WFD 2022 is just around the corner, 29-30 January. 

Same as last year, we can all identify as GBARC members and the WFD group will publish our aggregate score. Everyone has to identify the club the exact same way for this to work.  Last year we used GEORGIAN BAY ARC.

There have been a few rule changes. The official website is https://www.winterfieldday.com/

I downloaded the rules doc but found the fonts and layout very hard to read, so I washed it through a word processor (obviously I have too much time on my hands!)
I attached the laundered version, you may find it easier to follow.

I will be operating 1H again, on a generator.

73
Dave, VE3WI

  WFD2022RULES_edit.pdf (Size: 246.01 KB / Downloads: 3)

I stepped into the shack Christmas Eve morning to make some POTA contacts. I got 3 in the log on 40m but I noticed as I was keying I was getting loud key clicks coming out of the speaker. That's a sure sign of the dreaded RF in the shack. I moved up to 20m but I couldn't even tune up properly.

After some checking around I found the problem. My antenna wire terminates inside a shed after dropping vertically a few feet. It passes under the eaves of the shed where it was coming into contact with the snow on the shed roof. The wire is insulated but was making capacitive contact with the snow.

My shed roof was detuning the antenna and re-radiating my signal back into the shack. After moving the wire away from the snow the problem cleared and I was able to go on and make some more POTA contacts.

The old advice that your best antenna is the one you put up in the worst weather was proved once again.

Interesting article on John Graves Simcoe.  It made me think of a discussion I had years ago with one of the managers at the Bruce plant who was also a local farmer.  That discussion was on why the concession roads are 2 km (actually 1 1/4 mi.) apart.  I attached a small text file of our discussion.

If you go to Alberta, you will find all the country roads (section lines etc ) are 1 mile apart.  I will leave it to you readers to figure out why :-)

73
Dave, VE3WI

  units.txt (Size: 1.26 KB / Downloads: 12)

I have been having CAT control problems with my logging program (CQRLog). It is an excellent piece of software but yesterday, during the contest, it refused to talk to my radio. I have been able to resolve the problem. It wasn't CQRLog that caused it but the pernickety Hamlib software. Anyway, it meant I had to hand key every QSO instead of using CQRLog's built-in memory keyer.

I decided I would use the contest to grab some Canadian contacts for the GBARC Winter challenge. So I cherry-picked the contacts and managed to QSO with stations in 6 provinces:

BC: VE7NZ 14047.95 16:26z
NS: VA1MM 14049.60 16:41z
NS: VE1ZA 14021.28 17:41z
NB: VE9OA 14042.10 20:00z
AB: VE6SX 14043.77 20:06z
SK: VE5MX 7025.00 20:58z
ON: VE3FP 7035.96 21:06z

The QSO with Adam VE3FP was not pre-arranged; I just came across him calling CQ while I was scanning the bands. Adam had a good strong signal which surprised me because we are so close I didn't expect to hear him on 40m.

Now I only need 4 provinces plus the territories before the end of winter!

In the current ARRL National Contest Journal, there is yet another write-up on how to install solder-type PL-259s, with a wrinkle:

For those of you who still use the solder type, there is a better (but pricey) variation that is new to me.  The Amphenol Connex #182120, is mostly identical to any PL-259, but as you can see below, instead of 4 tiny holes where you solder the shield braid, it has 2 larger slots.  This makes soldering easier and more secure.

I found them at Digi-Key.ca for $13 each (ouch!). RF Connection down in Maryland has them for $8.00 CDN each, (still ouch!). 

A cheaper way to accomplish much the same thing might be to open up the holes in a standard PL-259 with a Dremel.

I'll stick to crimp connectors, but these are an interesting alternative.

73
Dave, VE3WI

Net Controller - VE3OZW Richard

Topic for discussion -
1. Do you have noise on HF?  If so, how did you remove it?  If not, are you able to share any tips and tricks with the group?
2. Do you have a favourite holiday drink or treat that you enjoy at this time of the year?

VHF (no echolink stations tonight due to computer requiring a reboot after power outage)
VA3MFO Jim 
VA3KOT John
VE3WI Dave
VE3DGY Doug
VE3FP Adam
VE3RQY Greg
VE3BQM Bernie
VE3MIO Maureen
VE3VCG Marvin
VA3EAC Janet

HF
VE3BQM Bernie (net controller due to long band and heavy static crashes)
VE3RQY Greg
VA3KOT John
VE3DGY Doug

Thanks everyone, 73 to all, VE3OZW

Here is an interesting bit of trivia. A link to famous radio hams and what they did for a living. 
I only seen two Canadian hams. One more should have been added to this list is Johnny Cash, who 
was proficient with Morse Code. He served as a radiotelegraph operator in the Air Force in the early '50s.

https://hamradioinsider.com/famous-radio-hams-and-what-they-did-for-a-living/

NCS: John VA3KOT
Topic: GBARC Winter Challenge

Check-ins:
VHF
VA3TS Tom Shallow Lake
VE3VCG Marvin Paisley
VE3BQM Bernie Owen Sound
VE3WI Dave Port Elgin
VE3RQY Greg Owen Sound
VE3RWY Rob Owen Sound
VE3FP Adam Elmwood
VA3EAC Janet Paisley

HF 3777KHz
VA3TS Tom Shallow Lake
VE3BQM Bernie Owen Sound
VE3RWY Rob Owen Sound

The IC-7300 (and maybe others) has a tiny battery soldered on the board, to keep the clock running when the DC power supply is off.  If the battery is allowed to completely discharge a few times it will refuse to take a charge.  Then, when you fire up the radio the clock will be wrong. 

There are various hardware fixes you can imagine - from easy to difficult.  Or, you can just leave the PS on all the time.

Another fix (workaround?): ICOM has just released free Windows software that will reset your radio clock from your PC.  This Youtube video tells all about it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcZwl48N...sReplaceUs

73
Dave, VE3WI

Topic of discussion, What are your opinions on the Hobby of Radio and its future

VHF
KO4DXQ, VE3GIO, VE3DGY, VE3EFQ, VA3MFO, VE3MIO, VA3KOT, VE3BQM, VE3RWY, VE3VCG, VA3EAC, VE3WI,  VE3OZW, VE3RQY, VE3FP

HF
VE3FP, VE3VCG, VE3GIO, VE3MIO, VE3WI, VA3KOT, VE3BQM, VE3OZW, VE3RWY