Hi Everyone:The meeting tonight is at North Delta. Have a couple of ham stories from my trip to relate to you.
C U at 7
Gord
A couple of News stories to pass along.
From VE7SP
This is interesting, an article about Winlink radio messaging saving HMS Bounty crews.
http://www.winlink.org/node/662
From VA7BEC
Since the calendar page has flipped to November, I am in BCQP promotion mode. Although DARS meets every week, many clubs and organization only to a once-a-month meeting and December is usually given over to a Christmas gathering, so I figure the announcement wagon has got to roll out now. DARS is on my list, so here’s the invite. 🙂 Print it out if you like and pass around at the next meeting, or post it on the website for members to see. I know you put the BCQP into the announcements section last year, and it was great. I remember hearing a few DARS members on the air, too. It was so nice to hear familiar callsigns. 🙂
The most important thing to know is the date and time of the 2013 event: February 2, local time, 8am to 8pm (1600z Feb 2 to 0400z Feb 3).
Other details, including rules, exchange and multipliers, can be accessed from the BCQP homepage on the Orca DXCC website. Visit http://orcadxcc.org/bcqp.html
If anyone is interested in how the 2012 event played out and hasn’t read the report, it’s here: http://www.orcadxcc.org/content/bcqp_2012_report.pdf
BCQP 2012 was the first under Orca DXCC sponsorship and was, by all accounts, a tremendous success. Amazing, isn’t it? The most encouraging indicator of progress, to me, was the huge increase in VE7/VA7s on the air — tripling year-on year, to more than 120 — as well as more electoral districts activated, 26 of 36. With more BC operators on the air and a deeper reservoir of multipliers to tap, along with a QSO boost from same-day QSO party activity in the US, the time flew by. It was a great day in front of the radio.
So… if the 120+ operators who took to the mic, key and/or keyboard in 2012 can encourage even just one radio pal to get involved in BCQP 2013, what an incredible party it will be.
I know and you know, contesting is not for everyone. But the casual and friendly atmosphere of the BCQP presents merits for everyone at every level of expertise and interest. If anyone pooh-poohs the idea, remind them that…
– The slower pace allows newcomers to ease into the world of contesting and try out strategies without irritating operators who are only interested in a high score. Great practice for Field Day or a RAC contest.
– It’s a chance to practice different modes without the pressure of an impatient pileup and to acquire familiarity with new logging software or remote operations.
– It’s an excellent opportunity to hone operating and elmering skills. Whether amateur radio is used for emergency purposes, for ragchewing or for radiosport, it will not survive if we don’t practice our skills and share our knowledge.
In addition to the fun factor and the learning/elmering opportunities, the BCQP offers tangible rewards: one-of-a-kind certificates — different design every year — and cool Orca trinkets for top scores. Plaques may be awarded for particularly awesome results, such as a new record, most electoral districts contacted, or best score in BC/outside BC/US/DX, if appropriate in a given year. Orca did this last year, spur-of-the-moment because there were some simply outstanding results. If DARS would like to sponsor a plaque, please let me know. The cost is around $40, a very low price for excellent club PR, no? We can work on the wording together.
I hope DARS members will get on the air again for BCQP 2013. A(nother) whale of a good time awaits.
73,
Rebecca
Date: Saturday, January 19