Posts Tagged ‘Surrey Amateur Radio’
The SARC Communicator: March-April 2026
March 1st, 2026 | 
Author: Hello Radio Enthusiasts!
The latest issue of the SARC Communicator is officially live, and it’s one of our most diverse editions yet. Whether you are a history buff, a dedicated tinkerer, or a DX adventurer, there is something in here for you.Inside this issue:
- Historical Deep Dives: From the electrical empire of Werner von Siemens to the high-stakes drama of the Alexanderson kidnapping, and a special event station commemoration of the Titanic disaster.
- Bench Projects: Learn how to make Homebrew PCBs with a 3D printer and copper tape, or peek at the elegant KD5ZZU Z-match tuner build.
- DX & Field Ops: Travel back to the 1994 Peter I Island DXpedition or get the latest on the North Fraser Club’s 925 MHz Balloon Project.
- Radio Secrets: Unlock the hidden "superpowers" of the Icom IC-7300, 7610 and 9700 and explore the "IPS Buffet" antenna mix-and-match review.
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Please note that there are active links for additional content when viewed on your device.
~ John VE7TI, Editor
Contents for this issue:
- Siemens built an electrical empire that still exists today 4
- Trials & Errors: G.E. and the Alexanderson
Kidnapping 8
- Homebrew PCBs with a 3D Printer and Copper
Tape 12
- Amateur Radio’s Most Sacred Symbol of
Discipline 13
- Radio Ramblings: Chameleon Project - Digital Radio 16
- KA3DRR: The Compass Lied. The Ionosphere
Didn’t 26
- String a horizontal
loop 30
- Hidden features in the Icom IC-7300 transceiver: 34
- Activating LZ9X
Bulgaria 38
- High Above the Noise: Charlie and the Field Day Chicken 42
- The IPS Buffet Antenna: A Mix-and-Match Field
Review 46
- Add Digital Television to Your ARES Tool
Kit 48
- Fun with Arduino and Semaphore
Signaling 52
- The North Fraser Club: High‑Altitude Amateur
Radio at 925 MHz 54 - Club in Focus: The Orca DX and Contest
Club 56
- ‘Probing’ Around Inside an Old
Receiver 60
- From a ‘Rocket’ radio to an ‘almost’
real one… and beyond 62 - When an app outlives its
creator 64
- A ‘Barn Find’ Radio 66
- RAC Amateur of the Year
Award 2025 68
- Closure of the
Weatherradio Service in Canada 69
- Outside the Box:
KD5ZZU’s elegant build of a
Z-match tuner 70 - Advantages and
Disadvantages of the Z-Match
72
- The ultimate rebuild of
an ancient Yaesu FT-817
73
- Rational Optimism About
the Future of Amateur Radio 76
- Foundations of Amateur
Radio: Transmitting
into a dummy load… for a year… on purpose 84 - To Honour Titanic’s
Legacy and the
Heroes of the Airwaves 87 - Twelve Safety Laws for
Amateur Radio Operators
90
- Profiles of SARC
members: Andy Carr VE7SNF 94
- BC QSO Party and ARRL DX
Contest (CW) 99
- Friends Remembered:
“Walt” Bond VE7WDB/VE6MW 101
- SARC General Meeting
minutes 105
- Spotless! 110
- QRT: “Radio is the same
as in 1920…” Really? 114
- Ham
Leftovers 117
- Siemens built an electrical empire that still exists today 4
The Communicator: January – February 2026
The Communicator First Issue of 2026
Happy New Year! This first issue of 2026 spans 110 pages and offers a comprehensive exploration of amateur radio. Readers will find a diverse mix of content, including technical projects, the latest operating news, and engaging historical perspectives relevant to the amateur radio community.
Historical and Informative Features
Readers will find historical profiles of
notable figures in radio, this time including Edouard Branly, inventor of the
coherer, and the fateful and communications-stricken flight of Amelia Earhart. The Silent Revolution: The future of RF is in light, is an overview of transceivers using light rather than wires, promising less noise and terrific bandwidth. You will find tutorials on a variety of relevant subjects including HF digital
modes such as FT8 and JS8Call, suggestions for contest logging software, and
tips for successful portable operations.
Technical Articles
Several articles in this issue delve into
practical projects and technical experimentation. Topics covered include encrypted
communications in amateur radio, antenna construction and tuning, including the
revolutionary Challenger+, low-power (QRP) operating strategies, free access to
online software-defined radio receivers, and modifications to homebrew
equipment. Additional articles address emergency communications preparedness,
recent regulatory changes affecting Canadian amateurs, and reviews of new ham
radio products and books.
Regular Sections
The issue includes our regular informative columnists,
providing valuable information for operators.
They include feature propagation forecasts, updates on satellite and
digital modes, reports on VHF/UHF activity, summaries of recent contests and
on-air events, and even a ‘snow muffin’ recipe for Winter Field Day.
Feature Article: Embracing Versatility in Amateur Radio
An opinion piece reflected by the cover:
“Are you an Amateur Radio chameleon?” (p. 102), employs the chameleon as a
metaphor for versatility in the hobby. Drawing on the Senegalese proverb, “The
chameleon changes colour to match the earth, the earth doesn’t change colour to
match the chameleon,” the article gently critiques operators who specialize
exclusively in one aspect of amateur radio—whether chasing DX on HF, focusing
on VHF repeaters, contesting year-round, or limiting activity to digital modes
like FT8.
While acknowledging that specialization can
foster deep expertise, the article contends that remaining in a single niche
may restrict personal growth and diminish the enjoyment of amateur radio.
Instead, it celebrates those who adapt fluidly, moving between CW, SSB, digital
modes, satellite work, QRP portable activations, microwave experimentation,
public service events, and homebrewing. These “chameleons,” the article
suggests, find greater fulfillment and contribute more broadly to the amateur
radio community.
It concludes with an invitation for readers to share their own stories of adaptation and discovery by emailing [email protected].
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Please note that there are active links for additional content when viewed on-line.
On behalf of SARC and SEPAR, we wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
~ John VE7TI, Editor
Contents for this issue:
- Edouard Eugène Désiré Branly and his Coherer 4
- Amelia Earhart: Better radio skills may have made a difference 32
- Photonics the Silent Revolution: The future of RF is in light 38
- Ham Rocket Men 42
- The story of Salmon, Idaho 44
- Profile: The Canadian International DX Club 48
- The Challenger+ OCF: A portable Halfwave Antenna by KJ6ER 50
- About that Un-un 57
- Coaxial Cables and Common Mode Currents 58
- A Challenger+ build 61
- 2025 Appointment to the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame: Geoff Smith VA3GS (SK) 62
- A Starter Guide: Internet Remote Software Defined Radio (SDR) Receivers 64
- The BC QSO Party 66
- Ham Radio Outside the Box: What really determines the efficiency of an antenna? 68
- The VA7ZEB Line of Sight (LoS) Web App 71
- Converting the shack computer to Linux 74
- Foundations of Amateur Radio: I have a problem with logging 76
- Back to Basics: Near Vertical Incident Skywave 79
- Amateur Radio HH as a modular option of a new electric car 82
- No-ham Recipes: Winter Field Day Snow Muffins 83
- Profiles of SARC members: Blake R. Wiggs VA7BWG 86
- 2025 SARC Field Day Results 92
- SARC General Meeting minutes 94
- The Christmas Social 96
- Coming up 98
- The SEPAR Report 100
- Are you an Amateur Radio Chameleon? Embrace the multiverse of the ‘Hobby of Hobbies’ 102
- Ham Leftovers 106
- A look back: at The Communicator—January 2016 108
- Kudos 112
The New Year’s Ham Baby
Midnight struck! The calendar flipped,
A brand-new baby boy born fully equipped.
But this was no ordinary, cooing tyke,
He burst out screaming... "CQ! Q-R-Z! gimme a mic!"
His parents, both veteran 2-letter hams,
were thrilled—not only by baby, but the accurate count on his radiograms.
His first sound was: "dah dit dah dit, dah dah dit dah", a properly spaced CQ,
A perfect fist, spectacular for a ham just so new.
Mr. Jones, the neighbor wasn't as happy.
Just what I need, another ham next door like his mama and pappy.
They named him "Kenwood", a name everyone knew,
but in phonetics, baby confused quite a few.
They bypassed the rattle, the blanket, and ball,
‘cause he only wanted a transceiver with a nice waterfall.
He skipped "goo-goo" for Q-codes instead:
"My QTH is my bedroom!" is what he often said.
And change me often when I get wet…
I don’t want to risk the high voltage when I’m on a QSO in bed.
One day, they found him, in a corner on the floor,
He'd built a QRP rig they couldn’t ignore.
He keyed up on twenty, it was truly a feat,
Sending: "Happy New Year!!" it sounded so sweet.
The FCC called, "Is that your harmonic on the air?"
His dad just laughed, "No, sir, that’s my son you hear there.
"He's only seven weeks old, and his signal's 5-9-9"
The New Year's Ham Baby? He’s doing just fine!
~ The Communicator ~
The Communicator: November – December 2025
Welcome to the November-December 2025 edition of the SARC Communicator, your go-to guide for all things amateur radio in our vibrant RF neighborhood. This edition is a journey across the history, innovation, and fascinating activities of amateur radio.
As we transition from crisp fall days to the festive glow of holidays ahead, this issue looks at the enduring legacy of Émile Baudot, the pioneer of digital communication, and revisits the vital role of radio during the catastrophic 1917 Halifax Explosion.
For satellite operators, discover how to seamlessly integrate SkyRoof with the Icom IC-9700 for LEO satellite operations, and check out our review of the past year in amateur satellites.
Technical articles dive into RTTY as a viable emergency digital mode and explores the fascinating use of radio telemetry in insect tracking. We also have several articles on a current ‘hot’ activity, homebrew vertical antennas for Parks on the Air (POTA). Finally, catch up on the excitement of the ARDF World Championship and a glimpse into the future of Software Defined Radio.
There are articles for all levels of amateur radio and you’re sure to find something of interest.
Download smaller low resolution
Dive in for inspiration, connections, and the pulse of what makes our hobby of hobbies special. A special year-end thank you to our contributors and columnists. On behalf of SARC and SEPAR, we wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season.
Stay engaged—our readership powers us forward!
Enjoy this final issue of 2025!
~ John VE7TI, Editor
Contents for this issue:
- The Rest of the Story: RTTY and Émile Baudot’s Enduring Legacy 4
- Radio's Role in the 1917 Halifax Explosion 8
- NARA NVIS Test 12
- The Lighter Side of Amateur Radio 13
- Repair and Repurpose 14
- Radiofrequency and Telemetry in Insect Tracking 24
- What’s New at DLARC — October 2025 28
- ARDF Canada World Championship 2025 in Lithuania 30
- Integrating SkyRoof with the Icom IC-9700 32
- RTTY; A viable emergency digital mode? 36
- Pile-Up Control System - Take control of the pile-up! 40
- Satellite Tracking: Looking back on 2025, and ahead into 2026 42
- Homebrew Mobile Antennas 44
- The genius logic of the NATO phonetic alphabet 46
- The North American QRP CW Club 48
- Simple QRP 9:1 Unun Construction 50
- The Dominator End-Fed Halfwave Antenna by KJ6ER 52
- The POTA PERformer vertical antenna revisited 60
- FreqBuddy: A Modern Web-Based Radio Frequency Database 69
- Ham Radio Outside the box: PERformer modifications 70
- A good idea for suspending radials 72
- A Portable Power Project 73
- Zero Retries 76
- Margaret Atwood on CW? 80
- When your hobby revolves around electricity... 82
- Back to Basics - Digital Modes 86
- Study Aids 89
- No-ham Recipes: Meatloaf with sweet tomato-mustard sauce 91
- Profiles of SARC members: Sheldon Friesen VE7SRF 94
- SARC Member donates digital nautical archive 97
- SARC 50th Anniversary the transformative role of SARC 100
- Peter Vogel VE7AFV: Profile in Tech, Science & Amateur Radio 102
- SARC General Meeting minutes 104
- The SEPAR Report 110
- We’re back on track! 115
- QRT: Is Amateur Radio an Old Hobby or a playground for explorers? 116
- HAM LEFTOVERS... 118
- A look back… at The Communicator—December 2015 120
The Communicator: November – December 2025
Welcome to the November-December 2025 edition of the SARC Communicator, your go-to guide for all things amateur radio in our vibrant RF neighborhood. This edition is a journey across the history, innovation, and fascinating activities of amateur radio.
As we transition from crisp fall days to the festive glow of holidays ahead, this issue looks at the enduring legacy of Émile Baudot, the pioneer of digital communication, and revisits the vital role of radio during the catastrophic 1917 Halifax Explosion.
For satellite operators, discover how to seamlessly integrate SkyRoof with the Icom IC-9700 for LEO satellite operations, and check out our review of the past year in amateur satellites.
Technical articles dive into RTTY as a viable emergency digital mode and explores the fascinating use of radio telemetry in insect tracking. We also have several articles on a current ‘hot’ activity, homebrew vertical antennas for Parks on the Air (POTA). Finally, catch up on the excitement of the ARDF World Championship and a glimpse into the future of Software Defined Radio.
There are articles for all levels of amateur radio and you’re sure to find something of interest.
Download smaller low resolution
Dive in for inspiration, connections, and the pulse of what makes our hobby of hobbies special. A special year-end thank you to our contributors and columnists. On behalf of SARC and SEPAR, we wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season.
Stay engaged—our readership powers us forward!
Enjoy this final issue of 2025!
~ John VE7TI, Editor
Contents for this issue:
- The Rest of the Story: RTTY and Émile Baudot’s Enduring Legacy 4
- Radio's Role in the 1917 Halifax Explosion 8
- NARA NVIS Test 12
- The Lighter Side of Amateur Radio 13
- Repair and Repurpose 14
- Radiofrequency and Telemetry in Insect Tracking 24
- What’s New at DLARC — October 2025 28
- ARDF Canada World Championship 2025 in Lithuania 30
- Integrating SkyRoof with the Icom IC-9700 32
- RTTY; A viable emergency digital mode? 36
- Pile-Up Control System - Take control of the pile-up! 40
- Satellite Tracking: Looking back on 2025, and ahead into 2026 42
- Homebrew Mobile Antennas 44
- The genius logic of the NATO phonetic alphabet 46
- The North American QRP CW Club 48
- Simple QRP 9:1 Unun Construction 50
- The Dominator End-Fed Halfwave Antenna by KJ6ER 52
- The POTA PERformer vertical antenna revisited 60
- FreqBuddy: A Modern Web-Based Radio Frequency Database 69
- Ham Radio Outside the box: PERformer modifications 70
- A good idea for suspending radials 72
- A Portable Power Project 73
- Zero Retries 76
- Margaret Atwood on CW? 80
- When your hobby revolves around electricity... 82
- Back to Basics - Digital Modes 86
- Study Aids 89
- No-ham Recipes: Meatloaf with sweet tomato-mustard sauce 91
- Profiles of SARC members: Sheldon Friesen VE7SRF 94
- SARC Member donates digital nautical archive 97
- SARC 50th Anniversary the transformative role of SARC 100
- Peter Vogel VE7AFV: Profile in Tech, Science & Amateur Radio 102
- SARC General Meeting minutes 104
- The SEPAR Report 110
- We’re back on track! 115
- QRT: Is Amateur Radio an Old Hobby or a playground for explorers? 116
- HAM LEFTOVERS... 118
- A look back… at The Communicator—December 2015 120
The Communicator September – October 2025
This publication, "The Communicator" from Surrey Amateur Radio Communications (SARC), serves as a bi-monthly electronic periodical for amateur radio operators. It covers a wide array of topics, including historical figures in radio. This month Jonathan Zenneck and Edwin Armstrong. In this issue we also provide technical explanations of radio propagation phenomena such as the Gray Line and solar indices, and practical guides for amateur radio activities like building antennas. We take a closer look at specific radio equipment (Baofeng, Icom, and Anytone), and engaging in digital modes like FT8.
The Communicator also features emergency preparedness strategies, and the diverse interests and community focus within amateur radio. Furthermore, it touches upon innovative developments like the Linux Handie Talkie (LinHT) and the importance of in-person technical conferences for knowledge exchange.
Now read in over 165 countries, this issue brings you 130 pages of Amateur Radio content from the Southwest corner of Canada and around the globe. With less fluff and ads than other Amateur Radio publications, you will find Amateur Radio related articles, projects, profiles, news, tips and how-to's for all levels of the hobby.
LARGE or SMALL format, or read it on-line like a magazine
Previous Communicator issues:
Search for past Communicator issues
We now have a comprehensive searchable index back to 2007
HERE.
As always, thank you to our contributors, and your feedback is always welcome.
The deadline for the next edition is October 15th.
If you have news or events from your club or photos, stories, projects or other items of interest from BC or elsewhere, please contact us at [email protected]
73,
John VE7TI
'The Communicator' Editor
The Table of Contents for the September - October 2025 Communicator issue:
- The Unsung Pioneers: Jonathan Senneck 4
- A look at Edwin Armstrong’s contribution to broadcasting 6
- Field Day and Cross-Border Microwave Activity 7
- The Northern California DX Foundation: Decrypting solar indices 8
- Propagation Profile: Exploring the Gray Line in Radio Propagation 10
- News You Can’t Lose: Rescue team locates and rescues 12
- Page13—News You Can Lose: Mystery in Back Yard 13
- Radio Ramblings: Aircraft Radio Systems 14
- Another RFI Tracker 29
- Sniffing RF Noise with an Oscilloscope 29
- A Bridge Too Far... For Now! 30
- An AM Radio Transmitter Suitable for in-home broadcast 32
- ISED Releases New Documents for Amateur Exams 34
- Getting Started: Beginner's guide to the FT8 mode 36
- Using the Baofeng Radio: Your Guide to a Handheld Radio 37
- iCOM Special Interest Group: RFI & Noise reduction - USB cable 38
- WA5VJB’s "Cheap Yagis": Looking for a 1.2 Ghz solution? 41
- RigPi: Probably compatible with your rig 422
- The AnyTone 878 portable receives a major firmware update 44
- Ham TV again from the International Space Station! 46
- After 14 attempts our first circumnavigation of a pico balloon! 47
- The PERformer: 2024 ARRL QST Antenna Design Competition 50
- But, does it PERform? 59
- Ham Radio Outside the box: Testing the “PERformer” 60
- The Zenith Satellite Tracker 62
- Another Simple Morse Code Trainer: It uses only 7 parts 63
- High Altitude RF Adventures 64
- Hamshack Hotline Orphans invited to apply at Hams Over IP 69
- Zero Retries: The Linux Handie Talkie 70
- Ham on a Bike: Snatched a big one working my grey line 75
- Foundations of Amateur Radio: A POTA procedural proposal 76
- Listening to local RF via a web browser 78
- Back to Basics: Understanding decibels in Amateur Radio 80
- Crossword 83
- Danger in St. Elmo 84
- No-ham Recipes: Chili Con Rotini 85
- Profiles of SARC members: Michael Papp WB6GJE 88
- The SEPAR Report: Emergency Program: Net Strategies 92
- A new beam antenna for the OTC 95
- QRT: Building Your Own Antennas 96
- HAM LEFTOVERS... 98
- A look back at The Communicator—October 2015 100
The Communicator July – August 2025
We're coming up to our club's 50th Anniversary and this is another big issue, with a look back at our history, great articles, and our regular columnists.
Now read in over 165 countries, this issue brings you 130 pages of Amateur Radio content from the Southwest corner of Canada and around the globe. With less fluff and ads than other Amateur Radio publications, you will find Amateur Radio related articles, projects, profiles, news, tips and how-to's for all levels of the hobby.
Download the July - August 2025 Communicator in
LARGE or SMALL format, or read it on-line like a magazine
Previous Communicator issues:
Search for past Communicator issues
We now have a comprehensive searchable index back to 2007
HERE.
As always, thank you to our contributors, and your feedback is always welcome.
The deadline for the next edition is August 15th.
If you have news or events from your club or photos, stories, projects or other items of interest from BC or elsewhere, please contact us at [email protected]
73,
John VE7TI
'The Communicator' Editor
The Table of Contents for the July - August 2025 Communicator issue:
- The Unsung Pioneers - Some lesser-known early Amateur Radio experimenters and the dawn of wireless communication 4
- Some Early Surrey Amateur Radio Club History 7
- Telus Donates Tower/Trailer to SARC! 10
- News You Can’t Lose: The Centennial Gleissberg Cycle 12
- Page13—News You Can Lose: The Lighter Side 13
- Amateur Radio History In the Province of British Columbia 15
- Radio Ramblings: The Grab Bag 18
- Amateur Radio Contesting... But is your log accurate? 27
- Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications 30
- Remote WAN Operation and the Perils of CG-NAT Drive 32
- Six Meters: The SARC 50.070 MHz beacon 34
- Spooltenna Product review 36
- (ISED) Releases New Documents for Amateur Exams 39
- You’ve got the Power!! Monitoring your voltage 40
- Reinventing Spark Gap Radio 42
- 7300 SIG: Efficient SD Card Management 48
- Antenna Adventures: A compact 2m/70cm J-pole that wasn’t 52
- Fence Solar - Add a back-up power source 54
- The first interstellar software update: Voyager 1 58
- Update on the VE7NFR Pico Balloon 60
- AMSAT Designates SO-125: A New FM Repeater Satellite 61
- SkyRoof: New Amateur Satellite Tracking Software 62
- CQ: International Dog & Cat Days Special Event 63
- A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting an Engaging QRZ Bio 64
- Ham Radio Outside the box: An Improved Tank Circuit 67
- Top Ten Steps For successful portable QRP operation 70
- Small Pistols of Ham Radio Contesting 73
- The RSGB Looks at Morse Code 73
- "Too Many Antenna? What You Talking About Willis?" 74
- The World of CW - VE9KK Looks at a Contest Keyboard 76
- Zero Retries: Repeaters Are For Voice, Digipeaters Are For Data - NOT! 78
- KB6NU: What’s In Your Rubber Duck? 84
- Foundations of Amateur Radio: What's really happening at the IARU? 86
- Back to Basics: The Common Mode Choke 89
- No-ham Recipes: BBQ Chicken Marinade 93
- Profiles of SARC members: Fred Orsetti VE7IO 96
- Another SARC Founder: Ralph Webb VE7OM 100
- Here is a great new callsign search site 103
- SARC-SEPAR Field Day 2025: 3F at our Training Centre 104
- The RAC Canada Day Contest: Celebrating Canada’s 158th 107
- I have switched PDF readers! 108
- CQ WPX (CW) Contest: Using VB7MAN 109
- The New Look of Our Website 110
- Friends Lost... 111
- SARC General Meeting Minutes: May 2025 112
- SARC Annual General Meeting Minutes: June 2025 115
- The SEPAR Report: Field Day 2025 120
- QRT: OM, YL, and XYL: Are they still appropriate? 124
- Ham Leftovers... 127
- A look back at the Communicator—July 2015 128
