RAC Bulletin 110122

RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for January 22, 2011
NATIONAL NEWS
1. VA3DM appointed Special Advisor
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Doug Mein VA3DM,
Special Advisor to the Radio Amateurs of Canada Field Organization.
Doug's focus will be with strategic matters that affect the Radio
Amateurs of Canada Field Organization nationally.
Doug has an extensive background and is retired from Transport
Canada  after 33 years of service. During the Sept. 11 attacks on the
United States, Doug was Director of Transport Canada's Air Navigation
Services and Airspace Branch in Ottawa, playing a key role in
coordinating department operations and taking decisive action on
behalf of the Canadian Government. Doug was also the chief architect
behind the creation of NAV Canada. I know that you will all join me
in welcoming Doug.
-- Doug Mercer VO1DTM, RAC VP Field Services

ONTARIO SECTION NEWS

ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Applications Open for Amateur Radio Scholarships
The non-profit Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) is now accepting
applications for 48 scholarships for the academic year 2011-2012 to
assist radio amateurs pursuing higher education. Non-US residents are
eligible for some of the scholarships.  More information and an
application form may be found at the FAR website, www.farweb.org.
Applications must be received by March 31, 2011.
-- ARRL Web
3. NASA Seeking Hams' Help
NASA is asking hams around the world to listen for the beacon from
the NanoSail-D nanosatellite, which was ejected January 19th from the
larger FASTSAT.  Nanosail-D is supposed to deploy a solar sail after
three days in orbit. Hams who monitor the 437.270 MHz beacon are
asked to send reports to nanosaild.engr.scu.edu/dashboard.htm.  For
more information visit tinyurl.com/5sarz53 (Five Sierra Alpha Romeo
Zulu Five Three)
-- CQ Bulletin Service
4. Winter QRP Fox Hunts
A QRP Fox Hunt is 90 minute event during which low-power (QRP)
stations, or "Hounds," attempt to make contact with specific QRP
stations designated as the "Foxes." This winter the fox hunts are
held every Tuesday evening on 80m CW, and every Thursday evening on
40m CW, from 9 pm to 10:29 pm Eastern time.  For more information see
www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm
-- via Glenn Killam, VE3GNA
5. Scientists Model Ionosphere F-Region
Scientists at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory have developed
SAMI3, a three-dimensional simulation model of the low- to mid-
latitude ionosphere, and are using it to study anomalies in the
equatorial F region. The F-region is home to the F-layer, which is
the layer of the ionosphere most important for HF DX propagation.
Better ionospheric models may lead to better propagation forecasts.
-- ScienceDaily.com, via Austin VE3NCQ