There will be a special event station established as part of the National Parks on the Air program. A station will be established in Fort Langley. Fort Langley has a significant historical history in the development of British Columbia. If you would like to participate in this event please contact Fred Orsetti VE7IO.
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ARRL Kids Day June 15 2019
The ARRL will hold their second Kids Day event for 2019. For all the information you need on this event go to
The Sun Solar Cycle. An Interesting Article June 2019
An article describing the solar cycle and what is being done to further the theories on this cycle can be found at
Mexican Amateur Radio Volunteers Provide Communication in Wildfire Response
Mexican radio amateurs provided communication support in late May from a fire scene in a remote area to civil protection authorities in Monterrey, Mexico. Two-member teams of volunteers were flown in via helicopter since May 20, the first day of radio support, when the fire had already been burning for a couple of days. The fire in Pajonal — about 20 kilometers south of Monterrey — covered more than 200 acres in rough terrain. Temperatures topped 100 °F.
Fueled by hot and dry conditions, Mexico’s 2019 fire season has been intense, leading to poor air quality. By mid-May, more than 100 wildfires were active in 17 Mexican states.
Teams had been using Winlink but added the weak-signal software Vara HF, after José Alberto Nieto, EA5HVK, provided a Vara license on short notice. Tom Whiteside, N5TW, in Georgetown, Texas, supported the effort from across the border, aiming his 40- and 20-meter arrays in the direction of the fire in Nuevo Leon. Alfonso Tamez, XE2O, president of Mexico’s IARU member-society Federación Mexicana de Radioexperimentadores (FMRE), was been among the volunteers.
In addition to HF digital traffic, the volunteer teams took advantage of VHF repeaters. HF antennas consisted of a 40-meter dipole for 40 and a steerable portable dipole. A generator is providing electrical power.
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Clarification:Vara HF was used as a higher speed connection protocol to Winlink gateways. Not as a standalone weak signal software.The indication given is that Winlink operations stopped for Vara HF PtP use, did not happen..
There was only ONE VHF repeater with spotty coverage.But great mention and Winlink worked well on 40 meters.
Point Roberts Washington Amateur Radio Club Field Day 2019
The Point Roberts Amateur Radio Club was the subject of a media article for the upcoming field day. To learn more go to
Simulated Emergency Test on Gabriola Island June 8 2019
Good work by all those who participated in the simulated interface fire exercise on Gabriola Island. Lots of challenges, lots of learning, and great work by all involved. Thanks to all those who participated, a very good day.
US Islands Award Program is now 25 Years Old
The US Islands Award Program is celebrating its 25th birthday in 2019. In addition to the birthday there are some new awards available. To learn more go to
Westcoast Amateur Radio Association Field Day 2019..
The Westcoast Amateur Radio Association will once again participate in the annual Field Day event. For all their information go to
It Took A Year But They Found It
PHD students partnered with the London (Ont) ham club to launch and recover a high altitude balloon. Things didn’t go as planned. To read about the adventure go to
https://london.ctvnews.ca/high-altitude-research-balloon-found-one-year-after-disappearing-1.4444668
Seattle Exercises for An Earthquake
On Sunday June 2 2019 residents of West Seattle conducted a communications exercise in the event of a magnitude 6 earthquake in their area. To learn more about their plans and the use of ham radio go to