Club RepeaterVE5SK 146.64-

September 2013

Newsletter of the Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club Celebrating over 80 Years of Service

Inside this issue . . . •June meeting minutes

•VHF mobile antenna performance

•Luca Parmitano, ISS Astronaut - KF6KDP

•Sunʼs magnetic field

•Field Day pictures

•Announcements

•Promotional page

•Membership forms

The Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club is a great way to become acquainted with amateur radio. Our club

has much to offer the beginner, as well as the

seasoned veteran. Please join us at an upcoming

meeting or for our Saturday breakfast, and

discover the SARC.

Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club

c/o Western Development Museum

Saskatoon Branch2610 Lorne Ave. S.Saskatoon, Sask.

S7J 0S6

T h e F e e d l i n e

Club Emailve5aa@rac.ca

Club Websitehttp://ve5aa.dyndns.org

This seems a bit like the old back to school essay about what I did this summer. Well, I personally have been very busy. There have been several things I wanted to do with amateur radio and I have ended up doing very little of what I had planned.

I did get to the Dayton Hamfest again, so that was a good thing. We got back in time this year to be involved a bit with the field day exercises, which was a learning experience. After that I was just trying to keep my head above water.

This year we are planning an exciting and productive year for our club. A number of committees are going to be formed and I would urge you to carefully consider serving on a committee if asked to do so. One of the rewards in a club comes from being involved. Quite often we hear the remark “Whats in it for me?” I will tell you. There is a wonderful feeling of pride and satisfaction in doing your best in a job that benefits others. Try it, you will like it.

Be supportive of others who are doing a job. Be constructive in your comments. Be an encourager. Not everyone will do a job perfectly, but if they are willing to try, you can help by giving a hand and giving them encouragement.

C U at the meeting,

73 Garry, VE5SG

From the Presidentʼs Desk

COFFEEHaywood’s Restaurant

Saturdays 9:00 AM

3016 Arlington AvenueSouth of Alvin Buckwold School

Everyone is welcome. Hams, non-Hams, it doesn’t matter. We’re there to have good conversation with good

friends.C’mon out and visit!

NEXT MEETING 1st Tuesday of each Month

7:00 PM

Fire Department Staff Development Centre on the Corner of 22nd Street and

Avenue W

Call in: 146.640-

CommitteesRepeaters Bruce, VE5BNCProperty and Assets Club ExecutiveTraining Coordinator Ron, VA5RJFPublic Service Club ExecutiveSick and Visiting Club MembersField Day John, VE5SJAElmer Ken, VE5KRBTrailer Vacant Space Club Mike, VE5MIK, Al, VE5MDCSARC Net John, VE5SJAL.B.L. Rep Ken, VE5KRBFeedline Mike, VE5MIKWeb-site Bruce, VE5BNC50/50 Draw Terry, VE5TLC

Any items for Swap ‘n Shop in the Feedline contact VE5MIK. Contact Bruce, VE5BNC, to put the items on the club website.

The mission of Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club is to enjoy amateur radio through the development, promotion, and expansion of

amateur radio in and around Saskatoon

SARC ExecutivePresidentGarry Schwartz! VE5SG ! ! 2013-2015

Past PresidentJames Cloney! VE5CNBVice-PresidentSylvan Katz! ! VE5ZX! ! 2013-2015TreasurerTerry Cutler! ! VE5TLC ! ! 2012-2014SecretaryRon Ford! ! VA5RJF! ! 2013-2015DirectorsBob Tower! ! VA5BRT! ! 2012-2014Ken Bindle! ! VE5KRB`! ! 2012-2015Mike Luciuk! ! VE5MIK! ! 2012-2014Ned Carroll! ! VE5NED! ! 2012-2014 ARES

Saskatoon

Next Club MeetingSeptember 14th

10:30 A.M.Western Development Museum

Education RoomLorne Avenue South

Breakfast after 9 AM atBoomtown Cafe before the

meeting

Local Area Repeaters VE5SK 146.640- Saskatoon, SARC VE5XW 146.730- Rock Point VA5LLR 145.390- Lizard Lake VE5ZH 147.270- 2 MHz offset, Saskatoon, Auto Patch VA5SV 145.330- (100) Ridge East of Saskatoon VE5RPD 145.190- Elbow/Davidson VE5CC 146.970- Sktn MARS Linked to VE5SKN,VE5DNA, & IRLP node 1360Link code 502*/503* VE5SKN 146.940- Sktn MARS. 100Hz tone on xmt only -Linked to VE5CC, VE5DNA and IRLP node 1360. Link code 500*/501* ARES SAME wx Rcvr

IRLP Node 1360 Hard linked to VE5CC UHF Hub (444.975 +5M) & available to VE5CC, VE5SKN and VE5DNA VHF repeaters when linked.

APRS 144.390 VE5RHF Saskatoon DIGI VE5BNC-3 Saskatoon IGATE & SATGATE VE5XW-1 Rock Point VE5HAN-4 Hanley DIGI VE5YR-4 Davidson DIGI

Local & Regional Nets Sask. WX 80m 1400Z 3735 Khz ARES (Sun.) 80m 1430Z 3753 Khz Aurora 40m 2330Z & 0200Z 7055 Khz Manitoba 80m 0000Z 3747 Khz Montana Tfc 80m 0030Z 3910 Khz Sask. 80m 0100Z 3735 Khz Alberta 80m 0130Z 3700 Khz 80m YL Net 80m 0315Z 3755 Khz-Sundays B.C. 80m 0200Z 3727 Khz

SARC Local 2m 0200Z 146.640- Prince Albert 2m 0330Z 147.150+

All nets are daily except where noted. All qualified Hams are welcome to check into any of these nets

C O N T E S T S •All Asian DX Contest, Phone 0000Z, Sep 7 to 2400Z, Sept. 8 •North American Sprint, CW 0000Z-0400Z, Sept. 8 •North American Sprint, SSB 0000Z-0400Z, Sept 15 •CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY 0000Z, Sep 28 to 2400Z, Sep 29

For a full calendar of contests see: http://www.contesting.com

•Sable Island DXpedition updates . . . September 30 . . . see http://www.cy0dxpedition.com/

Saskatoon and Area Frequencies

Be kind and respectful to your fellow hams. After all, without them, all you’d hear on the air is static.

Minutes of the June 8th, 2013 Meeting

Call to Order at 10:27 a.m.

Attendance was counted at 20 amateurs

Regrets from Bruce, Garry, and Steve

Minutes Adoption of minutes from the May 11 meeting called for by Ron, VA5RJF. Noted that Ronʼs callsign was incorrect in that issue. Minutes adopted by Ken, KRB, seconded by Greg VE5GMH.

Monthly Financial Report presented by Terry, VE5TLC. Club is in good financial standing. Ron, VE5RMS seconded.

ReportsSABRE - no report as Bruce, VE5BNC is away

RepeatersLittle Bear - Ken, VE5KRB is still working on the Little Bear site. Ned and Ken are going up a week after Fatherʼs Day to do some work there.Rock Point - The repeater is off the air. Wind generator is down and the controller is being repaired. Digipeater is operating but no voice at this time.

Public ServiceSubaru Saskatoon Triathlon will be held on June 30 (week after Field Day). Amateurs will be needed for the event to assist with communications. Meewasin Club will also be involved. The Triathlon starts at Pike Lake. Bruce will have more information when he returns.

Field DayJohn, VE5SJA presented plans for this yearʼs Field Day. Information on using alternative power, ISS contact, media covering the event, young person making a contact, BBQ, Setup/takedown, computer logging, transceivers being used, computers for interfacing, QRP, temporary antennas.Eric, VE5HG seconded the report for Field Day.

Bob, VA5BRT, brought up the possibility of having a sale of surplus items during the Field Day. Ron will check with the WDM about having a sale.

Presidentʼs Report from Ron, VA5RJFThe last number of years for the club have been tumultuous with a rapid turnover of presidents and forced changes of location for the clubʼs home base. We are definitely along the way for having a permanent home. The WDM board will meet within

the next month to give us a yes/no to becoming an affiliated member of the WDM. This will mean more of a sense of belonging than weʼve had for some time. The process to this point has been a complicated one and by fall we should have our own place in the WDM community.

SARC 2m Net Doris, VE5DJQ led a discussion regarding the local SARC 2m net. Do we want to continue it? How many people are for this? The net has an important place in club and emergency communications readiness.

Budget for 2013-14 Terry, VE5TLCTerry presented the upcoming budget to the members. There were questions regarding capital expenditures if needed and RAC insurance. Terry explained the RAC insurance - it does aid the club in terms of saving money for our insurance when members indicate if they are members of RAC.

We have a fairly small amount of money that we work with, but being an incorporated non-profit group, we are subject to have an audit. This can be waived if 2/3 of the membership sign a waiver to not have the audit. A motion was presented that we waive the audit. Ron, VE5RMS seconded. Acceptance for the financial budget was moved by Terry, VE5TLC seconded by Eric, VE5HG. All in favor. Carried

Nominations Report by Terry, VE5TLC On the executive for this year are Terry (VE5TLC), Bob (VA5BRT), Ken (VE5KRB), Mike (VE5MIK), and Ned (VE5NED). Five of the executive are going into the second year of their terms. We need elections for President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Garry (VE5SG), has agreed to run for a 2 year term. Vice-president Sylvan (VE5ZX) has agreed to a term until 2016. Ron (VA5RJF) has agreed to run again to 2014.

Ron, VA5RJF asked if there were any other nominations from the floor. There were non. Ken, VE5KRB moved that nominations cease, seconded by Ron, VE5RS. Nominations being closed, 3 candidates were elected by acclimation. Terry, VE5TLC moved for acceptance of the election. Seconded by Eric, VE5HG

Three short videos were shown by Mike, VE5MIK about a large 50 station Field Day operation.

50/50 was won by Ron, VE5 RS

Meeting was adjourned.

Did you know that what size car you drive can and does have a profound effect upon how your antenna per- forms? You might be surprised at the variations in an antennaʼs pattern and gain depending if it is installed on a full-size or mid-sized passenger car. Let alone a pickup truck or SUV.I had been trying to resolve for my- self the many claims and counter- claims regarding the 3-dB gain attributed to the 5/8-wavelength monopole when used in VHF mobile applications. In that pursuit, using computer modeling, I soon discovered that de- pending upon what vehicle was used made a noticeable difference in performance – sometimes profound.

Antenna Modeling" The availability of antenna modeling software has provided an excel- lent tool for predicting antenna performance, however, until recently modeling mobile antenna systems has been a major pain. Calculating and entering all the geometric data - without errors - for a wire-grid models of vehicles such as those shown in Figure 1 can take many hours of tedious work. Fortunately, the recent availability NEC Win-Synth1, a soft- ware tool, that makes creating wire grid models of vehicles (and other structures) a snap that problem has been eliminated." Using NEC Win-Synth generated vehicle models with NEC2 I analyzed the three most widely used VHF mo- bile antennas (1/4, 1/2 and 5/8-wave- length monopoles) each installed on four different vehicles (a full and a mid- sized passenger car, a small pickup truck and an SUV).The models themselves (Figure 1) are rather boxy reminiscent of theDan Richardson , K6MHE PO Box 2644 Fort Bragg, CA 95437 k6mhe@arrr.net

Volvos of years past and do not truly portray the droopy snooted high back cars they are making now. They do, however, provide a reasonable

approximation of the overall dimensions and, I felt, would be sufficient for making the antenna comparisons.The dimensions for models were obtained by measuring four vehicles as follows; Dodge Intrepid (full-size car), Ford Tarsus (mid-size car), short bed Toyota pickup (pickup truck) and a Dodge Durango (SUV)." All modeling was done at a fre- quency of 146 MHz utilizing average ground parameters (conductivity 0.005 s/m – relative permitivity 13). The antennas were located a top dead center of the vehicleʼs roof in each model.

DivergenceI had anticipated that there would be some irregularities in radiation pat- terns between dissimilar vehicles but I truly didnʼt expect them to be so great among similar vehicles such as a full- sized and a mid-sized passenger car! The full-size and mid-size car models are" fairly" comparable in shape. " The dimensions of roof sections are within a couple of inches of one another, the main difference being the overall length where there is a 12-13% variance." NEC generated comparison plots for the cars with the three antennas are illustrated in Figure 2. The front of the vehicles is oriented at 0o azimuth for all plots. To better illustrate differences, each plot has been normalized consequently the dB

reference value for outer ring (0 dB) varies from plot to plot and is not given. Weʼll discuss gain a little later." Examining these patterns (Figure 2) we can find only few consistent traits between the cars. One is the greatest variations occur using the 1/4-wave whip and least with the 5/8-wave. Another apparent characteristic is that the maximum variances exist in a plane that follows the vehicleʼs length. From this we can see that the carʼs body is playing a significant influence in the antennaʼs performance. Why so much for similar vehicles?

Monopoles/Ground-Planes" To work an end fed monopole must have something to work against. In ground-mounted HF systems this is the ground they are mounted upon. If they are elevated as are most VHF installations some form of counter- poise (usually a ground plane consist- ing of several 1⁄4 or 1⁄2-wavelength radials) is used. A properly built ground- plane does not radiate only the mono- pole portion of the antenna system does which produces an even omni- directional azimuth pattern. For VHF mobile installations there is a misperception that a vehicleʼs roof serves as the ground-plane and doesnʼt radiate therefore the antenna radiates in the same fashion as conventional ground-plane. This is not true which I will now explain.

VHF Mobile Antenna PerformanceThe other half of the story

Itʼs Not A MonopoleAlthough the carʼs roof section does provide an area for a monopole to work against there are some important details we need to look at. First, the roof is rectangular in shape and does not have the even disk-like form of a radial system used on a conventional ground-plane. This in itself will cause some skewing of the azimuth pattern. However, a more significant point is that the RF energy is not con- fined to just the roof area. There is nothing preventing it from flowing down the supporting columns to the doors, finders, hood and trunk lid. (This can be easily confirmed by examining the segment currents within the models reported by NEC.) The result being that the whole vehicle is radiating and is actually one half of a dipole antenna system - the other half being the roof-mounted vertical element. Granted, this is geometrically and electrically a very lop-sided dipole but, a dipole nonetheless. We know that changing the size and/or shape of one arm

(half) of a dipole will certainly affect its pattern and gain. This is why we have the substantial differences between the antenna patterns for two cars although their roof dimensions are nearly identical.Okay, now that we have a better picture of whatʼs happening letʼs move on and take a look at the rest of our vehicle-dipole combinations.

The Results" To save you the drudgery of examining a multitude of antenna plots requiring many pages of magazine space let me give you a summary of a couple items that were similar in a majority of all the models.Generally (about 80% or more of the time – there were exceptions) the 1/4-wave whip had the highest high angle radiation component. Elevation plots for the 1/4-wave revealed that the most of the energy being launched between 7o and 80o. The 1/2-wave antennaʼs was slightly lower (7o - 70o) with the 5/8-wave the lowest (7o - 60o). In all the elevation plots the lowest significant lobe was about 9o.

" In most cases it was not the most significant lobe in amplitude, however, it is the most significant for long-range to- wards the horizon communications hence I used a 9o elevation angle for creating a series of azimuth antennapattern comparisons. I made two groups of azimuth plots." The first (Figure 3) displays the variations resulting when the different length antenna elements are placed on the same vehicle.The second (Fig- ure 4) displays how the vehicles com- pare with one another using the same length antenna element. For best dis- play all plots are normalized however, the outer ringʼs dBi value is shown for each plot." I found it a real eye opener to see the amount of variations between the models. A noteworthy exception was the 5/8-wavelength element that consistency produced the best omni-direction pattern. An additional expanded linear plot for the 5/8-wave vehicle combinations in Figure 5 and provides a bit better view.

Gain" To the extent that the 5/8-wave produces more gain, well, thatʼs another matter. Note that in Figure 5 the pat- tern for the 5/8-wave/SUV combination has an azimuth pattern that varies as much as 11⁄2 dB. " Adding to that you can also note that depending upon the vehicle selected and what azimuth bearing is compared it is possible for a 5/8-wave to have 21⁄2 dB gain over itself. You might also con- sider that the maximum gain figures shown for all the antenna and vehicle combinations in Figures 3 & 4 varied less than 11⁄2 dB. So in the gain game itʼs your call." Letʼs be realistic about gain. If you have ever operated mobile you know it is not at all unusual to observe a signal rapidly fluctuating 20 dB or more while driving. Under those conditions you arenʼt really going to distinguish any gains under 3 dB one way or the other. Possibly under marginal conditions with the vehicle at rest a 1 or 2 dB improvement may make a difference but it is highly doubtful, in normal mobile operation, such a small gain increase will be discernible." " " . . . . . next page

Conclusion" As I stated at the onset I had originally plan to investigate the gain of a 5/8-wave monopole as used in UHF mobile operation.What I gleaned was that the 5/8-wave element was, in fact, operating as one arm of a dipole antenna system with the vehicle providing the other half. Subsequently the size and shape of a vehicle has a strong influence, sometimes very pronounced, on the radiation pattern regardless what length antenna element is used. Additionally, I found that it is not possible to accurately predict how a mobile antenna system will perform based upon some other mobile system – unless the vehicles and antenna installations are the same. To get any kind of meaningful estimation would require modeling each situation on a case by case bases." Keep in mind that the models I have used are approximate and so are the findings. To have better accuracy re- quires more exacting models. Using CAD software to create wire-grid models that more closely conform to the vehicles actual form and size would generate more valuable results. NEC Win-Synth will import AutoCad® (*.dxf files).Another item I did not considered here is the fact that some portions of vehicles today are constructed using composite materials thus the surfaces maybe more reflective than conductive. Which makes it highly problematic that accurate results could be obtained with NEC as one of

the big cautions in NEC literature is not to try to model diffraction edges." At this point, about the only thing I feel I can say with any certainty is that using a 5/8-wave should produce a better omni-directional pattern. Other than that all bets are off!

by Dan Richardson, K6MHE PO Box 2644 Fort Bragg, CA 95437

Field Day 2013" " " "" " "Participants & Guests(taken from the guestbook -apologies for spelling & for anyone who may have been missed)

John Allen VE5SJAGarry Schwartz VE5SGTerry Cutler VE5TLCRoly Oakenfold VE5ROBob Tower VA5BRTClarence Moen VE5MOBruce Coates VE5BNCNed Carroll VE5NEDRon Ford VA5RJFMike Luciuk VE5MIKDavie Fairbairn VE5DTFRon PetersMilton Chevalier VE5MJCTorsten Brenoel & Mulian ??Tim Repas VE5SATPeter Jantzen VE5JZBrad Trost MP for SaskatoonDonald J Atchison Mayor City of SaskatoonRichard Powell VE5RNPBrian Burke VE5CULMike Mikytyshyn VE5MMGMichael Diegel VE5WDSamuel & Thomas DiegelAnna Marie SkagsredJames WoodKen Bindle VE5KRB

David Eng VE5DHESteve Janzen VA5DWDCaci JanzenRon Slind VE5RSStuart KasdorfRobert KasdorfLee Smith VE4ANCBill Miller, former DOT operatorAlbert HooverJennifer Osachoff VE5 ??Don Morgan MLA for Saskatoon, VE5RTDelores CathcartSylvan Katz VE5ZX

Astronaut talks about his ham radio contactsOn his ESA blog, astronaut Luca Parmitano, KF5KDP, talks about his ham radio contacts from the International Space Station

One of the parameters of the Stationʼs orbit around the Earth is the beta angle, which determines the direction from which the Sunʼs rays will hit us. We donʼt usually bother too much about this parameter because it doesnʼt affect our day-to-day life, except in certain situations: when the beta angle is very elevated, as it has been these past few days, we spend long periods in sunlight. Daytime becomes relatively long, while the nights are very short. This makes it difficult for us to look out of the Station and see our planet at night, because the Earth is in shadow while we are still in the light. As a consequence, it is pitch black outside. Itʼs like looking out of the window at night when you have the lights on in the room and thereʼs not one streetlight lit outside.

Lately, after making the final evening report to Houston and the other Control Centers, Iʼve got myself all prepared to take a few photos but found that nothing was visible in the sky. Weʼve been traveling immersed in completely black space.

Thatʼs when I thought about using one of the pieces of equipment in the European laboratory Columbus, an instrument that is sometimes a little neglected by us astronauts: the amateur radio set. Now, I must confess to all amateur radio enthusiasts out there that I have never been into amateur radio. As a military pilot, I was trained to use the radio professionally, following the mantra of the 4Cs – Clear, Correct, Concise Comms [Communications], which was repeated at the start of every mission. It was radio contact seen as a means, never an end unto itself. In fact, sometimes when we flew very complex missions, the interference caused by blissfully unaware radio enthusiasts ʻexploringʼ our frequencies inevitably led to a great deal of bad tempered frustration!

So you can imagine my doubtful amusement when, a few weeks ago, I sat at the radio for the first time, looking to establish some kind of ʻcontactʼ between the Station and Earth…

I set the radio to the ʻrandomʼ contacts frequency, and without knowing what to expect, I put on the headphones. Physically, the International Space Station was still many kilometres away from the coastlines of Europe, but our horizon stretches out beneath us for thousands of kilometres and the various European ground stations could already see us. My ears were immediately overwhelmed by a cacophony of unidentifiable sounds and noises, voices, screeching and white noise. Then suddenly, a voice surfaced above the other sounds; it was a young man, in my mind barely more than a boy. He was calling the ISS,

American radio call sign (NA1SS) and repeating his own call sign. I was taken aback by the emotion that rose in me as I tried to reply to the call, using the Italian call sign (IR0ISS). But my excitement was nothing compared to the sheer astonishment and disbelief I heard in that voice, thousands of kilometres away. Speaking English with a beautiful Portuguese accent, the radio operator on the other side of the signal only managed to say a few words  – “I donʼt know what to say… This is a dream come true for me!” – before our conversation was interrupted and buried by swarms of other calls.

For around 15 minutes as we passed over western, central and eastern Europe, I tried to reply to dozens of people who were sending their messages into the ether with the hope that, thousands of kilometres away, the Space Station antennae would pick up their signal and that Iʼd be able to decipher what they were saying. From different countries, through different radio sets, but all with the same desire, these people – up until moments ago complete strangers – started to take shape in my mind. They became members of one family, scattered over thousands of islands and in contact with each other through nothing but these ʻmessages in a bottleʼ, sent out with no certainty at all but with the faint hope that somebody somewhere would pick them up. Messages sent out with stoical patience, without even knowing who in that infinitely vast ocean of ether would be able to listen to their call. Men, women, young and old, experts and complete beginners –  they have all wrapped me in a warm blanket of friendship and gratitude, oblivious to the fact that Iʼm the one who should be thanking them for opening up the doors to an experience that began with that young man in Portugal, and that crossing space and time, reaches the heart of each and every amateur radio operator even before it reaches their ears.

Read the blog at: http://blogs.esa.int/luca-parmitano/2013/08/13/message-in-a-bottle/

Astronaut Luca Parmitano KF5KDP making ham radio contacts: http://amsat-uk.org/2013/08/12/astronaut-luca-parmitano-kf5kdp-making-ham-radio-contacts/

ISS Reference: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/

Communications Day at the WDM  In July, a few members from the executive were approached by the volunteer coordinator from the WDM who asked us to participate in the Communications Day on Aug. 17, 2013, from 1-3 pm in Boom Town. We agreed and a small group prepared a display of radios from old to new, a CW demonstration, a QSO on 2 meter simplex,  a one-person drama on communication from 450 BC (Victory in the Battle of Marathon) to modern radio. We also prepared (with Mike Luciuk's) help an information flyer.  Garry VE5SG, Ron VA5RJF, Doris VE5DJQ and Terry VE5TLC planned and attended to  the  activities.  Mike VE5MIK documented the event in photos. Aug 17, 2013, was a very warm beautiful day in Saskatoon, in the middle of Folk Fest. Visitor numbers to the museum were low, other than guests for a wedding party that coincided with the event. Although not all of the planned activities could be executed with a wedding in progress nearby, there was interest in the display from other visitors.  Two people expressed interest in the Basic Course.

Following the event, we suggested repeating the demo at some other time when attendance was likely to be better. We also suggested a smattering of other demos, from crystal radio kits to SABRE.

www.arrl.org/field-day

August 5, 2013:  Something big is about to happen on the sun.  According to measurements from NASA-supported observatories, the sun's vast magnetic field is about to flip.

"It looks like we're no more than 3 to 4 months away from a complete field reversal," says solar physicist Todd Hoeksema of Stanford University. "This change will have ripple effects throughout the solar system."

The sun's magnetic field changes polarity approximately every 11 years.  It happens at the peak of each solar cycle as the sun's inner magnetic dynamo re-organizes itself.  The coming reversal will mark the midpoint of Solar Cycle 24. Half of 'Solar Max' will be behind us, with half yet to come.

Hoeksema is the director of Stanford's Wilcox S o l a r O b s e r v a t o r y, o n e o f t h e f e w observatories in the world that monitor the sun's polar magnetic fields.  The poles are a herald of change. Just as Earth scientists

watch our planet's polar regions for signs of climate change, solar physicists do the same thing for the sun. Magnetograms at Wilcox have been tracking the sun's polar magnetism since 1976, and they have recorded three grand reversals—with a fourth in the offing.

Astronomers at the Wilcox Solar Observatory (WSO) monitor the sun's global magnetic field on a daily basis. Solar physicist Phil Scherrer, also at Stanford, describes what happens: "The sun's polar magnetic fields weaken, go to zero, and then emerge again with the opposite polarity. This is a regular part of the solar cycle."

A reversal of the sun's magnetic field is, literally, a big event. The domain of the sun's magnetic influence (also known as the "heliosphere") extends billions of kilometers beyond Pluto. Changes to the field's polarity ripple all the way out to the Voyager probes, on the doorstep of interstellar space.

When solar physicists talk about solar field reversals, their conversation often centers on the "current sheet."  The current sheet is a sprawling surface jutting outward from the sun's equator where the sun's slowly-rotating magnetic field induces an electrical current.  The current itself is small, only one ten-billionth of an amp per square meter (0.0000000001 amps/m2), but thereʼs a lot of it: the amperage flows through a region 10,000 km thick and billions of kilometers wide.  Electrically speaking, the entire heliosphere is organized around this enormous sheet.

During field reversals, the current sheet becomes very wavy. Scherrer likens the undulations to the seams on a baseball.  As Earth orbits the sun, we dip in and out of the current sheet. Transitions from one side to another can stir up stormy space weather around our planet.

An artist's concept of the heliospheric current sheet, which becomes more wavy when the sun's magnetic field flips. Cosmic rays are also affected. These are high-energy particles accelerated to nearly light speed by supernova explosions and other violent events in the galaxy.  Cosmic rays are a danger to astronauts and space probes, and some researchers say they might affect the cloudiness and climate of Earth. The current sheet acts as a barrier to cosmic rays, deflecting them as they attempt to penetrate the inner solar system. A wavy, crinkly sheet acts as a better shield against these energetic particles from deep space.As the field reversal approaches, data from Wilcox show that the sun's two hemispheres are out of synch. 

"The sun's north pole has already changed sign, while the south pole is racing to catch up," says Scherrer. "Soon, however, both poles will be reversed, and the second half of Solar Max will be underway."

When that happens, Hoeksema and Scherrer will share the news with their colleagues and the public.

From NASA News

LBL Beacons and TelemetryFor decades, the weak-signal VHF/UHF community has depended on beacon transmissions to alert operators to propagation paths that would allow 2-way communication where none was probable. Twenty years ago Saskatchewan was on the 6 meter beacon map via a transmitter at VE5US but the beacon was decommissioned some years ago and despite offers of assistance, a return-to-service was declined. In mid-2010 in anticipation of the upcoming Cycle-24 sunspot peak, an alternative beacon proposal was made to SARC and the Little Bear Lake site was offered as a possibility. In the fall of 2010 a beacon transmitter was obtained from the 6M Beacon Project in the US http://www.6meterbeaconproject.org/mission.html and was installed at LBL in the spring of 2011 along with a 5-element yagi pointed at Europe. The beacon call sign is VA5MG in honour of the late Dave Glass VE5MG. Amazingly, a few days after installation, beacon reception was confirmed by MM0AMW in northern Scotland during an Auroral-Es propagation event.

The original 15 watt beacon transmitter (a repurposed MAXAR lo-band VHF mobile radio) was found to be too inefficient for the limited power resources at LBL and was replaced in May 2012 with a custom-designed 10-watt beacon that achieves over 60% efficiency. Through 2012 and 2013 to date, additional power generating resources have been added to the off-grid LBL site to improve the reliability and longevity of the 6M beacon and to provide ongoing power for LBL visitors. The additional power generating resources will also allow a proposed 5 watt 10M beacon expected to become operational before the snow flies in 2013.

The new power resources include additional batteries and solar panels along with a 600W windcharger. Future power system expansion requires an informed decision as to whether to add more solar or more wind power. To help inform this decision, a monitoring system has been developed to measure power generated and to monitor the condition of the storage battery banks and some related local environment variables such as local temperature and wind direction and wind speed. The monitoring system sends hourly observations to Saskatoon (and wherever) via a 7 MHz telemetry system that employs an implementation of the JT65 weak-signal protocol to send messages twice per hour. The JT65 protocol was developed a dozen years ago by Dr. Joe Taylor K1JT and is widely used in VHF/UHF EME communications where signals are incredibly weak. See: http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/ JT65 has since become popular among HF operators since it facilitates QRP contacts on the HF bands among those operators who are limited in antenna and power by any of the contemporary obstacles including deed restrictions, apartment building rules, personal budgets or whatever. See: http://openhpsdr.org/wiki/images/0/0c/Jt65-hf-setup.pdf

The LBL telemetry system transmits JT65A format twice per hour at hh:00 and hh:30 on 7100.5 KHz USB and to hear it, your receiver should be set to 7100.500 KHz USB. It will sound like a melodious tone sequence lasting 48 seconds beginning exactly on the hour or half-hour. JT65A is basically an ultra-low bit rate FSK mode using various FSK shifts of less than a few hundred Hz and depends heavily on digital signal processing on the receive end to achieve reliable messaging. See the above URL for details. The JT65A message that is transmitted contains measured values for seven physical quantities on the hour and an additional seven on the half-hour. The telemetry transmitter delivers a whopping 4.8 watts (yes, less than 5 watts) to a dipole at LBL and is readily copied on a similar dipole in Saskatoon about 75% of the time. The transmissions have been copied as far west as Vancouver Island and likely cover a large portion of the northern tier states and neighbouring VE4 and VE3.

It should be noted that no SARC funds were expended in this beacon and telemetry project and the generous and frequent assistance of VE5KRB and VE5LRB and VE5ZX is gratefully acknowledged as well as the software contribution of VE5VA without whose software expertise the telemetry system would not have been possible. The 6m beacon is a resounding success among the worldwide VHF community and since installation has been spotted over 500 times on the DX cluster network by operators in the UK, most VE provinces including VY0 and two dozen states in the US.

Doug Freestone, VE5UF September 2013 For further info mail to: ve5uf@arrl.net

The Possible DreamEnthusiasm for amateur radio is the common interest that brings us together as a club. No matter what our individual interests might be - maintaining repeaters, building telemetry systems for high altitude balloon launches, emergency measures planning, community support, contesting or simply having a QSO - the use of communications technology and the amateur radio frequency spectrum bring us together.

Since 1931 when the club was incorporated its primary activities included supporting each other, encouraging R&D in all aspects of amateur radio, teaching and mentoring others interested in getting their tickets and participating in community activities ranging from emergency preparedness to helping students contact astronauts on the space station. These goals are summarized in the SARC 2012 mission statement “to enjoy amateur radio through the development, promotion and expansion of amateur radio in and around Saskatoon”. SARC honors individuals that make outstanding contributions to these goals with the Dave Glass Memorial Award.

The world of amateur radio has changed a lot since 1931, particularly in the last 30 years. Equipment one used to have to build is now readily available for purchase. Software defined radios (SDR) the size of a thumb drive covering 150 KHz to 2 GHz can be purchased for under $200. And these radios can be used with software to copy all CW signals at once on a band. Many modern transceivers are Internet ready, capable of being operated from anywhere on the planet not just the shack. However, along with these changes have come changes in public policies with municipal bylaws that require public consultation and restrict antenna heights. Many amateur radio clubs have aging memberships and difficulty attracting new members – particularly the young. In the past amateur radio was seen as a novelty. These days we get questions like “why use amateur radio when you can use the Internet?” And when the public is invited to attend an amateur radio event such as field day the turnout is much lower than it used to be. These changes are raising issues and challenges for SARC and its future.

For example, it is difficult for us to show others what we do, to give newcomers hands on experience and to easily support community activities without access to fixed and mobile stations. A fixed all band station with 24/7 access to modern transceivers, antennas and computer technology would be a great place to gather and experiment. It would give us a place to bring others to show our hobby. Nothing brings the excitement of amateur radio to life like playing with the equipment! It would give us a chance to show how amateur radio integrated with the Internet can rival on-line real-time gaming experiences. And with Internet support and modern equipment club members, particularly those with restricted mobility and/or access to equipment, could remotely operate the station. The mobile station would give us the means to provide support communications or showcase our hobby at any civic event on a moment’s notice. Also, it would help us be prepared to support our community in cases of emergency.

The SARC executive would like to strike a committee to prepare a plan to move us forward. A plan that looks at ways to acquire and equip fixed and mobile club stations, modernize and perhaps expand the repeater network and explore ways to do such things as improve the SARC web site, examine net times & schedules, increase our visibility and contribution to the community and fundraise. This committee would form subcommittees to examine individual primary issues and report back to the main committee. The object would be to prepare a report that would be presented to the SARC membership in the autumn of 2014 for discussion and implementation.

Also, as part of an outreach activity, the executive has composed a mailing list of more than 225 households in Saskatoon with licensed amateur radio operators. These individuals will be contacted by mail, informed of the efforts SARC has undertaken to get City’s recent antenna support structure policy to comply with Federal regulations and they will be informed of the Possible Dream Project. They will be invited to join us at the October meeting for updates and to express interest in the project. Hopefully it will draw some new members to our club.

During the planning stage we would have only one condition. Everyone should dream the possible dream by asking questions like “What would you like to see the club do if it didn’t have financial or other resource constraints?” In other words dream big! Once we have a complete grasp of the issues in front of us, an implementation plan and an understanding of the costs we can prioritize our actions, engage in fund raising and other activities and move ourselves forward in the coming years to achieve our possible dream!

SARC Executive – VE5AA

SARC 2013 Meeting Dates September 14" October 12" November 9" " December 10

Announcements, etc.The Feedline is the official publication of the Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club. This is your newsletter! Amateur radio information of general interest, club member project descriptions and doings, radio applications to other activities, corrections, or suggestions are all welcome. Individual submissions make for variety! We need more writers! Electronic submissions are preferred via email. (MSWord, PDF or generic text). Email submissions may be sent to: mluciuk@sasktel.net or mluciuk@gmail.com

Tuesday Christmas Party

Santa Claus Parade Tentative Date November 17, 2013

•Kenwood TS 570•Kenwood MC 60 mic LEDʼs are not working in this radio. A blue HAMKITT conversion kit is included.

•Kenwood TS 50•Kenwood AT 50 with hand mic

•TEN TEC RF Speech Processor (Kenwood adapter - adapters can be purchased for other transceivers)

Asking $390

Asking $390

NEW $253.00 USAsking $100

Offers? Contact VE5MIK mluciuk@sasktel.net

Membership renewal will continue at the September meeting. The Feedline will be emailed out only to 2013-2014 Club members beginning with the

November issue.

Little Bear Lake StationThe LBL telemetry address is    http://dougf.no-ip.com/tlm/test2.txt

The 6 m. beacon is   http://dougf.no-ip.com/va5mg

•Yaesu MC-100A8X Microphone New $170 Asking 100

Ham Radio - The Saskatoon Amateur Radio ClubHamfests, Flea Markets

Hams come from all over to ca tch the bargains, have a cup of coffee, and reunite with old friends.

Balloon launches

A g r o u p o f enthusiastic “balloon buddies” using ham radio to fly high! Great pictures too!

Traveling this summer

Many o f you w i l l be traveling this summer. While on the road, check out the clubʼs repeater(146.640). You can also keep track of the weather by listening to Environment Canadaʼs Weather Radio broadcasts. In the event of severe weather, a weather net may be called up. Stations across the city will be able to provide accurate w e a t h e r r e p o r t s a n d assistance to any stations that may need it. Amateur radio is a hobby, but it is a l s o a n e m e r g e n c y communications service.

The Net

Licensed amateur radio operators can be heard every night at 8 pm (0200 UTC) on the 146.640 club repeater. Various hams a c t a s n e t c o n t r o l . Check-ins are always welcome. Please check-i n f o r c l u b announcements, trivia, a few good laughs, and discussions on different topics. You might also hear a code practice s e s s i o n w i t h G a r y, VE5SG.

Looking to join? Information on all these topics is on the club

website. Check out the club website at

http://ve5aa.dyndns.org/ or email us at ve5aa@rac.ca

Club Meetings

Club meetings are held on the second Saturday of every month from September to June at the Western Development Museum. Business meetings are usually followed by a program of interest to hams.

Amateur Radio Classes

The Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club hosts classes every year for those want ing to ge t the i r amateur radio license. For information contact the club at ve5aa@rac.ca

The Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club continues a long standing tradition of providing communication support for charity and non-profi t communi ty events in and around Saskatoon. The club has provided communications for events such as the Santa Claus Parade, Parkinsons Walk, Blue Cross MS Walk, Fireworks d i s p l a y s , a n d t h e Saskatchewan Marathon.

Public Service

Check out our newsletter, The Feedline, at http://ve5aa.dyndns.org/feedline/feedline.html

Newsletter

Clu

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The

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Newsletter of the Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club April2012 Celebrating over 80 Years of Service

Special Communications . . . . Magic in the Airwaves

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL

SASKATOON AMATEUR RADIO Club inc.c/o Western Develop Museum

Saskatoon Branch2610 Lorne Ave. S., Saskatoon, Sask S7J 0S6

Membership valid from September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014

NAME CALL SIGN ADDRESS CITY SK POSTAL CODE

TELEPHONE (Home) ___________________ (Business or Cell) __________________

E-mail address: for FEEDLINE email

LICENSE: (Please check) Basic Advanced Code HF

Occupation (optional) ______________________________ Name of spouse (optional) _____________________________

Family Members (for Family Membership Application)

1. NAME ___________________________________________________ CALL SIGN __________________ Basic ____ Advanced ____ Code ____ HF ____

2. NAME ___________________________________________________ CALL SIGN __________________ Basic ____ Advanced ____ Code ____ HF ____

WHICH CLUB ACTIVITIES CAN WE COUNT ON YOU FOR? Special event or area of interest to you

___________________________________________________________________________

Affiliation (Provide membership number where applicable)

ARRL ________ RAC ________ SARL ________ MARS ________ OTHER _______

MEMBERSHIP FEESRegular Membership" " " $25.00"" " " $ "(must be licensed to operate an amateur station)"Family Membership" " " " $30.00"" " " $ "(One newsletter per family)" " " " "Associate Membership" " " $25.00"" " " $ "(Enthusiasts – not eligible for office)!" " "Junior Membership (under 18 years)! $12.50"" " " $ "(Full privileges if licensed to operate a station)"

SARL Membership" " " " $20.00"" " " $ "

RAC Membership" " " Check for details! ! ! $__________

Donation " $ "(Towards developing, maintaining, upgrading programs/equipment)

" " " "" " " " " " " TOTAL REMITTED $

Cheques payable to Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club Inc.

Print Clearly

Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club Inc.

Membership Year: 2013-2014(Financial period May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014)

Subject: Membership Vote for Waiver of Formal Financial Audit / Review of the Clubs Financial Books

Amendments to the Non-profit Corporations Act and Regulations:

Effective June 15, 2006 amendments to The Non-profit Corporations Act, 1995 became law. Changes to the Act affect financial reporting requirements as follows:

a. Financial statements must be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as set out in the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) Handbook.

b. A membership corporation (Our Club ) may resolve by a 2/3 majority not to appoint an auditor or a person to review the financial statements.

c. Any person appointed to audit or review financial statements must be a member in good standing of a recognized accounting profession (CA, CMA, or CGA) or be a person approved by the Director of Saskatchewan Justice, Corporations Branch.

The cost incurred by the club for a formal audit / review would be substantial. Normally an audit for club like ours would cost between $500.00 to $1000.00 plus. With fees of this magnitude, the club finances would mostly go to supporting this activity.

Vote Question:

‘YES’ vote means you agree to Waive the Formal Audit / Review of the Club Books. ‘ No’ vote means you wish for a Formal Audit / Review of the Financial books of the club.

At the Annual General Meeting Held on June 8th, 2014 the club books will be available for inspection by all members in good standing and the Financial Statement that will be prepared for Fiscal year 2013-2014 will be presented to the club for acceptance. Once accepted, the Financial Statement will be submitted to the Saskatchewan Corporations Branch of the Justice Department as required by law.

As a member in good standing I ____________________ vote ________ to the motions stated above.

Signed: _____________________________ Date: _______________