RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for September 14, 2024
Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada with this week’s bulletin.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- Scientists Revising Solar Storm Assessment
US scientists in the Space Weather Prediction Center of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are collaborating
with the National Weather Service to update the way solar storms
and other space weather is classified.
According to an article on the space.com website, the scientists
recognize that new knowledge about geomagnetic storms and recent
advances in technology require them to revisit ways they look at
space weather and its impact on the Earth and human space travel.
Some current scale categories for geomagnetic storms reflect impact
on power grids and spacecraft operations, for instance, and others
focus on the radio blackouts that have a serious impact on HF radio
and navigation systems.
— read more at space.com (courtesy amateur radio newsline)
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
- B.C. Teens Licensed After Ham Coursework
In many parts of the world, school is back in session. Even before
regular classes began, 21 teenagers in British Columbia were
already entrenched in some pretty important homework – or
should we say hamwork?
Adam, VE7ZAL, and John, VE7TI, believe that their recent course
on radio frequencies and electronics may well be unprecedented
for secondary school students in Canada. John and Adam, a
robotics teacher in Surrey, British Columbia, teamed up to help
nearly two dozen 13- through 17-year-olds get a better grasp on
the principles behind amateur radio and pass the gift of radio
to a new generation. By the time the course concluded, the
students were able to sit the exam for the Canadian Amateur
Radio Certificate.
“Throughout the course, we witnessed students experiencing
significant revelations about the pervasive role of radio in our
daily lives.” POTA, satellite communications and high-altitude
balloons were literally among the high points of the lessons.
When the sessions ended, the tradition of a Thursday night
“Get on the Air” net kept the momentum going for the students.
John and Adam hope to repeat the course next year.
— The SARC Communicator
- National Traffic System Celebrates 75 Years
The National Traffic System (NTS) is celebrating 75 years of service
this October. As NTS 2.0 emerges to modernize the radiogram
system, ARRL takes a look back at the origin of NTS which began
in 1949.
— read the NTS letter on arrl.org for more details.
- National Preparedness Month: Have a Go Kit Ready
September is National Preparedness Month, and ARRL is working
to help radio amateurs have a plan for family resilience. Many hams
enjoy public service as part of their operating. Being ready to activate
for a served agency involves not only being licensed and trained, but
also prepared and equipped.
ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV,
suggests that hams and their families have a “go-bag”. “You need to
be able to function while activated, so that means you need a kit for
your needs and a kit for your radio needs. If your family is impacted
by the situation, they also need to have some gear at the ready.”
On the ARRL website, there’s an Emergency Prep Kit Checklist. It
lists the common items such as food and water for several days, a
first aid kit, medications, chargers for your devices and other
useful items.
— full article on the arrl website.
This concludes this week’s bulletin.
Bulletin sent from Official Bulletin Manager VA3PC