Oakville Amateur Radio Club

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Ham of the Year Mike Brown VA3GRL
Final touches to Peter's beam
High quality, low price QSL cards. Free design, fast shipping, excellent customer service. For more information please visit www.qslcanada.com or contact me by an email at ve3axc@gmail.com. 20% discount for OARC club members.
Welcome to the Oakville Amateur Radio Club. Find out all about Oakville's Amateur Radio community on this site, and join us!
From shortwave, VHF, UHF, satellite, APRS, packet radio, Radio Amateurs Canada to moonbounce: you name it, radio hams do it. Emergencies? We help handle them.

The Oakville Amateur Radio Club (OARC), is the resource for local Radio Amateurs and offers Club repeaters, weekly meetings and breakfasts and technical assistance.

Fact of the Day

UPDATE ON BILL 118 05-05-2009 6:25 PM

To All Ontario Amateur Radio Club Contacts:

PLEASE E-MAIL THIS MESSAGE TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL CLUB MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATED GROUPS

Please be advised that after consultation with other affected groups that use amateur radio mobile equipment and following a helpful and friendly discussion with Ontario Ministry of Transportation staff Radio Amateurs of Canada has recommended on the RAC blog that all Ontario amateurs offer their personal comments to the government consultation website in regards to Bill 118 which could have a negative impact on the use of amateur radio equipment in moving vehicles. See the RAC Blog for details.http://www.racblog.wordpress.com

The web address to read the Bill as it stands today is http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/quickSearch.do?searchType=current

At the bottom of that page is a link to a comments page.

This would be the time to encourage all Ontario amateurs to comment prior to the June 17th deadline.

73

Peter West - VE3HG
905-616-5639
ve3hg@rac.ca
Vice-President, Public Relations
Radio Amateurs of Canada
http://www.racblog.wordpress.com

UPDATE ON BILL 118 27-04-2009 5:35 PM

Ontario's Bill 118 passed it's third reading this week.

The following is an update from those involved in the process on behalf of Canadian Amateurs.
Please go to http://www.racblog.wordpress.com to keep updated on the progress of this bill.

Hi Vince, Thanks for the kind words about the Radio Amateurs of Canada blog at www.racblog.wordpress.com

As its moderator, it's my intention to use the blog to create a national online conversation among all hams whether or not they are members of RAC.

To that end I am inviting comments or postings from hams across Canada. I'd invite everyone who is interested in ham radio in Canada to drop by on a weekly basis and read what's new.

In regards to Bill 118, the most recent information I can offer right now is we -- read that to mean me :) are in talks with Ministry of Transport staff this month. These are the folks who are creating the wording which will create exemptions to the Bill. They appear to be very sympathetic to our request for an exemption. We are also gathering information about those MPPs who are in support of exemptions and who are not. Comments made by the minister and other members to the news media right now should not be consider the final word as there are many, many ordinary folks unhappy to have their cell phone behavior curtailed by legislation. This creates a political problem for the MPPs who are bearing the brunt of the calls and emails. Now wouldn't be a great time to go and ask them directly for their support for an exemption for amateur radio use. Our thought is to let the public get used to the idea (this is part of the reason for the government delaying the implementation) and for us to work with the staff in the crafting of wording that would work for us and the ministry.

I'm encouraged by the exemptions won by hams who worked together in other jurisdictions (Hawaii being the most recent) and I am confident we can do the same here in Ontario.

Thanks again Vince. You're doing great work here on behalf of all Ontario hams.

73

Peter West - VE3HG
905-616-5639
ve3hg@rac.ca
Vice-President, Public Relations
Radio Amateurs of Canada

-----Original Message-----
From: Vince d'Eon [mailto:vince@vincedeon.com]
Sent: April 24, 2009 11:45 AM
To: 'AJ'; 'Barbara Elliot'; 'Brian Kremer'; 'Jeff Richardson VA3QSL'; 'NARC
News Letter'; ve3hpl@rac.ca; exec@hamiltonarc.ca
Cc: ve3hg@rac.ca; va3qv@rac.ca
Subject: Bill 118 passed third reading this week

Folks,
For immediate distribution to your memberships.

-------
Fellow Ontario Amateurs,
I was approached by many of you at recent HamFests in Brampton and Whitby talking to me about Bill 118. I appreciate your thanks and your commentary for my efforts thus far. As a witness to the 118 committee, I had help in the background to write up the presentation I gave, and many thanks to Peter, Andy and the others for their input and wordsmithing.

Ontario's Bill 118 passed it's third reading this week. This is the legislation that tells us to put down our hand-held communications devices and drive. This was an expected event and on the heels of it's sister regulation, Bill 126. According to the media and RAC, Bill 118 is expected to have royal assent and become law this autumn.

Yet there is not a current specific exemption for Radio Amateurs. The *ONLY* exemption within 118 is for Emergency First Responders. There is a hint within the bill that states the Minister may make regulations "prescribing the devices" and "prescribing persons, classes of persons, devices, activities..." -- and this is where our hopeful exemption clauses will fit in. While I am not a lawyer nor a lawmaker, it makes better sense to me to have the exemptions as a small "plug-in-module" (pardon the term) that can easily be opened and closed for change rather than re-opening a much larger piece of legislation such as 118.

VA3QV's weblog http://va3qv.wordpress.com/ has also been following this issue and is offering commentary.

For me the issue is clearly a loss of our Federally Granted Priviledges, but also the lack of clarity around enforcement and definition of a "hand-held device". When I witnessed to committee I brought along a mobile VHF radio and a handi-talkie. I pointed out the potential for confusion during enforcement on what exactly constitutes hand-held electronics. As Hams we all know that a Microphone is a hand-held electronic device used for communicating despite the fact that it's connected to a larger radio. Perhaps I'm taking the point to an extreme, but what I tried to point out was that the legislation needed better definition so that enforcement wasn't an issue. VA3QV's blog also agrees that enforcement is currently a challenge given the current wording. One of the MPPs on committee asked me to propose better wording, but I told them simply I am not a lawmaker and this is best left to their experts to properly define devices and spell them out clearly. Pure speculation on my part to say, but perhaps this clarity will come with the "plug-in" module(s) of regulation the Minister of Transportation will hopefully introduce before the fall.

I have been communicating at length with different individuals from RAC and encouraging them to communicate more to the non-membership in Ontario. RAC has started a new blog service http://racblog.wordpress.com and the issue has been well captured there. Others within RAC tell me that the issue has been very top of mind with them for some time despite outward appearances to the non-membership. Further, we were told on the Procomm Net last evening by Allan Boyd VE3AJB, Ontario ARES Section Manager, that there is a committee of RAC and ARES folks due to meet with the Ministry of Transportation to continue to push the exemption request via the Minister's supplementary legislation. It is my opinion that RAC would garner many more members if non-members knew what was going on more than they do today.

So our current marching orders come directly from the RAC weblog: " Having said all that, there are no guarantees, however, now is not the time to approach members of the Legislature or the minister as they will not have seen the changes which are likely to be written in to the Bill in the next few months.

If exemptions are not forthcoming, then there may well be a need for direct communications but that time has not arrived.

Again I'd invite interested members of Ontario's amateur radio community to keep in touch with Radio Amateurs of Canada and I'd be pleased to receive any emails directly to ve3hg@rac.ca"

Thank you for your continued interest and support in this matter.

73 de VE6LK / VE3LKV
...Vince d'Eon
Hamilton ON
905.528.4870

***********

73,

Brian VE3DNF
Webmaster
Oakvilleamateurs.net

RAC BULLETIN 11-06-2008 5:35 PM

November 3, 2008 The Government of Ontario has tabled legislation intended to improve road safety by banning the use of some kinds of electronic devices by drivers. While the target of Bill 118 was intended to be cellular communication devices, the draft bill is written so broadly that many Amateurs are concerned that Amateur Radio mobile operation could be banned by the bill's provisions.

RAC has already taken steps to protect the interests of Amateurs in that province. RAC President Dave Goodwin VO1AU/VE3AAQ has written to Minister Bradley specifically requesting that Amateur Radio be excluded from the scope of the bill. This letter reminded the minister that similar legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Quebec explicitly or implicity protects mobile Amateur Radio operation.

A careful reading of the bill reveals that any exemptions will be contained in regulations. RAC will shortly meet with Ontario transportation officials to make the case for protecting mobile Amateur Radio operation. This will be done in conjunction with the Canadian Association for Rallysport (CARS) Executive Director Alastair Robertson VE3RAA.

*********** 73, Dave VO1AU/VE3AAQ
President, Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC)
Président, Radio Amateurs du Canada (RAC)
http://www.rac.ca

OARC 2008 XMAS DINNER MONDAY DECEMBER 8th 10-28-2008 8:35 PM

The OARC 2008 Xmas party is booked for the 8th of December at 18:00 at Tuckers Marketplace in Burlington.
The cost is $18.00 per person plus drinks.
Tuckers will be giving a $20.00 gift certificate to everyone in our group.

Please RSVP to Jim Byers.(jimbyers@gmail.com)

More details to follow.

See you there.




73 Brian VE3DNF - OARC Webmaster

NOTE-SATURDAY BREAKFAST MEETING LOCATION UPDATE 07-22-2008 9:35 AM

Club meetings currently are unformatted general discussion.
We meet every Saturday morning at 7am in Cora's in the mall on the south-east corner of Dorval and the North Service road.
It is right beside Henry's camera shop.

Please join us for breakfast and get the latest local ham news.

See you there.




73 Brian VE3DNF - OARC Webmaster

REMINDER June OARC MEETING - MONDAY June 9TH 06-05-2008 7:35 PM

Plan to attend the next OARC meeting on Monday June 9th. The meeting will be held in Program Room #2 on the 2nd floor of the Oakville Central Library on Navy Street at 7:30 pm. Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water St.

This will be the 2008 Annual General Meeting for the Oakville Amateur Radio Club and this e-mail will be the official notice as required by our constitution.

This will be an important meeting for all members and guests due to the events of the past year. Our yearly memberships have dropped significantly as well as attendance at monthly meetings. It is obvious that our current structure does not satisfy the interests and needs of area amateurs. As a result this meeting must be a forum for discussion of changes. If you have ideas or suggestions that would result in the club being more applicable to your interests, this will be an opportunity to air them. If we don’t respond to a changing environment it is possible that there may not be a viable local organization for the hobby of amateur radio in the future.

The 2008 Field Day on June 28/29 will also be discussed at this meeting. The joint OARC /ARES event coordinators - VE3OGP and VE3QSK still need more volunteers, so come out to the meeting and sign up for some part of the week-end activity.

Informal Saturday breakfast gatherings will contine at the Fifty's Diner on Speers Road just West of Dorval Drive at 7:00 AM.
Informal Friday morning coffee (10:30 AM) has moved to Tim Hortons on Wycroft Road just East of Dorval Drive.
This is a temporary move so check on the repeater to see if things have changed.

Club meetings are held on the second Monday of the month (except July/August) at the Oakville Public Library, main branch, 120 Navy Street Oakville starting at 7:30 pm.

This is on the corner of Navy Street and Lakshore Road in Oakville.

Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

Map of 120 Navy Street, Oakville
L6J 2Z4



73 Russ VE3JUZ - OARC secretary

REMINDER April OARC MEETING - MONDAY Apr 14TH 04-13-2008 3:35 PM

Plan to attend the next OARC meeting on Monday Apr 14th. The meeting will be held in Program Room #2 on the 2nd floor of the Oakville Central Library on Navy Street at 7:30 pm. Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water St.

Hi All:

Sorry for the last minute notice but thought some of you might be interested in this workshop.

I’ve just been asked to do my Digital Photography “How To” workshop at the Oakville Amateur Radio Club meeting tomorrow night (Monday April 14) at 7:30pm at the Oakville Public Library on Navy Street. This will be based on the workshops that I give professionally at Henry’s Cameras School of Imaging which costs participants $50 but for you this workshop is FREE!

If you’re not a member of OARC please come as my guest and bring your camera (digital SLR, point and shoot, film) and we’ll do an hour on Digital Photography For Hams (just in time for flea market and tower erection season).

Informal Saturday breakfast gatherings will contine at the Fifty's Diner on Speers Road just West of Dorval Drive at 7:00 AM.
Informal Friday morning coffee (10:30 AM) has moved to Tim Hortons on Wycroft Road just East of Dorval Drive.
This is a temporary move so check on the repeater to see if things have changed.

Club meetings are held on the second Monday of the month (except July/August) at the Oakville Public Library, main branch, 120 Navy Street Oakville starting at 7:30 pm.

This is on the corner of Navy Street and Lakshore Road in Oakville.

Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

Map of 120 Navy Street, Oakville
L6J 2Z4



73 - Peter - VE3HG

ve3hg@rac.ca

REMINDER March OARC MEETING - MONDAY Mar 10TH 03-03-2008 8:45 PM

Plan to attend the next OARC meeting on Monday Mar 10th. The meeting will be held in Program Room #2 on the 2nd floor of the Oakville Central Library on Navy Street at 7:30 pm. Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water St.

Alan Bauld VE3CBR will be our guest speaker on the topic -How the internet works - IP routing.

Sounds like an interesting subject - hope to see you there.

All members and guests welcome. See you on the 10th.

Informal Saturday breakfast gatherings will contine at the Fifty's Diner on Speers Road just West of Dorval Drive at 7:00 AM.
Informal Friday morning coffee (10:30 AM) has moved to Tim Hortons on Wycroft Road just East of Dorval Drive.
This is a temporary move so check on the repeater to see if things have changed.

Club meetings are held on the second Monday of the month (except July/August) at the Oakville Public Library, main branch, 120 Navy Street Oakville starting at 7:30 pm.

This is on the corner of Navy Street and Lakshore Road in Oakville.

Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

Map of 120 Navy Street, Oakville
L6J 2Z4



73 Russ VE3JUZ, OARC Secretary

REMINDER FEBRUARY OARC MEETING - MONDAY FEB 11TH 02-10-2008 6:30 PM

Plan to attend the next OARC meeting on Monday Feb 11th. The meeting will be held in Program Room #2 on the 2nd floor of the Oakville Central Library on Navy Street at 7:30 pm. Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water St.

There will be a short business meeting followed by a video presentation.

All members and guests welcome. See you on the 11th.

Informal Saturday breakfast gatherings will contine at the Fifty's Diner on Speers Road just West of Dorval Drive at 7:00 AM.
Informal Friday morning coffee (10:30 AM) has moved to Tim Hortons on Wycroft Road just East of Dorval Drive.
This is a temporary move so check on the repeater to see if things have changed.

Club meetings are held on the second Monday of the month (except July/August) at the Oakville Public Library, main branch, 120 Navy Street Oakville starting at 7:30 pm.

This is on the corner of Navy Street and Lakshore Road in Oakville.

Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

Map of 120 Navy Street, Oakville
L6J 2Z4



73 Russ VE3JUZ, OARC Secretary

REMINDER JANUARY OARC MEETING - MONDAY JAN 14TH 01-03-2008 6:30 PM

Plan to attend the next OARC meeting on Monday Jan 14th. The meeting will be held in Program Room #2 on the 2nd floor of the Oakville Central Library on Navy Street at 730 pm. Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water St.

The guest speaker for the meeting will be Ian VE3JI

What - "QSLing in the Electronic World."

Come watch Ian VE3JI / ESH load new electronic logs to world wide web. He will use the ARRL's Log Book of the World and check for new DXCC and WAS award credits. He will also show the eQSL web site and how it functions and then how to manage all of your electronic logs in one location using free software.

Why - An opportunity to learn some new skills or brush up on old ones. Also a chance to exchange holiday stories and brag about what radio goodies Santa left behind.

All members and guests welcome. See you on the 14th.

Informal Saturday breakfast gatherings will contine at the Fifty's Diner on Speers Road just West of Dorval Drive at 7:00 AM.
Informal Friday morning coffee (10:30 AM) has moved to Tim Hortons on Wycroft Road just East of Dorval Drive.
This is a temporary move so check on the repeater to see if things have changed.

Club meetings are held on the second Monday of the month (except July/August) at the Oakville Public Library, main branch, 120 Navy Street Oakville starting at 7:30 pm.

This is on the corner of Navy Street and Lakshore Road in Oakville.

Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

Map of 120 Navy Street, Oakville
L6J 2Z4



73 Russ VE3JUZ, OARC Secretary

GARAGE SALE 12-07-2007 8:30 PM

Due to the passing of our fellow Amateur Bill Sikma VE3WIM, there will be a Garage Sale and Clearing of House contents TOMORROW SATURDAY DEC 8, 2007 starting at 9 AM:

LOCATION:
Willem Sikma VE3WIM
3054 VIEWMOUNT ROAD
OAKVILLE, ON L6L 5M7

This is a Rush & unplanned event as Bill's Sons live in Calgary & Texas and have to leave Sunday Night.

They are hoping to prepare the house for putting on the market as soon as possible, and have asked to spread the word to the Amateur Community to help in disposing of Bill's Estate. Prices will probably be very reasonable ! Bill was an avid Satellite Operator, member of the Oakville ARC and Photography being another of his passions.

Thank You to all those who can help the Sikma Family in this situation.

73 Russ VE3JUZ

Silent Key 12-02-2007 5:45 PM

TIME TO REMEMBER

I was saddened to hear that Willem Sikma, VE3WIM became a silent key this morning at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. He had been hospitalized for some time.

I will always remember Bill for his spectacular photography presentations. He shared this hobby using multi-screen shows with amateurs at the OARC 'desert night' events. Bill had many hobbies including gliding which he covered in one of his photographic shows. His many amateur radio interests included satellite and digital modes.

Details of funeral arrangements are not available at this time. I will pass on this information when it's available.

73 Russ VE3JUZ

Club Meeting Reminder- Monday November 12th. at 7:30 PM 11-11-2007 8:45 AM

TO ALL OARC MEMBERS

Please mark your calendar now and plan to attend the next OARC meeting on Monday Nov 12th . The meeting will be held in Program Room #2 on the 2nd floor of the Oakville Central Library on Navy Street.at 7:30 pm DST. Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

The guest speaker for the meeting will be Mike Brown VA3GRL
Title - "QRP" .

All members and guests welcome.

Informal Saturday breakfast gatherings will contine at the Fifty's Diner on Speers Road just West of Dorval Drive at 7:00 AM.
Informal Friday morning coffee (10:30 AM) has moved to Tim Hortons on Wycroft Road just East of Dorval Drive.
This is a temporary move so check on the repeater to see if things have changed.

Club meetings are held on the second Monday of the month (except July/August) at the Oakville Public Library, main branch, 120 Navy Street Oakville starting at 7:30 pm.

This is on the corner of Navy Street and Lakshore Road in Oakville.

Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

Map of 120 Navy Street, Oakville
L6J 2Z4



73, Brian VE3DNF
OARC Webmaster

Club Meeting Reminder- Monday October 15th. at 7:30 PM 10-13-2007 4:47 PM

TO ALL OARC MEMBERS

Please mark your calendar now and plan to attend the next OARC meeting on Monday Oct. 15th . The meeting will be held in Program Room #2 on the 2nd floor of the Oakville Central Library on Navy Street.at 7:30 pm DST. Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

Please bring your 2007-2008 application form if you haven't already taken care of it.

The guest speaker for the meeting will be Jim Orcheson VA3HJ

Title - "But I have nothing on my computer worth stealing" - A discussion of home computer security fallacies and solutions.

All members and guests welcome.

Informal Saturday breakfast gatherings will contine at the Fifty's Diner on Speers Road just West of Dorval Drive at 7:00 AM.
Informal Friday morning coffee (10:30 AM) has moved to Tim Hortons on Wycroft Road just East of Dorval Drive.
This is a temporary move so check on the repeater to see if things have changed.

Club meetings are held on the second Monday of the month (except July/August) at the Oakville Public Library, main branch, 120 Navy Street Oakville starting at 7:30 pm.

This is on the corner of Navy Street and Lakshore Road in Oakville.

Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

Map of 120 Navy Street, Oakville
L6J 2Z4



73, Brian VE3DNF
OARC Webmaster

Club Meeting Reminder - Inaugural Meeting for 2007/2008 Season - Monday September 10th. at 7:30 PM 09-02-2007 2:47 PM

TO ALL OARC MEMBERS

Be sure to attend the 1st club meeting of the fall season at 7:30 PM

Summer will soon be over and it's time to renew our Oakville Amateur Radio Club memberships. We encourage you to once again join the club and become involved in the many activities that occur throughout the year.

NEW LOCATION
The first meeting of the 2007-2008 year will be held on Monday September 10th at a new location - the Oakville Central Library on Navy Street. We will be meeting in Program Room #2 on the 2nd floor at 7:30pm. Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

Please complete the application form that was emailed to you and bring it to the meeting on Sept. 10th. If you are unable to make this meeting please mail it and your dues to:

Oakville Amateur Radio Club
P.O. Box 69615,
109 Thomas St.,
Oakville, ON L6J 7R4

We look forward to seeing you throughout the coming year and good DX.

From the OARC directors

The fall activities listing will be updated as items become available.

Informal Saturday breakfast gatherings will contine at the Fifty's Diner on Speers Road just West of Dorval Drive at 7:00 AM.
Informal Friday morning coffee (10:30 AM) has moved to Tim Hortons on Wycroft Road just East of Dorval Drive.
This is a temporary move so check on the repeater to see if things have changed.

Club meetings are held on the second Monday of the month (except July/August) at the Oakville Public Library, main branch, 120 Navy Street Oakville starting at 7:30 pm.

This is on the corner of Navy Street and Lakshore Road in Oakville.

Parking is available at the rear of the building with access from Water Street.

Map of 120 Navy Street, Oakville
L6J 2Z4



73, Brian VE3DNF
OARC Webmaster

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