>>
>>
>> Dave/Gord
>> You might want to mention tomorrow is the last day to work me as PA/VE7PKE Maritime Mobile.
>> I am usually on 21.205 at 2:00 local time. Tomorrow should be same time zone as Vancouver.
>>
>> I have had modest results with about 27 QSO’s so far from Tasmania to Mexico to Japan to Northern BC. On the cruise vessel ms Zaandam
>>
>> Having a blast both operating and vacationing.
>>
>> Thanks
>> Dave
>>
>> Sent from my iPad

Thanks again for getting out and pounding the pavement to obtain prizes for our Burger & Brew event. Also thanks to those who donated their own craft & hobby work for the evening. If I could get you to print off the attached pdf and give a thank you letter to each business that you obtained a prize from that would be great. By you taking the letter around this provides more good will for the next time we come a calling.
Thanks again
Gord

donnation thank you letter.pdf

Hi Everyone:
The meeting tonight is at North Delta. We will bring you up to date on the results from Burger & Brew and put the finishing touches on the newbie open house Saturday. Hope to see you all at 7
Gord

*******************
Our Special Event Station is happening September 7. Let us know if you will participate. Remember you can work from wherever you happen to be that day and you only need to put in the time you have available to you. You do have to be a member in good standing of DARS to participate. Email me if you plan to operate: gdick@telus.net

*******************
Our newbie open house is this Saturday. 10am to 1pm. Drop by if you have time.

*******************
Bill picked up an estate sale last weekend. I have the list below and if you are interested in any of the items email Bill at: victorecho7@telus.net. Don’t email me.

Kenwood 530S HF Radio (Band knob seems a little loose. Cycles through all bands but a little touchy. Radio powers on, recieves white noise, I’m not familiar with tubes though so unsure how to properly use/set up)
Kenwood AT230 Tuner
$250 for both pieces
—————-
Yaesu 747GX HF radio W/ optional FM board in box, not installed. Compact and basic model.
Yaesu 757AT Tuner
Yaesu 757HD Power Supply
Yaesu FAS-1-4R Antenna Switch
$400 for 4 pieces
——————–

2 X 200W SWR meters dual meter style, not cross hair. – $10ea
Cobra 148GTL SSB CB (’70s vintage) – $40
Realistic TRC-449 SSB CB – $20
AEA PK-232MBX Packet Modem (with manuals and cables and 12V DC) – $40
MFJ TNC-2 Packet Modem (with manuals and cables) – $20

Bencher Paddle BY-1? (has allan key on bottom for adjustments) with AEA KT-1 trainer, 12V DC and cables – $50

4:1 Balun & “Mystery Dipole” antenna – $20

Realistic HTX-202 VHF HT $25 (works, but needs new internal back-up battery)
Yaesu FT-208 VHF HT $5 (needs center negative 12V, minor case damage)

Kenwood HC-10 World Clock – $50
MFJ-260 300W Dummy Load – $10
2 X 3A Power Supplies – $5ea
Mic Compressor – $5
Radio Shack Roter with controller and cable – $20
TVI Supressor. – $5

*******************

Came across an interesting article from Clay Freinwald from Seattle on the state of AM radio. I believe the same assumptions could be made for AM radio here in Canada. Have a read and check out one of his recommendations for what to do with the band.

During the show in Vegas there was a lot of talk about what to do with the place where broadcasting began, now getting attention by the Feds and others who are trying to figure out how to ‘save AM Radio’. At this stage of the game, it appears there are a number of folks are trying to fix it with a variety of band aids.

The decline in the popularity of AM, in my opinion, is due to a number of factors –

1) Regulatory
The Commish gave into pressure for more AM stations many years ago leading to a band that crammed full of signals that, in many cases, clobber each other.
Then they gave into those that thought that HD Radio would be their salvation and make AM work and sound like FM. (We all know how well that’s working.)
No one has done anything to combat the ever increasing noise floor from devices that are demodulated right along with the output of AM Stations. In short, there are no noise police.
AM stations have their frequency response limited due to channel separation issues and the FCC requirement to roll-off high frequency audio they used to be able to broadcast.
The AM band does not have sufficient channel bandwidth to permit anything but Low-Fi audio transmission – In mono!
2) Receiver manufacturers
Makers of receivers, for years, have made matters worse by limiting bandwidth effectively running AM audio through a low-pass-filter
Antennas in today’s AM receivers are almost a joke. Only C Crane appears to care about making receivers with sensitivity and decent antennas.
3) Physics
AM is subject to interference from acts of nature (Lightning and other static crashes).
Amplitude modulation just can’t compete with FM (The point Armstrong was trying to make years ago) and it certainly can’t compete with today’s digital modulation schemes that were not even thought of when AM was developed.
AM does not propagate into tunnels and under bridges.
…..And this is my short list based on a quick head-dump.

So how bad is AM doing? In the years I’ve been writing this column I’ve seen a steady drop in the ratings of AM Stations here in the Seattle area. One time powerhouse AMs (up until recently they called them Blowtorches) are becoming also-rans. Apparently power and dial position, once key ingredients for successful AMs no longer are factors. Here are some examples pulled from the latest 12+ numbers for Seattle-Tacoma (Market #13)
The highest rated AM Station is Historic 50,000 Watt KOMO at #16.
Legendary 50,000 Watt KIRO is now #21
Famous 50,000 Watt KJR is now #23.
KVI that sports 5,000 watts, full time, non-directional is at #25
50KW KIXI comes in at #26.
And here’s the clincher – KVI and KIXI are being beaten-out in the ratings by KNHC (FM) that’s run by bunch of high-school students!! Bottom line – This is a very sad situation, some would likely call it a crisis. It’s no wonder that the FCC is concerned…. they should be. So what should be done? Do we just let the AM band expire and dwindle down to just a few that are supported by their co-owned FM’s (Talk about a complete reversal) leaving the others to die, go dark, and join the famous ‘dust-heap of history”?? Or – do we do something that will pump new life into these operations?

I’m going to step out (with flack suit on) and lay out my recommendations.

1 – Open up the spectrum immediately below the existing FM band (TV channels 5 and 6 have been suggested) for aural broadcasting. (Now is the time to act before someone comes up with a use for the spectrum for more broadband).

2 – Enact an all channel radio rule that would require all receivers manufactured be capable of receiving the existing 88-108 as well as the new expanded band like we did with the expanded band AM Radios or the All-Channel TV rule.

3 – Create an allocation scheme that would insure that all existing AM stations would have priority and a level playing field being treated equally in the new-band.

4 – Set a date-certain for the process to start.

5 – Accept applications for the new band for 1 year.

6 – Grant construction permits with a required 2 year period to construct.

7 – Require simulcast operation for a period of 10 years.

8 – Sunset the existing AM band at the end of the 13th year.

9 – Perhaps require that all new-band stations operate Hybrid mode until year 13 when Analog FM could be turned off, leaving a digital-only band.

In the meantime –

1 – Do not grant more FM Translators to AM’s as all this does is clutter up the existing FM band. There is not enough spectrum for every AM to have translators anyway, especially after the FCC opened the band to LPFMs!

2 – Admit that AM HD and AM Stereo are failures and eliminate any further use of HD on the existing AM Band.

So what’s your idea for saving the legacy band?….Got a better idea? I’d love to hear it.

Oh Yes – What to do with the existing AM Band after this is all concluded? Here are some, off the top ideas –

1 – Let Amateurs (Hams) have it. Think of it as an expansion of the 160 Meter band.

2 – Create a series of true – clear channels – to be used for emergency message distribution.

Clay, K7CR, CPBE

****************************
Have a good week everyone.

**********************
A good time was had by all last night at the Burger & Brew fund raiser. Just a big thank you to all who helped organize it. If I started to mention names I would leave somebody out. Haven’t received the financial totals yet, but I think it is safe to say we did very well. Some pics from last night are at the bottom of this News Notes.

**********************

submitted by: VA7TU & VE7FJE

>> Elisabeth VE7EVJ is an amazing person. I worked with her at the VECTOR Field Day and on a large Vancouver City Exercise and she is an example to all of us about what one enthusiastic talented individual can get done!
>>
>> Elisabeth and her family deserve to win this award, they don’t just talk about being green, they live it.
>>
>> Elisabeth even hand delivered messages by bike to the EOC from the Hastings community Centre during our exercise and she was faster than voice on radio when the messages started to pile up.
>>
>> She had the initiative to suggest hand delivery would be the best solution at the time and she was right.
>>
You can cast your vote at: http://vancouvermom.ca/feature/vote-for-vancouvers-greenest-family/

************************
Coming up May 4 we have our newbie open house for our recent students. This open house is open to all newly licensed amateurs or those who would like a refresher course. This is a hands on open house and has three components: vhf/uhf, HF, & emergency.

***********************
Have a great week everyone and enjoy a look at last night

***********************

Prize draw table

Vicki Huntington stopped by for a quick visit.

VE7IDN, VE7SP, VE7JNH,

Thanks to VA7TU for taking all these pictures.

VE7TJF one of the lucky winners.

VA7GL & VE7PFH also won
everyone enjoining themselves.

Lots more pics will be on the web in the near future.

Hi Everyone;

There is NO meeting. Tonight is Burger & Brew. Hope to see you all at the Sundance starting at 6.

Gord

*********************
Thanks to the folks who have already submitted that they will participate
in our Special Event Station on September 7. This is an HF event, and you
can participate on whatever band, mode, time and place you have available.
Can’t be any more simpler then that. Great event for our out of town
members. By signing up early this helps the organizers to start putting
the format together for the day. You will be able to signup all through
summer, but the sooner we know your intentions the better it is for Dave
and his group in putting all the nuts and bolts together. As more details
come available we will share them with you.
*********************
The burger and brew event is next Thursday. Jeannie advised last night
that veggie burgers would be available and if you wish one let her know as
the Sundance would like to have an approx. figure for veggie burgers.
jdwilson@dccnet.com If your planning on coming and haven’t either bought a
ticket or let Jeannie know please do so right away so we know how many are
coming.
*********************
The under 20 club is always looking for people to participate on Sunday
evenings. 28.020 at 19:30 (7:30 pm) The speed is always at what you send,
so don’t think you shouldn’t participate because your too slow. Just get
on and start sending. Our repeater is being monitored during the under 20
club, so feel free to jump on and ask a question.
*********************
We wish VE7TJF the best of luck on Monday when she goes for her meeting
with the strata council on erecting an antenna on the roof of her building.
If she wins this could be a precedent setting mark for other condo owners
who may want to put antennas on their buildings.
*********************
*VA7TU provides the following:*
*
*
Information:
The Pilot Knob Amateur Radio Club will operate
KS0LV club call at special event site at the C W Parker Carousel Museum on
Saturday 20th of April. The site will operate during the hours of 11am to
5pm Central Daylight time.
Communication will be with the following:****
40 meters, freq= 7250 mhz****
20 meters, freq= 14250 mhz****
Dstar operation with call sign WB0PDR,****
on one of the repeaters listed here:****
WX0BC Columbia, Missouri,****
VE7RAG your local Dstar repeater,****
Reflector REF026b. your area.****
We can use the reflector in Chicago as a****
backup if necessary. Lets start with VE7RAG.****
We can exchange voice and video via Skype****
user name: WB0PDR or Larry E Everitt.****

*********************
*VA7IQ provides the following:*
The Foxhole Radio

Foxhole Radio from Make Magazine:
*http://tinyurl.com/ckhg2rh*

Foxhole Radio PDF Instructions:
http://cdn.makezine.com/make/wp_foxholeradio.pdf

Hi Everyone:

The meeting tonight is at North Delta. Burger & Brew tickets will be on sale. Next Thursday is the big event. Not too much to discuss tonight so we will keep it on the light side. I have been informed we have about 2000 QSL cards heading our way so those on my list I may cards for you over the next few weeks.

We do have several students writing the basic exam tonight, they will be in the large room. Hope to see you all at 7

Gord

Hi Everyone:

This was the final day of the basic amateur radio course. VE7CUS was on the scene to administer the exam and when the smoke cleared we have 11 new hams. 16 wrote the exam. Four of the graduates gained their honours. What was really amazing was with the change in the process with IC to get your certification. One student had his call sign granted before he even left the building. Wow, how things have changed in just a year or so. Another student joined DARS at the same time.

We congratulate all the students who took the course and we look forward to hearing them on the air shortly. This Thursday’s meeting is at North Delta and several students will be trying to upgrade their mark. When you enter the building and come up the stairs can you please hold the noise down as they could be writing by the time you arrive.

If you have friends who missed out on this course, stay tuned as we have tentative dates set for mid November. Once finalized we will fill you in on all the details.

Gord