Pictures from this year's field day: SARC/TARC field day pictures

Harvey was a long-time member of SARC and co-founded the Senators group. He was in his 101st year. RIP

https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/thestar/name/harvey-porter-obituary?pid=201730824

Due to the current state of emergency, all City of Toronto community and recreation centres are closed and all programs cancelled until at least the end of June. Accordingly, there will not be any club meetings until further notice. Stay safe and healthy!

Hello SARC;

Membership Notification

Recent world wide and local Covid-19 events have now reached ground level. The city of Toronto has announced the closure, until further notice, of various recreational facilities including the Don Montgomery Centre where we hold our club meetings. As a result of these measures taken by the city we will not be able to hold our Kit Build scheduled for Monday evening.

Our next meeting on Monday April 13th may also have to be postponed or cancelled depending on the availability of the community centre. The club will keep you up to date on any changes in our meeting and event schedules.

These are time of great concern and I want everyone to take care of themselves, their families and loved ones during this viral outbreak so we can all get through this situation unscathed.

Please keep your rigs on the air since this is one of the safest ways for us to keep in touch with our fellow amateur radio enthusiasts worldwide. Our usual nets will continue Thursday evenings at 19:30 and Sunday mornings at 10:30 EST on 10 meters at 28.730 on the dial.

Keep well
Sincerely
73 de Duncan VE3GNI President

Ontario grants permanent exemption for hand-held two-way radios for commercial drivers and amateur radio operators. Thanks to RAC for helping to make this a reality.

From Duncan VE3GNI:

I trust everybody had an adventure filled summer, hopefully spending some quality time on the air seeking the intercession of the propagation spirits. There is still time to get to any outdoor radio projects or activities you have in the works.

I discovered an interesting app called Robot36 on Android (free) and for iPhone - SSTV Slow Scan TV (almost free 2.99). This is a fine example of minimalist amateur radio fun.

The picture shows the complicated setup for the reception of SSTV images sent from the International Space Station. Here is Robot36 running on an Android phone using the ancient audio coupling technology (no wires) to connect the phone to the radio. The volume on the radio is set using a bar graph level meter built into the app.

The radio is tuned to 145.800 while waiting for the ISS overhead pass. You can see a received image during this space station pass. This image was received at a cottage on Pigeon Lake near Emily Provincial Park.

Another app called Heavens-Above has a section dedicated to the International Space Station. It uses your current location to list when the station will pass overhead. This allows you to know when to listen for the space station broadcast. Look to the ISS website to find out when next SSTV broadcast will occur.

This September 28th we are having our road trip to the Hammond museum of radio. Please see our website for the details. This promises to be a very exciting event. I hope you can make it. We will form a car pool so everyone can attend. Sign up as soon as possible so we can work out the trip details.

I look forward to seeing you at our Sept 9th meeting to share our summer adventures and enjoy our friendship in amateur radio.

PDF version

The federal government has responded to a petition about
interference on amateur radio HF bands.

A letter from our President, Duncan VE3GNI:

The new year 2019 is here and along with it comes the renewal of our club. The Scarborough Amateur Radio Club exists today, thanks to the unwavering efforts of some very keen champions, who have kept the embers glowing in defiance of gale force winds. Those winds have extinguished many amateur radio clubs over the past decade. There are many causes for club failure - advancing social technologies - apathy - ageing membership - the list goes on. We are all aware of what causes memberships to decline and interest to wane. This is not going to happen to the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club. We have a proud history of being one of the premier clubs in amateur radio. This coming year is not going to be a candle in the wind - it is going to be a bonfire!

We are very fortunate to have the resources, structure and most importantly you the enthusiastic participating members of the club. Without your participation, knowledge and resourcefulness the flame will go out. Each of us has a common interest in amateur radio and bring great talent to the club. Using our collective knowledge and enthusiasm we are going to make this a banner year for SARC in 2019.

Over the past few weeks there have been many brilliant suggestions from you for the upcoming year. These ideas coupled with great ingenuity, effort and desire from all of us will form the new foundation for SARC. This exciting new foundation will bring great joy and success to our club as we welcome new members and we participate in exciting club events.

Each one of us has the opportunity to actively Participate in the club's rebirth. We get to create exciting club activities from which we can Learn and explore the fascinating world of amateur radio. We will be able to really Enjoy our friendships and membership in the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club. Our efforts will guarantee the success and growth of SARC in this new year.

I am sure you all remember the time you made your first contacts. The fabulous excitement of calling CQ - giving your signal report and sending 73. This is how I feel right now about the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club. I am nervous, humbled, excited and thrilled to be honoured with my role as president of SARC. We have an extremely talented executive who I am sure feel the same excitement for this coming year. I look forward to working with you to make 2019 a year to look back on with pride and also knowing that SARC is strong, growing and a great place to enjoy the world of amateur radio.

Again thanks to all who have kept the embers burning and to all who will Participate, Learn and Enjoy the year ahead as members of the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club.

Have a great 2019 everyone.

Duncan Robertson VE3GNI 73

From Ken VE3FIT, via Gord VE3CNA and courtesy of the MicroHAMS group:

Joe K1JT video about WSJT-X