RAC Bulletin 120825

RAC Ontario Section Bulletin for August 25, 2012

NATIONAL NEWS

1. Question Bank Updates

Radio Amateurs of Canada and Industry Canada are undertaking a
review of exam questions in the Basic and Advanced qualifications.
We welcome suggestions and comments from Amateur Radio Operators, on
the following topics:

a. What questions are not technically correct in the current exams?
b. Which questions are no longer relevant to the Amateur Radio
Service and should be removed?
c. Which topics should be added to the exams to replace older
questions?

Submissions should be received by RAC by August 31st, 2012. For
more information visit the RAC Blog, blog.rac.ca

-- RAC Bulletin Service

2. Amendment to Quebec Cell Phone Ban

On June 6th, the Quebec Legislature amended their ban on using cell
phones while driving, to specifically exclude "a two-way radio, that
is to say a cordless voice communication device which does not allow
the parties to speak simultaneously." The legislation also
authorizes the Minister of Transport to grant additional exemptions.

Radio Amateur du Quebec (RAQI) is proud to have contributed, by its
representations to the authorities concerned, to this clarification
of the law, permitting all Quebec radio amateurs to continue to use
their mobile communications equipment in their vehicles as they
always have.

-- RAC Bulletin Service

3. Non-Amateur Use of Frequency in BC

During the Canadian Paragliding National Championships, from August
5th to 12th in Pemberton, BC, the organizers stated that all
participants must use a VHF radio tuned to 146.415 MHz. Amateur
operators are the primary user of this allocation, and RAC expressed
to Industry Canada its concerns about incursion by non-authorized
users.

Industry Canada has notified the group that use of Amateur Radio
Frequencies by persons who are not in possession of a valid Amateur
Radio Operator's Certificate is not permitted. The group has assured
Industry Canada that all participants who used the channel were
properly licensed, and has added a notice to their website indicating
this requirement.

-- RAC Bulletin Service

ONTARIO SECTION NEWS

ITEMS OF INTEREST

4. Alouette Special Events

From September 1 to September 30, special call sign CK3A will
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Alouette, the first Canadian
satellite. QSL via VE3JPP.

Also commemorating Alouette is special call sign CG3X, from September
29 to October 28. QSL via VE3ZUP. Alouette 1 was launched on
September 29, 1962, and was switched off after 10 years of
operation. It is still in orbit.

-- RAC Special Events Database

5. Ottawa Hamfest

The Ottawa Amateur Radio Club will hold its 16th Annual Hamfest on
Saturday, September 8, at the Carp Agricultural Fairgrounds, W. E.
Johnston Arena, at 3832 Carp Road (near Falldown Lane) in Carp.
Tailgaters open at 8 am, indoor fleamarket at 9 am. Talk-in on VE2CRA
repeater, 146.94 (-), 100 Hz tone. Following the fleamarket, the OARC
is proud to sponsor the RAC Forum and Technology Update. For more
information visit www.oarc.net/fleamarket

-- RAC Events Database