I was lucky to visit the studio when I visited Warner Brothers and was surprised to see an antenna near the entrance but the studio is a Faraday shield.

I was able to make a Direct to Stage contact on Dstar for a proper QSL card but all the HF contacts are relays and were not from the actual studio stage.

I had a chance to grab a 16 ft painters Pole, my Yaesu FT-857D and an Arrow 3 element yagi and take off to the park for an hour of contest fun before it got too dark.

The Yaesu is on an Alice frame pack.

I was QRV in about 15 minutes operating out of the back of the SUV – stand up style operating under VE3IQ

I made 19 contacts into 4 Grid squares but the gold happened when K8ZR responded to my CQ

Anthony was 176 miles away proving my basic set up was highly effective. My goal in each Sprint is to try to work a new grid and try out different rover set ups.

I am looking to add a Printle Plate to my trailer hitch and use an aluminum mast in place of the painter pole. Its OK for a light yagi but I have heard of them breaking under a heavier load or windy conditions.

• 

Militia Radio Programming Plan Militia Patriot Handheld Tactical Radio Frequencies Channels

May be hand programmed manually in your Baofeng or programmed using CHIRP software – field programming militia tactical radio frequencies. R-CTCS: OFF, T-CTCS: [see transmit tones listed below…remember to leave the receive in CSQ carrier squelch mode. R-DCS and T-DCS should both be set to OFF. TXP: HIGH – high power. ROGER: OFF. VOICE: OFF. WN: NARR (narrow). Recommend transmit CTCSS (T-CTCS) tone 67.0 Hz for FRS channel 1 (462.5625 MHz) and 141.3 Hz for FRS channel 20 (462.6750 MHz). See transmit CTCSS tone recommendations on list below.

• Channel 1 – 462.5625 MHz – FRS 1 – FRS Nationwide Calling
• Channel 2 – 462.5875 MHz – FRS 2 – Tac
• Channel 3 – 462.6125 MHz – FRS 3 – Primary Patriot Militia Calling
• Channel 4 – 462.6375 MHz – FRS 4 – Convoy Tac Ops
• Channel 5 – 462.6625 MHz – FRS 5 – Tac
• Channel 6 – 462.6875 MHz – FRS 6 – Tac
• Channel 7 – 462.7125 MHz – FRS 7 – Tac
• Channel 8 – 467.5625 MHz – FRS 8 – Tac
• Channel 9 – 467.5875 MHz – FRS 9 – Tac, Calling/Mutual Aid
• Channel 10 – 467.6125 MHz – FRS 10 – Tac
• Channel 11 – 467.6375 MHz – FRS 11 – Tac
• Channel 12 – 467.6625 MHz – FRS 12 – Tac
• Channel 13 – 467.6875 MHz – FRS 13 – Tac
• Channel 14 – 467.7125 MHz – FRS 14 – Tac
• Channel 15 – 462.5500 MHz – FRS 15 – Tac
• Channel 16 – 462.5750 MHz – FRS 16 – Convoy Tac Ops
• Channel 17 – 462.6000 MHz – FRS 17 – Patriot Militia Ops Tactical
• Channel 18 – 462.6250 MHz – FRS 18 – Tac
• Channel 19 – 462.6500 MHz – FRS 19 – Tac, Calling/Mutual Aid
• Channel 20 – 462.6750 MHz – FRS 20 – Calling/GMRS Travel Channel
• Channel 21 – 462.7000 MHz – FRS 21 – Tac
• Channel 22 – 462.7250 MHz – FRS 22 – Tac
• Channel 31 – 151.8200 MHz – MURS 1 – Calling, Tac/Ops
• Channel 32 – 151.8800 MHz – MURS 2 – Command or Safety Channel
• Channel 33 – 151.9400 MHz – MURS 3 – Primary Patriot Militia Calling or Prepper Frequency Prep
• Channel 34 – 154.5700 MHz – MURS 4 – Command Blue or Tac/Ops (alternate to MURS 1 and MURS 3)
• Channel 35 – 154.6000 MHz – MURS 5 – Command Green or Tac/Ops (alternate to MURS 1 and MURS 3)

I made 20 of these for their use and it caught a lot of CBers and jammers on 2m back in the day

Also a well know 2 letter call ham was caught jamming in the mid 90s caught using this doppler and was charged

I had to make them into 2 boxes as they were heavy

Doppler rules!

Fox Hunting

Amateur Radio “Fox Hunting” is a fun activity for groups of amateurs around the world. The objective is to find the “fox”, a low-powered radio transmitter that has stashed away in a secret hiding place somewhere in York Region. 

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The hunters use directional antennas and other equipment to determine the location of the fox.  This friendly competition to be the quickest at finding the fox’s transmitter earns bragging rights for the winner.  All participants are generally able to find it within a couple of hours.

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The foxhunting games are played for fun – and we do have fun – but they also polish our skills in the art and science of radio-direction finding.  Using those skills we can identify the sources of radio interference, illegal transmissions, or or other problems affecting the airwaves.

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If you are interested in joining us we can teach you what to do, and even lend you equipment to do it.  The events are VERY relaxed, and it is strangely true that many of the winners of our games have been first-timers!

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York Region Amateur Radio Club Annual Fox Hunts 

The York Region Amateur Radio Club organizes two fox hunts each year.

The hunts are free and open to all amateurs regardless of club affiliation or previous experience. 

The hunts run between 09h30 and 11h30, with foxes transmitting on 2 meter or 70 centimeter FM, and they are located within York Region.

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If you’re new to foxhunting, all you need to get started is an FM radio capable of receiving 2 meters or 70 centimeters.  Fox hunting is challenging and fun, and we can help you get going.

For more information, contact the club vice-president, Mike VE3BWV or John VE3IPS

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Tips and Tricks

York Region has a lot of hills and valleys which can play havoc with signals as well as the Aurora ridge blocking signals as well.
A past winner had an R6 Scanner radio with a tape measure beam, and the previous winner used a 4 element Quad through the sunroof on the Radio Van.

Lessons Learned

1.    Attenuation is important as one nears the fox as well as getting a good bearing
2.    Quads may be preferred to yagis due to the antenna lobe pattern to ensure a good bearing up front
3.    A radio with a proper or expanded S-meter is highly useful….3 segment S meters are useless
4.    Remember, to take two bearings before heading towards the beacon as you get closer.

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Updates for Covid-19

During the pandemic we will follow the guidance of the local health authorities.  If York Region is in Grey – Lockdown or Red – Control during the month of the event, then it will be delayed and will be re-evaluated the following month.

We will not organize pre or post event gatherings, registration, breakfasts, BBQs etc.

We will not organize teams.  Individuals may form teams from within their own social bubble if desired.  Fox hunting is a great family activity!

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If multiple hunters reach a fox at the same time, they are required to observe standard COVID-19 protocols.  Clear the area as soon as possible, maintain social distancing etc.

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Too Many? or too many from the 1980s

When I got licensed my first radio was the Icom IC-215 which I still have. It was a bookshelf radio – not a mobile and not a hand held radio per se.

It offered up 3 watts with a nice triple tuned front end to minimize pager intermod and could be run off 10 nicads. It came with these crystal pairs:

52/52, 34/94, 28/28 and 16/76

I could use:

TOR in Toronto, PBO in Peterborough, Hamilton, 2 repeaters in Rochester at the Rochester Hamfest

That was great for me as I had a local repeater, one up at the cottage, one on the way to Niagara Falls and of course a couple of USA ones to try to hilltop with when not at the Hamfest.

Eventually the Icom IC22 became the norm as a 10 watt mobile $249

There was no need for tome in those days. I tried my IC215 the other day on a Simplex test to reform old memories and it was a blast. I have the Kenwood TR7200 to bench test and set that up as well for old schooling on 2m.

That gave me access to

I bought a brand new Yaesu FT-817 in 2004 and 1 week later I was a member of the blown finals club. Yaesu fixed it under warranty

I bought a brand new Icom 703 in 2003 and 1 month later I was a member of the blown finals club. Icom Canada did the mod and fixed the radio under warranty.

My Icom 746Pro got some kind of lightning or static hit and I lost the display driver, ALC issues and the finals were blown.

I blew the finals on my Yaesu FT-991 last year and it cost $300 to fix it.

Last night I had a stuck or hot microphone issue with my Yaesu FT-847 Satellite radio. I am still trying to understand what had happened but the previous week the radio was in Err mode and when I eventually unplugged the microphone the problem went away. I turned the radio on to monitor traffic on the local VE3TWR repeater and after some time of maybe 30 minutes I saw it was displaying the input frequency and it was stuck in transmit mode. I noticed the power level was 1 bar where it should have been 50 bars. So the 50 watt Power Amplifier wqs blown.

I put it on the bench this morning and sure enough the Bird 43 is showing the power to be very low on the 100 watt slug.

So another radio to add to my list of Blown Finals Club.

I apologize for the constant carrier on the repeater last night but it seems that the use of a Yaesu desk mic caused a problem out of my control. If I had the hand mic on it maybe the finals would still be A-OK so now I need to trace out the issue with the microphone. This mic has a Lock PTT button that may be defective causing the radio to transmit but on further investigation of the schematic the mic isnt as simple as it seems.

​Mass Protest Planned Over Dues Increase2/23/20212 Comments  ​The recently announced increase to the North Fraser Amateur Radio Club’s (NFARC) annual membership fee has sparked outrage amongst a radical group within the membership. For the last two years, dues have been held steady at $0.00 per year (tax included) but at last month’s meeting the executive passed a motion increasing them by 5000%. “This was done without consulting any of the members,” said a disgruntled member, “I’m no mathematician, but I know a big number when I see it and 5000% is a lot.” Another club member, wearing a MAGA hat (Make Amateur Great Again) was overheard at a local Pizza Gate restaurant discussing a planned protest on 146.520 MHz.  According to the parents of one protestor, their son was told to meet on 6.52 next Wednesday and wait for instructions. It is suspected that the group’s leader will then encourage them all to QSY to 147.420 and storm the frequency. If the storming of 7.42 succeeds, this will be only the second time that frequency has been stormed since the founding of the 2 meter band. Reached for comment, an NFARC exec member said, “This is the sort of crazy behavior we have seen from this group from time to time. They get all their information from loud mouths on the FOX repeater and never question any of it.” But what is the truth? The investigative news program 60 Meters caught up with the club’s President of Keeping the Money, who confessed the group had made some mistakes. “Look,” he said, “2020 was a tough year for everyone, especially our club. The worse was that we got sold on supporting this crazy Canada Hub idea. It sounded great at first. There was mention of Raspberry Pies for each province, who wouldn’t vote for that? But then we found out how big Canada actually is. Who knew? Running that much Ethernet cable was well beyond our budget.” In anticipation of the mass protest, police are now monitoring 2 meters and making anyone within 500 kHz of 7.42 QSY. They may even impose radio silence at sundown. Trying to strike a reconciliatory mood, NFARC Presidential candidate Adrian VE7NZ declared: “We are better than this. We cannot let a few radicals destroy our hobby. We cannot let fringe groups desecrate the hallowed frequencies of 6.52 and 7.42. We must unite under one band plan. We must represent all amateur operators, even the robots on DMR.” If elected, he promises to reduce next year’s dues by at least 100%. Meanwhile, MAGA has proactively declared that the election is rigged.   By Adrian VE7NZ  Editors Note: Adrian VE7NZ is already a President of North Fraser ARC despite being impeached twice, however failing to be convicted by the required 2/3 vote in the NFARC Senate on both occasions. – Scott VA7SL VE3IPS Comment: I have heard these MAGA “Proud Hams” running comms on 6.52 and 7.42 HF USB using NVIS style antennas with FT817 manpacks and they keep saying something about SSTV on CH1 FM. http://ve7nfr.com/blog

Handie Talkie Headset (HTH) for 2-pin iCOM

The new Handie Talkie Headset (HTH), from Heil Sound, is a single-sided, lightweight headset designed for use with popular handheld transceivers. The HTH provides hands free and discreet two-way communication while maintaining the comfort necessary for extended use in moderate noise environments. It features a left or right ear adaptable earpiece and an in-line Push-to-Talk switch.

The HTH is being introduced with pin-outs for three handie talkies – iCom, Yaesu, and Kenwood – and plans are underway to offer additional models. 

• HTH-I: Works with 2-pin Icom 

I use this on my ID-51 and ID-31 and works brilliantly on the 705. Rejoice fellow Icom705ers