Signs Of Spring? by Larry Gorman VE3LGN

Is it a sign of Spring?  Is KWARC reinventing itself?  Or is it just a paradigm shift!?

The club is in the process of reactivating its public service capabilities. Ed VE3TCK has taken on the task of coordinating Emergency Services, and the group has been very active during the past months. Ron VA3TVS serves as CANWARN manager, assisted by Ken VE3AKI, and Robert VE3ZLV as ARES manager, assisted by Larry VE3LGN. Ed has held several meetings to organize and to evaluate the groups capabilities.

Our CANWARN office is at the Waterloo fire station located on Weber near University. Ron has done a thorough job of cleaning out the cobwebs and getting the place organized. Randy Mawson (VE3TRW) CANWARN Project Manager, of Environment Canada has contributed a new Pentium III 800 mHz computer for the CANWARN Op Centre. The radio and weather links are now ready to respond to a severe weather alert.

Ed, Ron and I have also done a survey of our backup facilities at VE3UOW. At the same time the use of a lecture theatre at the Davis building was arranged, in preparation for the CANWARN presentation to be held Monday 28 May, 7-10pm. All club members, and the general public, will be invited to the presentation by Randy Mawson of Environment Canada. Ron has been working relentlessly to ensure the success of this event. CKCO TV's Dave MacDonald is also on board.

I hear that Ron is investigating the possibility of a random prize draw for those in attendance.

For Canwarn to work effectively we need a broad net of potential spotters. This is a very important job. You can even work from home and choose your own hours!
Be sure to attend the May 7 monthly KWARC meeting for details. We need you.

ARES deals with all other public needs for emergency services. These include possible community disasters, and occasional public service events. In the recent past we have assisted at Remembrance Day ceremonies as well as at the Regional police communications centre for the Y2K rollover.

A meeting is to be held with the new Regional Emergency Measures coordinator in the near future. Robert also made contact with the local REACT executive to determine current needs of the community and the nature of their services. Several of us attended their last meeting at the Regional police facility. I was extremely impressed with the group - the depth of their community involvement, the range of equipment, and their professional approach to handling requests for assistance.

As with Severe Weather, preparation is the key to effective help. Consider offering your help if the need arises.

Internet Relay Link Project
And while on the topic of breathing in new life, have you tuned in lately to the Clubs 440 repeater VE3 RBM (444.875 kHz). "IT'S ALIVE!!!

Our link into IRLP through Paul VE3SY is awesome, truly. For those who cannot set up an HF antenna, or can't spring for an expensive HF rig, this is your chance for intra and inter continental contacts using only a hand held UHF radio.

You can be part of crystal clear contacts with operators from Newfoundland to Nanaimo. From Las Vegas to Sydney Australia's Blue Mountain ARC.

On one of the first days of operation I picked up a Ham in San Diego on the IRLP looking out past palm trees, viewing the Pacific from his car, and at the same time, on my dual bander. I was also listening to the space shuttle crew on 147.510 kHz commenting on their view as they soared over Dallas. All the while I was cruising the Conestoga Parkway!

For anyone planning to hustle over to Radio Shack, a quick check has confirmed that they have discontinued the sale of the HTX404. But other suppliers can help. You have to try this out.  For more information call up www.kwarc.org  and key up the IRLP link.

73 Larry
ve3lgn@rac.ca 
or on Packet

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