RAC Bulletin 120922

RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for September 22, 2012

NATIONAL NEWS

1. Radio Amateur Chris Hadfield VA3OOG to command ISS
The BBC reports that astronaut Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG will be the first Canadian to command the ISS. His big moment will begin when he launches to the station on a Soyuz rocket at the end of this year. For three months, the 52-year-old will serve as a flight engineer in the Expedition 34 crew.
Then, in March 2013, he will assume command of Expedition 35 for three months, before returning to Earth in his Soyuz capsule.
Read the full BBC story at the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-170925462.

ONTARIO SECTION NEWS

2. Ontario Amateurs Represented at POINT Meeting
Representing the new Ontario Provincial Council, Ontario-South Section Manager Ian Snow VA3QT attended the Province of Ontario Interoperability Task Group (POINT) on Sept 18th. POINT is a steering group composed of emergency management stakeholders drawn from Ontario ministries, municipal governments, and professional associations. On Sept 19th Ian was joined by Scott Carter VE3CGN, Ontario SEC at the Canadian Interoperability Technical Investigation Group (CITIG) meeting where presentations were given on progress towards standard operating procedures. The emphasis at this time is on common practices rather than technical specifications for future communication systems.

ONS Section Manager - Ian Snow, VA3QT

ITEMS OF INTEREST

3. Republic of Kosovo - On The Air!
On September 17th, shortly after 1700z, international and local ops started operating as Z60K from near Pristina, Kosovo on both 20 and 17m SSB. Operators included Emil/9A9A, Bob/MD0CCE, Martti/OH2BH and
Pekka/OH2TA. Local TV recorded the moment live on air. QSL via G3TXF.
-Southgate Amateur Radio News.

4. K3EST RETIRES FROM DIRECTOR OF CQWW DX CONTEST

CQ Magazine has announced that Bob Cox, K3EST, has retired as Director of the CQ World Wide DX Contest and as CQ's Director of Contesting. Cox has been at the helm of the CQ World Wide DX contest for 35 years. During his tenure he guided the competition through numerous changes in technology
and growth to become the world's most popular amateur radio contest. Cox's retirement is effective immediately. A successor has not yet been named. (CQ)