radio

Amateur Radio Ban – Ukraine

Posted on by VA3DBJ

Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in all of Ukraine except for eastern Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts starting on Feb. 24.

The parliament approved the decree introduced by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb. 23, as the threat of Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine continues to grow.

Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts already have a special legal status because of Russia’s ongoing occupation since 2014.

Restrictions introduced by the state of emergency are due to last 30 days and will vary depending on the region.

The state of emergency allows the authorities to temporarily limit the public’s constitutional rights.

The decree green-lights the following measures:

  • increased public order protection and security;
  • checks of identification documents of civilians and frisking if necessary;
  • ban on protests;
  • temporary or permanent evacuation of people from dangerous areas and providing them with accomodation;
  • ban on relocation of conscripts and reservists without notice;
  • ban on producing and spreading information that may “destabilize the situation”;
  • ban on amateur radio transmitting devices.

Other measures that may be implemented “if necessary” include:

  • a curfew;
  • a special regime of entry and exit;
  • ban on mass events;
  • “special rules” for spreading information online.

SOURCE

Battle of Atlantic and Fern Blodgett Sunde bronze statue unveiling

Posted on by VA3DBJ

A Tribute to Fern Blodgett Sunde: first female radio operator to go to sea

For immediate release: October 17, 2020 – Cobourg, Ontario

The ceremony and monument unveiling may be viewed live (and will be accessible after the event) on Cobourg Media Facebook and YouTube, or by accessing the links at:

Fern Blodgett Sunde Statue Unveiling Special

King Haakon VII of Norway presenting Fern Blodgett Sunde with an award for her wartime service.
King Haakon VII of Norway presenting Fern with an award for her wartime service.

We cordially invite you to the virtual unveiling ceremony of the Fern Blodgett Sunde bronze monument, to be held today (Saturday, October 17, 2020) at 1:15 pm Eastern Daylight Time.

The ceremony will take place in the meditation garden, Victoria Park, Cobourg, by Lake Ontario.

Fern Blodgett Sunde (1918-1991) grew up in Cobourg, with a dream of sailing the high seas. Determined to serve Canada when WWII broke out, she became the first Canadian woman to graduate with a professional wireless radio operator’s certificate, and the first woman ever to work deep sea as a ship’s radio operator (“Sparks”).

A fluke in Norwegian regulations, a shortage of radio operators, and her own persistence allowed her to sign onto the M/S Mosdale, a Norwegian merchant ship. Fern carried out her duties with outstanding competence and great courage during the Battle of the Atlantic.

It was incredibly dangerous, as Allied ships fighting to get personnel and crucial supplies to Britain faced U-boats, mined waters, enemy aircraft, and the perils of the sea as battlefield.

Fern was aboard 78 of the Mosdale’s record 96 transatlantic crossings, opening the door to a sisterhood of Sparks.

In 1943, she was awarded the Norwegian War Medal, the first woman ever to receive the honour.

Speakers will include His Excellency Jon Elvedal Fredriksen, Norway’s Ambassador to Canada; Rear-Admiral Jennifer Bennett, Royal Canadian Navy; Dr. Richard Gimblett, Command Historian of the Royal Canadian Navy (retired); Dr. Stéphanie Bélanger, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research and Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada; Tyler Fauvelle, professional Canadian sculptor who created the monument.

Please join us! Soyez des nôtres en ligne pour cette celebration!

For more information about Fern Blodgett Sunde and her amazing achievement please click here.

Leona Woods, Chair and Helen Vari, Honourary Chair
Fern Blodgett Sunde and the Battle of the Atlantic Commemoration 2020
[email protected]

VE3OBI DMR is back online!

Posted on by VA3DBJ

[UPDATED] The VE3OBI DMR is back online on 442.1375 (CC1) and my DMR page has been updated. Based on conversations so far, it seems OBI will be on the BrandMeister network and is located in the Raglan, ON area. 

Currently, there are no repeaters in the Durham area, that are on the DMR-MARC network, as the Toronto repeater has been turned off, due to jamming.

A quick update. It looks like OBI is now connected to the BrandMeister Network.

For more information on local DMR repeaters, visit my local page here.

CANWARN Spring 2018 Training

Posted on by VA3DBJ

[UPDATE] Folks, this spring’s training is now winding down. As a reminder, due to a staff crunch this summer, we won’t be travelling to the Northwest but plan on returning next year. For those of you who have recently attended a training session, please find attached the list of useful websites/books as well as the one-page reporting tip sheet that was discussed during the training.

Our last session will take place in Kingston on June 11th. Please note there has been a change in the venue. The session will no longer be held at the Calvin Park Library, it has been moved to the Sydenham St. United Church located at 82 Sydenham St. in Kingston. The start time is unchanged; the session will begin at 6:30 PM.

I would like to thank you all again for being a part of the CANWARN storm spotter program. Your timely and accurate reports of severe weather continue to play an important role in our severe weather Watch and Warning program.

June 11 – Kingston – 6:30 PM – Sydenham St. United Church, 82 Sydenham St. Kingston

Regards,
Geoff Coulson

Warning Preparedness Meteorologist, Meteorological Service of Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada / Government of Canada
[email protected]/ Tel: 416 739-4466