The SARC Communicator: March-April 2026

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1 March 2026 | by John VE7TI | Share | | Leave a Comment (0)

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.

We also take a moment to look at the "Lighter Side" with tales of Field Day chickens and offer a dose of Rational Optimism regarding the vibrant future of our hobby.

Download the Full Resolution Issue Here

Download the Lower Resolution Issue - 6 Mb

Read it On-line as a Magazine

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