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Maritime DX Info
DX Forum 2009
DX Summit
Industry Canada
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The Halifax Amateur Radio Club (HARC) invites DXers, contesters and HF enthusiasts to the 2010 Maritime DX Forum. This year, as part of the MDF weekend, we are also hosting the Annual General Meeting of Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC). It begins at 2:30 pm on Friday, 6 August and will be followed at 5:30 pm by a reception, BBQ dinner and a bluegrass concert. The MDF program on Saturday, 7 August will run from 8:30 am - 4:45 pm and be followed by a reception and the MDF banquet.
The Maritime Contest Club is our partner in making the annual MDF happen.
Location. The MDF will be held in the Rosaria Centre of Mount St. Vincent University on Seton Road, the entrance to MSVU off the Bedford Highway. Please Google Mount St. Vincent University Location to see a map.
Our speakers are active and outstanding members of our global ham radio community and include:
· MARTTI LAINE, 0H2BH – Espoo, Finland
· TIM DUFFY, K3LR – West Middlesex, Pennsylvania
· d*** FREY, K4XU – Bend, Oregon
· TIM ELLAM, VE6SH – Calgary, Alberta
· A MEMBER OF A RECENT DXPEDITION
Program. Again this year the MDF features a group of world-class speakers. The draft program is attached. Themes will cover new initiatives from Europe to spark the further development of ham radio; how contesting plays a role in advancing our hobby; technical advances in solid state amplifier technology; an exciting story of a major DXpedition; and an exploration of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), an important mechanism for the governance of amateur radio.
A unique aspect of this year’s MDF is the inclusion of the Annual General Meeting of Radio Amateurs of Canada. This promises to be a meeting of particular importance to Canadian amateurs, but it will also be of interest to those coming from other countries.
The social side of the weekend starts out with a BBQ dinner and bluegrass concert on Friday night. During the weekend, there will be ample time to talk with each of our program presenters and to each other; first, at the reception, dinner and party on Friday night and then during the coffee breaks, lunch and DX banquet reception on Saturday. Non-ham spouses will enjoy the evening events. A city tour on Saturday for non-ham spouses will be available. Moreover, post-MDF tours to Peggy’s Cove outside Halifax and to Prince Edward Island are being developed for attendees by TayMac Tours. The details will be announced on this page soon.
John Scott, VE1JS, a volunteer ARRL QSL card checker will be on hand to confirm credits for DXCC, WAS and VUCC awards.
Cost and Registration. The costs of the various events are: RAC AGM – no cost; Friday’s BBQ and bluegrass social - $25; Saturday’s Maritime DX Forum - $60; and the MDF banquet - $35. A registration forum and instructions can be downloaded from www.halifax-arc.org The MDF Chair, K. Scott Wood, VE1QD, will gladly answer any questions you may have. He can be contacted at: ve1qd@rac.ca or at (902) 823-2761.
Maritime DX Forum Fund. To help augment the costs of operating and developing the MDF, we annually solicit donations. This money provides travel support for speakers when needed and covers some development costs. Details about the Fund are attached.
Accommodations. For those wishing inexpensive lodging, Mount St.Vincent University has comfortable dormitory rooms with a shared bath (price TBD) and one bedroom apartments with bath (price TBD). The price includes tax, breakfast and parking. Reservations can be made with Patricia Drake: telephone (902) 457-6355 or e-mail: patricia.drake@msvu.ca
Tourism Opportunities. Why not plan your summer vacation around a trip to the Maritimes. Visit historic Halifax. Take a boat trip around Halifax Harbour. Tour the Nova Scotia mainland and Cape Breton Island. Visit the Alexander Graham Bell museum in Badeck. Hop the ferry or take a drive on the Confederation Bridge and visit our island province - PEI. AND of course, take in the Maritime DX Forum on August 6th and 7th at Mount St. Vincent University. If you wish tourism information for the Maritime Provinces, please note this on your registration form and a package will be mailed to you.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Beginning in June 1, 2009 a passport or enhanced drivers license/enhanced identification card has been required to cross into the USA. Thus returning Americans require this new level of documentation. Ensure you have the right ID!
Finally. Please let your ham radio friends know about the Maritime DX Forum. They can obtain registration materials either from this website. Any questions you may have will be gladly answered by K. Scott Wood, VE1QD and Chair of the MDF. He can be contacted at: ve1qd@rac.ca or at (902) 823-2761.
` WELCOME TO HALIFAX IN AUGUST 2010!
VE - In celebration of the XXI Olympic Winter Games, amateur radio
operators from Canada are allowed to use four special prefixes
between 1 February and 31 March: VA can use VG, VE can use VX, VO
can use XJ and VY can use XK.
Special Call for Olympics:
2010-02-01 to 2010-03-31 VG7G VE7XS Olympics 2010 Winter Games
Haiti Earthquake Traffic - 2010-01-24
As the recovery in Haiti continues, the IARU would like to thank Hams of the world for being there for the people of Haiti. Many messages have been successfully passed over the airwaves. Effective immediately the frequencies 7.045MHz and 3.720MHz are released with gratitude to all who have kept them clear in the last days.
73
Doug Mercer VO1DTM
Vice President Field Services - Radio Amateurs of Canada
A new law which comes into effect this Saturday is intended to improve highway safety on Prince Edward Island. As of January 23, it will be illegal to use hand-held, wireless, electronic devices while driving on the Island. I am extremely pleased that this government has recognized the dangers caused by using hand-held devices while driving and has enacted legislation to address it,” says Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Ron MacKinley. “The research clearly shows that accident risk is much greater when drivers are making calls or texting. There is no doubt we will have safer highways as the driving public moves to comply with this new law.”
Devices covered by the ban include cell phones, smart-phones (blackberry, Iphone, etc.) 10-4 phones, GPS devices and lap top computers. The use of one-touch, hands-free devices is permitted as is the use of two-way radios. Emergency personnel including fire, EMS and police are exempt as are drivers who are calling 911. Drivers convicted of breaking the new law face fines ranging from $250 to $400 and three demerit points.
The Department has recently met with all municipal police forces and with RCMP officials about the new law. And while the law is in full effect as of January 23, the Department expects to see more warnings issued than actual charges during an initial adjustment period as is common with many new law introductions.
For more information, visit www.gov.pe.ca/cellphones
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