RAC Bulletin 2009-02-21

RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for February 21, 2009
NATIONAL NEWS

ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
1. Basic Licence Course in Owen Sound
The Georgian Bay Amateur Radio Club will hold a two-day Basic Amateur
Radio License course on April 11 and 25, at the O.S.C.V.I. Secondary
School in Owen Sound.  The course runs 8 am to 4 pm both Saturdays.
There is a discount for students. For more information visit
www.greynet.net/~gbarc
-- Dan Caldwell, VE3CLD

ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. Canadian Elementary School Contacts International Space Station
On Tuesday, January 27, Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, participated in an
ARISS contact with students attending Castor Valley Elementary
School in Greely, Ontario, Canada. He answered all 16 questions
posed to him by the youth as an audience of 750 students, parents
and guests looked  on. The students initiated the contact, thanked
Mike for the contact midway through the session, and finished the
rest of the questions.  Media covered the event and the school was
featured on the CTV 6 o'clock news.
-- AMSAT News Service
3. Oklahoma Hams Warn of Oncoming Tornadoes
A rare winter tornado struck Oklahoma around dinner time on Tuesday,
February 10. According to various news reports, Oklahoma officials
credited Amateur Radio operators with spotting the tornadoes and
relaying the information to the National Weather Service.
For the full story visit tinyurl.com/d8c2zn (Delta Eight Charlie Two
Zulu November)
-- ARRL Web
4. CW Skimmer allowed for ARRL Contests  
Following months of review, the ARRL has decided to allow the use of
the controversial CW Skimmer program, but only for multi-ops and
single operators using assistance in ARRL contests. This decision
mirrors a similar one made last year by the CQ WW DX Contest. The
ARRL decision means that all major contests have now dealt with the
CW Skimmer issue.
-- RSGB News