

From the looking – way back – department:
When I was a kid in Cub Scouts one of the most exciting things I got to build was a ‘Crystal-Set’ (Set was then used to describe a radio receiver). Today if you were to attempt to do this you would go out a purchase a diode for the ‘detector’ that would be the heart of the project. Back in those days we did not have that luxury as no one made any…Unless you wanted to use a tube and that would violate the rule of no external power. What you did was actually purchase a crystal and use a small piece of wire called a ‘cats whisker’…with the set complete, and your headphones on, you would find the magic location on the crystal that would turn it into a detector and – viola – you had a radio! It was not too long before enterprising folks started making crystals with an internal junction (cats whisker). Pictured below is an example of what they looking like…way back when. Yes, this was an AM only receiver…and that was OK because there weren’t any FM stations to receive anyway. There are a lot of museums dedicated to the rich history on which the broadcast industry is built. Take a few minutes and look atwww.radiomuseum.org for a listing of where you can spend some time…Looking back.

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Have a good week everyone

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We have 13 people who will be participating in the DRATS exercises. The first exercise will start this weekend. If you would like to get involved please email me and I’ll get you on the list. These exercises are open ended so you can work on them at your pace from your home when you have free time. You don’t need a DSTAR radio to participate, a computer connected to the internet is all you need to get started. I do have a couple of instruction booklets for anyone who would like to setup DRATS both for internet use and RF use. For those who have signed up you should see the first exercise tomorrow or Sunday. For RF users the frequency is 145.760.

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Burger & Brew tickets are now available for Thursday April 24 at the Sundance pub. $15 per person. This event is open to everybody, bring your friends or fellow hams with you. The money raised from this event helps to keep our dues low.

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Our basic course starts on April 1. We need a push from everybody to get the word out. Registrations have been slow and hopefully they will pick up as we get closer to the early bird fee cutoff. Please spread the word on how they can get into the exciting hobby of amateur radio.

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We have a new uhf repeater on the horizon. We had a guest with us last night. Judson Meraw (KG7CTA) from Point Roberts sat in last night. His email is below and if anybody can help out with their needs please give them a call. Fellow member Kelly Kiniski (KJ1U) is also a member so you could contact him also. The third request as you can probably guess is regarding the proposed radio towers. They are looking maybe for a broadcast technician if possible to testify on their behalf.

Gordon – Delta Amateur Radio Society

Thanks again for your welcoming at tonight’s meeting. What a great group you have.

Point Roberts ACS Net Check-ins are at 7pm Mondays on 146.480. Our monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7pm at the Point Roberts Community Center on Gulf Road. All are welcome.

We have received our Repeater pair of frequencies and a used repeater. We are looking for;
A free standing tower (we have a lead in Tacoma).
UHF Repeater Antenna and associated cables.
An expert witness to testify to Whatcom County about the adverse affects of the proposed AM Radio Towers on our emergency communications abilities before any building permit can be issued.

Also please forward d-rats info to myself.

Yours truly,

Judson Meraw
KG7CTA
Point Roberts Auxiliary Communications Services
(360) 945-0533

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Have a great week everyone.

Hi Everyone:

The meeting tonight is at Tsawwassen. I was asked about the X1M HF Radio last week and I have a demo for show and tell tonight. We will also have Burger & Brew tickets for sale. $15 per person. The D-Rats exercise will be starting this weekend. We have 10 involved so far. If you wish to participate and haven’t let me know, email me so I can get you on the list.

See you tonight at 7

Gord