RAC puts politics before purpose

Well I picked a good time to revisit my blog after a nearly 2-year hiatus...

Citing "increasingly strained" relations between the US and Canada and other issues completely unrelated to amateur radio, the RAC (Radio Amateurs of Canada) have "unanimously" agreed NOT to attend the Hamvention in Xenia for 2025.

I double-checked and sure enough, April Fool's Day was last Tuesday.

See for yourself below (complete statement with French translation here):

At its meeting on March 27, 2025, the Board of Directors of Radio Amateurs of Canada voted unanimously to cancel RAC’s plans to operate a booth at Hamvention (Dayton) in Xenia, Ohio in May. This decision was not taken lightly and was made with deep regret as our members and volunteers always look forward to attending this significant international event. 

The relationship between Canada and the United States has become increasingly strained due to recent trade disputes and tariffs imposed by the US government. Adding to these challenges, controversial remarks from US leaders, including suggestions of Canada becoming the 51st state, have heightened concerns about Canadian sovereignty. 

For Canadians, these tensions have had tangible impacts and there has been a decline in cross-border travel and tourism.

It is a complex and evolving situation, but it is our hope that we will be able to return to Hamvention in future years and we hope that Canadian Amateurs who do attend the event will have a safe and enjoyable experience. 

I scouted over their Objectives and nowhere do I find anything about boycotting hamfests across the border due to political ideologies of the board. The closest I find is this:

To represent Canadian Amateur Radio operators in policy decisions regarding international issues and regulation that affect Amateur Radio within the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and at meetings and conferences of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

To act as a liaison organization and consultative body to municipal, provincial and federal governments in matters concerning the Amateur Service and act as a liaison and consultative body to the Canadian Government and its appropriate departments.

The "controversial remarks" made by US leadership at no point is making a threat to Canadian amateur radio, its operators, or agencies. How exactly do these remarks affect spectrum? How do they endanger amateur radio operations for Canadians?

This is quite simply, the actions of a few overbearing hams with some delusions of grandeur trying to make it appear that their entire constituency is on a united front. That attitude doesn't always end well for those that attempt to wield their swords when not warranted or welcomed.

I'm thinking this will NOT be the end of the story. I expect there to be an attempt at a retraction in the forthcoming days should the membership protest this decision, and I would certainly hope the membership does protest en masse. The RAC says it speaks on behalf of ALL Canadian Amateurs so while I'm sure there are those who would support this decision, do they ALL feel this way? I feel it's unlikely a unified sentiment, and I would hope they raise their voices in chorus to say as much. And regarding the "unanimous" comment...I know from personal experience, that this decision is anything BUT unanimous. NOTHING is unanimous in ham radio, unless everyone has a like-minded mentality about the politics of things outside of ham radio, which I've never encountered. Most any radio club, big and small, has their factions when it comes to any kind of politics. You ask club members what time it is, about half will tell you how to build a watch, some will give it in 24-hour military time, and a few others will tell you to f*** off and look at your own damned phone. 

I made two trips to Canada last year, and neither time did I feel any strained relations between the US and our neighbors in the "51st state". My family and I felt nothing but appreciation, gratitude, and kindheartedness. I couldn't raise anyone on a repeater, but that's another story...

So congrats, RAC Board, you fell for the "51st state" comment by a President who loves trolling the weak-minded simpletons like yourselves. He stirred the pot yet again and you took it hook, line, and sinker. There is a snowball's chance in hell of any sort of annexation, either via force or via tariffs. But you want to use it as an excuse to get out of a commitment for spreading goodwill and friendship at the most important ham radio event of the year, because your feelings got hurt?

This is not about spectrum, nor about regulatory issues, and definitely not about operating skills and goodwill (other than to create some sense of animosity between Canadian and US hams). This is simply a group of people putting on a show to try and give an appearance of unity about a topic the organization has no real direct purpose for involving themselves. They have put personal politics ahead of the objectives and values of their organization. 

If...IF the RAC board change their mind (or the membership makes them change it), will the DARA folks even consider extending the invite back to the RAC for this year? Were they comped a table or did they have to pay for the privilege of having a table indoors? Are there deeper concerns for the stability and solvency of the RAC or is it truly grandstanding for a cause which not everyone may be in agreement?

I am curious to know how RAC members feel about this decision. Does it truly speak for them all? Does the RAC need to involve themselves in politics not related to ham radio in a direct (or even indirect) capacity?

Chinese "Spy Balloons" ruining it for everyone else

All this commotion about the so-called "Chinese Spy Balloon" has been truly incredible to watch. There is a lot of information we are NOT getting from the military or our intelligence agencies. While that is not unusual, this leads to a lot of speculation about what's happened and a lot of room for innuendo and hyperbole on how serious the situation was. And now a fun part of ham radio may be the ultimate victim of this travesty.

I was with UT's amateur radio club back in the early 2000's and we launched balloon experiments several times. We did a few that were using latex-style balloons, and we sent payloads into high-altitudes (90-100k feet+) before the balloons burst and fell back to terra firma via parachute. These are the type the NWS sends up 2x/day to take a vertical snapshot of the atmosphere and help predict severe weather.

Then there were the zero-pressure style balloons, clear thin plastic that was designed to float in the jet-stream and we attempted to go across the Atlantic. We never made it but got very close (Our 3rd attempt went to within ~350 miles off the coast of Ireland).

Then the "pico" payloads started happening. Literally a long cracker-sized circuit board that could transmit on very-low power on HF frequencies using APRS or a mode called "WSPR" ("whisper") and these used large mylar party balloons to go into the jet-stream. There were several that have gone around the world MULTIPLE times...see picture.

These were/are harmless experiments that were excellent for highlighting radio propagation using low power. Some have floated over "unfriendly" territory, mostly ignored, and seldom did one cause any issues. Unfortunately those days look to be over.

It appears at least 2 of these "objects" shot down were possibly these amateur radio pico balloons; one over Alaska near the Aleutians and another over Lake Huron.

Unfortunately one "bad apple" has ruined it for those of us who enjoy radio as a way to do exciting and fun things, educating kids and adults alike.

And the ironic thing, that "Chinese Spy Balloon" quite possibly WAS accidental! My hypothesis is that China lost control of the balloon and could not cut it down or command the balloon to raise/lower altitude in order to steer AWAY from the US. China might be ballsy but I don't think they're that crazy to actually send a LARGE WHITE AND COMPLETELY VISIBLE BALLOON all the way from CHINA, to catch a jet stream wave and MAYBE go over the US mainland to SPY. That's not "SPYING".....It may have had "listening equipment" but it might also have simply been communications equipment, essentially a high-altitude "repeater" in order to communicate with people in remote parts of China, either for military or commercial/civilian purposes. Not everything sent from China has to be attributed to espionage, does it?

Something else to consider, when you're floating at 65k feet altitude, the temperatures are down to around -70F to -100F, so it's possible the equipment froze up and stopped responding to ground commands. We had some amateur radio payloads stop functioning until they got closer to the ground and warmed up.

I could be wrong as well. But there's nothing to discount these possibilities either.

WB4GBI on Anything is Possible

On a personal level, Tim Berry is one of those you should be privileged to know and lucky to have on your side when you need someone to lean on for technical expertise or just a friendly ear.

Not only is Tim a ham operator, he's an Engineer for radio stations, Technical Director for the Vol Network, and owner of several repeaters in East Tennessee.

In this interview he talks about his early start in radio and electronics, his recent fight with cancer, and his fundraising to restore a tower site knocked down from recent storms.

The interview (and Tim) are an inspiring message that truly Anything is Possible!

 

The journey begins

 

Soon...

A typical request for direction on ham radio (revisited)

I posted this nearly a decade ago, still holds true today...

I have to wonder if this type of conversation happens on your area's repeaters (the exact conversation and names have been altered to protect the guilty):

Ham1: "Hey guys, I'm from out-of-town and need directions to the gas station as I'm on fumes. I'm currently at (any location). Can anyone tell me how best to get there?"

Ham2: "Sure thing, stay on the interstate to the next exit, follow the highway about 3 miles, and then hang a left at the stop light."

Ham3: "Yeah, but if he takes the bypass he'll cut about 7 minutes off his commute, then go to the off-ramp past the "Y", hang a right, and he's there by the Post Office."

Ham4: "Hey everyone, I was just 'copying the mail' and wanted to let you know that the Post Office is now a Dollar General store, and the bypass has construction so (Ham1)'s directions are better, at least until December when they finish the construction."

Ham5: "Hey, I think your radio's got too much static (never mentions who...), you need to boost yer power or move to a better location."

Ham6: "I just checked with Google Maps and it says there's at least 3 stop lights before you get to the Post Office to make the turn."

Ham4: "I just said the Post Office is no longer there, it's a Dollar General!"

Ham5: "I still think needs to move his radio, still a lotta static."

          Ham4: "Who does?"

          Ham5: "Yes." 

Ham3: (After a looooong period of silence) "Didn't (Another ham) used to work for that Post Office branch some years ago?"

Ham6: "No you're thinking of (Yet ANOTHER ham) who worked at the one by the Walmart near downtown."

Ham3: "Well, he worked for that Post Office branch too, didn't he?"

Ham6: I dunno about that. What were we talking about again?"

Ham4: "I was trying to tell you that the Post Office is now a Dollar General, and the Walmart is near the mall, not downtown."

Ham5: "Your signal's not getting better try a different radio if you have one."

Ham2 & Ham4: (doubling) "(Callsigns) clear!"

Ham1: (after another long period of silence) "Thanks, guys, but my GPS got me there 5 minutes ago and you all quick-keyed so fast I couldn't get a word in edge-wise, and by the way it's at the 2nd stop light past the McDonald's. There's no Walmart, Dollar General, or Post Office in sight. I think you all are off your rockers. Thanks for the comedy routine, this is (callsign) clear."

Ham5: "I heard that same static on his radio as I did that other station (still never mentions who), and in fact several of you had that noisy signal, so maybe it's the repeater. Can't be my radio."

Hamvention 2022: COVID Superspreader?

From many accounts it looks like Hamvention®'s return post-COVID has been a success, with over 31,000 attending the big event in Xenia. 

pic.twitter.com/QT5yH9v6cw

— Dayton Hamvention® (@hamvention) May 27, 2022

From many Twitter accounts, however, it looks like COVID may be alive and well in whatever variant that it's currently undertaking.

A search on Twitter using tags "hamvention" and "covid" yield several tweets of Hamvention® attendees that subsequently tested positive for COVID upon their return home.

Most attendees that tested positive are reporting mainly fatigue and cold symptoms. Being an international event, several attendees from outside the US also reported testing positive.

My son VA3LML has tested positive also. I tested negative but haven't felt great. That 4th shot doing its work I'm guessing.

— Pierre Fogal (@pierre_fogal) May 27, 2022

Yes me too. Tested Covid positive 24 hours after my return to the UK. Struggling to breathe - never felt so ill in all my life.

— Allan Duncan (@gm4zuk) May 27, 2022

It is not known how many of these attendees were vaccinated, boostered, etc. 

Hamvention®'s statement prior to the event about COVID was mainly that they were "monitoring events closely" and going by the state and local guidelines, and that they didn't anticipate the State of Ohio cancelling large events. They also stated COVID testing was not planned and recommended masks.

However, from some accounts, masks were a rare sight amongst the 31k in attendance, although some accounts say mask wearing was more noticeable indoors than outside.:

Outside almost everyone without masks. Inside maybe 1-3% masked. Heard there was a Covid outbreak and some think it started with the contest dinner which was packed.

— Peter K8PT (@k8ptpete) May 27, 2022

I was there. Saw several people wearing masks. Not the majority, though.

— Robert L. Burns (@rlburns37) May 27, 2022

Some commented they chose to stay home, as they were positive before the event or still uncertain about the possibility of catching the virus.

Never been, but've always wanted to. Usually no money, or time.

This year, I had plenty of both - could've gone, w/ plenty of cash on hand for the flea market.

But I see nearly everybody behaving as if Covid is over. Not mingling with a crowd of smart, unwise people.

Uff-da.

— Kelvin - n0mql - EN35ld (@kelvin0mql) May 27, 2022

Various accounts are reporting 50-100+ attendees, and will probably climb as the 2-week gestation is still ongoing, still it's a remarkably low number (of those that are posting) considering the number of attendees after a 2-year hiatus.

Checking some of the groups on Facebook have not yielded many users reporting contracting COVID. Any reports on social media are still basically hearsay and at this point it may be near-impossible to gauge/track actual numbers.

Again the numbers are so low that it's almost like comparing the infection rates to that of the common cold, or any other virus that made headlines in the last 20 years pre-COVID.

Considering the past two years of COVID cancellations of many events across the realm of sports, entertainment, and conventions, the Hamvention® was another event that had to occur to get this world back to a sense of normalcy. Is it any more or a risk than the Super Bowl Big Game, Vegas/Orlando conventions, or the NBA and Stanley Cup playoffs with multiple games in sold-out arenas?

By now we've all been educated on how to prevent catching the virus, with hand sanitizer, masks, and vaccinating ourselves. While we cannot guarantee we'll never get sick, we should continue to take precautions against ANY virus.

Common sense against the common cold would dictate good hygiene practices in daily life such as washing your hands, wearing a mask when required/recommended, and getting flu shots and the necessary vaccinations will prevent the spread of most any disease along with COVID. 

Stay healthy!

Get Slow Scan TV images from the ISS!

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team is supporting slow-scan TV transmissions from the International Space Station over the holidays. The images will be related to lunar exploration. Transmissions are available worldwide on 145.800MHz FM, using SSTV mode PD120, and started on 26 December 2021and will end on the 31st at about 1705UTC. The signal should be receivable on a handheld transceiver with a quarter-wave whip antenna. I was able to pick up the signals with my 2m ham radio and using my Android smartphone with the "Robot36" app from the Google Play store Apple Store has an SSTV app here During the pass the first few moments were not captured due to noise. Due in part to the terrain at my location (big oak tree to the southwest blocked the signal and there is rain in the area) but overall the image did look pretty good for what I was using. It's possible to use a handheld radio or even an SDR so long as you have a good path to the ISS with little obstructions. For more information, go to ariss-sstv.blogspot.com. Source of information via Radio Society of Great Britain Website used to track ISS: N2YO.com

Crystal, 2006-2021

This is Crystal, and she has been our cat for 15 years. She came to us from the neighbors who were making her an outdoor cat, and she kept "invading" our home. 

We adopted her and kept her indoors and she would still love to go in and out at her leisure and cruise the neighborhood. Some crazy cat lady apparently would feed her when she wandered down to her house and we didn't know this and couldn't figure out why she'd come home to eat then throw it up! Only when we were leaving to go on errands and saw her at the cat lady's house did crazy cat lady confess she thought she was a stray (even with a COLLAR???) and was feeding her...

She was loud, noisy, annoying, always hungry (only to throw it up!) and independent. She had a damned attitude about everything and everyone. She would also find time to be affectionate and loving and allowing you her undivided attention. Usually when she was hungry...

I found this damned cat annoying. I kept remarking how I was gonna kill this damned cat if she wouldn't get out of my way, shut up, etc....

Saturday at 5:45 PM, we said goodbye. I've been taking it harder than I ever thought I would. I've attended family funerals and not lost my composure as much as I have with my animals when I've had to make "that decision". 2 dogs and now her. I'm not a cat person. Didn't think it'd hit me as bad as it has. 

She had lung cancer and was having trouble breathing. I thought we'd have a week or so but only had 72 hours to spend.

As usual, she didn't want much anything to do with me, probably from having to take her to the vet. But in those last moments, she put her paw on me as if to say it was okay.

We're all hurting, but life will go on. Both kids have their own cats. But they had Crystal first, and they were reminded (like we all were) not to take our pets for granted.

Give your fur babies an extra treat and a hug. You never know when it will be the last time you get that opportunity.

Walking the Road to Clingman's Dome - 12/13/2020

Last Sunday, Jes and I hiked the 7 mile road to Clingman's Dome, then trekked the 1/2 mile up to the Dome from the parking area. 

We're both still sore from the journey but feel very accomplished and it was a beautiful day and could not have asked for a better time (other than the sore feet/back/knees...)

Ride along for a trip to Myrtle Beach!

For our recent anniversary, my wife and I travelled to Myrtle Beach, SC. I decided to attach the dashcam and record the journey! The video (below) is sped up about 32x normal speed, but still took just under 12 minutes for the full video journey to play! 

The way the dashcam worked, it records in 5 minute segments. So imagine trying to edit 7-8 hours of videos in 5 minute chunks! Fortunately, Windows Movie Maker allowed for me to upload multiple videos and connect them together seamlessly. It still took about 12 hours of uploading, waiting, adjusting time to speed it up, and then save it on a laptop disk drive begging for more space as it was!

Enjoy the video. It's published to Youtube. I also put it on DailyMotion if Youtube decides it's violating someone's copyright or hurting someone's feelings.

If you must, you can mute the Yakety Sax for the music.

 

Pandemics, Elections, and Comets, Oh My!

 Is it safe to come out now?

This whole Covid-19 Pandemic can just stop at anytime now, can't it?

It's been a little over a year since I posted here and I've been so preoccupied with so many things I literally forgot I had this blog thing...

Where to start:

1. I got a new position at my job, so I'm no longer on the Service Desk, and while I'm sad I've left a good many friends behind with my new job, I moved my desk one aisle over...for all of two weeks before COVID-19 shut...it...down!  I've been working from home, which I'm fortunately able to do, but I miss the camaraderie and the ability to nag my coworkers for questions on the fly. Zoom has been an amazing videoconferencing tool but Zoom Fatigue is real and I can attest to it. While working from home saves on the gas expenses, it also can be costly when you don't use your car for so long the battery dies and needs replacing.
   
   
2. The plumbing plague from a year ago has not reared its ugly head further. We're still feeling the effects of it, however, in our quest to pay off the costs...
   
   
3. Comet NEOWISE made a visit through here in the Summer and I was fortunate enough to get a photo of it that got featured on Channel 10 here in Knoxville. I took the picture on Jes' birthday and it was one of probably 1000 pics I literally took that morning and the best one I got from the trip. A slight trip through Photoshop Express made it really turn out amazing:
   
   

   

   Comet NEOWISE

   
   
   
   It turned out so well I had it blown up into an 18x24 and got it framed in a barnwood/distressed wood frame. I just felt it was the best type frame for the photo:
   
   
   
   
   

   
   
4. I've traveled to Myrtle Beach twice, once after Christmas and again last month for my 22nd wedding anniversary. We were blessed with great weather and great accommodations both times. Just Jes and I were on these trips. We spent the majority of our time beachcombing for sharks teeth and seashells.
   
   
5. I've developed tendonitis in my shoulder. Currently undergoing physical therapy twice a week in order to prevent Frozen Shoulder from happening. I'm still not sure how it happened, but at first I thought it was a slight soreness that got worse while on our Myrtle Beach trip. As soon as I came back I went to the doctor who determined it was tendonitis. Hopefully it will heal sooner rather than the 1 year they gave me!
   
   
6. Both of my daughters are starting college at UT Knoxville. Lauren finally took the plunge and enrolled and Amber graduated L&N STEM and went right in to UT, both have been taking mostly online courses and are hoping to get more on-campus classes once COVID-19 ends. So far they are doing well, and adjusting to college better than expected.
   
   
7. I have probably made more treks up to Clingman's Dome this year than in previous years. While the Comet and COVID were a part of a few trips up, I've also gone up to watch SpaceX launch a Starlink batch from the Dome one morning! The pictures didn't turn out well, but hopefully I will have plenty of opportunities to see many more as they continue to send up Starlink satellites. I've been to the parking area probably over a dozen times this year, but not to the Dome itself except once. The reason was most of my journeys were at night. Other times were to catch a sunrise. It could make for some exhausting days, but capturing moments like this were worth it:
   
   

   

   A sunrise from the Dome Nothing better!
   

   
   
   
8. In case you've not noticed, I've ramped up my interest in photography. I've snapped a lot of pics during the pandemic, but most have been less than stellar. I'm still a rank amateur. I've been asked for my Instagram from some others I've run into when snapping the Comet, but I haven't posted a lot of my pics (yet!). Here's a few of my favorites:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   
   
   
9. And finally...on top of a Pandemic that's cancelled sports, forced many companies like mine to work from home more, created a fashion statement with masks, and has altered the way we look at the world and how we go about our daily lives, there's also going to be a Presidential election in less than two weeks.
   
   
   No matter who you prefer to be in the Oval Office, go out and vote! Both of my daughters will be participating in their first election this year.  Vote early, vote often!

 

Until next time, whenever that is...