WCARC West Carleton Amateur Radio Club

Home Executive VHF SSB Net Repeaters APRS Activities Projects Presentations Meetings
For Sale Links Contacts Events Membership Regulations Club History Minutes of Mtgs Beacons

Upcoming WCARC Meetings/Speakers/Topics

February 7, 2012 Meeting: Bert Zahaur VE2ZAZ Electronics Design Process at home. This will cover the whole flow starting with schematic capture and ending with the fully assembled PCB-based, end product. He will show the freeware he uses, will bring samples, tools, the chemicals, etc. There will be a lot of talk and walk-through but few slides.

Upcoming Events and Contests

WCARC February Meeting

  • first Tues of the month - Feb 7, 2012 19:30hrs
  • Watch email for new meeting location
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email for changes
  • Participate in our bring-your-own-chair program
  • Please note: 2012 membership fees are due

    Canadian Ski Marathon

    Radio Amateurs have been providing communications support to CSM operations and safety for 39 years and show no signs of slowing down for this year.

  • Feb 11 and 12, 2012 see http://www.csm-mcs.com/
  • volunteer radio operators are needed
  • spare radios are needed
  • Contact Harold VA3UNK
  • radio assignments and operating info will be posted at http://www.radio-1.ca

    ARRL Intl DX Contest - CW

  • CW: Third full weekend in February - Feb.18/19, 2012
  • Phone: First full weekend in March - Mar.3/4, 2012
  • Contest Period: 48 hours each mode (separate contests). Starts 0000 UTC Saturday; ends 2400 UTC Sunday.
  • see http://www.arrl.org/contests
  • see Dec.QST
  • VE stations work as many DXCC entities as possible
  • VE stations give their report plus province

    WCARC March Meeting

  • first Tues of the month - March 6, 2012 19:30hrs
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email for changes
  • Participate in our bring-your-own-chair program

    ARRL Intl DX Contest - Phone

  • Phone: First full weekend in March - Mar.3-4 2012
  • CW: Third full weekend in February 18-19
  • Contest Period: 48 hours each mode (separate contests). Starts 0000 UTC Saturday; ends 2400 UTC Sunday.
  • see http://www.arrl.org/contests
  • see Dec.QST
  • VE stations work as many DXCC entities as possible
  • VE stations give their report plus province

    Ham-Ex

  • Amateur Radio Show and Flea Market
  • Date: Saturday March 24, 2012
  • Time: Vendors 7am, Public 9am - 1pm
  • Place: Brampton Fall Centre - Heart Lake Rd & Old School Rd.
  • Admission: $7.00
  • see http://www.ham-ex.ca

    Laval-Laurentides Flea Market - Hamfest 2012

  • Saturday, March 24, 2012, 9am
  • Entrance $5, tables $10
  • Polyvalente Georges-Vanier à Laval (3995 boul. Lévesque est)
  • Laval, QC
  • see http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca

    Iroquois Flea Market

  • Saturday, April 7, 2012, Vendors 0800hrs, Public 0900hrs
  • Iroquois Civic Centre, Iroquois, ON
  • Entrance free, tables $10
  • Talk-in 145.290(-)
  • see http://www.rac.ca/opsinfo/fleas.htm

    WCARC April Meeting

  • first Tues of the month - Apr.3, 2012 19:30hrs
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email for changes

    QCWA QSO Party

  • April 7, 2012 1800Z/2PM on Saturday to 1759Z/2PM on Sunday
  • see http://www.qcwa.org/qso-party.htm
  • 15 bands including a band called "420MHz and above"
  • no contacts on WARC bands are permitted (10, 18 and 24 Mhz Bands)
  • phone, cw and digital, or mixed mode
  • rules/logging/scoring are complex so see reference above

    144 Sprint - Apr 9, 2012 (Monday) 7-11 PM EST

  • four hour mini contest
  • see https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/2011-announcement
  • friendly, anything goes
  • exchange is 4 character grid square, 6 characters preferred
  • scoring - still being worked out, going to distance sensitive score

    Ontario QSO Party

  • This event is held annually on the third full weekend of April. - 21 April 2012
  • 1800Z/2PM on Saturday to 1800Z/2PM on Sunday
  • contacts on ALL amateur bands from 1.8 MHz to 250 GHz (except 10/18/24 MHz) count
  • usually some VHF activity
  • there is an entry category those restricted (by their licence) to VHF and up.
  • see http://cco.ve3xd.com/oqp/index.html

    222 Sprint - April 17, 2012 (Tuesday) 7-11 PM EST

  • four hour mini contest
  • see https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/2011-announcement
  • friendly, anything goes
  • exchange is 4 character grid square, 6 characters preferred
  • scoring - still being worked out, going to distance sensitive score

    432 Sprint - April 25, 2012 (Wednesday) 7-11 PM EST

  • four hour mini contest
  • see https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/2011-announcement
  • friendly, anything goes
  • exchange is 4 character grid square, 6 characters preferred
  • scoring - still being worked out, going to distance sensitive score

    NEAR Fest

  • New England Amateur Radio Club
  • Apr 27, 2012 09:00 Friday to Saturday
  • see http://www.near-fest.com
  • Deerfield, NH (25mi from Manchester). Approx 280mi from Cornwall.
  • members of WCARC will be attending

    WCARC May Meeting

  • first Tues of the month - May 1, 2012
  • regular meeting
  • Watch email for changes

    Microwave Sprint - Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 6 AM until 1 PM local time

  • 902MHz and above
  • four hour mini contest
  • see https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/2011-announcement
  • friendly, anything goes
  • exchange is 4 character grid square, 6 characters preferred
  • scoring - still being worked out, going to distance sensitive score

    SBMS Contest

  • Second weekend in May- May 12 and 13, 2012. The weekend begins at 6 a.m. (local) Saturday though 8 p.m. Sunday
  • 2 GHz and up.
  • any 24hrs - from 6am Saturday to 12 midnight Sunday (local)
  • clubs and individuals
  • see http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms/

    Smiths Falls Flea Market

  • Saturday, May 12, 2012, Vendors 0700hrs, Public 0900hrs (Confirmed)
  • Youth Arena behind Community Centre, Smiths Falls, ON
  • Admission is $5.00 per person. Tables cost $10.00 each. (price includes one admission)
  • Talk-in 147.21MHz fm
  • see http://www.rac.ca/opsinfo/fleas.htm
  • or see http://ve3rlr.dyndns.org/fleamarket27th.html

    50 MHz Spring Sprint - from 2300Z Saturday, May 12, until 0300Z Sunday, May 13, 2012

  • four hour mini contest
  • see https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/2011-announcement
  • friendly, anything goes
  • exchange is 4 character grid square, 6 characters preferred
  • scoring - still being worked out, going to distance sensitive score

    Dayton Hamfest

  • May 18-20, 2012
  • Hara Arena (again), Trotwood, Ohio (Dayton)
  • see http://www.hamvention.org/

    Rochester Hamfest

  • June 2, 2012 Saturday - Gates Open at 0800hrs rain or shine
  • Barnard Carnival Grounds and Party House - Year 4 at the NEW LOCATION
  • see http://www.rochesterhamfest.org/

    WCARC June Meeting

  • first Tues of the month - June 5, 2012, 1930hrs
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email for changes

    ARRL June VHF QSO Party + WCARC GRID EXPEDITION

  • second full weekend in June. Begins 1800 UTC Saturday, ends 0300 UTC Monday
  • 1800Z Jun 09-0300Z Jun 11, 2012
  • see http://www.arrl.org/contests for details.
  • 50MHZ and above, all modes
  • Exchange is 4 character Maidenhead Grid Square (i.e. FN25) and call

    ARRL Field Day

  • Always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday June 23 and ending at 2100 UTC Sunday - June 24, 2012
  • all bands, all modes
  • rules are complex - see http://www.arrl.org/contests for details.

    RAC Canada Day Contest

  • July 1, 2012 (Sunday), 0000 UTC to 2359 UTC
  • see http://www.rac.ca/ervice/infocont.htm
  • CW and phone
  • RAC official stns count 20 pts, other Cdn count 10 pts, non Cdn count 2 pts

    WCARC July Meeting

  • Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012
  • 1930hrs
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email for changes

    CQ WW VHF Contest

  • Saturday July 21, 2012, 1800 UTC to Sunday July 22, 2012, 2100 UTC (To Be Confirmed)
  • 27 hours for all stations, all categories. Operate any portion of the contest period you wish.
  • see http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/ - look under VHF Contest
  • 6m and 2m only
  • CW and phone
  • Hill Toppers, Rovers, Multis (see the rules)

    WCARC August 7, 2012 Meeting

  • first Tues of the month
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email for changes

    Maritime DX Forum - Friday August 3 and Saturday August 4, 2012 TBD

  • Halifax
  • Many Top Speakers
  • Register before July 15 for best prices
  • Webinar available
  • see http://www.halifax-arc.org/mdf for details

    ARRL UHF Contest

  • Saturday August 4, 2012 1800 UTC to Sunday August 5, 2012 1800 UTC - Entrants may use as much of this time as they wish.
  • 222MHz and up. Exchange is grid square and call sign
  • see http://www.arrl.org/contests for details

    ARRL 10GHz and Up Contest - part 1

  • Saturday August 18, 2012 0600hrs (local) to Sunday August 19 2359hrs (local) - Entrants may use 24hrs of this time - listening time counts.
  • 2 weekends
  • exchange is 6 character grid square
  • see http://www.arrl.org/contests for details

    QCWA QSO Party - Sept.01, 2012 (Saturday)

  • 1800Z/2PM on Saturday to 1759Z/2PM on Sunday
  • same rules as the April QCWA QSO Party
  • see http://www.qcwa.org/qso-party.htm
  • 15 bands including a band called "420MHz and above"
  • no contacts on WARC bands are permitted (10, 18 and 24 Mhz Bands)
  • special station W2MM - see rules
  • phone, cw and digital, or mixed mode
  • rules/logging/scoring are complex so see reference above

    WCARC Sept Meeting

  • first Tues of the month - September 4, 2012 at 7:30pm
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email for changes

    OARC Hamfest

  • Sept.8, 2012 Vendors 0730, tailgaters open 0800, building opens 0900hrs EDT
  • $6 general $12 table plus admission $5 tailgate plus admission
  • Carp Agricultural fairgrounds, Carp, ON
  • see http://www.rac.ca/opsinfo/fleas.htm
  • see http://www.oarc.net/fleamarket/

    ARRL September VHF QSO Party

  • Saturday Sept.8, 2012 1800 UTC to Monday Sept.12, 0300 UTC
  • see http://www.arrl.org/contests for details
  • 50MHZ and above, all modes
  • Exchange is 4 character Maidenhead Grid Square (i.e. FN25) and call

    ARRL 10GHz and Up Contest - part 2

  • Saturday Sept. 15, 2012 0600hrs (local) to Sunday 2359hrs (local) - Entrants may use 24hrs of this time - listening time counts.
  • 2 weekends
  • see http://www.arrl.org/contests for details

    Fall Southeastern VHF Society 144MHz Sprint

  • Monday Sept.17, 2012, 1900-2300hrs (local) (TBD)
  • anything goes, fun contest
  • see http://www.svhfs.org/
  • all modes
  • Exchange is 4 character Maidenhead Grid Square (i.e. FN25) and call

    ARRL EME Contest - part 1 - Sept. 22, 2012

  • three 48hr weekends (0000 UTC Saturday to 2359 UTC Sunday)
  • see http://www.arrl.org/eme-contest
  • Sep 22-23, part 1 - 2304MHz and up
  • Oct 20-21, part 2 - 50MHz through 1296 MHz
  • part 3 - Nov 19 - 50MHz through 1296 MHz

    Next OVHFA get together

  • September 24th 2011 (TBD)
  • Humber College, north campus
  • More info & Maps to the College see http://home.cogeco.ca/~ovhfa
  • contact Hugh Duff VA3TO at hughd@cogeco.ca
  • see OVHFA website http://amherstisland.on.ca/ovhfa/index.htm

    Fall Southeastern VHF Society 222MHz Sprint

  • Tuesday Sept.27, 2011, 1900-2300hrs (local)
  • anything goes, fun contest
  • see http://www.svhfs.org/
  • all modes
  • Exchange is 4 character Maidenhead Grid Square (i.e. FN25) and call

    WCARC Oct 4, 2011 Meeting

  • first Tues of the month
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email for changes

    Fall Southeastern VHF Society 432MHz Sprint

  • Wedesday Oct.5, 2011, 1900-2300hrs (local)
  • anything goes, fun contest
  • see http://www.svhfs.org/
  • all modes
  • Exchange is 4 character Maidenhead Grid Square (i.e. FN25) and call

    Fall Nearfest Hamfest Excursion

  • see http://www.near-fest.com/
  • October 14, 2011 some WCARC members are heading to Deerfield, NH
  • depart early Friday for a mid-day arrival; tour the flea market etc; group supper; departure for Ottawa mid-Saturday
  • very limited discount space available in Manchester Super 8

    Fall Southeastern VHF Society 902MHz and above Sprint

  • Saturday Oct.15, 2011 0600-1200hrs (local)
  • anything goes, fun contest
  • see http://www.svhfs.org/
  • all modes
  • Exchange is 4 character Maidenhead Grid Square (i.e. FN25) and call

    ARRL EME Contest - part 2 - Oct 22-23, 2011

  • see http://www.arrl.org/eme-contest
  • three 48hr weekends (0000 UTC Saturday to 2359 UTC Sunday)
  • part 1 - Sep 24 - 2.3GHz+
  • part 2 - Oct 22 - 50MHz through 1296 MHz
  • part 3 - Nov 19 - 50MHz through 1296 MHz

    CQ World Wide DX Contest - SSB part: 0000 UTC, October xx through 2359 UTC, October xx, 2011

  • see http://www.cqww.com/

    Fall Southeastern VHF Society 50MHz Sprint

  • Saturday Oct.xx, 2012 2300-0300hrs (UTC) i.e. 1900 local to 2300 local
  • anything goes, fun contest
  • see http://www.svhfs.org/
  • all modes
  • Exchange is 4 character Maidenhead Grid Square (i.e. FN25) and call

    WCARC Nov 6, 2012 Meeting

  • first Tues of the month
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email and listen for cancellations on VA3ARE/R on 147.240+ with 100Hz PL tone 444.550+ for cancellations

    ARRL EME Contest - part 3 - Nov.xx, 2012

  • see http://www.arrl.org/eme-contest
  • three 48hr weekends (0000 UTC Saturday to 2359 UTC Sunday)
  • part 1 - Sep xx - 2.3GHz+
  • part 2 - Oct xx - 50MHz through 1296 MHz
  • part 3 - Nov xx - 50MHz through 1296 MHz

    CQ World Wide DX Contest - CW part: 0000 UTC, November 24, 2012 through 2359 UTC, November 25

  • see http://www.cqww.com/

    WCARC Dec 4, 2012 Meeting

  • first Tues of the month
  • Elections and Christmas Party
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email and listen on 444.550+ for cancellations

    RAC Winter Contest

  • 2012 Date not yet available
  • see http://www.rac.ca/service/contesting/
  • CW and phone
  • RAC official stns count 20 pts, other Cdn count 10 pts, non Cdn count 2 pts

    ARRL Straight Key Night

  • 1900 EST Dec.31, 2012 to 1900 EST Jan.1, 2013 (i.e. 0000-2400 UTC)
  • see http://www.arrl.org/contests
  • CW only, using a straight key
  • vintage radios are often used but not necessary
  • Instead of RST use SKN
  • Good old fashion rag chewing

    WCARC January 8, 2013 Meeting

  • Date adjusted because first Tuesday is January 1
  • First Tues of the month at 1930hrs
  • Meeting Location is upstairs in Sobey's - Terry Fox and Hazeldean
  • New Executive in place
  • See MEETINGS TAB for details
  • Watch email for changes or cancellations

    ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes

  • 1900 UTC Jan.xx, 2013 to 0400 UTC Jan.xx, 2013
  • 1400 local Saturday to 2300 local on Sunday
  • see http://www.arrl.org/contests
  • 50MHZ and above, all modes
  • Exchange is 4 character Maidenhead Grid Square (i.e. FN25) and call

    Home Back to WCARC Home Page

    This page was updated on February 4, 2012 and is Copyright © 2004-2012 by West Carleton Amateur Radio Club