2026-01-03, 08:15:11
This is V_3___, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada with this week's bulletin.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. January/February TCA is now available
The 2026 Jan/Feb issue is now available on the RAC website for viewing
or download at https:/www.rac.ca/digitaltca/
The paper edition is now at the printer.
-- Alan Griffin, TCA Editor
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. FIRST DESECHEO ISLAND ACTIVATION SINCE 2009
There has been no amateur activity from Desecheo Island, 13 miles off the
Puerto Rican coast, since 2009 – but now the first Puerto Rican-led
DXpedition in 48 years to KP5 is preparing for that moment. The organisers,
the Manyana DX Foundation and the Vieques Island Amateur Radio Club, are
calling the activation of this small uninhabited island a “landmark DXpedition.”
Desecheo is a protected nature reserve with strict limits to access, so two
self-contained remote deployable units, or RDUs, will be set out in the second
week of January. Operators have undergone training specific to the remote
activation. They expect to be on the air within 24 hours of RDUs’ deployment,
operating around the clock for about 30 days on 160-6 metres, CW, SSB and FT8.
A live stream will be available from Club Log.
Of course, expect pileups. The island is the 14th most wanted entity on the DXCC list.
-- Graham Kemp VK4BB (Amateur Radio Newsline).
3. DXLook Adds Map Layers and Weather Radar Overlays
DXLook has introduced a new map layer system that allows additional data
to be displayed directly on top of its propagation maps.
The first available layers include North America Rain Radar and North America
Snow Radar, providing real-time weather context alongside HF propagation data.
Layers can be enabled or disabled individually to avoid clutter and preserve
map readability.
The new layer framework is designed to be extensible, and additional layers
are planned. The DXLook team invites users to suggest new layer ideas and
reliable public data sources that may benefit the amateur radio community.
Several UI and cosmetic improvements were also made to the main menu,
improving usability on both desktop and mobile devices.
DXLook is available at https://www.dxlook.com
-- Rodrigo, AK6FP
4. QRZ Announces USA 250 Award
QRZ.com has announced the USA 250 Award to celebrate the 250th anniversary
of the founding of the United States of America. Participants are encouraged
to make 250 confirmed QSOs with US based amateurs throughout 2026. The award
is open to all ham radio operators across the globe.
Additional details are available on the QRZ forums.
-- QRZ.com
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
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. January/February TCA is now available
The 2026 Jan/Feb issue is now available on the RAC website for viewing
or download at https:/www.rac.ca/digitaltca/
The paper edition is now at the printer.
-- Alan Griffin, TCA Editor
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. FIRST DESECHEO ISLAND ACTIVATION SINCE 2009
There has been no amateur activity from Desecheo Island, 13 miles off the
Puerto Rican coast, since 2009 – but now the first Puerto Rican-led
DXpedition in 48 years to KP5 is preparing for that moment. The organisers,
the Manyana DX Foundation and the Vieques Island Amateur Radio Club, are
calling the activation of this small uninhabited island a “landmark DXpedition.”
Desecheo is a protected nature reserve with strict limits to access, so two
self-contained remote deployable units, or RDUs, will be set out in the second
week of January. Operators have undergone training specific to the remote
activation. They expect to be on the air within 24 hours of RDUs’ deployment,
operating around the clock for about 30 days on 160-6 metres, CW, SSB and FT8.
A live stream will be available from Club Log.
Of course, expect pileups. The island is the 14th most wanted entity on the DXCC list.
-- Graham Kemp VK4BB (Amateur Radio Newsline).
3. DXLook Adds Map Layers and Weather Radar Overlays
DXLook has introduced a new map layer system that allows additional data
to be displayed directly on top of its propagation maps.
The first available layers include North America Rain Radar and North America
Snow Radar, providing real-time weather context alongside HF propagation data.
Layers can be enabled or disabled individually to avoid clutter and preserve
map readability.
The new layer framework is designed to be extensible, and additional layers
are planned. The DXLook team invites users to suggest new layer ideas and
reliable public data sources that may benefit the amateur radio community.
Several UI and cosmetic improvements were also made to the main menu,
improving usability on both desktop and mobile devices.
DXLook is available at https://www.dxlook.com
-- Rodrigo, AK6FP
4. QRZ Announces USA 250 Award
QRZ.com has announced the USA 250 Award to celebrate the 250th anniversary
of the founding of the United States of America. Participants are encouraged
to make 250 confirmed QSOs with US based amateurs throughout 2026. The award
is open to all ham radio operators across the globe.
Additional details are available on the QRZ forums.
-- QRZ.com
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