SB RAC @ CANADA < VA3RAC $RAC_9406.15 RAC NEWS BULLETIN 06-94 INTERNET EDITION - 15 JUNE 1994 Issued at RAC Administrative Office P.O. Box 356 Kingston, ON, K7L 4W2 Internet Editor: Cam Inglis Internet Transmission: Steve Cutway VE3GRS IN THIS BULLETIN INDUSTRY CANADA AMENDS SPECIAL PREFIX POLICY RAC SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS RAC AND RED CROSS ENTER AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING RAC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN CALGARY JULY 30 RAC HQ STATION IN IARU HF CHAMPIONSHIP RAC CANADA DAY CONTEST JULY 1 CW PILEUP TRAINER FOR CT CONTEST PROGRAM AVAILABLE CANADIAN AMATEUR RADIO HF BAND PLAN FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES PIERRE ROGER VE2TQS APPOINTED QUEBEC DIRECTOR EMCAB-2 ADVISORY BULLETIN OF CONCERN TO RAC SPECIAL PREFIX AND SPECIAL EVENT STATION ASSIGNMENTS MANITOBA INCOMING QSL BUREAU PAYMENT POLICY SUMMER 1994 EVENTS WE'VE HEARD ABOUT NEXT RAC INTERNET BULLETIN INDUSTRY CANADA AMENDS SPECIAL PREFIX POLICY Industry Canada has announced an amendment to their policy on special prefixes. This amendment makes clear which prefixes can be authorized in which call areas. Please refer to Industry Canada document RPC-2-8-01 for details of the policy. The distribution of prefixes is as follows: Call Area Possible Special Prefixes VE1 CF1 CG1 CH1 CI1 CJ1 VA1 VB1 VC1 VD1 VF1 VG1 VX1 XJ1 XK1 XL1 XM1 VE2/VA2 CF2 CG2 CH2 CI2 CJ2 VB2 VC2 VD2 VF2 VG2 VX2 XJ2 XK2 XL2 XM2 VE3/VA3 CF3 CG3 CH3 CI3 CJ3 VB3 VC3 VD3 VF3 VG3 VX3 XJ3 XK3 XL3 XM3 VE4 CF4 CG4 CH4 CI4 CJ4 VA4 VB4 VC4 VD4 VF4 VG4 VX4 XJ4 XK4 XL4 XM4 VE5 CF5 CG5 CH5 CI5 CJ5 VA5 VB5 VC5 VD5 VF5 VG5 VX5 XJ5 XK5 XL5 XM5 VE6 CF6 CG6 CH6 CI6 CJ6 VA6 VB6 VC6 VD6 VF6 VG6 VX6 XJ6 XK6 XL6 XM6 VE7/VA7 CF7 CG7 CH7 CI7 CJ7 VB7 VC7 VD7 VF7 VG7 VX7 XJ7 XK7 XL7 XM7 VE8 CF8 CG8 CH8 CI8 CJ8 VA8 VB8 VC8 VD8 VF8 VG8 VX8 XJ8 XK8 XL8 XM8 VE9 CF9 CG9 CH9 CI9 CJ9 VA9 VB9 VC9 VD9 VF9 VG9 XJ9 XK9 XL9 XM9 VO1 CZ1 CZ3 CZ5 CZ7 CZ9 VO3 VO5 VO7 VO9 XO1 XO3 XO5 XO7 XO9 VO2 CZ2 CZ4 CZ6 CZ8 CZ0 VO4 VO6 VO8 VO0 XO2 XO4 XO6 XO8 XO0 VY1 CK1 CK3 CK5 CK7 CK9 VY3 VY5 VY7 XN1 XN3 XN5 XN7 XN9 VY2 CK2 CK4 CK6 CK8 CK0 VY4 VY6 VY8 XN2 XN4 XN6 XN8 XN0 Stations with CY9 (St Paul Is), CY0 (Sable Is), VE0 (Shipboard) or VY9 (Industry Canada) callsigns are not eligible to use any special prefixes. RAC SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS Members of the RAC Spectrum Management Committee from Toronto, Barrie and the Golden Horseshoe regions met in early May to discuss the issues of bandplanning. Those in attendance represented major user groups including FM repeater, weak signal, EME, packet, satellite and FM simplex. A subsequent meeting is scheduled for June. Other user groups including ATV are expected to join in. Similar meetings are planned for other areas of the country. Amateurs will be kept advised and are asked to submit comments and ideas which will aid in the formation of a revised RAC Bandplan for the bands above 50 MHz. Dana Shtun VE3DSS is chair of the RAC Spectrum Management Committee. RAC AND RED CROSS ENTER AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING A memorandum of understanding has been signed between Farrell Hopwood VE7RD, President of RAC and Brian Gilbertson, National Director Field Operations of the Red Cross Society. The agreement includes appendices, which define the two national organisations, and guidelines for cooperation. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the National Traffic System (NTS) and the relationship these two programs have in providing communications during times of need are explained. Mr. Donald Shropshire, National Coordinator Emergency Services of the Red Cross, stated that he was delighted that this work, which had been going on for some time, was now complete. He stated that several times during the past five years the Red Cross has had to rely on Amateur Radio personnel for emergency communications. The past deliberations of the late Jack Strangleman VE3GV, and more recently Larry Thivierge VE3GT, Ontario Section Manager, and Ken Oelke VE6AFO, RAC Field Services Manager, have brought about this agreement. RAC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN CALGARY JULY 30 Radio Amateurs of Canada's Board of Directors will be on hand with the National Executive to discuss the internal and external business of RAC at the 1st Annual Convention in Calgary. Directors will be available to answer questions concerning Amateur Radio activities in their regions. The 1993 audited financial statements will be presented for discussion and acceptance by the members at the AGM and will be published in a future edition of TCA. After the AGM, members may request a copy of these statements by writing to RAC and including a stamped 9" x 12" envelope, with sufficient postage to mail 200 grams first class. RAC HQ STATION IN IARU HF CHAMPIONSHIP RAC is seeking Amateurs who would like to operate as the RAC HQ station in the IARU HF Championship. This contest, which takes place from 1200z Saturday, July 9 until 1200z Sunday, July 10, 1994 allows the HQ stations from each IARU member society to compete in a separate category. As well, HQ stations count as additional multipliers, distinct from their ITU Zone, and can be in great demand. The rules allow for up to six HQ stations from each member society. If you would like to take part in this contest, either as a single operator, or if you would like to organize a group to operate as a multi-op, and you would like to be "RAC HQ for a day", contact RAC's HF Contest Manager, Dave Goodwin VE2ZP/VE9CB. You can do so by mail at 15 Oval, Aylmer Quebec, J9H 1T9, via packet at VE2ZP@VA3TCP.#EON.ON.CAN.NOAM or by E-mail at ve2zp@BBS.VA3TCP.AMPR.ORG as soon as possible. If selected, you can "borrow" one of RAC's official callsigns, with the RAC suffix. For a description of last year's event, see the cover story in October 1993 TCA. RAC CANADA DAY CONTEST JULY 1 The next Canada Day contest is coming up soon, on Canada Day of course! The contest runs from 0000 to 2359 UTC on Friday, July 1. The CW and SSB sections of the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6 and 2 metre bands are considered separate bands, and you may work each station once per band. You receive 10 points for any station worked in Canada, 20 points for each QSO with a RAC official station, and two points for each station worked outside Canada. Multiply your QSO points by the total number of provinces and territories worked on each band and mode to calculate your final score. Full rules appear in TCA, June 1994. The results of last year's contest appeared in TCA, November 1993. If you would like copies of the suggested entry, log and dupe sheets, send a SASE to RAC, P.O. Box 356, Kingston, Ont., K7L 4W2. CW PILEUP TRAINER FOR CT CONTEST PROGRAM AVAILABLE Computer software that emulates a CW pileup under contest or DXpedition- like conditions is currently available. The software was authored by Mas III H. Kozu JE3MAS and runs on an IBM or clone computer. The software is "freeware" and may be freely distributed. If your PC is equipped with a "Sound Blaster" or equivalent card, you can enjoy a pileup as many as 16 deep simultaneously. The author has carefully combined his CW pileup simulator with the infamous CT Contest Logger (written by K1EA). As a result, the program is an ideal platform for learning to contest CW style, according to Andy Mitchell VA3CW. Access the program through InterNet, try an FTP at: qed.laser.ee.es.osaka-u.ac.jp The file can be found as pub/radio/ped411i.zip The file can also be downloaded by telephone from "The Other HEX-9 BBS" at (705) 835-5260. Leave a note for the Sysop to enable you to download, or drop a note to Len, VE3FJB. If all this fails, contact Andy via packet at VA3CW@VE3FJB.#CON.ON.CAN.NA, or write to him at 23 Baltimore Road, Barrie, Ontario L4M 5M6. CANADIAN AMATEUR RADIO HF BAND PLAN FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES The following band plan is being presented for discussion purposes only. It is not intended to be the final band plan, or to necessarily reflect the views of Canadian Amateurs. The main purpose for presenting it here is to get some feedback from Amateurs as to how they would like the band plan structured. Adherence to the Canadian Amateur Radio Band Plan is voluntary. The following frequencies and modes are presented for discussion purposes. Input from concerned radio amateurs is welcomed in the formulation of a Canadian Band Plan. A final band plan will be determined prior to September, 1995. There will be a meeting for Region 2 of the International Amateur Radio Union in September of 1995 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. This will be the first meeting hosted in Canada. A Canadian position on HF frequencies will be presented at that time. Comments can be directed to: Patrick G. Doherty VA3GD, RAC HF Frequency Coordinator, RR1-10035 John Street Road, Murillo, Ont., P0T 2G0. E-mail: pat.doherty@oln.com. Packet: VA3GD@VE3TKA.#NON.ON.CA 160 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 KHZ 1.800 to 1.840 MHZ - CW and Digital Modes 1.830 to 1.840 MHZ - DX Window 1.840 to 2.000 MHZ - CW, SSB, SSTV and other wide band modes 80 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 KHZ 3.500 to 3.580 MHZ - CW only 3.580 to 3.635 MHZ - Digital Modes 3.620 to 3.635 MHZ - Packet 3.635 to 3.725 MHZ - CW 3.725 to 4.000 MHZ - SSB and other wide band modes 3.790 to 3.800 MHZ - DX Window 40 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 KHZ 7.000 to 7.035 MHZ - CW only 7.035 to 7.050 MHZ - Digital Modes 7.040 to 7.050 MHZ - International packet 7.050 to 7.100 MHZ - SSB 7.100 to 7.120 MHZ - Packet within Region 2 7.120 to 7.300 MHZ - CW and SSB 30 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 1 KHZ 10.100 to 10.130 MHZ - CW only 10.130 to 10.150 MHZ - Digital Modes 10.140 to 10.150 MHZ - Packet 20 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 KHZ 14.000 to 14.070 MHZ - CW only 14.070 to 14.095 MHZ - Digital Mode 14.095 to 14.100 MHZ - Packet 14.100 MHZ - Beacons 14.100 to 14.112 MHZ - CW, SSB, packet shared 14.112 to 14.350 MHZ - CW and SSB 14.225 to 14.235 MHZ - SSTV 17 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 KHZ 18.068 to 18.100 MHZ - CW only 18.100 to 18.105 MHZ - Digital Modes 18.105 to 18.110 MHZ - Packet 18.110 to 18.168 MHZ - SSB and other wide band modes 15 Metre Band - maximum bandwidth 6 KHZ 21.000 to 21.070 MHZ - CW only 21.070 to 21.125 MHZ - Digital Modes 21.090 to 21.125 MHZ - Packet 21.125 to 21.450 MHZ - SSB and other wide band modes 12 Metre Band - Maximum bandwidth 6 KHZ 24.890 to 24.930 MHZ - CW only 24.920 to 24.925 MHZ - Digital Modes 24.925 to 24.930 MHZ - Packet 24.930 to 24.990 MHZ - SSB and other wide band modes 10 Metre Band - Maximum band width 20 KHZ 28.000 to 28.200 MHZ - CW only 28.070 to 28.120 MHZ - Digital Modes 28.120 to 28.190 MHZ - Packet 28.200 to 29.300 MHZ - SSB 29.300 to 29.510 MHZ - Satellite 29.510 to 29.700 MHZ - SSB, FM and repeaters PIERRE ROGER VE2TQS APPOINTED QUEBEC DIRECTOR The Board of Directors of Radio Amateurs of Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Pierre Roger VE2TQS of Montreal as Directeur du Quebec effective June 6, 1994. Pierre Roger is Vice President of RAQI and a member of RAC's Amateur Delegation Working Group (ADWG), in liaison with Industry Canada. Pierre Roger will complete the remaining term of office for Jean-Guy Riverin VE2JGR who resigned because of increasing career demands with Bell Mobility. RAC President Farrell Hopwood VE7RD stated, "We welcome Pierre Roger to the RAC Board of Directors. We deeply regret losing Jean-Guy Riverin VE2JGR who brought a high level of managerial talent to our organization. Jean-Guy's keen insight and understanding will be missed. We express our thanks to Jean-Guy and wish him every success." The Director's position in each of the seven national regions will be open for nomination and election in the Fall of 1994. EMCAB-2 ADVISORY BULLETIN OF CONCERN TO RAC Industry Canada has killed TRC-86 but resurrected it under an advisory bulletin called EMCAB-2 which appeared in the Canada Gazette recently. It is now in effect, but is not a regulation nor mandatory, but states that with the Department's present Power of Determination under the Radiocommunication Act, the origin of harmful interference may be assessed by an Inspector by measurement of radiated field strength levels. RAC has concerns that the main issue of manufacturing standards has not been addressed, nor has the operational procedure been developed for making the measurement. Reducing power to meet the levels specified will permit continued operation, but it does nothing to address the social inconvenience of the complainant since the manufacturer has no obligation for immunity of products, according to a RAC news release. Furthermore, RAC objects to associated equipment which contains tuners for broadcast reception (example VCRs), escaping any form of type approval. "Essentially, the inequity of the principle of spectrum sharing has not been addressed either, and this concerns us greatly," says Ralph Cameron VE3BBM, speaking on behalf of RAC. SPECIAL PREFIX AND SPECIAL EVENT STATION ASSIGNMENTS VX3BB has been assigned to the Barrie Amateur Radio Club in recognition of the role community Amateurs played in the tornado which struck Barrie in May, 1985. The station plans to operate CQ WPX CW and Field Day. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the BARC. Prior to 1984 the club was known as the Georgian College Amateur Radio Club. CF3AFD has been assigned for the Quinte International Air Show (Armed Forces Day) held from June 24 to 26, 1994. The special prefix was requested by the Trenton Amateur Radio Club. The air show is held at the Canadian Forces Base in Trenton, Ontario. CF3 for VE3, CG3 for VA3, has been assigned to commemorate the Finlandia week and the 55th Grand Finnish Festival from June 27 to July 3, 1994. The special prefixes were requested by the Lakehead Amateur Radio Club, Thunder Bay, Ontario. CG7V has been assigned to base station VE7RCN during July and August, 1994, for the XV Commonwealth Games. For QSL send SASE to VE7RCN CG7V), Base Amateur Radio Services, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, FMO Victoria, B.C. V0S 1B0 VE3CNE Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, operating from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily August 19 to September 5, 1994. Every year, Amateur radio clubs around Toronto operate VE3CNE for one day each and also talk to visitors at their booth in the Better Living Centre about becoming a Ham. The station will monitor VE3TWR 145.410 MHz, to answer queries regarding approach roads, parking areas, special events, etc. CJ3 for VE3, CH3 for VA3, CJ3IPM for the club station, has been assigned for the International Ploughing Match which will be held from September 18 to 25, 1994. The special prefixes were requested by the Renfrew County Amateur Group. CI, nationally; CJ for VA; CK1 for VY1; CK2 for VY2; VO9 for VO1; VO0 for VO2; to commemorate the 1st National RAC Convention in Calgary from July 29 to 31, 1994. Prefix is also available for all Canadian Amateurs from June 6 to August 6, 1994 to recognize City of Calgary Centennial. MANITOBA INCOMING QSL BUREAU PAYMENT POLICY The VE4 Manitoba Incoming QSL Bureau uses METHOD C which requires self addressed envelopes and cash or cheque to cover mailing costs. SUMMER 1994 EVENTS WE'VE HEARD ABOUT June 17, 18, 19. Central Alberta Radio League 24th Annual Picnic, Burbank, Alberta. June 18. Seaway Valley Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Nativity Hall, 301 McConnell Avenue, Cornwall, Ontario. Information line (613) 936-0096. June 18. Quinte Amateur Radio Club Hamfest and Computer Show, Dick Ellis Arena, Harder Drive, Belleville, Ontario. July 2. Le Club de la Rive Sud Hamfest, a la Place Desaulniers, 1023 Boulevard Tachereau, Longueuil, Quebec. Information via packet VE2MRW @ VE2RKY July 9. Burlington Amateur Radio Ontario Hamfest, Milton Fair Grounds. Information line, (905) 847-0090. July 23. Charlottetown Amateur Radio Club, 8th Annual Fleamarket, United Church Hall, Cornwall, P.E. Island. July 29 to 31. Radio Amateurs of Canada 1st Annual Convention, Calgary. July 30. RAC 1st Annual General Meeting of Members, Calgary. August 5, 6 and 7. Vernon B.C., Sky High Hamfest, Silver Star Mountain Resort, Vernon. August 6 and 7. Mission, B.C., 1st Annual Amateur Radio and Emergency Preparedness Exposition, Mission Fairgrounds, 7th Avenue and Talbut Street. Information line, (604) 820-3788. August 13. Brantford Amateur Radio Club Fleamarket, Woodman Park Community Centre, Brantford, Ontario. Information line, (519) 442-2595. August 22. York Region Amateur Radio Club Day at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. Volunteers will staff station VE3CNE. August 26, 27 and 28. The Air Force Telecom Assc. will celebrate their 60th anniversary at Clinton, Ontario. Information line, (613) 549-3582. August 27. South Pickering Amateur Radio Club Day at the CNE. Volunteers will staff station VE3CNE. August 27. Lakehead Amateur Radio Club, Northwestern Ontario Hamfest and Fleamarket, Landmark Inn, 1010 Dawson Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Information line, (807) 622-2700. September 10. Lindsay Amateur Radio Club Fleamarket, Lindsay Fairgrounds, Lindsay, Ontario. September 17. Kingston Amateur Radio Club Fleamarket, St. Margaret's United Church. For information via packet VA3TLL@VE3CDY. NEXT RAC INTERNET BULLETIN The print version of this bulletin is sent on the 15th of the month to RAC affiliated clubs, all Section Managers, Bulletin Managers and Official Bulletin Stations throughout each RAC Section. The packet and Internet editions are transmitted as soon thereafter as possible. The next regular bulletin should be transmitted on or about September 15, 1994. Watch for it. And in the meantime, have a great summer! I'll see some of you in Calgary. 73 de VA3RAC Steve VE3GRS at the keyboard