May 2006 - Kingston Amateur Radio Club

Newsletter
May 2006
Kingston Amateur Radio Club
2006 Executive
President: Tom, VE3UDO
Two Meter Net Manager:
ve3udo@sympatico.ca
VE3KFS Les Lindstrom
ve3kfs@rac.ca
Vice-Pres: Steve, VE3KC
ve3kc@cogeco.ca
Newsletter Editor: Joan Clarke
joan.g.clarke@sympatico.ca
Kingston Amateur News
KINGSTON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Treasurer: Terry, VA3TRM
va3trm@sympatico.ca
Repeater Committee:
VE3KFS, Les Lindstrom
Secretary: Bill, VA3OL
ve3kfs@rac.ca
ve3kgj@sympatico.ca
VA3GST, John Taylor
Past-Pres: Rob, VE3RPF
va3gst@sympatico.ca
valveman_6146@yahoo.com
VA3KGB, Chip Chapman
2006 Committee Chairs
va3kgb@rac.ca
Swap Net Manager:
VE3KFS Les Lindstrom
VE3JCQ, John Wood
ve3kfs@rac.ca
ve3jcq@rac.ca
P.O. Box 1402 Kingston Ontario K7L 5C6
http://www.ve3kbr.com
VE3KAR
VE3KBR
VE3UEL
VE3KER
146.94(-) MHz
The 2nd Repeater is now
Operational
147.090(+) MHz
PRESIDENT’S WORDS
A poor Slow Scan TV picture from Denison, Texas.
A good Slow Scan TV picture from Denison, Texas
I was transmitting at 50 watts. The station in Texas was transmitting at 300 watts using a Yaesu T1000D.
My station was transmitting at 50 watts on FT1000 MP MARK-V
VA3ZE Tom
President, Kingston Amateur Radio Club
Have a good summer everyone and please try to support the Kingston Amateur Radio
Club events during the summer. (Your Editor)\
Kingston Amateur News
Page 1
Every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. K.A.R.C. Net VE3KBR
SCHEDULE OF NET CONTROL STATIONS:
14 June
21 June
28 June
12 July
-
VE3NFU Bill
VE3JPW Warren
VE3GO Ron
VA3ZE Tom
19 July - VE3RPF Rob
26 July - VE3CLQ Bill
9 Aug. - VE3VJF Roy
16 Aug. - VE3NFU Bill
23 Aug
30 Aug.
13 Sept.
20 Sept.
-
VE3JPW Warren
VE3GO Ron
VA3ZE Tom
VE3RPF Rob
If anyone can't make their date due to holidays etc, please contact Bill at
ve7cvq@rac.ca and the change will be done
A new net script has been posted on the WebSite
Slow Speed CW Net each Thursday night at 7:30 on 28.250 Mhz. Listen for CQ KFN
(Kingston Fun Net). At 8PM the net will move to 3.645 Mhz. We will be operating at about 12
wpm or so in a round table format, check in please. Once we have a couple of check ins we will pass the paddle
around to hear what's happening in your shack, or whatever…..Bill, VA3OL
Beginning JUNE 26 and on the LAST MONDAY of every month – there will be a Kingston CanWarn net.
The net will start at 7:30 p.m. on the 146.940 repeater. This is so we can be prepared in case of bad weather,
and to practice our severe weather reporting procedures. The 2 meter net will activate in case of severe weather
in the area, and a 40 meter HF link will also be activated on 7.033 Mhz.
Every Saturday - Breakfast at Smitty’s. Starts at 8:00 a.m. but come early, chat and mingle.
The Third MONDAY of every month at 7:00 p.m. its REGULAR
MONTHLY MEETING at the Woodbine Firehall, second floor.
There is a new repeater, VA3FOY 147.285(+) at Bancroft. Licensee is
Doug Peckhover.
KARC Web page designed and maintained by:
VA3KGB, Chip
http://www.ve3kbr.com
Publication Schedule of the next KARC Newsletter will be August 30. 2006
Kingston Amateur News
Page 2
COMING EVENTS (dates to remember)
JUNE 7
K.A.R.C. Regular Monthly Meeting - 7:00 p.m., Smitty’s back room
(This will be the last meeting until September 6, 2006)
JUNE 24 – 25, 2006
K.A.R.C. Field Day
JULY 16
The Sky’s The Limit – in City Park
AUGUST
KARC picnic – TBA.
Sept. 6
K.A.R.C. Regular Monthly Meeting – 7:00 p.m., Smitty’s back room
SEPT. 16
K.A.R.C. Flea Market
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
OF INTEREST
VA3CEM, Mary, has had surgery and is recuperating at home. Our best wishes go out to her.
CONDOLENCES to Steve, VE3KC , and Nancy Cutway on the passing of Steve’s mother, Norma, on May
6, 2006. Mrs. Cutway had been ill for several months.
There is a new repeater and it is using the call sign of the late Cliff Ireland VE3HTN. It is
located at Toledo, Ontario. Frequency is 146.865 –600 and can be heard in Kingston.
Kingston Amateur News
Page 3
(For those who were unable to attend the Memorial Service for VE3NB, Bernard Burdsall, who will be genuinely and sincerely
missed, the following is the Eulogy composed and presented by VE3UIN, Drew Wollin.)
IN MEMORY OF
VE3NB, BERNARD BURDSALL
If you knew Bernard, you knew that he was an Amateur Radio Operator. Ours is a hobby that many would call a second
career.
The word Professional is used to describe a person with the qualities of service making expertise available to others, and
based on a distinctive body of knowledge and skills underpinned by abilities and values.
And in this Bernard was a consummate professional.
Bernard was first licenced in 1938, after a brief encounter with a radio inspector. He shared this story with us in a recent
issue of our club magazine, and showed that his fascination with the magic of radio began at an early age, in the company
of friends and with the help of local experts. He was telling us of the best traditions of our hobby with this story, and
that he still cherished it 68 years later.
During the Second World War, he used his talents as one of the legions of British amateurs who monitored transmissions
from Europe to feed the code breaking effort at Bletchley Park, and later as a radio operator in bomber command.
Bernard was well known for his organizational and leadership skills.
He could get groups of people to pull together often with a little cajoling and always looking for a better way to do things.
We found ourselves leading ourselves, with Bernard right there with us. These days we call this ‘Empowerment by
Example’.
He served as Treasurer and General Manager of the Canadian Amateur Radio Federation, our hobby’s first national body.
Bernard would have wanted Amateur Radio in Canada to have a distinctive Canadian approach.
He was often at the CARF offices on King Street, stuffing envelopes or guiding the Canadian Amateur Journal.
He wrote many times for the Canadian Amateur, as well as serving in various editorial roles and as a Director of CARF
publications.
When the new Radio Amateurs of Canada replaced CARF, he worked as a columnist, and continued to be a fixture at the
RAC offices in Kingston, always helping get mail out, guiding and writing. He remained involved with RAC when they
moved to Ottawa helping and commiserating with their General Manager.
It was locally that his efforts were felt most often. He was a wealth of information and technical skill.
He was a founding member of the Kingston Amateur Radio Club in 1947. He often served as Treasurer or Secretary in
the club, as well as organizing field days and the club’s very successful flea markets at St. Margaret’s United Church Hall.
He was the President of the club in 1958, but I think that he preferred to be part of the leadership, rather than being the
boss.
Kingston Amateur News
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He was the sponsor for the local repeaters, which, with others he had built when repeaters were the new thing. And he
helped keep them running for decades.
Local amateurs have told me of the many occasions when Bernard would repair a radio for them that had defied the
efforts of a service shop.
He built radios for newly licenced amateurs under a program of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and repaired
their talking book machines.
ANYTHING TO HELP OUT.
Much of what Bernard did was about service to the community. He was a driving force in the local chapter of the
Amateur Radio Emergency Service.
It was in this vein that I came to know Bernard. As a recently licenced amateur, I joined the local radio club and ARES.
Bernard looked after the equipment for ARES. As a group, we would get called over to the Burdsall residence to test the
generators, try a few new things, and generally learn more.
On my first visit, I was struck by the organizational skills of the man. In this regard, he was my opposite. Everything he
had was labeled, accompanied by a zip lock bag of spare parts and manuals, simplified instructions and service logs,
everything had its place, and always worked. There was always a project on the go. I also noticed that everything had a
handle. When I finally asked him about that he told me that this was to make it easier for his wife to carry.
It was only when I caught a slight glint in his eye and the hint of a smile that I knew he was pulling my leg. That was
Bernie, teaching with humour, and always keeping you a little off balance. “Never do to be too comfortable,” he’d say.
He gave many presentations to our group, on a bit of history or a new idea. And every Christmas he made sure we had
some refreshments at the meeting. No meeting went by without an extra prize for the draw, even when he couldn’t attend.
The Burdsall home was the meeting place of choice. Visitors were welcomed with tea, coffee and a never ending supply
of Peek Freans cookies.
Many good ideas came from the relaxed comfort of their dining room, and many new or prospective amateurs have been
welcomed to our hobby there, learning that while we get together to share the wonder of radio, that it’s all about people.
Bernard told me of calming the nerves of a prospective licencee with a cup of tea. Often too nervous to pass the Morse
Code test the first time, Bernie would pour them a cup and then send a little on his key. In no time there was a new
amateur, now much calmer.
These are some of the things that have endeared Bernard to us.
On behalf of the Amateur Radio community, I express our deepest sympathies to his beloved wife, Margaret, and his great
family. We shall miss this remarkable husband, father and friend.
73 Nancy Baker
Kingston Amateur News
Page 5
REMEMBRANCES OF VE3NB, Bernard
(from conversations and e-mail)
I remember being along with Bernie in 1982. We were supporting the 1000 Island Rally put on by the St
Lawrence Valley Auto Club. I was still a SWL, not yet licensed. Bernie and I were working 80m mobile using
military surplus rigs and were out for about 36 hours.
There were a number of trips to Garden Island in John D'Esterre's boat. I don't remember that we did a lot of
operating but we always had a great day. There was a debate about whether Garden Island was a legitimate
Island on the Air candidate, but that wasn't really the point.
Bernard was VE3BEO when I met him. He worked as the treasurer for CARF for quite a while, often in the
office doing what needed to be done. He often wrote for the TCA.
VE3GO, Ron
*******************************************
The first Club meeting I attended was in December 1972. I was taken there by my doctor, the late Peter Smith,
who thought I would enjoy the hobby. I was immediately connected with Bert Hovey VE3EW and Bill Bushell
VE3DXY. They told me that Bernie would likely be involved in building my Heathkit radio, a Hotwater 12,
which were made available to "white caners" by the CNIB Amateur Radio Program. He did indeed build it after
I got my license in March '73. But in December '72, he and Margaret held a post-Christmas party for Club
members and
partners and Nancy and I were invited even though I wasn't yet a ham. We couldn't have been made to feel
more welcome if I'd been a ham forever! I will always cherish the memory of that party and Bernie and
Margaret's kindness. I was practically a kid and other than Bernie's daughters, the youngest person there.
Steve Cutway, VE3KC
*******************************************
Bernard told me of the first repeater the club put up at Elrond Tower. It operated without a duplexer. The
receive and transmit antennas were isolated from each other by the building itself. That made the transmit coax
quite long. One day the repeater stopped responding. Bernard checked the swr and found it fine. Puzzling over
the problem, he went to check the antenna and found it missing. The transmit coax was presenting a good match
without any antenna at all.
He often shared stories of his work with Bell. One was a simple a description of how the microwave link that
joined the country operated. I was amazed to find out that those huge horns and dishes operated at such a low
power, it was all antenna gain that made the system operate.
VE3UIN
*******************************************
Kingston Amateur News
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I remember when we moved the repeater to its current location. He had been fighting intermod at the John Orr
Tower for a long time. When we got the repeater working at McAdoo’s Lane, he measured the receive current
and found no signal. He told me, it's not working. I tripped the repeater with a hand held. He was astonished. He
was so used to seeing an interference level on the receiver; he couldn't believe it when he found that the new
site was so quiet.
Tom, VE3UDO/VA3ZE
*******************************************
Although I have only known Bernard for a relatively short time, I have valued his wise counsel and wealth of
experience. He was always there when we needed him. He contributed in a positive way to ARES, whether
giving a talk at a meeting or just a friendly word here and there. Bernard epitomized the spirit of a volunteer always available, always willing and always one step ahead of the herd.
I will miss his very dry, very British sense of humour. It enlivened many a conversation. We are the poorer for
his passing.
R.W. Ellis/VE3RXE
Emergency Coordinator
Kingston & Area
Amateur Radio Emergency Services
*******************************************
I just received some bad news
*SILENT KEY*
*VE3NB Bernard Burdsall died this Sunday morning*
Bernard was a staunch supporter of Amateur Radio, RAC, and one of the founding members of KARC. He will
be missed by all of us.
VE3NFU Bill Mason
*******************************************
This is very sad news indeed.
I really enjoyed talking to Bernard and especially his quick wit and humour. He also was a great source of
knowledge.
We will all meet again,
Robert VE3RPF
*******************************************
Received both of your messages Bill and very sad news. A terrible loss to all. Bernard's quick wit, vast
knowledge and very generous help will be greatly missed.
John, VA3GST
*******************************************
Kingston Amateur News
Page 7
SOLDERING ON
VE3VJF Roy
Saturday, May 20th dawned dull and overcast. By lunchtime we were into the rain. A perfect setup for a
soldering course that VE3RPF, Rob Parker, held at the Kingston Airport, thanks to VE3NWV, Barry. The
eager beavers arrived carrying various things including magnifier lamps. One would think this was going to be
a dentists’ convention.
With power bars arranged everywhere, things soon settled into a more work-like atmosphere. We were
soon into the do’s and don’ts of soldering and emery paper was a definite NO, NO. We were going to build a 15
watt power amplifier. This is a kit put out by ‘Future Kits’. For a ‘non tech’ things started to look good and we
were soon into cleaning the ‘board’ with a really sharp looking white eraser along with Q-tips and cleaner.
Soon the aroma of hot soldering irons was in the air and by now I was thinking like a watch maker, “Can’t
see.” Now it was, ‘the smaller the better’ as one was required to have the touch of a midwife to continue.
My upward glance along the table saw all heads bowed, not in prayer, but really into it!
Soon we started making sense of all the very small pieces that have to go somewhere. Not knowing the
colour code didn’t help but under Rob’s tuition things ran along smoothly. As the afternoon rolled along we
soon came to, “Let’s test it” before we install the I.C. I soon discovered that, yes, I had something in backwards
so it was back to the drawing board to get help to fix it. Once again, up front, to get it tested and by golly I
made it. Next, to finish off the job, the heat sink had to be screwed on.
With various small adjustments, all the ‘students’ accomplished what they set out to do – build something
that works and they can use in the future.
From the satisfaction that everybody achieved I would like the club to put on more of these projects. I, for
one, found it very educational.
•
VE3RPF, Rob’s Soldering Course. We really did work.
Kingston Amateur News
Page 8
DSP versus Crystal Filters
VE3OL / VE3KGJ, Bill
I have been curious about the performance of my IF DSP receiver as it compares to my crystal filter rigs. So I
ran a few tests and these are the results.
Test Equipment:
Elecraft N-gen, wide band noise generator (http://www.elecraft.com/)
Spectrogram software (http://www.n0ss.net/) Version 5.17 is the last full featured free version. Newer free
versions are available but they limit the time that you can use them and are not as easy to use as version 5.17
Receivers Tested:
Ten Tec OMNI VI/opt 3 with 2.4 khz ,1.8 khz and .5 khz filters
Ten Tec Argonaut V (IF DSP, variable from 3.0 to .200 khz)
Test methodology:
The noise generator was attached to the receiver (antenna) input and the audio band pass was measured using
Spectrogram software. I then used screen capture software to capture the screens for publication.
OMNI VI/opt 3.
Standard 2.4 khz filter
Kingston Amateur News
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Optional 1.8 khz filter
Optional 0.5 khz filter
Kingston Amateur News
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DSP Filtering with the Argonaut set to 1.8 khz bandwidth
DSP Filtering with the Argonaut set to 0.5 khz bandwidth
Kingston Amateur News
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DSP Filtering with the Argonaut set to 0.2 khz bandwidth
As you can see IF DSP closely mimics the performance of crystal filtering but the slope of the filter is not as
steep. On the other hand with a variable IF DSP you can close down the filter to compensate for this.
You will notice that I mention only IF DSP filtering. Audio DSP filtering works very well and there are quite a
few add on AF DSP filters on the used market that give a good accounting for themselves. BUT AF DSP filters
suffer one major disadvantage. Any strong signal within the receivers crystal filter bandpass will cause the AGC
to pump. This can cause problems if you are trying to listen to a weaker signal. Some rigs like the FT-857 us AF
DSP and they suffer the same characteristics as the add-on units. Using the IF shift can eliminate some of the
strong signals but as you will see later…. How many knobs do you have to diddle?
I am very curious as to what the new ICOM 7000 or the other advanced IF DSP rigs are like. From my
investigation as shown above I think they will make a very good accounting for themselves and of course they
eliminate the need to buy all of those expensive crystal filters to improve performance.
I have used add on DSP filtering. I have had a MFJ 784, a Timewave DSP 59+ and a Radio Shack DSP filter.
For my operating style both the MFJ and Timewave units suffer one major drawback; too many knobs to fiddle
with and not enough information from the unit. For my money the Radio Shack DSP filter, which is available
used for as little as $20 is the pick of the litter. It is simple and easy to use but it suffers from one major
drawback. On CW it is set to a 750 hz tone. Non-adjustable. I prefer 650 or 700 hz. The advantage of the RS
unit is that it has a built in speaker, eliminating yet another wire snaking around the operating desk.
I was fortunate to have a Timewave DSP 599zx loaned to me for a few hours to play with. Now here is an addon DSP filter with a difference! This unit has a digital display to tell you the center frequency, bandwidth and
many other features that make it a joy to operate. But this comes at a price. Over $600! It is the Cadillac of them
all.
Kingston Amateur News
Page 12
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
KINGSTON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
As of 10 May 2006
INCOME
membership
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENSES
$80.00
Course Supplies
CD’s & memory stick
TOTAL EXPENSES
BALANCES
100.00
51.19
$151.19
.
KCCU
$4785.93
KCCU SHARES
TOTAL CLUB ASSESTS
Terry Murphy, Treasurer, KARC.
Kingston Amateur News
$80.00
$150.00
$4935.93
19 May 2006
Page 13
KARC AGENDA
Meeting Date:
June 7, 2006
1. Introduction of members
2. Additions and/or deletions
3. Minutes of Monthly Meeting Errors/Omissions
4. Treasurer's Report
5. Old Business: Incorporation
6. 50/50 Draw
7. New Business:
8. Reports:
a) RAC
b) Net Manager - VE3KFS
c) KARC Newsletter –
d) Webpage - VA3KGB
e) Any other reports
Adjournment
Kingston Amateur News
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE KINGSTON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
HELD ON May 3rd, 2006
At SMITTY'S RESTAURANT, PRINCESS ST.
The meeting opened at 7:00 PM by Tom, VA3ZE
1. All members introduced themselves.
2. MINUTES of the April meeting. Motion to accept them by Bill, VA3OL; seconded by VE3KDM, Kerr:
Carried.
3. We observed a Minute of Silence in remembrance of VE3NB, Bernie Burdsall and VE3OB, Terry French
4. TREASURERS REPORT was presented by Terry, VA3TRM. Moved that the treasurer's report be accepted
as read. Moved by Terry, VA3TRM, Seconded by Chip, VA3KGB; carried.
5. OLD BUSINESS: Incorporation of the Kingston Amateur Radio Club. Incorporation is proceeding.
50/50 Draw: Won by Kerr, VE3KDM - $11.00. which he donated back to the club.
6. New Business:
1) VE3RPF, Rob reported that he had 10 people signed up for the soldering course and he moved that the club
pay for the kit that will be used during the course ($12.85 each). The kit is a 15 watt amplifier. Seconded by
VE3FFR, Doug.
Amendment to the motion by VA3TRM, Terry that the club pay $100 towards the cost of the soldering course;
seconded by VE3KC, Steve Carried.
7. Reports:
1) RAC: AGM (Annual General Meeting) will be held in Cornwall and Geoff Smith, VE3GS is the new
Ontario north director.
2) WebPages: Please check the 'calendar of events' for the latest happenings. There is now a 'ham' crossword
puzzle on the website and work is being done to correct the expiry date feature on the swap shop.
3) Repeater Net: The net has been moved to Tuesday nights
4) Flea Market: Will be held at CFB on September 16.
Tom, VA3ZE moved that the meeting be adjourned: Seconded by VE3VJF: carried
Bill Rumball, VA3OL
Secretary KARC
Kingston Amateur News
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