RAC Bulletin 120107

RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for January 7, 2012

NATIONAL NEWS

1. Operators Needed for Canadian Ski Marathon

The 46th Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM) will be held on February 11-12
in Western Quebec and the Ottawa Valley. The CSM depends on ham
radio volunteers to provide important and timely safety and
logistical communication. We're looking for volunteers right now.

For more information see the amateur radio CSM web page at
www.radio-1.ca. If you would like to volunteer this year, please
email Harold VA3UNK, radio1 (at) admin2 (dot) ca.

-- RAC Bulletin Service

ONTARIO SECTION NEWS

2. Section Traffic Manager Wanted

Ontario Section is currently looking for a volunteer to be Section
Traffic Manager. The STM is appointed by the Section Manager to
supervise and coordinate the traffic-handling efforts within the
section, regardless of mode or National Traffic System affiliation.
The STM must be a full RAC member and should be familiar with traffic
handling on all modes. The duties of the STM are described at
www.rac.ca/fieldorg/fsd251r.htm. Please contact the outgoing STM,
Glenn Killam VE3GNA, or the Section Manager if you are willing to
help.

-- Glenn Killam, VE3GNA, STM

ITEMS OF INTEREST

3. SSTV Handbook On-Line

Martin Bruchanov OK2MNM has made his new book "Image Communication
on Short Waves" available free on the web. You can either read it
online or download the chapters in PDF format. Find it at
www.sstv-handbook.com

-- AMSAT News Service

4. AMSAT-Francophone

AMSAT-Francophone is the name of a new organization that hopes to
replace AMSAT-France which was dissolved in late 2011. Formed in
late December, AMSAT-Francophone aims to include French-speaking
countries in the development of amateur satellites and their
technology and systems, and participation in national and
international non-commercial projects in space. Their website is
www.amsat-f.org, or read it in Google translated English at
tinyurl.com/AMSAT-Francophone.

-- Amateur Radio Newsline

5. OPERA Transatlantic on 137 kHz

Joe Craig, VO1NA , has successfully received an OPERA digital
transmission on 137.5 kHz from station G4WGT, a distance of 3500 km.
G4WGT was running no more than 400 watts to a 12 meter top loaded
vertical, for an estimated ERP of no more than 250 milliwatts.

OPERA is a low speed digital mode that uses only on/off keying. It
requires only a CW transmitter, unlike other modes that require
modulation or frequency shift keying.

-- Southgate Amateur Radio News