Central Alberta Amateur Radio Club
General News
VE6WCE Station
Jan 22nd
Ok, so here is my story.
As per frequent requests to post something. I will post my station. Granted it isn’t the most sophisticated station out there, but it works for me.
The pictures you see are my hf/vhf station complete with a CB I had from the 70’s. CB, the cell phone system of the 70’s. I have three radios, Yeasu FT-5000 that I bought as a retirement gift. Yeasu FT-857 that I use primarily for VHF and an old Heathkit HW-101 I bought at a fathers day picnic and it works. I remember dreaming about building and owning that radio in the 70’s as I started to seriously pursue obtaining a licence.
Anyway I also included a picture of my test equipment and parts.
I had always wanted to go digital and as you can see my space is very limited. Then I thought why not just install a keyboard tray and laptop and so I did. Now you can see how I have digital set up. Using Airlink Express software and a SigaLink USB sound card feeding into the Yeasu FT 857 for digital. The SignaLink is sitting just below the FT-857.
I have three antennas. Cushcraft R6000, Diamond X-200 VHF/UHF and a 40m vertical that I can set up if I want to work 40m.
You may notice the antenna analyzer hooked you to the antennas. Before I transmit I always sweep the antenna to ensure nothing has changed. I also use it to tune the antenna as needed so I am not sending out a carrier to annoy anyone and stress out the transmitter finals.
Finally Betty snuck up on me working a station or at least trying to, wasn’t successful that time.
Anyway that is it.
73’s
VE6WCE
CWCOM – Morse Code on the Internet
Jan 19th
The topic of improving Morse Code skills came up on the CAARC net of January 18.
I mentioned an internet system, CWCOM, also known as CW Communicator, as a potential way to practice. It’s not radio, but either is sitting across a table from each other each with our own code practice oscillator. This morning I checked to see if it was still operational, and it is. Gerry, who uses call sign G3MS on this system, is the manager and chief guru of the system. Here is a slightly edited screen shot of a QSO I had with him this afternoon Alberta time over the internet. I didn’t have my key set up at this time, so I keyboarded. The program also allows using the down button on your keyboard as a straight key. I do have the ability to use a key or a paddle with this system, if I could only make them make predictable sounds!
Gerry mentioned his blogsite which is a complete introduction and instruction manual for the CW Communicator program and system. It is at https://morsepower.blogspot.com/2020/01/home-click-page-1.html . You usually have to scroll down past the contents. He mentions a “Contact Me” address, which is below the contents on the page labelled “Home”.
Gerry’s parting comment was “t ~~okjohn~~lookforward toseeing some new callsign”
You would need to download, install and set up the CW Communicator program.
I have had an on-and-off relationship with this system since 2003.
For whoever is interested.
John VA6SJA
Note: Jan 20, 2021 Corrected the call sign Gerry uses.
January vhf contest
Jan 13th
Here is a link for the January vhf contest. Lets get on the air and have some fun and put CAARC on the map and in the logs. http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf
Next CAARC ANNUAL general meeting will be Wednesday January 20th, 2021 07:30pm
Jan 12th
The next CAARC meeting will be Wednesday January 20th, 2021 07:30pm on the CAARC VE6QE repeater system.
Everyone welcome.
Bill VE6OLD SK
Jan 1st
Hello – I received a phone call this morning from Carole Guthrie with the sad news of Bill VE6OLD’s death. Bill Guthrie was a long time member of CAARC and was very active in club activities until ill health slowed him down. Bill was a fixture at club picnics, serving up SARA dogs with a smile! He always had lots to sell at any of the flea markets and was on the air all the time when he was still working, driving from one job to another. Bill was a past president and one of the founding members of SARA. Bill’s voice will live on, on the VE6REP repeater controller. He will definitely be missed!
Because of Covid restrictions, there will be a small family service. Condolences can be posted on the Wilson’s Funeral Home website on the Tribute wall. Donations maybe made in Bill’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society
Obituary posted for Ian “Bill” William Guthrie. See http://www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca/obituary/IanBill-Guthrie
73’s
Sandy Jacobs
CAARC President
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL USERS
Dec 24th
Santa visited the International Space Station (see link below)
Click link below for full video
https://www.space.com/norad-tracks-santa-claus-trip-to-international-space-station?jwsource=cl
Earthlings and astronauts chat away, via ham radio
Dec 24th
Earthlings and astronauts chat away, via ham radio
The International Space Station cost more than $100 billion. A ham radio set can be had for a few hundred bucks.
Perhaps that explains, in part, the appeal of having one of humankind’s greatest scientific inventions communicate with Earth via technology that’s more than 100 years old. But perhaps there’s a simpler explanation for why astronauts and ham radio operators have been talking, and talking, for years.
NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock was just a few weeks into his six-month mission at the space station when feelings of isolation began to set in.
Wheelock would be separated from loved ones, save for communication via an internet phone, email or social media. At times, the stress and tension of serving as the station’s commander could be intense.
One night, as he looked out a window at the Earth below, he remembered the space station’s ham radio. He figured he’d turn it on—see if anyone was listening.
“Any station, any station, this is the International Space Station,” Wheelock said.
A flood of voices jumbled out of the airwaves.
Astronauts aboard the space station often speak to students via ham radio, which can also
SOTA Activations, Short Video Example
Nov 20th
If you have been curious about what a SOTA activation looks like, this video is typical of our beautiful Canadian mountain SOTA activations.
Paul Mower
VA6MPM
Have you paid your dues and confirmed your RAC membership to the executive?
Nov 17th
CAARC Membership
Club memberships are due in November. Please submit your dues as shown below.
Club memberships are $25.00 each or $30.00 for a family and are due now. You must be a paid-up member to be eligible to vote at the Annual General meeting in November. Cheques may be mailed to Central Alberta Amateur Radio Club, Box 1103, Red Deer, AB, T4N 6S5. If you prefer, Garry VE6CIA has also agreed to accept e-transfers for club memberships at ve6cia at gmail dot com. This is what we did for the club raffle earlier this year.
Club insurance is due. Please also confirm your RAC membership by email ( ve6cia at gmail dot com ) so we can get the best rate for the club.
can also download the CAARC membership and renewal form under the “Site tools” tab and send your dues by snail mail to the listed address on the bottom of the form or bring it to the meeting. Your support helps keep your repeaters operating and your club active.
Thank you from your executive
73 CAARC Executive
