tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33879061145280268542024-03-13T17:34:28.423-04:00ECOA OntarioOntario Emergency CommunicationsBlogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-17229465039286514292015-09-25T20:34:00.000-04:002015-10-02T17:37:15.322-04:00A New Association<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkJWSsido1k/VglxjYjw4sI/AAAAAAAAAH8/kg_ZCQENcRw/s1600/CAREN%2BLogo%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkJWSsido1k/VglxjYjw4sI/AAAAAAAAAH8/kg_ZCQENcRw/s200/CAREN%2BLogo%2B1.png" width="175" /></a></div>
ECOA is pleased to welcome a new national association to the fold, the <a href="http://arencanada.blogspot.ca/">Canadian Amateur Radio Emergency Network</a>.<br />
<br />
This is a huge step in emergency communications, and a much needed development, that will help unify all the independent Emcomm Groups across Canada with common training standards and a standardized basic emcomm training course.<br />
<br />
It's been a long time coming and we're very please to welcome it. ECOA looks forward to working closely with them as part of this new federation.<br />
<br />
<br />Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-40081338159681063212015-08-22T10:40:00.001-04:002015-08-22T10:40:35.873-04:002015 Island QSO Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx9VWc3Igcg/VdiJ0MWep5I/AAAAAAAAAHY/POyKs650Sxo/s1600/599_logo_island.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx9VWc3Igcg/VdiJ0MWep5I/AAAAAAAAAHY/POyKs650Sxo/s200/599_logo_island.png" width="200" /></a></div>
The rule for this years W/VE Island QSO Party have now been published, and they are available <a href="http://www.usislands.org/2015_contest_rules.html"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>. There are some changes so please read them carefully.<br /><br /> This event takes place on Saturday, August 29th. Pick out your island and start planning the activation.<br /><br />Island and Lighthouse activations are excellent ways of practicing your emcomm deployment skills.Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-44446795238343642252015-05-17T17:07:00.000-04:002015-05-17T19:21:48.628-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBJ_13qB79I/VVkClk0BgMI/AAAAAAAAAHA/GM81TXwgLNw/s1600/lalogo_150_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBJ_13qB79I/VVkClk0BgMI/AAAAAAAAAHA/GM81TXwgLNw/s200/lalogo_150_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
ECOA is very pleased to announce that George Williams, VE3SIQ, has been appointed the new EC for Lennox-Addington County, effective 27 May, 2015.<br />
<br />
George has been a long time member of ECOA, and is an ex-RAC DEC. and EC. We look forward to a large expansion of Emcomm in Lennox-Addington County under his watch.<br />
<br />
ECOA would like to take this opportunity and thank Dave, VE3DZE, the previous EC for Lennox-Addington County who have just completed his two year term and is moving on to a more senior position in the organization.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9LzdPZWrto/VVkCsK0Q6cI/AAAAAAAAAHI/nXWaf6JIhyo/s1600/4537536064_525x875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9LzdPZWrto/VVkCsK0Q6cI/AAAAAAAAAHI/nXWaf6JIhyo/s640/4537536064_525x875.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-56154906400924399472015-05-17T16:42:00.003-04:002015-05-17T16:49:16.923-04:00Field Day 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C3zYidznQII/VVjxax1K-_I/AAAAAAAAAGg/crCi9HJck_8/s1600/4010%2Bweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C3zYidznQII/VVjxax1K-_I/AAAAAAAAAGg/crCi9HJck_8/s1600/4010%2Bweb.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.arrl.org/field-day">ARRL Field Day</a> is coming up at the end of this month and it's time we all dusted off our go-boxes and got ready for the best radio weekend of the year. This year Field Day will be held on the 27th & 28th June.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Field Day is about emergency preparedness, not contesting. This is a golden opportunity to get out of the shack, set up at another location such as your local county EOC, and get on the air. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most Emcomm groups use quickly deployable portable antennas while others might erect more elaborate portable towers and dipoles. Some groups use battery power, others use generators, and still other clubs use mains power, and keeping with the spirit of deploying the set up is done using tents and screen shelters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Field Day is an important training exercise for Emcomm, perhaps the most important one of the year besides <a href="http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/winterfd/index.php">Winter Field Day</a> held each January.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If your Emcomm group does not get out and practice deploying to the field on a regular basis, you're not much better than a radio social club........and perhaps you need to reconsider your commitment to Emcomm as a whole.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We at ECOA hope to work you on Field Day weekend, give a listen for our association station, VE3OEC, operating from the highlands of Haliburton.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X2HsxtFGDzk/VVj8sgtwc-I/AAAAAAAAAGw/AyuFjmKZTv0/s1600/091711_1236%5B01%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X2HsxtFGDzk/VVj8sgtwc-I/AAAAAAAAAGw/AyuFjmKZTv0/s320/091711_1236%5B01%5D.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<br />Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-34491347196487257632014-09-30T10:58:00.002-04:002014-09-30T10:59:41.672-04:00Simulated Emergency Test 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xajm8L10IQg/VCrEh92A9fI/AAAAAAAAAGA/mMGFfQJnmNE/s1600/Amateur_Radio_Magnetic_Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xajm8L10IQg/VCrEh92A9fI/AAAAAAAAAGA/mMGFfQJnmNE/s1600/Amateur_Radio_Magnetic_Sign.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ECOA is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its annual SET on Sunday, October 19th.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This SET is an Ontario-wide exercise in emergency communications, administered by ECOA.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: TT184t00;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Timings for this event will be 1030 Local to 1530 Local Eastern Time Zone.<br /><br />For further information please contact your local ECOA EC or Section Manager.</span>
</span>Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-42899561383026145342014-07-27T15:26:00.001-04:002014-07-27T15:31:37.789-04:00Congratulations!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_4dWmv7Cuk/U9VTHMXI0RI/AAAAAAAAAFs/810mOuqRyV4/s1600/russ_ve3fi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_4dWmv7Cuk/U9VTHMXI0RI/AAAAAAAAAFs/810mOuqRyV4/s1600/russ_ve3fi.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russ, VE3FI</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our congratulations go out to Russ, VE3FI, who is the new president of ECOA, effective Saturday, 26th July, 2014. <br />
<br />
Russ has a long and great background in emergency communications and we look forward to ECOA moving ahead in the next few months under his leadership.<br />
<br />
Our thanks go out to Bill, VE3CLQ, our immediate past president for his hard work on behalf of the organization over the last two years.Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-34987910142463527462014-01-23T17:39:00.002-05:002014-01-23T17:39:58.943-05:00Canada finally has 60m accessOn Wednesday 22nd January, the Canadian regulator, Industry Canada (IC) released a decision to allow amateur radio operators to use the 5332 kHz, 5348 kHz, 5358.5 kHz, 5373 kHz and 5405 kHz frequencies on a no-interference, no-protection basis, 2.8 kHz bandwidth, same modes as U.S., 100W PEP maximum power. <br /><br />
These are the same channels, modes and criteria as those available to US operators on 5 MHz and are as the result of an official IC consultation held earlier in Summer 2012.<br /> <br />
Prior to this, Canadian amateurs have had access to these frequencies since 2012, provided they applied to IC for a special interim 5 MHz/60m developmental licence, utilising a VX9 series callsign. <br /><br />
The Industry Canada 5 MHz Decision document can be found at <br /><a href="http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf10623.html" target="_blank">http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf10623.html</a>Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-8511213131010721762013-12-24T16:39:00.001-05:002013-12-24T16:39:49.528-05:00Merry Christmas to all<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mx_oclZbsQ/Urn-jIRYoLI/AAAAAAAAAFM/8WCLzuoA4uE/s1600/3wise03.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mx_oclZbsQ/Urn-jIRYoLI/AAAAAAAAAFM/8WCLzuoA4uE/s400/3wise03.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The ECOA Executive would like to take this opportunity to wish all</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
our members, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2014.</div>
<br />Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-24154608588429968922013-10-15T19:42:00.000-04:002013-10-15T19:42:03.758-04:00EC Appointment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6d1VSmtqNAg/Ul3SNs6n9VI/AAAAAAAAAE8/3Ue09xOSU8s/s1600/lennox-addington-county-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6d1VSmtqNAg/Ul3SNs6n9VI/AAAAAAAAAE8/3Ue09xOSU8s/s1600/lennox-addington-county-logo.jpg" /></a></div>
ECOA is pleased to announce that David Sellick, VE3DZE, has been appointed EC for Lennox-Addington County, effective 15 October, 2013.<br />
<br />
Dave has been a long time member of ECOA, and is a very experienced digital operator. We look forward to the expansion of Emcomm in Lennox-Addington County under his watch.Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-42433845228192362732013-09-01T21:49:00.004-04:002013-09-01T21:52:03.232-04:00EmComm NetECOA is pleased to announce that once again we are starting Tuesday, the 3rd September, 2013, the ECOA EmComm HF Net for the fall and winter period. <br />
<br />
This net will take place from 1915 till 2015 local time on 3.755 MHz, and <u><strong><span style="color: yellow;">the</span><span style="color: yellow;"> net will start immediately after the Laurentian Net.</span></strong></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We would like to thank, once again, the <a href="http://www.ontars.com/"><span style="color: #ff1900;">ONTARS</span></a> net, and Barry-VE3ISX, for facilitating space for this EmComm net.</div>
Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-37005976263034860222013-05-26T16:32:00.001-04:002013-05-26T16:53:23.797-04:002013 Annual General MeetingECOA is pleased to report that all resolutions were passed at its Annual General
Meeting held on May 25, 2013, at the Don Montgomery Centre in Scarborough. The Board of Directors would like
to thank all members for their continued support and confidence. <br />
<br />
The two most important items of business where the announcements on the inauguration of our new provincial Emcomm Field Service, and making public the details on our new $5 million liability package. <br />
<br />
The Board of Directors and Officers would like to congratulate David Sellick, VE3DZE, and Ralph Muecke, VE3XYC, who were elected to the Board of Directors.<br />
<br />
ECOA looks forward to an outstanding 2013 - 2014.<br />
<br />
<br />Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-12480970757052265332013-05-12T12:38:00.000-04:002013-05-12T14:08:55.843-04:00Insurance Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kB_9vA66suE/UPW8k7_Q4KI/AAAAAAAAAEA/UBCm3S6-_BM/s1600/ecoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kB_9vA66suE/UPW8k7_Q4KI/AAAAAAAAAEA/UBCm3S6-_BM/s200/ecoa.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
ECOA members will be pleased to read that the Association has now updated our liability insurance coverage from $2 million per member to $5 million per member. <br />
<br />
This outstanding insurance coverage is included in the low annual membership price of $20 per member. <br />
<br />
ECOA is determined to provide Ontario hams the best insurance coverage, for the lowest cost. <br />
<br />
Details of the liability coverage will be posted on our <a href="http://www.ecoa.ca/">main website</a> on the next update.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-44396618417439865342013-04-23T19:49:00.000-04:002013-04-23T19:49:13.394-04:002013 AGMNOTICE:<br />
<br />
The ECOA 2013 AGM will be held on Saturday 25th May.<br />
<br />
This year the AGM will be held at the Don Montgomery Centre, Scarborough, located at 2467 Eglinton Ave East.<br />
<br />
We hope to see all of our members out for this event.Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-37753252153425465432013-04-08T18:55:00.001-04:002013-04-08T18:55:13.783-04:00Canwarn Training 2013
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFub80DEjhk/UWNKwMSj1uI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Uu-3Jjw9ESw/s1600/canwarn.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFub80DEjhk/UWNKwMSj1uI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Uu-3Jjw9ESw/s200/canwarn.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Folks, some additional locations have been added to the
spring training dates. Specifically, we have added two sessions in Huron County
on April 25, confirmed the venue in Dufferin County on May 15 and added
sessions in Belleville on May 25 and Renfrew on June 5. Training in
Northwestern Ontario will take place during the week of June 3 with specific
dates and venues being announced in the next training update.<br /><br />
Thanks to all of you who have replied to the <a href="mailto:canwarn.ontario@ec.gc.ca" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">canwarn.ontario@ec.gc.ca</span></a>
account with the session you plan to attend or emailed Bill Hoad at <a href="mailto:bhoad@xcelco.on.ca" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">bhoad@xcelco.on.ca</span></a> with
your intent to attend the Sarnia session. If you plan on attending a session but
haven't yet RSVP'd, please feel free to do so in the coming days.<br /><br />
The response so far indicates that we will again have a strong turnout this
year. Thanks again for being a part of this worthwhile program.<br />
<br />
April 16 – 7 PM – Leamington – Kinsmen Recreational Complex – 249 Sherk St<br />
April 17 – 7 PM – Sarnia – Upper Hall Clearwater Arena – 1400 Wellington St.<br />
April 18 – 7 PM – London – Fanshawe College Building T Room T1003 – 1001
Fanshawe College Blvd. – Free parking at any metered spots on campus after 6 PM<br />
April 20 – 9 AM – Hamilton – Nash Auditorium Chedoke Hospital – Sanatorium Road
– free parking in lot across from the auditorium<br />
April 25 – 1 PM – North Huron (Wingham) – North Huron Wescast Community Complex
– Hot Stove Lounge – 99 Kerr Drive<br />
April 25 – 7 PM – South Huron (Exeter) – Exeter Firehall – 55 William Street<br />
April 27 – 9 AM – Orillia/Rama – Rama Fire Hall – 7454 Williams Road in Rama<br />
April 27 – 9 AM – Ottawa – Nepean Sailing Club – 3259 Carling Ave., Nepean<br />
May 1 – 7 PM – Kitchener - Bingemans Conference Centre – 425 Bingemans Centre
Drive<br />
May 4 – 9 AM – Toronto – Environment Canada Headquarters – 4905 Dufferin St<br />
May 8 – 7 PM – Toronto – Environment Canada Headquarters – 4905 Dufferin St<br />
May 14 – 7 PM – Peterborough – Public Library – 345 Aylmer St. North<br />
May 15 – 7 PM – Dufferin County – Centre Dufferin Recreational Complex – 200
Fiddlepark Lane - Shelburne<br />
May 25 – 9 AM – Sudbury – Lionel E. Lalonde Centre, 239 Montee Principale,
Azilda. <br />
May 25 – 10 AM – Belleville – Belleville Library 3rd Floor Conference Room -
254 Pinnacle St<br />
May 26 - 1 PM - Espanola - Pinewood Inn, 378 Centre St.<br />
May 26 – 7 PM - Elliot Lake - Renaissance Centre (tentative), 20 Veterans Way<br />
May 27 - 7 PM - Sault Ste. Marie - Delta Sault Ste. Marie, 208 St. Mary's Drive<br />
May 29 – 7 PM - Timmins – Holiday Inn, 30 Algonquin Blvd West. <br />
May 31 – 6:30 PM - North Bay - OPP Communications Centre - 877 Gormanville Road
<br />
June 5 – 6:30 PM – Renfrew – Best Western – 760 Gibbons Road<br />
<br />
Regards,<br />
<br />
Geoff Coulson<br />
Warning Preparedness Meteorologist<br />
Environment Canada</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-9841180857759237422013-02-18T11:53:00.005-05:002013-02-18T11:54:48.042-05:00RaDAR-America Contest<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQTc3pPur0w/ULEoVU8DDvI/AAAAAAAAACQ/FoA5yv-l9Nk/s1600/news-flash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQTc3pPur0w/ULEoVU8DDvI/AAAAAAAAACQ/FoA5yv-l9Nk/s200/news-flash.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio, often referred
to by its acronym RaDAR, is a concept for operating an amateur radio station
anywhere, anytime and even in adverse environmental conditions. This concept
supports the amateur radio service’s emergency communications mandate and ECOA is very pleased to support this excellent concept.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Marcus KD0JKM is organising a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">RaDAR-America Contest</span> - an event aimed
at promoting the use of Rapidly Deployable Amateur Radio stations throughout
North and South America. This contest is for all licensed radio amateurs. <br />
<br />
A choice is made prior to the contest to participate in one of the defined
categories. The points system is so structured as to encourage portable
operation, especially moveable stations. <br />
<br />
This contest will take place at the same time in South Africa (the Nation from
which the idea originated), as it will here in the Americas - the first
Saturday of April (the 6th) and first Saturday of November (the 2nd) starting at 14:00 UTC and
ending at 18:00 UTC (4 hours operating time)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">For more information on the RaDAR-America Contest,
visit the website </span><a href="http://radar-america.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">HERE<o:p></o:p></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">This is an outstanding opportunity to shake off the winter dust and test out your Go-Kits and portable antennas.</span></div>
Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-91437624472550328792013-02-05T16:51:00.000-05:002013-02-05T16:52:26.065-05:00Greater Toronto Area ARES Nets<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amateur
Radio stations anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area are invited to check into
the evening nets of the Toronto ARES Group. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nets begin with a call out to roll call
stations but the Net Control Station (VE3NCS) will also issue a call for any
station anywhere to check in.<br />
<br />
All weeknight nets start at 8.00 PM.<br />
<br />
The Net on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights is a SIMPLEX net on 147.405
MHz. You must transmit a PL tone of 103.5 hz.<br />
<br />
The Monday night net is held on the VE3TNC repeater (147.270+) in downtown
Toronto. No tone required.<br />
<br />
The Wednesday night net is held on the VA3GTU repeater 4B (444.850+) in
downtown Toronto. 103.5 tone required.<br />
<br />
The Friday night net is held on the VA3GTU repeater 4C (443.750+) in
Scarborough. 103.5 tone required.<br />
<br />
On Saturday nights additional nets are held at 8.30 PM on repeater VE3RPT
(147.060+) and at 9.00 PM on 6 Meter repeater VA3ECT (53.390-).<br />
<br />
On Sunday evening three nets are held at 8 PM a net is held on the VE3BEG
repeater (224.860-).
At 8.30 PM a simplex net is held on 446.025 MHz. At 9.00 PM a 6 Meter simplex
net is held on 52.525 MHz. None of these
3 nets require a tone.<br />
<br />
At 5.30 PM on Sundays, the GTA Regional Net is held on the CN Tower repeater
VE3TWR 145.410-(103.5) and 444.400+.<br />
<br />
By participating in any of these nets you are putting your radio on the air and
ensuring that it is working properly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
are also informing all the other Amateur Radio Operators in Toronto that you
are on the map. That you exist. <br />
<br />
Being an Amateur Radio Operator means you talk on a radio with other Amateur
Radio Operators.
Checking into the ARES Nets is your best easy way to do that on VHF and UHF.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-59861318468242140802013-02-04T20:11:00.003-05:002013-02-04T20:13:03.186-05:00Well Done!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: white;">Most emcomm groups take part in the ARRL Field Day, but how many take part in the </span><a href="http://www.spar-hams.org/index.php"><span style="color: red;">SPAR</span></a><span style="color: white;"> Winter Field Day? <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Being able to do your job in the cold or the heat is paramount, and the same is true in emcomm. </span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span lang="EN" style="color: white; font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Our emcomm groups in Eastern Ontario all took part in Winter Field Day this year, setting up for the weekend and erecting antennas in -16C weather. Not only did these groups deploy to isolated locations, some with electricity, some with batteries, and operate for the full 24 hours, they had to live, sleep, and cook in those conditions as well.<br /><br />This is Canada, not all of our emergencies will take place in good weather. In fact statistics tell us we have a greater chance of being called out in the winter than we do in the summer. How would your group do?</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span lang="EN" style="color: white; font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><strong>Well done to the Eastern Ontario groups who practiced their winter operating skills. They are really living up to ECOA's motto: "Utrinque Paratus" - Ready for Anything.</strong></span></span></div>
Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-654799238142403232013-01-12T12:18:00.000-05:002013-01-15T15:32:38.253-05:00Western Sector AnnouncementThe ECOA Executive is extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Brett Gilbank- VE3ZBG, as the new Sector Manager for ECOA's Western Sector.<br />
<br />
As Sector
Manager Brett will be responsible for: Bruce County, Grey County, Huron County, Perth County, Lambton County, MIddlesex County, Oxford Regional Municipality, Essex County, Kent County, and Elgin County.<br />
<br />
The ECOA Executive
also looks forward to hearing of the CANWARN expansion in this Sector. Brett brings a high level of experience to this position and we look forward to watching Western Sector grow over the next few months. Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-28959563720476906662013-01-11T13:25:00.002-05:002013-01-15T15:37:04.745-05:00New HF Emcomm Net<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtMyzqBN1JQ/UPW9SVWqIRI/AAAAAAAAADw/trvvOtjMnmg/s1600/welcome_ecoa.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtMyzqBN1JQ/UPW9SVWqIRI/AAAAAAAAADw/trvvOtjMnmg/s320/welcome_ecoa.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />ECOA is pleased to announce that starting Tuesday, the 22nd January, 2013, it will be starting a new Emcomm HF Net. This net will take place from 1915 till 2015 local time on 3.755 MHz.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u><span style="color: yellow;">Our net will start immediately after the Laurentian Net.</span></u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We would like to thank the <a href="http://www.ontars.com/">ONTARS</a> net, and Barry-VE3ISX, for facilitating space for this net.</div>
Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-35179567862370327222013-01-07T13:14:00.002-05:002013-01-07T13:14:39.830-05:00New Sector ManagerThe ECOA Executive is very pleased to announce the appointment of Russ Hemphill - VE3FI, as the new Sector Manager for ECOA's Central Sector.<br />
<br />
As Sector Manager Russ will be responsible for: Northumberland County, City of Peterborough, County of Haliburton, City of Kawartha Lakes, Regional Municipality of Muskoka, County of Simcoe, and Parry Sound District.<br />
<br />
Russ brings a high level of experience to this position and we look forward to watching grow the Sector over the next few months.<br />
<br />
The ECOA Executive looks forward to working with Russ through this exciting time of growth in our association.Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-80842214949207661472013-01-06T17:43:00.001-05:002013-01-14T21:42:04.032-05:00Winter Field Day 2013It's that time of year again! Once again ECOA Emcomm groups will be taking part in the SPAR Winter Field Day.<br />
<br />
To quote the SPAR website: "Not only during Field Day in June, do the bands come alive with improvised
signals proving the ability to respond to emergencies. Since emergencies and
natural disasters don't always happen in the summer, during Winter Field Day,
frigid winds, icy limbs and bitter cold replace the thunderstorms and blistering
heat of summer. <br />
<br />
In 2007 SPAR established a Winter Field Day event and invited
all Amateur Radio operators to participate. The event was repeated in 2008 and
was considered a success, so it was then designated an annual event to be held
the last full weekend each January".<br />
<br />
The rules for the event can be found on this <a href="http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/winterfd/index.php?pg=2">LINK</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-34359129707323651722013-01-02T13:56:00.001-05:002013-01-02T13:58:29.847-05:00Lennox-Addington Emcomm <span style="font-family: Calibri;">ECOA is pleased to announce that authorisation has been
given to activate a new Emcomm Group in</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lennox-Addington County effective
January 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>, 2013.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to this time there has been no Emcomm group active in
Lennox-Addington County, and Emcomm support to the county has been on an ad-hoc
basis from various groups outside the county.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Provincial Emergency Coordinator, Bob Gammon-VA3RX, will
issue the certificate of activation, and confirm the appointment of their new
EC.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Congratulations to Lennox-Addington Emcomm Group, and
welcome aboard!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-8396895720346525242013-01-01T17:26:00.002-05:002013-01-01T17:26:28.071-05:00Net NewsPlease be advised that the ECOA Sunday night net has changed its time. This net will now take place from 1900 - 2000 Local on IRLP Node 9035.<br />
<br />
The Ontario Provincial Communications Network (Procom) Nets also take place on IRLP Node 9035 at 2000 - 2100 Local, on Thursday and Sunday nights.<br />
<br />
Please support these emcomm nets.Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-36510050835422394932013-01-01T11:15:00.002-05:002013-01-01T12:15:41.496-05:00A message from our President<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">As I begin my term as President I would like to start by thanking Bob for his service to ECOA, his great effort and the time he put into this organization. To quote the Beatles, "It's been a long and winding Road", and I suppose we can add "rocky" to that description as well.<br /><br />Without Bob's steady hand it could have been a lot worse. Many Thanks Bob; and we look forward to working with you in your new role as our Provincial Emergency Coordinator.<br /><br />As of today we start to move forward, building ECOA into a first class, highly visible, energetic, emergency communications organization. This will be done by recruiting more qualified and highly energetic individuals into leadership positions for our new Field Service, and by fully supporting them as they grow their sectors, districts and groups.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">I look forward to working with you all through this exciting time as we launch this rebuilding project for public safety and service.</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">73,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Bill VE3CLQ</span></div>
Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387906114528026854.post-12025293058710226352012-12-21T12:53:00.001-05:002012-12-21T12:54:27.811-05:00Important ECOA Announcement - January 1st, 2013<br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">I
am pleased to announce the following changes in ECOA, effective Jan 1st, 2013.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Bob
Gammon, VA3RX, is moving on to become ECOA Provincial Coordinator.</span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Bob
has been the President of ECOA for the last two years.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Bob
was an Ontario certified Paramedic for 38 years covering Muskoka and Windsor.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">He
was instrumental in getting the Province of Ontario Minister James Snow to let
amateurs have<u1:p></u1:p> their call sign on the vehicle plates. The first
call went to Bob, VE3ACL in June 1976.</span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">His
emcomm experience is as follows, EC for South West Ontario, 2 years, DEC for
South west for 2 years.<u1:p></u1:p> ARES Emergency Coordinator for Ontario 7
years, and founding President of ECOA for 2 years.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">I
know Bobs Experience will help him in his new job as the ECOA Provincial Coordinator.
</span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Bill
Nangle, VE3CLQ, becomes the new President of ECOA.</span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Bill
has worked for the Canadian Forces since 1974. He was first licensed in 2000. </span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">He
was a member of West Coast Amateur Radio ECT in Victoria, BC, for several years,
and a member of the CFB Esquimalt Base Amateur Radio Club.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">
<br />He was appointed EC for Frontenac County ARES in September 2006, and appointed
AEC Admin for Frontenac County Emcomm in September 2009.<u1:p></u1:p> Bill was
re-appointed EC for Frontenac County Emcomm in September 2011, and is currently
the Vice President of ECOA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill lives
in Kingston Ontario.</span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">We
wish them all the best for 2013 and I am sure they will be busy in their new
positions.</span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Russ Hemphill- VE3FI<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Vice
President ECOA</span><span style="font-family: "Californian FB","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Blogmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09911787664786850067noreply@blogger.com0