Thanks to all who participated in Saturdays SET. Please ensure that you complete and return your comment  form.  It is the only way organizers can improve future SETS as well as identify areas of concern.  If you did not receive the form or need more information contact Bill Gipps

Ever wonder what the current band conditions are ?  The  site below is experimental, and updates regularly. It covers the Continental  US.  The determination of band conditions is way above my level of expertise, but I will  try this site and see how it works out. For more details on the site hit the information button lower left side of the page.

http://www.bandconditions.com/

Due to family commitments I was not able to spend a lot of time on the radio participating in this contest on the weekend.  However, the time I did spend on the bands was worth more to me than winning the contest.  I won’t mention call signs, because I am sure these were not the only occasions. What these events did do is remind me what ham radio is all about.

On two different bands in the heat of the contest a “well oiled , rapid fire station” answered the call of someone who was new to this contest or maybe even contesting.  In each case the operator at the “well oiled” station slowed everything down, took the time to explain the system, and answer any questions the new comer had. The operators were courteous, patient and polite.Once the issue had been dealt with, the contact logged, and questions answered with it was back to full steam.

It was truly nice to hear that for once that ” it wasn’t all about me” and points came second to common courtesy.   To the operators  that did this  great work. To the rest of us, a gentle reminder of what ham radio is all about.

73

The folks in Ontario are getting restless. They have floated an idea.  Hopefully this will be a wake up call for the RAC Executive… we can only hope

http://www.crrl.ca/news/2014/11/12/an-ontario-radio-society

Radio Amateurs of Canada has announced that Al Boyd,VE3AJB, Section Manager for Ontario North and Chair of the Ontario Section Managers Council  has assumed the duties of Section Manager for Ontario South and the GTA in addition to his Ontario North duties. These changes are effective immediately.

NOVEMBER 11TH is a special day in Canada. It is a day when we remember those who have served in the Army, Navy Air Force and the RCMP in times of trouble.  This year will be very different.  The ceremonies will be the same, but the way we conduct them will be different.  In view of recent events in Quebec and Ottawa times have changed.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED.  THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE CURRENTLY SERVING AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE FAMILIES WHO SUPPORT THESE MEN AND WOMEN.

LEST WE FORGET

GOD BLESS CANADA.

Environment Canada has issued wind warnings and a special weather statement for the south coast.  In addition there is a typhoon headed for Alaska. ARES LEADERS winter is here, have you checked your plans, ensured your members are familiar with the plans ? Planning helps you to be part of the solution not the problem.

http://weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html?prov=bc

http://abcnews.go.com/US/western-alaska-prepares-calm-typhoon-nuri/story?id=26713442

A group of elementary school students from Kamloops worked hard on their experiment, raised funds,did all the required paperwork and then watched it all go up in smoke when the NASA rocket blew up earlier this week. The science experiment dealt with the manufacture of crystals in space.

The lads have not given up, good luck to them in their future activities.

Also posted is an article about the loss of some US amateur payloads.

http://www.cbc.ca/kamloops/mt/2014/10/29/kamloops-science-experiment-explodes-along-with-nasa-rocket/

http://www.arrl.org/news/satellites-carrying-amateur-radio-payloads-amon

At the last AGM there were some changes in the leadership of CECA.. To view the new executive go to the CONTACT US on the front page. Congratulations and best wishes to the new executive.