A brief overview of the recent GlobalSet 2015 has been issued. To read the report go to
All posts by va7mpg
TEXAS KIDS HELP ALASKAN KIDS
The youngsters from a Texas school helped out a small Alaskan village by sending them an HF Antenna. To read the whole story go to
http://www.arrl.org/news/school-in-remote-alaskan-village-reaching-out-via-ham-radio
RAC HAS NEW LEADERSHIP.
Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA is the new President of RAC. Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW, who has guided RAC over the past six years term has ended. Thank you for your efforts Geoff. There is more information in the January 2016 edition of the The Canadian Amateur Magazine.
Silent Key – Bryan Farrar VE7BFY January 4, 2016.
It is with great sadness that I need to inform you all on the passing of our great friend Bryan Farrar, VE7BFY.
Bryan passed away peacefully at home last night, with his family by his side. One cannot fully appreciate the love Bryan had for amateur radio, and for all of us whom he enjoyed it with, nor can we comprehend the void that will left behind by his passing. I cannot think of a single Vector member that Bryan did not touch in one way or another. Either through helping many of you obtain your licence, equipping you with your first amateur radio, digging something out his mole hole that you needed, or sharing his wealth of knowledge.
Bryan was one of the longest running members of both the Telephone Pioneers Amateur Radio Club and the Vancouver Emergency Community Telecommunications Organization. Providing countless volunteer hours as both a member and Board member of both organizations. It is impossible to take the time to mention the multiple awards Bryan received, or even begin to list the numerous projects Bryan spearheaded, that has undoubtedly left all of us in the Lower mainland, and Province, with a remarkable network of amateur radio equipment, that I’m convinced, one day, we will be very grateful for.
It will be hard to imagine not hearing Bryan check into the Vector weekly net this coming Wednesday night, like he always managed to do, unless he was on one of his many worldly vacations with his loving wife Linda VA7 LDA. In honour of VA7 BFY, I am asking all of you to make a special effort to check in to the Vector net, on Wednesday, January 6th. at 2000 hrs. 145.170 MHz –600 kHz. I know Bryan will be listening, and it would put a smile on his face.
73’s Old Man
Gary Webb
Vector President
VA7GMW
Here is the info from the obituary:
FARRAR, BRYAN MAURICE
September 16, 1940–January 4, 2016
FARRAR, BRYAN MAURICE
September 16, 1940–January 4, 2016
Bryan Farrar, 75, passed away peacefully at home after a short but courageous battle with cancer. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. Bryan was particularly known for his passion and dedication to amateur radio. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at 2pm at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, 8680 Hudson Street, Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bryan’s name to either the Canadian Cancer Society, or to a Memorial Park Bench in Fraser River Park, Bryan’s favourite park. (https://donate.vancouver.ca/sslpage.aspx?pid=350).
God has him in his keeping; we have him in our hearts.
Surrey (BC) Amateur Radio Club Places First In Canada – CONGRATULATIONS.
The Surrey Amateur Radio Club came in first in Canada for the 2015 Field Day Event. To read the press release from the local paper go to
YET ANOTHER SOLAR STORM DEC 28TH 2015.
An Email from Spaceweather.com
SOLAR FLARE AND CME: Big sunspot AR2473 erupted on Dec. 28th, producing an M1.9-class solar flare, a minor radio blackout in the southern hemisphere, and a coronal mass ejection (CME) that appears to be heading directly for Earth. This explosion sets the stage for possible geomagnetic storms later this week when the CME reaches our planet. Visit Spaceweather.com for more information.
BC YUKON DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES RAC ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.
Annoucment from Director Gipps
Eric Manning VA7DZ has been appointed RAC Assistant Director for the Island – Contesting & DX. He is an enthusiastic contester and IEEE Fellow.
73 Bill Gipps VE7XS – Director, Radio Amateurs of Canada, BC & YT
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. May your wishes and dreams come true. Have a wonderful holiday season.
From the FCC- a change of plans..
It would appear from the attached article that the FCC is spinning words in their plan not to chase pirate radio stations. For more information go to
http://www.radioworld.com/article/fcc-commissioner-questions-enforcement-actions/277676
SAT PHONES DON’T WORK, MAYBE A CELL TOWER WILL HELP.
Just east of Vancouver BC in Maple Ridge there is a beautiful park, Golden Ears. It is a “black hole” for communications. A cell company is now talking of putting a tower in the area. Maybe that would help. Search and Rescue has their hands full with comms in this area. Interesting no mention of ham radio.