RAC Bulletin 110813

 RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for August 13, 2011

NATIONAL NEWS

1. Industry Canada Responds to 60M Request

At the last Advisory Board meeting between RAC and Industry Canada,
RAC discussed its request for certain frequencies in the 60 metre (5
MHz) band to be assigned to the amateur service in Canada. Industry
Canada has now informed RAC that at this point it sees no reason not
to respond favourably to the RAC request for those frequencies on a
no protection, non-interference basis. Public consultation will
begin shortly; if all goes well, Canadian amateurs could gain access
to 60m frequencies some time this fall.

-- RAC Bulletin Service

2. Deputy Director Appointed

At the recent RAC Annual General Meeting, Atlantic Director Everett
Price, VO1DK, announced the appointment of Len Morgan, VE9MY, to the
newly created position of Deputy Director for the Atlantic Region.

The position of Deputy Director was approved by the membership at
the Halifax AGM in 2010 and subsequently approved by the federal
government in February 2011. The Deputy differs from the position of
Assistant Director in that he fullfills the duties of Director when
the Director is not available, and serves as an observer at Board
meetings.

-- RAC Bulletin Service

3. RAC Task Force Seeks Driving Exemption

At its Annual General Meeting, RAC announced the formation of task
force to seek a permanent exemption for Ontario Amateurs from the ban
on operating mobile devices in a vehicle.

The Task Force has already obtained letters of support from groups
that we assist ranging from hospitals, communities, agencies and
NGO's. These letters will be presented to Kathleen Wynne, Ontario's
Minister of Transportation, as part of our case that Amateur Radio
operators in Ontario should be exempt from the Distracted Driving
regulation.

If you would like to submit a letter of support from an external
group to the RAC Task Force, please contact the chair Bill Unger,
VE3XT, at ve3xt (at) rac.ca.

-- RAC Bulletin Service

ONTARIO SECTION NEWS

4. Killarney District ARES Activities

In July, the Manitoulin Amateur Radio Club's "pot-luck" picnic was
attended by 68 amateurs from around the province. The club's ARES
members provided communications for the Annual Haweater's Parade. And
the Club ARES program has received an anonymous donation of a
complete portable VHF radio station including a 33` telescopic mast
and antenna plus other items.

Sudbury's recent Field Day, attended by CEMC Lynn Fortin, has
garnered more interest and support from Greater Sudbury's Emergency
Management section. She was impressed with our radio capabilities and
the enthusiasm of our members.

-- Stiig Larsen, VE3LBX, Killarney DEC

ITEMS OF INTEREST

5. "Junk in the Trunk" Fleamarket

The 3rd annual Ontario Swap Shop "Giant Loonie/Twoonie Junk in the
Trunk Outdoor Ham Radio Fleamarket" will be held Saturday, August 27,
in the parking lot of the Newmarket Theatre, 505 Pickering Crescent,
in Newmarket. Open to all at 7:30 am; talk-in on 146.520 simplex.
For more information visit www.ontarioswapshop.com.

-- RAC Events Database