Over the weekend of June 15 2019 vandals cut wires etc and a radio tower came down. To read more go to
W1AW FIELD DAY 2019 SCHEDULE
The ARRL has announced the following 2019 Field Day Schedule for W1AW
http://www.arrl.org/news/view/w1aw-announces-arrl-field-day-bulletin-schedule
Idaho Hams Pick Up Communication. June 2019
When communications failed in Bonners Ferry Idaho it was local hams who kept communications going. A short article reports the story
https://www.bonnersferryherald.com/local_news/20190606/ares_save_the_day
An Article Promoting Field Day and Amateur Radio in BC’s Lower Mainland.
The approaching field day is generating some media interest in ham radio, Here is one such article.
New Winlink Gateway Frequencies June 13 2019
The Winlink team has made the following announcement
17 Meters added to the following Gateways that did not already have it, all modes.Frequencies are Center and update your channels lists or enter manually.
This increases the scan time so you may need to try a few connects to catch your desired frequency.
All gateways are Icom 7300 at 50 watts to OCF style antennas, and at government facilities with E-power.
YS1YS EL SALVADOR 18108.5
YN1SN NICARAGUA 18106.8
TI0BCR COSTA RICA 18107.3
HR0COP HONDURAS 18108.7
HI8COE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 18108.2
[RAC-Bulletin] RAC supports Canadian National Parks on the Air event (CNPOTA): January 1 to December 31, 2019
National Parks on the Air Special Event Station VC7FL JULY1 -AUG 31 2019
There will be a special event station established as part of the National Parks on the Air program. A station will be established in Fort Langley. Fort Langley has a significant historical history in the development of British Columbia. If you would like to participate in this event please contact Fred Orsetti VE7IO.
ARRL Kids Day June 15 2019
The ARRL will hold their second Kids Day event for 2019. For all the information you need on this event go to
The Sun Solar Cycle. An Interesting Article June 2019
An article describing the solar cycle and what is being done to further the theories on this cycle can be found at
Mexican Amateur Radio Volunteers Provide Communication in Wildfire Response
Mexican radio amateurs provided communication support in late May from a fire scene in a remote area to civil protection authorities in Monterrey, Mexico. Two-member teams of volunteers were flown in via helicopter since May 20, the first day of radio support, when the fire had already been burning for a couple of days. The fire in Pajonal — about 20 kilometers south of Monterrey — covered more than 200 acres in rough terrain. Temperatures topped 100 °F.
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Fueled by hot and dry conditions, Mexico’s 2019 fire season has been intense, leading to poor air quality. By mid-May, more than 100 wildfires were active in 17 Mexican states.
Teams had been using Winlink but added the weak-signal software Vara HF, after José Alberto Nieto, EA5HVK, provided a Vara license on short notice. Tom Whiteside, N5TW, in Georgetown, Texas, supported the effort from across the border, aiming his 40- and 20-meter arrays in the direction of the fire in Nuevo Leon. Alfonso Tamez, XE2O, president of Mexico’s IARU member-society Federación Mexicana de Radioexperimentadores (FMRE), was been among the volunteers.
In addition to HF digital traffic, the volunteer teams took advantage of VHF repeaters. HF antennas consisted of a 40-meter dipole for 40 and a steerable portable dipole. A generator is providing electrical power.
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Clarification:Vara HF was used as a higher speed connection protocol to Winlink gateways. Not as a standalone weak signal software.The indication given is that Winlink operations stopped for Vara HF PtP use, did not happen..
There was only ONE VHF repeater with spotty coverage.But great mention and Winlink worked well on 40 meters.