Newsletter of the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club Rambler Incorporated

Jan 2018 Edition 55 Page: 1 Celebrating our 60th Anniversary Season of Continuous Service to Ottawa President's Ramblings the candidates or retest some folks INSIDE for higher qualification. I have Happy New Year folks. included all the new radio amateur President’s Ramblings...... 1,3-4 graduates (so far) from the 2017 I hope everybody has survived the Contest Calendar...... 4 good cheer of the festive season OVMRC radio course in this issue with limited weight gain. I trust of the Rambler; if you hear any of Cross Canada C4FM Weekly Net...... 4 also, we were all good boys and our grads on the air, please give OVMRC Repeater Nets...... 4 them a warm welcome. We hope girls in 2017 and got the additions OVMRC HF Nets...... 4 to our ham shack from Santa that to add to this list in the February Restaurant Gatherings...... 5 we were hoping for. I know I’ve issue of the Rambler. already heard a few new rigs on the Local 2 Metre Nets...... 5 air. Distracted Driver Emergency Measures Radio Group ...5 Exemption for Hams: Congratulations Radio Course ...... 5 Thanks John: As many already know, radio The Club’s Christmas Dinner at KS amateurs have been given another 3 Exemption Extended...... 6 on the Keys Restaurant was a great year extension to the specific OVMRC Net Activity Report...... 7 success and a big thanks to John exemption allowing Membership Form...... 8 VA3JYK for organizing the event; operators to hand hold a radio we had almost 40 members and microphone or “radio” while family attend the party. The driving and not be subject to the restaurant put on a nice buffet for penalties of the Ontario distracted Meeting Date us in our own private dining room. driving legislation that otherwise requires “hands free” operation of Wednesday, Jan 17th Radio Course Results: cell phones and other electronic 7:30 P.M. We have now concluded the 2017 devices while operating a motor amateur radio course; over 40 vehicle. You can find the specific Operating CW persons were initially enrolled in references and wording of the September. Some folks dropped exemption included in this issue of out along the way which is par for the Rambler. It is recommended the “course”. We conducted two that if you are going to operate a group examination sessions on mobile , be December 4th and 11th. So far, 25 very cautious and attentive while What you should know besides have taken the test and qualified driving. Also, carry a copy of the Morse code and obtained their call sign, most specific Ontario exemption for achieving Honours and HF operation of amateur radio while Norm, VE3LC operating privileges. We expect to driving and a copy of your amateur Aviation & Space Museum have another examination session in radio certificate to show a law Arrow Class Room January to pick up some more of enforcement (Continued on page 3) Page: 2 Jan 2018 OVMRC Executive and Officers OVMRC Life Members Sponsors 2017-2018 The OVMRC acknowledges the fol- Ernie Jury, VE3EJJ President:: Norm Rashleigh, VE3LC lowing organizations for their support Maurice-André Vigneault, VE3VIG [email protected] of our activities: Ralph Cameron, VE3BBM Vice-President: Barry Allison,VE3NA • KENWOOD ELECTRONICS Doug Carswell, VE3ATY [email protected] CANADA INC., Doreen Morgan, VE3CGO Treasurer: Nicole Boivin, VE3GIQ Mississauga, ON [email protected], • METAL PROS, Secretary: Frank Fullum, VE2KOI “The Small Quantity Metal Shop” OVMRC Repeater [email protected] Ottawa, ON VE3TWO Web site: www.metalpros.com 147.300 Mhz (+) 100 Hz tone Standing Committee FM & Yaesu System Fusion Digital Chairpersons RADIOWORLD TORONTO Operation Web site: www.radioworld.ca Amateur Radio Training & Accredited Examiner: OVMRC Call Signs Norm Rashleigh, VE3LC Visit the OVMRC Store VE3JW [email protected] at Membership: VE3RAM http://www.cafepress.ca/ovmrc Tom Mercer, VE3LJS [email protected] The Rambler is the official newsletter of the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club Incorpo- Radio Operations: rated and is published 10 times a year Ken Evans, VE3EKN (monthly, except for July and August). [email protected], Opinions expressed in the Rambler are Newsletter Editor: those of the authors and not necessarily Ottawa Valley Mobile those of the OVMRC, its officers or its mem- Robert Cherry, VA3AOD Radio Club, Incorporated bers. Permission is granted to republish the [email protected] contents in whole or in part, providing the PO Box 41145 Newsletter Production: source is acknowledged. Commercial use of Ottawa, ON K1G 5K9 the contents is expressly prohibited. Bill Hall, VA3WMH [email protected] www.ovmrc.on.ca Submit articles to the editor or by e-mail to: Webmaster: Robert Cherry, VA3AOD Darin Cowan, VE3OIJ [email protected] [email protected] Repeater Trustee: Norm Rashleigh, VE3LC [email protected] OVMRC Affiliations Events Chair: John McGowan, VA3JYK [email protected] Jan 2018 Page: 3 (Continued from page 1) officer in Antenna Kits: Locate a 2m case you are stopped. Barry, VE3NA reports he will have transmitter exercise: the 20 m antenna kits available at January Meeting – The OVMRC is planning a the January meeting for those that transmitter locating exercise to be Operating CW: placed an order as well as the scheduled for the last weekend of There seems to be a renewed remaining 2 m Slim Jim antenna January. We intend to plant, interest by some local amateurs to kits ordered but not yet picked up somewhere in Ottawa, one of the develop proficiency in operating by folks previously. If you ordered Club’s 2 m, 15 mW beacon CW (Morse code); this especially, one of these kits, be prepared at the transmitters and set it transmitting nowadays, when Morse proficiency January meeting with the necessary on a yet to be determined frequency is no longer a requirement to obtain funds for pay for it by cash or by starting around 7 am local time an amateur radio ticket. CW, of cheque payable to the OVMRC. Saturday January 27th and ending course, is still alive and well in The cost of the Slim-Jim is $25, the th amateur radio and comes out in full 20 m antenna kit comes out at $37. Sunday evening January 28 . The force when there are CW exclusive Barry also as some BNC to SMA beacon will modulate in FM MCW contests. It remains the best way to (male and female) adapters with the call sign VE3RAM. The make a lot of quick contacts when available for $6 a pair. means of locating the transmitter the exchange information is simple will be either a matter of as there is never a need to clarify Intruders on 2m: triangulation using directional CW characters as there is with I received an email from Dave, antennas from several different voice using phonetics. In Canada, VE3KMV to be on the outlook for locations or by driving about trying we still have a Morse qualification *intruders* on the 2 m band. Dave to zero in on the location. The test available for those that want a has been hearing signals on 145.000 triangulation method may be done bit of prestige with another MHz again probably from non- individually or by two or more qualification element on their hams as no call signs were used and folks working as teams from their Amateur Radio Certificate. It also on a frequency not likely used by home QTH. We will expand on the buys the candidate HF operating hams for simplex activity. The details for this exercise at the privileges for folks that didn’t conversations heard were all about January meeting. obtain 80% or more on their Basic snowmobiling and trails. We’ve exam. If anybody wants to take the also been hearing lately what RAC Winter Contest: Morse exam, let me know and I’d appears to be intentional disruptive I casually participated in the RAC be glad to test you. Refer to RIC 1, signals interfering with net activity winter contest (Dec 30th) making section 6, for examination details. on VE2CRA, VE3MPC and contacts using mostly CW on 160, VE3TWO. It was becoming so bad 80, 40 and 20 metres with a few With Operating CW as a topic, I on VE2CRA that the repeater has local contacts on 15. Ten metres will be giving a tutorial been turned off except for net was dead. There seemed to be a lot presentation at our January 17th activities. Let’s all be active of popularity in the contest this year meeting about the many aspects of observers of our amateur radio from Americans especially looking using Morse (CW) such as smart bands and log, record and report the for the provincial and territorial phone apps available to learn and details of anything believed to be “RAC” stations that were active practice the code, types of straight intrusion or deliberate interference during the contest. This was the and automatic keys and keyers, on our amateur allocations. It last chance in the year to log these Morse abbreviations, prosigns, would be nice to have some special stations call signs for the computer assisted sending and volunteer come forward to be the RAC Canada 150 Certificate receiving code, CW contest receiver and tabulator of these Award. I managed to log 11 out a operation and operating CW reports for the Club. In the mean total 14 RAC stations during the without (necessarily) knowing a time, if you hear anything year. “dit”. untoward, let me know: [email protected] (Continued on page 4) Page: 4 Jan 2018 Return to the Museum of Two metre frequencies hams within range of the and : for Wires X nodes: radio. The potential problem A meeting has been scheduled for A number of folks in the Ottawa becomes, if the take up of deploying these nodes becomes January 11th with the folks at the area are purchasing the Yaesu HRI‑200 Linking node wide spread in an urban area and Museum of Science and especially if these nodes are left Technology to discuss the return of boxes to enable access of Yaesu C4FM digital voice radios with active on a popular worldwide OVMRC operations to the network talk group called a “room” renovated premises on St Laurent. others using the same technology worldwide. Ideally, this type we will soon run into frequency At the present time, our agreement sharing conflict without proper with the Aviation Museum linking should be done through compatible Yaesu repeaters on coordination. This problem is now terminates with our January 17 being actively discussed in the meeting but this can be extended if coordinated repeater duplex paired frequencies. However, equally, this Ottawa area. We will have more to necessary. We will have more to report at a future OVMRC meeting. report on this when details are technology can be applied to setup worked out with the Museum. a “personal” node that can operate So, that is about it for now; hope to Ensure you consult ovmrc.on.ca to on a simplex frequency to provide see you all at the January meeting see where our February meeting access to the Wires X network that of the OVMRC. will be conducted. not only provides access by the node operator but also to other 73 de Norm [email protected] Contest Calendar For all contest information goto: hornucopia.com/contestcal/ Jan 20-22 — ARRL January VHF Contest, arrl.org/january-vhf Jan 26 – 28 — CQ World Wide 160 Metre CW Contest, cq160.com/rules.htm Feb 10 – 11 — CQ World Wide RTTY WPX Contest, cqwpxrtty.com/rules.htm Feb 17 – 18 — ARRL International DX Contest CW, arrl.org/arrl-dx Feb 23 – 25 — CQ World Wide 160 Metre SSB Contest, cq160.com/rules.htm OVMRC Repeater VE3TWO : 147.300 MHz +600 kHz, 100 Hz Tone and Yaesu C4FM Digital Voice OVMRC HF Nets VE3TWO Scheduled Nets: • Pot Hole SSB Net, 3760 kHz, every Sunday • Wednesday Evenings, 9 PM, Across Canada Net, morning at 10 AM conducted by Ernie VE3EJJ or C4FM Digital Voice facilitated by Denis, VE3BF. Glenn VE3XRA • Thursday Evenings, 8 PM, Club Net on FM • Pot Lid Slow Speed CW Net, 3620 kHz, every conducted by Ken, VE3EKN. Sunday morning at 11 AM conducted by Roger VE3XRR • Sunday Evenings, 8 PM, Ottawa C4FM Digital Voice Round Table Net. Jan 2018 Page: 5 Informal Amateur Radio Other Local 2 Metre Repeater Restaurant Gatherings Nets: (all check-ins welcome) (All are welcome) • Rubber Boot Net, VE3MPC 147.150 +, work day • QCWA Chapter 70 breakfast gathering every mornings at 7:30 AM conducted by Mike, VA3TJP Tuesday morning at 7:30 to 10 am, Summerhays • Phoenix Net, VE3MPC 147.150 +(now with Grill, 1972 Baseline Rd., Nepean 100 Hz tone), Tuesday evenings at 8 PM conducted • Orleans Coffee gathering every Friday morning by Pete, VE3XEM at 9 AM, McDonalds, 2643 St. Joseph Blvd, Orleans • QCWA Chapter 70 Net, VE3MPC 147.150 + (now with 100 Hz tone), Monday evening at 7:30 PM • QRP Group Dinner meeting, 2nd Wednesday conducted by John, VE3ZOV every month, 5 PM, Newport Restaurant, 322 Churchill Ave N., Ottawa@ • Capital City FM Net, VE2CRA 146.940 Mhz, – (100 Hz tone), Monday evenings at 8 PM • Phoenix Net monthly Breakfast gathering, usually the second Saturday every month at 9 AM, T-Basil • Champlain Mini Net, VE3STP 147.060 – (114.8 Restaurant, 2440 St Joseph Blvd, Orleans. (get on Hz tone), every evening at 6:45 PM Pete VE3XEM’s mailing@ list for monthly reminder) • Upper Frequency Net, Simplex 144.250 MHz Emergency Measures using USB, Tuesdays evenings at 9 PM conducted by Glenn VE3XRA. Following check in on 2 m you can Radio Group: (EMRG) check your radios on 6 m at 50.150 MHz and 70 cm Monthly Repeater Tests are conducted by Dave on 432.150 MHz as well using USB. All check ins VE3KMV on the first Wednesday of each month at 8 are welcome. pm on VE3OCE 146.880 MHz – (136.5 Hz tone). From initial contact on VE3OCE, you’ll be asked to test VE3EMV/East 146.985 MHz – (100 Hz tone), VE3EMV/West 145.210 MHz – (123 Hz tone), VE3OFS 146.670 MHz – (123 Hz tone) and VE3OCE 443.8000 MHz + (136.5 Hz tone). It is advisable that all the EMRG frequencies be programmed into your radio. All check ins are welcome. emrg.ca/repeaters.htm Congratulations Adam...... VA3PEE Congratulations for the following Michael...... VE3CUD successful graduates of the Christina...... VE3CUQ OVMRC Radio Course – give Tig...... VE3FWS them a warm welcome On-Air Alan...... VE3VTT Nicole...... VA3NCI Marcellus...... VE3MSL Tony...... VE3ESB Chuck...... VE3WCZ Kenny...... VE3KWT John...... VE3XWA Jacques...... VA3JBI Benjamin...... VE3BXY Anton...... VE3NZL Gopal...... VA3GAK Alan...... VE3KAE John...... VE3JHP We hope to add to this list; several Andre...... VA3CHH Roger...... VA3EGY candidates have deferred their test Joanne...... VA3LEK David...... VA3NIE to the next examination session. Sylvain...... VE3SGG Ryan...... VA3RYD Jean-Paul...... VA3ICI Steve...... VA3BFZ Page: 6 Jan 2018 Exemption Extended matter with the Ontario Ministry of to his or her clothing and is another 3 Years for Hand Transport and securing yet another linked to a hand-held Holding Radio exemption to allow the use of communication Amateur Radio equipment to the device to make, answer or Microphone for Ontario general provisions of the distracted end a cell phone call or to Amateurs while Driving. drive legislation that makes it transmit or receive voice Regulation (366/09) under the unlawful to hand hold communication on a two- Highway Traffic Act of Ontario communications equipment such way radio or a hand provides exemptions to the as cell phones while driving. microphone or portable Distracted Driving legislation radio. O. Reg. 366/09, s. governing “Display Screens and Radio Amateurs should also be 14 (2). Hand-Held Devices. Along with mindful there is another exemption several exemptions permitting the to Regulation (366/09) that is not Radio Amateurs should follow use of 2-way radio equipment with “time limited” and would still what is specified in this exemption hand-held microphones while permit the use of amateur radio regarding the installation of their driving for public safety and equipment in a hands-free manner equipment in the vehicle so that the commercial operations, there has if and when the specific exemption mobile 2-way radio is mounted been in place a “time limited” for Amateur Radio is revoked in securely and that it can be seen exemption for “Amateur Radio”, the future, specifically: with a quick glance. Indeed, this since the enactment of the exemption should permit the legislation specifically: Exemption for pressing continued use of amateur radio buttons equipment by using a hands-free Time-limited exemption for microphone such as coupling into 14. (1) A person may amateur radio operators the vehicle’s blue-tooth talk and drive a motor vehicle on a listen system and activating the 13. (1) Drivers who highway while pressing a radio PTT with a physically hold a valid radio operator button on a hand-held mounted or body worn toggle or certificate issued under the wireless communication push button switch. Radiocommunication Act device to make, answer or (Canada) may drive a end a cell phone call or to It is advisable for Radio Amateurs motor vehicle on a highway transmit or receive voice to have a printed copy of their while holding or using a communication on a two- amateur radio certificate and the two-way radio. O. Reg. way radio if the device is exemptions regarding the use of 366/09, s. 13 (1), O. Reg. placed securely in or amateur radio equipment while 253/12, s. 3 (1). mounted to the motor driving in case they are stopped by vehicle so that it does not law enforcement for a perceived This exemption was to expire at move while the vehicle is in distracted driving infraction. the end of 2017 but fortunately for motion and the driver can Amateur Radio mobile operations, see it at a quick glance and To download the entire Ontario this exemption has been extended easily reach it without Regulation 366/09 go to: to now expire on Jan 1, 2021. The adjusting his or her driving ontario.ca/laws/regulation/090366 current 3 years extension of the position. O. Reg. 366/09, s. exemption is the third time the 14 (1). - Norm VE3LC exemption has been extended and it remains to be seen if there will (2) A person may drive be a further extension beyond a motor vehicle on a 2021. We can give credit to Radio highway while pressing a Amateurs of Canada Ontario button on a device that is directors, Allan Boyd VE3AJB and worn on his or her head or Phil McBride VA3QR for hung over or placed inside representing radio amateurs on this his or her ear or is attached Jan 2018 Page: 7

OVMRC Net Activity, Check-ins during the last month Prepared by: Ken Evans, VE3EKN OVMRC 2 Metre Net, VE3TWO 147.300+ 100 Hz tone, Thursdays 8 pm local

November 30 December 7 December 14 December 21 December 28 VE3LC VE3RUU VE3DHE VE3DHE VE3RUU VA3ZTF VE3LC VE3LC VE3LC VE3LC VA2EEK VE3TSC VE3KTN VA3ORL VE3XZT VE3BF VE3LBU VE3NA VA3SPV VA3ZTF VE3KLT VE3DHE VA3QV VE3BF VE3LBU VE3NA VA2EEK VA3ORL VE3NA VA3SPV VE3GIQ VE3GIQ VE3RXH VE3RUU VE3ZZU VE3TSC VA3SPV VA3SPV VA3ZTF VE3NA VE3RXH VE3ZZU VE3ZZU VE3LBU VE3KAE VE3BOE VE3NA VE3BF VA3JYK VA3JPX VA3JYK VA3JYK VA2EEK VE3TSC VE3KLT VE3KTN VA3ORL VE3LPH VE3HVB VA3BGO VA3JPX VE3HAZ VE3TSC VE3KAE VE3VIG VA3ORL VA3HWA/P VE2BJZ VE3ZZU VE3EKN VE3LBU VA3RLA VE3VIG VE3KLT VA3SPV VA3ZTF VE3OKD VE3TXB VE3ZZU VE3BF VA3JYK VE3VIG VA3AOD VE3KTN VE3EKN VE3EJJ VE3EKN VE3VIG VE3LJS VE3BOE VE3EKN VE2BJZ VE3XZT VE3XQQ VE3EKN

OVMRC POT HOLE NET – Check-ins last month 3760 kHz SSB Sunday mornings at 10 am local

December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24 December 31 VA3BGO VA3ZTF VA3QV VE3RIP VA3BGO VE3BAE VE3BF VE3EJJ VA3ZTF VA3UW VE3EJJ VE3KTN VA3ZTF VE3BF VE3LC VA3ZTF VA3QV VE3BF VE3LC VE3BF VE3KTN VE3XRA VE3LC VA3QV VE3EKN VE3BF VE3BOE VA3PCJ VE3EKN VE3BOE VE3EKN VE3EKN VE3EKN VA3BGO VE3KTN VE3LC VE3LC VE3KTN VE2HOG VE2HOG VE3RIP VE3EJJ VE2HOG VA3PCJ VE3EJJ VE3XRA VE3XRA VA3UW VE3NA VE3EJJ

Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club, Incorporated MEMBERSHIP FORM PO Box 41145 Ottawa, ON K1G 5K9

 The membership year starts 1 September, and runs until 31 August of the following year.  Regular membership is open to licensed amateurs.  Associate membership is open to all unlicensed radio enthusiasts.  Membership includes a digital subscription to the club newsletter, the OVMRC Rambler.

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