It is not just about learning or improving your code but being part of a group of like minded hams. They go beyond just the morse code but add operating and kinship within their members. This makes it a place to be where the energy is positive and everyone is just happy to be able to share with others.
I was in Italy and brought my FT-818 with me and a MFJ 1820T antenna.
In Florence the noise levels were like S9 due to all the LED lights and Heat Pumps causing RFI
In Venice the bands were lousy but we gave it a go anyways and did get 5 contacts but not the activation.
WHY did I fail?
Bad band conditions
Noisy RFI levels
5w SSB is too low power for POTA
Didnt bring a morse key for CW which could have helped
POTA is not a thing in Italy or maybe even Europe where SOTA rules
The compromise antenna didnt help but i needed to keep everything in a single carry on bag so I had to limit my gear I was bringing
I did work SQ3TKZ, EG3HAM Christmas special event station,EA1FIC, SP8QC, and F4ILH
The F4 gave me a 5×3 so I knew my signal was not making a mark on anyone’s waterfall display
What could I have done different?
Bring the FT-100D for 50 watts from a Bioenno 12aH battery using a Buddistick antenna but then I had weight issues and little room for all of that. I did not want to check a bag because I was also travelling by train so its easier to have a regular carry on bag than a bigger suitcase. Cobblestone streets make a havoc of roller bags.
I still enjoyed my time and the next day it was raining and I had fashioned a 40m dipole with wire from the hardware store but no luck. Lots of Germans and UK stations chatting away on 40m but to deploy that antenna at the lagoon would have been too hard. Instead I operated from the apartment roof top.
Aperitivo and a snack works best when DX is bad to brighten up the spirits. The Spritz must be made using “Select” brand bitters.
I obtained my CEPT from RAC that as an advanced allows me operation outside of Canada with partnering countires.
VE3IPS/I3 in Florence ans Tuscany area
VE3IPS/I5 in Venice
I didnt have a chance to operate in Switzerland
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ve3ips
ve3ips.wordpress.com
Your RAC hard at work to add more confusion to the contesters
Its enough the hams cannot understand GTA in the exchange so now making it Golden Horseshoe make sit even worse
What is Golden Horseshoe? Did I get it right is it GH GH GH where is that fella?
Did anyone at RAC HQ run this by the contesters to see if it makes sense or not? It does not even denote the province which is normal in an exchange
I would have figured that ONC was a better choice Ontario Central ONC
September 30, 2022
From the ARRL Letter
The Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) have announced a realignment of their Field Organization resulting in the addition of a new section and name changes to several others effective January 1, 2023. This will result in the changes to ARRL contests that use ARRL/RAC sections as multipliers, including Field Day, ARRL November Sweepstakes, and 160-Meter contests.
The RAC Field Organization will be reorganized into the following sections effective January 1, 2023:
Note that this change is forthcoming and will not impact the 2022 ARRL November Sweepstakes (CW/SSB) or 160-Meter Contests.
Thanks Nick for the link
| . | Lawrenceville GA hamfest photos From: Nick K4NYW Lawrenceville GA hamfest photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/DaZ2eVFKvk912Gd56 |
What to bring? Do not Forget?
NOTICE: due to recent changes in the CEPT T/R 61-01 agreement in 2016, CEPT Permits may now ONLY be issued to operators with Advanced qualification.
Pending updates, Radio Amateurs of Canada continues, under delegated authority from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (formerly Industry Canada), to issue CEPT and IARP permits to Canadian Amateurs wishing to operate while traveling abroad. Please refer to Section 8 of Radiocommunication Information Circular (RIC-3) for details on which permit, if any, applies or is required.
Section 8 of Radiocommunication Information Circular-RIC-3
For travel to countries other than the USA and its territories and which are not signatories to either the CEPT or IARP recommendations, Canadian Amateurs should contact the administration of the foreign country directly for authorization. Information and application can often be carried out by email or web form.
Foreign Amateurs who are licensed by other administrations participating in the CEPT or IARP program must apply for the appropriate permit in accordance with the provisions stipulated by their home administration.
By treaty between Canada and the US, visiting Amateurs are not required to register or receive a permit before operating their amateur radio stations. Each Amateur station shall indicate at least once during each contact with another station its geographical location as nearly as possible by city and state or city and province. The Amateur station shall be operated in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country in which the station is temporarily located.
Canadian Amateurs operating in the US have the same privileges as they have in Canada, limited by US band edges and mode restrictions in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations(CFR), Title 47, Chapter I (FCC), Part 97, Amateur Radio Service.
US Amateurs operating in Canada must abide by the Radiocommunication Regulations and the Radiocommunication Information Circular 2, Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service (RIC-2 Reclassified as RBR-4). US Amateurs may operate in accordance with the privileges accorded to holders of the Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic and Advanced Qualifications.
ve3ips 