Newsletter March 2009 Kingston Amateur Radio Club 2009 Executive President: Les, VE3KFS Newsletter Editor: Joan Clarke [email protected] [email protected]
Vice-Pres: Robert, VE3RPF Repeater Committee: [email protected] VE3KFS, Les Lindstrom [email protected] Treasurer: Bill, VA3OL [email protected] VA3GST, John Snasdell-Taylor [email protected] Secretary: Chip, VA3KGB va3kgb@rac .ca VA3KGB, Chip Chapman [email protected] Past-Pres: Tom, VE3UDO [email protected] VE3JCQ, John Wood [email protected] 2009 Committee Chairs Two Meter Net Manager: VE3MNE, Don Gilroy [email protected] VE3CLQ, Bill Nangle [email protected]
P.O. Box 1402 Kingston Ontario K7L 5C6
http://www.ve3kbr.com
VE3KAR The 2nd Repeater is now VE3KBR Operational VE3UEL 147.090(+) MHz VE3KER 146.94(-) MHz
News Kingston Amateur
NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT (Les, VE3KFS)
Tom Lloyd VA3ZE/ VE3UDO
Silent Key
The passing of Tom has really struck the Amateur community here in Kingston as the flood of mail on the Free list has shown.
As a long standing member of the KARC Tom could always be counted on to provide guidance and help to his fellow Amateur. His support and hard work on such club efforts as the repeater, field day, Emergency services and Club picnics to mention just a few, were instrumental in the KARC success over many years. The celebration of Tom's life was very well attended by a majority of KARC members. Thanks to all who were able to attend.
Don't forget the next club meeting on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009
7: 00 pm.
at Smitty's
From the Editor:
This is a much smaller newsletter than you've been getting – not many articles coming in. I sure could use your help with interesting material for future newsletters.
Kingston Amateur News Page 1 WEEKLY NETS: KARC conducts a 2m weekly net on VE3KBR - 146.940 (-) each Tuesday evening at 7:30 P.M. All are welcome to check-in.
SCHEDULE OF NET CONTROLS
April May 07 VE3SIQ 05 VE3MUD
14 VE3KC 12 VE3JPW
21 VE3NFU 19 VE3SIQ
28 VE3VJF 26 VE3KC
If are any conflicts in the schedule please contact Bill at [email protected] and we'll juggle a few things.
The net script has been posted on the Website
FRONTENAC ARES Sunday night net on VE3KBR at 1930 hours. All are welcome to check-in.
FRONTENAC ARES Tuesday HF night net on 3.740 at 2030 hours.
The THIRD MONDAY of every month at 7:00 pm. is the KINGSTON ARES REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING at the Woodbine Firehall, second floor
KARC Web page designed and maintained by: VA3KGB, Chip http://www.ve3kbr.com/ Publication Schedule of the KARC Newsletter will be April 29th, 2009
Kingston Amateur News Page 2 OF INTEREST
SILENT KEY:
Tom, VA3ZE. Tom Lloyd, (May 19, 1929 - March 20, 2009), passed away at the Kingston General Hospital. The Kingston Amateur Radio Club passes on its condolences to his wife, Minnie, and children Jo-Ann and Bill and families.
Tom will be deeply missed by all those who knew him and were on the receiving end of his kindness and friendship.
Tom and daughter, Jo-Ann
December 31, 2008
Kingston Amateur News Page 3 There have been many tributes paid to Tom by members of the Kingston Amateur Radio Club. Too many to include on these pages. Following is one which I received from Steve, VE3KC, which I think represents the thoughts and feelings of all. The others, received, can be read at the end of this newsletter.
Hello everyone:
I am deeply saddened by Tom's death. I first met Tom in April 1992 just after he was licensed. Bill VE3DXY, Tom, me, and Bill VE3NFU, Stu VE3IVX, Bernard VE3NB or Michael VE3PRW - I can't remember which - went to the Pickering Fleamarket in VE3DXY's Volkswagen Diesel. Tom and I became good friends and spent countless hours together working on Club and personal projects, computers, enjoying fishing trips, fleamarkets, etc.
Tom loved amateur radio and he loved helping people. He also loved animals. Those who have known him as long as I did will remember the myriad dogs and cats that were part of his family. And speaking of family, he was enormously proud of his son, daughter and granddaughter. He was looking forward to her wedding this fall and although he won't be there in person, he'll be watching, I'm sure of that.
The Kingston amateur community was better with Tom in it. I have lost a good friend and we as a community have lost a true amateur whom we'll always remember and hold in the highest regard. We are all better because Tom was one of us.
73,
Steve VE3KC
Tom had a friendly helper
Kingston Amateur News Page 4 DXpeditions and Contests for April
Lots more planned DXpeditions for this month, no sign of a recession with the DXpeditions!! Here’s some of them for you to work:
6W/IK4ALM Operating from Senegal, 29 Mar 09 - 09 Mar 09. 40m - 10m. SSB and QRS CW.
PJ2/PA4JJ Operating from the Netherlands Antilles, 01 Apr 09 - 11 Apr 09. All Bands. SSB and CW.
SZ4/PA3EWP Operating from Kenya, 01 Apr 09 - 12 Apr 09. 40m – 10m. SSB and CW.
VX8X Operating from Ellice Island, NWT, 02 Apr 09 - 05 Apr 09. 40m, 20m, and 15m. SSB and CW.
K7XF/KH0 Operating from the Mariana Islands, 3 Apr 09 - 07 Apr 09. 80m – 10m. CW, SSB and RTTY.
G3MXJ/K9N Operating from Norfolk Island, 4 Apr 09 - 14 Apr 09. 40m - 17m. CW only.
VK9XGI Operating from Christmas Island, 04 Apr 09 - 11 Apr 09. All bands. CW and Digital.
OH0/OH2YL Operating from Aland Island, 09 Apr 09 - 14 Apr 09. All bands. CW and SSB.
C91FC Operating from Mozambique, 09 Apr 09 - 13 Apr 09. 80m-10m. SSB, CW and Digital.
XU7MDY Operating from Cambodia, 09 Apr 09 - 21 Apr 09. 80m-10m. CW, SSB and Digital.
SO4R Operating from the Western Sahara, 12 Apr 09 - 17 Apr 09. 160m-10m. SSB, CW and Digital.
5C2A Operating from Morocco, 19 Apr 09 - 25 Apr 09. All bands. CW, SSB, RTTY, and PSK31.
JW/F8DVD Operating from Svalbard, 19 Apr 09 - 25 Apr 09. All bands. CW and SSB.
5W8A Operating from Samoa, 22 Apr 09-24 Apr 09. All bands. CW and SSB.
April Contest Log
RSGB 80m CW Contest. 1900Z – 2030Z April 6th.
RSGB 80m SSB Contest. 1900Z – 2030Z April 15th.
Ontario QSO Party. 1800Z April 18th to 0500 April 19th, and 1200Z to 1800Z April 19th.
Run for the Bacon QRP. 0100Z – 0300Z April 20th.
Nebraska QSO Party. 1700Z April 25th to 1700Z April 26th.
ARRL International DX Contest, SSB. 0000Z Mar 07 – 2400Z Mar 08.
Russian DX Contest. 1200Z Mar 21 – 1200Z Mar 22.
CQ WW WPX Contest. 0000Z Mar 28 – 0000Z Mar 29.
See you on the Bands !!
Kingston Amateur News Page 5 THE KINGTON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB WEB SITE AND THE KARC NEWSLETTER ARE READ BY MORE THAN JUST ITS MEMBERS.
To the VE3KBR membership,
I read with great interest the article on CFS Alert. In 1976 as a contractor I was sent to CFS Alert to install the then new HF 10 KW transmitters (Lancaster Hall) and its HF receiving system (OPS Bldg).
It was my first field assignment when I worked for Harris RF Communications in Rochester, NY. Following that project I did additional projects at T-1 Richardson, CFS Carp, NRS Newport Corner, CFS Debert, NRS Mill Cove, some Naval Detachment in Halifax, CFB Baden, CFB Lahr, St. Johns, NS, Kingston, ONT and other sites across Canada. Oh yes, I taught the (RF 745) 10 KW factory course to the DND instructors at Kingston. Biggest event was the blizzard of 1977..Back then, once the DND inner circle figured out what my past was, and it fact it was verified, I was always warmly welcomed at every DND facility I visited and enjoyed every trip I made to Canada.
Prior to 1976 I was in the US Navy as a Communications Technician Maintenance (E-6) branch. My last active duty station was NAVSECACT Winter Harbor, ME. I worked in the TTY/Crypto area but I was also schooled at Goodfellow AFB on the infamous AN/GSQ-53 station clock. What a time piece that was! Sorry but I don't have any pictures myself to offer you.
Thanks for the trip back down memory lane. It was good reading for me, especially when you know what really went on behind the Green Door.
On the story of Alert, I did spend a lot of time visiting customers within DND and DCEM. I was aware of a lot of those projects.
Regards,
K3SKE Dan Szymanski
Frederick County, MD
Potomac Valley Radio Club
National Capital DX Association
Frederick Amateur Radio Club dxc.k3ske.net
Kingston Amateur News Page 6 My Favorite Phone and Email Scams
by Chip, VA3KGB
Anyone who has a phone, cell phone or Internet access has probably received one or more scam messages. Thank goodness for Caller ID, but that doesn't tell you who the Blocked Name/Blocked Caller ones are. You have to love those ones from 123-4567 and 000-0000 numbers. They just don't get answered.
A quick note on how to protect yourself.
I never give out my bank account, credit card account number, PINs, etc over the phone to an incoming call. And no one gets my PIN numbers whether I phoned/emailed the institution or not. Unless I know who I'm talking/emailing to they don't get any personal information. And I never call back to the phone number they give me unless I know the number is legitimate.
WARNING: Banks etc. will never email or phone you to verify your account security details for example, account number and/or PIN.
Of course there are the calls "representing" the Police Associations, etc, looking for you to buy tickets to their Annual Law Enforcement Hockey Games. They are probably legitimate, however I cannot tell over the phone if they are really from the organization or not as they use call centres and/or persons phoning from home. My standard answer to them is "Sorry, I do not do solicitations over the phone and please remove my name and number from your calling list" or "Please send me an invoice to my address on file." Normally they will advertise if they are running a promotion and I will buy tickets from the arena or the Police Association directly.
If a scammer gets your Credit Card Number, Name and Address, and Phone Number, what's stopping them from purchasing items for themselves over the phone or Internet. Many businesses will only ship credit card ordered items to the address registered on record at the Credit Card company, but others will ship anywhere.
If you give someone your Bank Account Numbers and PINs, they can use them to clean out any money you have in your accounts. Be careful with your personal information.
Enough with the doom and gloom, it's time for my favorites.
Earlier this month, a local Kingston radio station was running advertisements on the air for a company looking for people who had some spare time with Internet access to send send their resumes by email to them. Of course in your resume you probably included personal information such as birth dates, addresses, phone numbers and maybe your Social Insurance Number. What a great place for a scammer to get credit cards, driver licenses etc using your info. The best part of this one was during the next news broadcast, there was a warning from the Police describing this scam exactly including the "send to email address"! That was the last I heard of that advertisement on the radio. I wonder if the advertising invoice was paid or was the radio station scammed into free advertising of the scam!
Of course there are always the ones trying to perk up your sex life, lose weight, pay off your mortgages or ones where you can make lots of money for no real work!
We have all heard of the different variations of the so called Nigerian Scam where someone has millions of dollars held in an account (normally Nigeria, hence the "Nigerian Scam") that they need to get out of the
Kingston Amateur News Page 7 country by transferring it to your account. They will deposit money in your account for your help and services.. note that they also "need your PIN" so they can facilitate the transfer of funds. Whoops, there goes the money out of your accounts!
A new twist I've received lately is from UN Headquarters say that they are aware of the Nigerian Scams and they would like to reimburse you for some of your loss. All they need again is your personal information, account numbers and PIN... Whoops, there goes the money again!
The other year, there was an ad on "Auto trader" for a motorcycle for about 1/3 of the going price. One of the guys from work inquired on the bike and got suspicious when he was emailed back saying he was overseas, but the bike was in Canada, gave info on the history of the bike, and he could send payment through UPS, and he even gave a web page link in the email!. At the same time I was also "thinking" of buying the bike. We had about three of us all from different emails all engaging the same bike seller and getting the same stories but slightly different. The three of us figured it was a scam especially after we checked the UPS web site and saw that it was fake. Our solution to the seller. was that we would send our money in escrow to a lawyer agreed to by both parties. When the lawyer had both the bike and money, he would send the money onwards to the seller and the bike to the buyer. None of us heard from him again.
Then there are the chain emails saying Bill Gates or Microsoft will pay you for every email you send out, especially if you include a certain email to track your emails.
Most institutions have a contact to forward scam emails to, and I did send the ones to the legitimate UN HQ, and UPS. I did receive automated replies from both but don't know whatever happened after that.
Then there are the many emails that seem to be sent by me for various junk or scam email!
If its too good to be true it probably is. Look carefully at web page URL and look at the headers in your emails. The headers will give you a lot of information on the path of the email.
Enjoy the Internet but to quote an old TV police show Sargent from "Hill Street Blues"... "Let's be careful out there!"
Kingston Amateur News Page 8
Kingston Amateur Radio Club, Inc Treasurer’s Report for March 9, 2009 This Month Year to date
(March) (2009)
Membership 100.00 340.00 50/50 Draws 7.00 30.50 Donations (from Tailgate ) 0 0 Net Income from Breakfast 0 0 Other Donations .90 42.40 TOTAL 107.90 412.90
EXPENSES Repeater upgrade 0 525.02 RAC insurance 0 0 Queens Balloon 0 0 Post Box Rental ` 0 0 Newsletter expenses 24.39 24.39 Website Cost 0 136.24 Donation to Communications Museum 0 0 TOTAL EXPENSES 24.39 685.65 NET INCOME (LOSS) 83.51 (272.75) Change in Cash Position March 2009 Opening Balance in Chequing a/c 5593.94 Opening Petty Cash 5.07 5599.01 Ending Balance Chequing a/c 9Mar/09 5669.55
Ending Petty Cash 12.97 5685.52
Net Difference in ‘cash’ account balance 83.51
Submitted by: Bill Rumball, VA3OL, Treasurer, Kingston Amateur Radio Club
Kingston Amateur News Page 9
AGENDA
KINGSTON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC
APRIL 1st, 2009 At Smitty’s Restaurant, back room 7:00 pm.
1. INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS 2. ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS 3. MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING ERRORS/OMMISSIONS 4. TREASURER'S REPORT 5. OLD BUSINESS 6. 50/50 DRAW 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. REPORTS:
a) RAC b) Net Manager - VE3CLQ c) KARC Newsletter d) Web page - VA3KGB e) Any other reports 9. PRESENTATION: (If one has been arranged) 10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 11. ADJOURNMENT
Kingston Amateur News Page 10 MINUTES OF MEETING
OF THE KINGSTON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC
HELD ON Wednesday, 4 March 2009
At SMITTY’S RESTAURANT PRINCESS STREET, KINGSTON, ONTARIO
1. MEETING was called to order at 1900 hrs by the President Les, VE3KFS.
Introduction of members and guests: 22 present. Les, VE3KFS and Chip, VA3KGB, thanked Rob, VE3RPF and Terry, VA3TRM, for doing their duties while they were deployed to Valcartier.
2. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS: Nil
3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: It was moved by Chip, VA3KGB, and seconded by Doug, VE3FFR, that the Minutes be accepted as presented in the Newsletter. Carried
4. TREASURER'S REPORT: It was moved by Bill, VA3OL, and seconded by Michael, VE3PRW, that the Treasurer's report be accepted as presented in the Newsletter. Carried
5. OLD BUSINESS:
a) Amendments to Bylaws: The Amended bylaws were published in the February 2009 Newsletter. At the Club meeting - Article 1 was amended to read "Head office to be located in the Province of Ontario: approved. Article 22: The Executive may propose such By-Laws not contrary to law as may be deemed necessary or expedient for the conduct of the business of the Club and may recommend the repeal, amendment or re- enactment of any such By-Law. Every such By-Law, repeal or amendment shall not be enforced or acted upon until it has been confirmed by the members at a general meeting. Approved. Regulation 5b: Change "Kingston Amateur Radio club Inc." to "the Club". Approved
These are the major amendments made during the meeting. Other minor amendments in clarity or redundancy were made. It was moved by Steve, VE3KC, and seconded by Doug, VE3FFR, that the Bylaws be accepted as published with the above amendments. Carried. Steve, VE3KC, will enter the changes into the document for signatures and posting.
b) Coax Order: Will be in shortly.
Kingston Amateur News Page 11 c) Club Inventory: Bill, VA3OL, has an old list of the Club Inventory. Please send him info if you have any Club equipment.
d) RAC Insurance: A question was raised as to the history of liability claims under the RAC insurance. Les, VE3KFS, will request this information.
e) Repeater Upgrades: Radios are wired and controller being programmed and awaiting liaison to replace the repeaters in location. Don also has a set of cavities that require reworking for the sim metre repeater. Removed repeaters can be kept as backup or emergency repeaters.
f) Ham Course: There are 9 students of which four have paid so far and members of the Club.
6. 50/50 Draw: Steve, VE3KC won $7.00
7. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Amateur of the Year: It was suggested that the Amateur of the Year be re-instituted. Dave, VA3ORP will head the committee.
8. REPORTS:
a) RAC: Steve, VE3KC, will flip the RAC bulletins over to the KARC list.
b) Net Manager: The foul language has not retirned to the next and there has been plenty of chins.
c) Newsletter: Please send any articles directly to Joan
d) Web Page: Any article or links you would like to see on the web page send to Chip, VA3KGB.
e) Adjournment: It was motioned by Bill, Ve3CLQ and seconded by Roy, VE3VJF, that the meeting adjourn at 811pm. Carried
9. PRESENTATION: Dave, VA3ORP, gave a presentation on portable radials, and vertical antennae built with parts from the KARC Green box.
10. ADJOURNMENT: It was motioned by Bill, VE3CLQ, and seconded by Roy, VE3VJF, that the meeting adjourn at 8:11pm. Carried
Kingston Amateur News Page 12 With the posting on the Free list of the death of Tom, VA3ZE, many messages were sent by members who wished to offer their condolences or share their remembrance of Tom. They all follow for your reading and your own thoughts and memories of Tom. This has been a difficult newsletter to prepare. Roy and I have our memories as well. I've asked Roy who will have the bow and arrow now. I always made sure I was in the house when Tom showed up with them. We, also, have lost a good friend. Although the Kingston Amateur Radio Club has lost a friend, a teacher, a willing volunteer and a good man, Tom will not have to face a sentence of suffering and has gone to a better place. He will be deeply missed. REST IN PEACE, TOM
From Bill, VE3NFU
I shall never forget all the help that Tom gave me (and others) with Radio, antennas, computers and the trips we took to Toronto to buy equipment....We shall never forget Tom he was one of a kind...
He was so proud of his new car.....I only hope that he has gone to a better place.
If there is a heaven for Hams ..I'm sure he will be there
From Dave, KB3EFS
KARC,
Tom will ALWAYS be remembered fondly by this Amateur. Back in 2001, if my memory is correct, he was one of the first to QSO with me on 94. Always a pleasant and cheerful "Hi how are you" when he heard my call sign. I have been busy with University level Alternative Energy Systems studies and have not been on the air much at all. Please forward my condolences to the family and know that I grieve with all members of KARC on the loss of a treasured "Elmer" and friend.
Kingston Amateur News Page 13 From Bob, VE1RSM (Formerly VE3GLO)
Club members.
I have just arrived home from a trip to Nova Scotia and I've been reading the emails of the recent passing of Tom. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends. Cancer is one of those illnesses we don't like to hear about. I hope that Tom did not suffer much from this most dreaded disease. I've only known Tom for a few years, but we talked may times via the repeater. It was always a pleasure to see Tom. He was always in high spirits and always greeted you with a smile and a handshake. I am sure Tom was a dear friend to everyone and he will be missed by the KARC community. Not only will the KARC miss him but I am sure the Rifle Club will miss him as well.
From Marilyn and Chip, VA3KGB
I probably met Tom before 1994, however when I moved back to the Kingston area, I got to know him when I joined the Kingston ARC. Over the years I had the pleasure of knowing Tom, and his passion for Amateur Radio, Minnie, his kids, and his various animals. He will be missed. Many words have been expressed over the last few days, on the list, and have described Tom perfectly. Tom was definitely some one to go to and he would help them out.
Although I have said this to Tom in the past, it needs to be said again - THANK YOU TOM!
Marilyn and I send out our condolences to Tom's family and friends.
From Dave, VE3HFX VA3HFX
It is with sadness that I reply to this message. Tom helped me several times and I know he will be missed. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends who will miss him dearly.
From John, VA3GST
I feel extreme sadness to hear of Tom leaving us. I first met Tom in 1997 when he helped me with my Amateur courses, gave me the tests and made me get on the air with 2 meters. He made me talk and he did it with humor.
When I first came home with my call sign and told him what it was he laughed so hard I will never forget it.
Shortly after Tom arrived with his bow & arrow to help me install my G5RV and it is still there.
Tom had a heart of gold and would help anyone in need. This is a very sad time for me.
Kingston Amateur News Page 14 From David, VE3DZE
I had only meet Tom a couple of times before his announcement of illness.
My condolences to his family and friends who will miss him dearly.
From Kim, VA3KDH
Though I am not a member of the club anymore, that doesn't mean I don't think of the members often. I certainly will miss Tom. He helped me when I first got my license and was there when I wrote my test. I stopped off several times at his place and he showed me his ham shack, and shared his love of ham radio. Always sending me email jokes, and had a joke. He will be missed, by one and all, he was a good friend.
From Max, VE3TMT Sad indeed. When I think of Tom, I think of someone who spent most of his time helping others with their ham equipment (purchasing, installing, fixing, debugging, selling). 73
From Phil, VE3HST
Tom really enjoyed amateur radio and all things electronic. He did a lot for KARC and will be sadly missed by everyone.
From Ron, VE3GO
It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Tom, VA3ZE/VE3UDO.
I have known and respected Tom for many years. I respected his concern for other people. He and I travelled to Ottawa to visit the late Debbie Norman after she was ill.
He contributed a great deal to amateur radio and the hunting/fishing community.
Even here in South Carolina, it feels a little more lonely without this friend.
From Phil, VE3HST Tom really enjoyed amateur radio and all things electronic. He did a lot for KARC and will be sadly missed by everyone.
Kingston Amateur News Page 15