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POTA Ainslie Wood 1st Sep...
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ARES/Auxcomm and GBARC
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New Grey County area repe...
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Free: Tower Sections
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Club Inventory updated wi...
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RAC Ontario Sections Bull...
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Amateur Radio Weekly 03OC...
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New beta POTA website - n...
Forum: Portable & Remote Operations POTA
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Amateur Radio Weekly 26SE...
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RAC Ontario Sections Bull...
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Brian Kremer, VE3DNF, has 6 (8') tower sections available, including 2 top sections. They have tubular legs and will require a bracket or guying for support. They are currently on the ground and are free to anyone who wants to pick them up in Port Elgin. If you're interested, email me at ve3jmd <at> gmail <dot> com and I'll put you in touch.
ARES and GBARC Explained
This is a brief history of ARES and its relationship with the Georgian Bay Amateur Radio Club.
ARES has been a long-time entity in the counties of Grey and Bruce. This goes back before the 1990's and was separate from the GBARC and has remained that way for a couple of decades.
At the beginning, the ARES group was part of GBARC and was made up of some dedicated leaders like Bob VE3LKD and Jon VA3CIC and others.
This arrangement was fraught with issues and there were many who refused to participate in ARES as they felt, ARES should be FREE to join and they felt they could not justify dues to GBARC for the ability to join in with others interested in ARES.
As a result, participants dwindled and it was obvious that something had to change. At the time it was felt that the best way to solve this issue was to remove the ARES group from anything related to the club and therefore anyone who wished to, could join the ARES group and participate as they saw fit.
This of course, did not prevent GBARC members from participating and so everyone co-existed quite well for many years.
So, after many years (mid 2010's), the then group leaders, expressed their will to move on to other things in their lives and this resulted in the ARES group not having leaders and the group fell into a state of non-activity.
At the time they used yahoo groups to maintain a mailing list and provide a means to send notifications to the whole group who has volunteered to help.
Around the same time as the ARES group becoming non-functional, yahoo groups decided to cease their operations as well.
So, what was left was the GBARC webmaster (me), who felt that we should include ARES on our website so that ARES would not disappear altogether.
However, the issue of GBARC membership still remains, there are those that will not participate so long as GBARC asks for dues or any type of membership fee.
If the current leaders of ARES/ACS/Auxcomm wish to see their group grow, they should embrace the separation from GBARC as well. These days we have groups.io which performs the same function as yahoo groups did and can also be a free of cost option.
GBARC is a hobby club, not a service group.
Our membership is here to enjoy our hobby, operate for fun, get on the air and get together for social/operating events. If at the same time, members wish to participate in ARES, they obviously can, and are encouraged to do so. But...the ARES group cannot make arrangements with counties or other external groups without first satisfying the requirements of our by-laws, specifically By-Law 4 Resolutions. see below
BY-LAW 4 RESOLUTIONS
A. Statements of policy of the club to the public, governing departments, and
officials of such governing departments, and affiliated bodies, and officials of
such affiliated bodies, or to the media, shall be by resolution, duly motioned and
seconded, and voted on by a Quorum of full members as set out in the
Constitution.
B. No member, either FULL or ASSOCIATE shall make any statement of policy, as
set out in BY-LAW 4 (A) without direction and permission of the club as set out in
that BY-LAW.
This is V_3___, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs
of Canada with this week's bulletin.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Affiliated Club Insurance 2027 Renewal due soon
During October, clubs will be reminded to submit their renewal
to the RAC Insurance Program. It provides comprehensive
liability coverage to protect against liability claims arising
from accidents or damage incurred during normal club activities.
Liability coverage is often requested by external groups such
as businesses, libraries or municipalities as a prerequisite
for the organization of (or participation in) public events
held in areas administered by other groups.
For more information see: https://www.rac.ca/insurance/
-- Paul, VA3PC Ontario Sections Bulletin Manager
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. HelioClock - a subscription free alternative to GeoChron
HelioClock is a fully customizable live Earth clock and situational
awareness display built specifically with ham radio operators in
mind, and it's quickly becoming known as the subscription free
alternative to GeoChron.
HelioClock runs entirely on your own hardware with no cloud service
in the loop and no subscription required. Every data feed, including
radar, space weather, tropical storms, lightning, and earthquakes,
pulls directly from free public government and research sources,
so if any single source goes down the rest of the display keeps
running.
For hams specifically, HelioClock tracks the live day and night
terminator, also known as the greyline, which is the band of dawn
and dusk that opens up long distance HF propagation. It also
includes a DX cluster feed, band condition data, solar flux and
K index readings, live NASA SDO solar imagery, EME moon bounce
planning tools, NCDXF beacon tracking, and a full built in ham
radio desk reference, all on one screen.
HelioClock is available preloaded on an SD card for your own
Raspberry Pi 4 or 5, as a bootable live USB stick to bring old
PC hardware back to life, as a turnkey appliance ready to plug
in, or as a multi display Pro Server built for NOC walls, EOCs,
and trading floors.
See the recorded interview with its creator KA9NWM at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-YdPKqTQ64
-- amateur radio weekly
3. A WSJT-X Mode That Ignores the Clock - JTTY
For two decades, the major modes from the WSJT project have
followed the same pattern: transmit in one period, listen in
the next, decode at the end of the cycle.
JTTY breaks that pattern. It was announced on September 23,
2026 with WSJT-X 3.2.0-rc1. It is a keyboard-to-keyboard mode
that transmits when you press a key and prints text as it
arrives, just like RTTY.
The development team describes the goal as the operating feel
of RTTY with much better weak-signal performance and a much
lower error rate. The target audience is clear: RTTY contesters
who have watched FT8 and FT4 take over activity but still prefer
running with function keys and a serial-number exchange.
This is a release candidate, not a general-availability build.
The team wants on-air testing and feedback before an early GA
release of 3.2.0.
-- WSJT-X Development team
4. The Yagi turns 100
The Yagi-Uda beam antenna was invented 100 years ago, in 1926,
and Contest University (CTU) is celebrating its centennial
with a Zoom webinar recorded Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The free webinar is located at: https://youtu.be/qD3dBDOBkwE
-- Contest University and ARRL News
This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or
clarifications?
Hearing none, This is V_3___ returning the frequency to net control.
Bulletin sent from Official Bulletin Manager VA3PC
![[Image: arw-header-700.gif]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/emma-assets/b3h3/eb034ed72fd9f0ea240405f6861b43b1/arw-header-700.gif)
JTTY: A WSJT-X mode that ignores the clock
K1JT and the WSJT team release WSJT-X 3.2.0-rc1 with JTTY, a weak-signal keyboard mode built for RTTY contesting.
DXZone
Projects find hidden SDR capabilities in ESP32 microcontrollers
Several ESP32 models can now be used as an internal SDR covering 2.2–2.7 GHz, plus 4.8–6.0 GHz on the ESP32-C5, with up to 80 MS/s sample rate and roughly 13–54 MHz of analog bandwidth, depending on the chip.
RTL-SDR
Successful M17 transmission using an unmodified Retevis C62
The most important thing is that the C62 radio is available at about $45 and does not require any hardware modifications to run the M17 mode.
M17 Project
What’s new at Digital Library of Amateur Radio & Communications
We scanned 179 issues of The Cornell-Dubilier Capacitor. This was a technical/service newsletter for the radio and TV repair trade published by Cornell-Dubilier Electric Corp., another capacitor manufacturer. The Capacitor was published from 1937 through 1964; we have issues spanning 1939-1960.
Zero Retries
Call sign grace period: A hard lesson learned
Don't forget to pay the renewal fee!
K4HST
GOGUFW Messenger
Turn a $25 Quansheng UV-K1 into a radio-to-radio text messenger.
HamRadio.My
JS8Mail
Reliable offline-first radio mail above an unmodified JS8Call instance.
Steve Netting
Leo.space
Track launches, satellites, weather, and space communications from a single command center.
Leo.space
W2PH streaming radio
A premier internet radio station featuring classic rock/oldies 24/7 streaming with live DJ sessions.
W2PH Radio
Pi Pico recreates the Heathkit Pocket Packet
Once upon a time, you might have squirted data about the airwaves using something like the Heathkit HK-21 Pocket Packet.
Hackaday
Upcoming Events
EN100NP on the Air to Honor 100th Anniversary of Symon Petlura
June 8, 2026 — December 31, 2026
ISS SSTV Weekend Sprint
October 2, 2026 — October 6, 2026
Fire Prevention Week Special Event Highlights Fire Safety
October 4, 2026 — October 10, 2026
Zero Retries Digital Conference 2026
October 16, 2026
See more events
[/url]
Video
[url=https://t.e2ma.net/click/vivnqo/br83ri1c/z10nmbb]Testing the DX Launcher
The DX Launcher is a high-performance compressed air antenna launcher designed to send weighted tennis balls over tall trees with precision and ease.
KB9VBR
Massive vintage radio collection now on display
Daughter keeps her hero father's memory alive.
WTVR
Department of Public Safety recruiter reaches across the globe
As a Ham Radio operator, he extends his talkative nature to people around the world. Listen as he chats with people on the Eastern Seaboard
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
The Yagi turns 100
Let's look at what led up to the invention and what has happened since.
W8WWV
Editor's Corner
Hi, my name is Cale (K4HCK) and I'm the editor of Amateur Radio Weekly.
The most-clicked link from last week's newsletter was ARRL's article about the potential for RADE digital voice to displace SSB just like SSB displaced AM as the mode of choice so many years ago. If you haven't listened to a clip of RADE in action, do yourself a favor and listen now. The level of fidelity available in such narrow bandwidth is truly impressive.
Zero Retries Digital Conference is just 2 weeks away! I'll be presenting at ZRDC26 with a focus on New Tech Hams, an emerging persona in the hobby that is disrupting a lot of the old trends we might be familiar with, from voice modes to radio clubs.
I'm also attending Pacificon and will be sharing a booth with Zero Retries. Stop by to say "Hi" and grab a sticker.
General feedback regarding this newsletter or the content within is always welcome. Got a link to share? Simply hit reply.
73
Cale
K4HCK
![[Image: net-finder.jpg]](https://hamweekly.com/images/net-finder.jpg)
Thank you for reading.
73
Will RADE be the next SSB?
RADE occupies half the bandwidth of a SSB signal and reportedly provides more natural-sounding speech.
ARRL
MacWinlink--A native macOS client for Winlink
The goal of MacWinlink is to provide feature parity with Winlink Express.
Winlink
Vanity call applications: Do your homework
37% of applications contained one or more errors.
QueryBang
Join the RADE V2 testing team
This will involve real-time, over-the-air, push-to-talk (PTT) testing. Testers will need to follow our test and issue submission guidelines.
FreeDV
ID-5200A first impressions
It’s an ID-52 A Plus on steroids.
Andrew Woodward
This digital radio gets messages to the world’s remotest locations
It sends encrypted signals with no satellites or relay towers required.
IEEE Spectrum
Hunter Radio Group repeaters hit by cable theft at Mt Sugarloaf
Coaxial cables were cut and removed from the Mt Sugarloaf site last weekend.
WIA
Call sign lookup & vanity prediction site
Pending FCC vanity applications of every format. Each requested call-sign is given a predicted outcome.
W5ZQ
How to power a 100W Ham Radio with portable solar panels
The system is built step-by-step, including the battery, solar panels, charge controllers, cabling, and Powerpole connections.
Off Grid Ham Radio OH8STN
A Ham Radio operator's take on the Fermi Paradox
The Fermi paradox, in one line: a galaxy of hundreds of billions of stars, most of them billions of years older than the Sun, should be full of civilizations, so where is everybody? After 65 years of listening for carriers near 1420 MHz — Ozma, SETI@home, Breakthrough Listen — the band is still dead. A new hypothesis, called Behavioral SETI, asks whether the silence is a design feature: instead of listening for a transmitter, it has run 49 searches of public astrophysics archives for a network that signals by modulating sources already on the air — leaving the demodulation to us.
KC2JJM
End of an Era: Kyodo News radiofax service discontinued
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I knew that sooner or later this was going to happen.
The SWLing Post
Upcoming Events
EN100NP on the Air to Honor 100th Anniversary of Symon Petlura
June 8, 2026 — December 31, 2026
Fire Prevention Week Special Event Highlights Fire Safety
October 4, 2026 — October 10, 2026
Zero Retries Digital Conference 2026
October 16, 2026
See more events
Video
POTA/SOTA activation at Diamond Head turns into real-world emergency response
An opportunity for an Amateur Radio operator to put years of emergency preparedness and communications training to practical use.
KH6ML
Project Mercury: VARA alternative for high speed HF data communications
The project is Open Source, available for multiple platforms, and free in all common definitions of that term. It emulates the same software API as the popular VARA modem product, allowing it to be used in many existing systems.
SFARC W6EK
Editor's Corner
Hi, my name is Cale (K4HCK) and I'm the editor of Amateur Radio Weekly.
The most-clicked link from last week's newsletter was Hackaday's reporting of the potential for mesh networks to be in violation of FCC rules. This article triggered quite the response, with one Ham letting me know that he'll be addressing the FCC with a petition for rule making. More to come!
The Zero Retries Digital Conference is just 3 weeks away. My technical paper is written and turned in (I'll publish a version, here, after the conference.) and my presentation deck is almost complete. My talk will explore New Tech Hams, an emerging persona in the hobby that is bucking a lot of the old trends we might be familiar with.
Earlier this week I spoke with a group of students at the local university about my professional work, so I'm feeling good about speaking at ZRDC. It should be a fun talk.
I'm also attending Pacificon and will be sharing a booth with Zero Retries. Stop by to say "Hi" and grab a sticker.
General feedback regarding this newsletter or the content within is always welcome. Got a link to share? Simply hit reply.
73
Cale
K4HCK
Thank you for reading.
73
This is V_3___, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs
of Canada with this week's bulletin.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Annual General Meeting to be held Oct 17th
RAC's AGM will be held virtually Oct 17th at 15:00 ET
via Zoom. You must register in advance.
All RAC members are encouraged to participate.
Visit https://rac.ca/agm for more information, including
the link to register for the meeting.
-- RAC distribution list
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
2. Kingston Amateur Radio Club Hamfest
Date :Saturday, October 17, 2026
Location:734 Montreal St, Kingston
Times :vendors 7:30, public 8:30 - 12:00
Cost :$5, Kids under 16 free
Talk-in :146.94(-) Tone 151.4
Info :To request a table please contact Tim (VA3TIC) at
va3tic @ gmail.com or Greg (VE3PJ) at
greg.foster @ sympatico.ca
-- RAC Events page
3. Saturday morning 2m SSB Net
Point your beams towards the west end of Lake Ontario for the
Saturday morning 2m SSB net.
Frequency: 144.205 USB
Time : Saturdays starting at 08:30 ET
Net control is Rob, VE3GN in Hamilton.
Everyone welcome.
-- Chris, VE3RWJ
ITEMS OF INTEREST
4. Get Ready for Jamboree on the Air
Sal Mancuso, W6SAL, is promoting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) 2026
on behalf of the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Scouting
America (formerly Boy Scouts of America). JOTA is an annual
worldwide event, on the air and on the internet (as JOTI),
with the goal of promoting friendship and global citizenship via
amateur radio and the internet. This year’s event will be held
from October 16-18.
The special event call sign K6S will be active on October 17 for
QSO's on HF, VHF, and UHF. Planned HF frequencies are 7.090,
14.290, 18.140, and 28.990 MHz, using SSB and FT-8.
-- arrl news
This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or
clarifications?
Hearing none, This is V_3___ returning the frequency to net control.
Bulletin sent from Official Bulletin Manager VA3PC
I stopped by Kemble Mountain yesterday and added enough contacts to put GBARC as the park leader. After that I attended Colpoys lookout and met Adam, Bobby and Dan there. We are now the park leader there as well....
Kemble Mountain CA-6008
Colpoys Lookout CA-6007
I heard today that a new repeater system has been installed in Owen Sound 147.105 PL156.7 and Markdale 444.500 PL156.7 and they are linked back to the Hamilton area. Just installed last week. I tried them from here and cannot key them up.
After a quick Google search, it appears that they are linked via Allstar. https://hearham.com/repeaters/23385/