2001

Just a quick note to let you all know that I am back in the seat as the CFARS Manager. If you browse through some of the previous notes you will find all or most of the info about myself. I was asked some five years ago if I would take on this task before IC took away our frequencies. At that time I did not know that I was going to be posted to the USA.

About the only difference from my previous note is that I was posted to the USA for a three year tour of duty at the National Security Agency, Ft Meade, Maryland.

My wife, Grace, and I enjoyed ourselves, had a great time and looked forward to returning to Canada. On our return we were posted back to 2 Electronic Warfare Squadron, CFB Kingston, Ontario. Having a great time and looking forward to our time here.

While at Ft Meade, I took full advantage of the local repeaters, was a member of the Maryland Mobileers ARC (MMARC), even filled the president position before returning to Canada. I tried to even expand on my amateur technical knowledge (I am still or still consider myself a technically challenged amateur) by taking all three courses offered for US ticketing, Technical, General, and Advanced courses. I did not get my US ticket, too much paperwork, so operated for the full time as VE3GLO/W3.

I worked a fair bit of HF, participated in many contests, and enjoyed and look forward to the Field Day contest. While at my US, QTH I worked 206 different DXCC. Not sure if I will every confirm them all but do have them in my log. That is good enough for me as I am not one for hanging paper on the wall. Also during the Winter RAC, 2000 contest I placed 11th overall in the Single Op, All Band, Low Power contest.

I like to consider myself an on the Air Amateur but to keep up that profile I have to get my self back at it as I have not been on the air much lately.

Back in September Scott, Ken and I had a meeting at Scott's QTH and now it is getting to the time to put our thoughts together, and see what direction CFARS is about to head out in. Before any rash decisions are made I want to ensure at least the small group of folks we have as a directing body are on line and agree with the direction we should be taking.

I wish to extend my thanks to Scott, who has held on for the full three years and has be the corner stone for CFARS keeping everything organized and on track. I also wish to thank Les and Ken for their work as Managers. I was great to know that such knowledgeable and key folks were working in the interest of CFARS.

As for myself and my vision, I personally believe that we have to take a very close look at CFARS, it's mission and see if we need to bring about change. Yes, I still agree that the primary reason is for phone patching, but let's face the real fact, it is just not being done in this day and age. Wish we could convince our soldiers, sailors and airmen to use it more but I really think that will not happen. However, if we remain active, keep the frequencies busy maybe just maybe someday we will make phone patches. But until that time I believe we have to look at the CFARS as having a secondary mission one that will provide a Nation Wide emergency HF communications package during time of emergencies.

Thanks to all who keep the frequencies active and looking forward to talking to most or all of you over the next few months. I do have some small restrictions currently at my QTH only running a G5RV antenna, maybe someday I will get a beam up but I have been checking in and I have heard most everyone when they check in on "J".

The following CFARS members have changed their e-mail addresses and need to contact me (CIW607) with their new information. Thanks.

The long awaited questionnaire is now available. The form has been e-mailed to all CFARS members that are on the internet. If you were unable to open the attachments, you may download the questionnaire here. (Questionnaire Forms)

On 21 Oct 2001, Bob Schofield (CIW678) again took over the reins of CFARS Manager. Many of you may remember Bob when he was our Manager back in March 1998 and started the ball rolling towards our current organizational structure. Bob is now back from the United States and is serving in Kingston, Ontario. Welcome back Bob and welcome aboard.

Ken (CIW652) has volunteered to remain with the Executive as an assistant. We thank Ken for his service as manager since July 1999.

CFARS will be holding it's annual fall exercise. For the warning order click here.

The attached messages were sent to the CFARS Manager by the USAF MARS National Emergency Co-ordinator. Although intended for US personnel I have posted the message concerning the US Armed Forces/MARS Crossband Comms Test taking place 12-13 May. The testing will include Cross Band Comms testing and Message Receiving Tests from different locations and sites in the US. They will be using SSB, RTTY, PACTOR, AMTOR, GTOR and Clover. The Military/MARS sites will transmit on the designated MARS frequencies listed and crossband monitor in the standard Amateur Radio Bands. The Mil/MARS stations will broadcast what frequency they will be monitoring in the Amateur Bands. Some of the monitored frequencies may be in the International portion of the Amateur Bands.

All CFARS members are encourage to monitor or, if possible, take part in this Cross Band Exercise. Participating CFARS stations are encouraged to submit a summary of the activity monitored and/or contacted.

Please delete from your callsign lists; CIW306. Thank you Raymond for your years of service.

Reminder, net operations remain at 2200Z regardless of Day Light Savings time, so net times in your local area is 1 hour later.

CFARS has made the news south of the border, click here (article) for the text. I apologize for the large download size but it's the only way to get visible quality.

1. Numerous stations have been using the CFARS frequencies while portable, mobile or maritime mobile. There is no problem with doing this; however, I remind members to ensure they follow para 602 (d) of their manuals, do not sign your callsign with portable, this is extended to include mobile or maritime mobile.

2. All members are reminded that it's a good practice to monitor frequency "Juliet" during periods of emergencies in Canada or when things happen overseas that could adversely affect Canadians. A recent example would be the earthquake in BC. CFARS is available 24 hours a day for callout to assist with any emergencies that may arise. If your in an affected area do not hesitate to ask for a CFARS net to be activated, or if unable to contact the executive, activate a net yourself. It's better to be safe then sorry. If all members make it a habit to monitor Juliet during times of trouble we will become a more effective team.

3. The CFARS manager is not available for the next month or so. Until his return any questions for the executive can be directed to myself.

Len (CIW622) has stepped down as net control of the CFARS nets. Len has been our net control station for the past 4 years. His years of dedication to our net operations and the rebuilding of CFARS has been outstanding and well appreciated. Job well done Len! BRAVO ZULU.

The Wednesday night controller will be CIW607 and the Sunday controller will be announced at a later date.

Please delete from your callsign lists; CIW9104, CIW9113, and CIW9115. These vessels have been decommissioned.

The Ship section of the WebPage has been updated to reflect new links and check out CIW650's photo in the members section.

A request for expansion of CFARS digital frequency authorization has been received and approved. Therefor, all CFARS stations are now authorized to use digital modes on Frequency Echo and stations in BC and ships at sea are authorized Zulu effective immediately. All members are requested to remove para 5 from section 1609 in their CFARS Manual and insert;

5. Digital modes are authorized for use on all CFARS Frequencies; however, at this time unless otherwise directed by the executive, digital modes will be limited to X-Ray, Kilo, Lima, Echo, Mike and Hotel. Stations in BC and ships at sea are also authorized frequency Zulu.

The members sections has also been updated to show photo's of CIW845 and CIW846's work QTH. Check them out.

First let me express Happy New Millennium to all our CFARS members. With the new millennium comes a new era! The CFARS executive wishes all of you, our service members overseas and military personnel everywhere a Happy New Year.

Since were in a new Millennium I decided to give the web page a bit of a face lift. I'll be making changes over the next few weeks so check back from time to time and see the changes. If I can ever figure out the html coding I'll see about putting in a feedback section for all members. As well I hope to post the CFARS manual online for download. As alway I encourage any feedback that you may have.

The past week seen Exercise Seasons Greetings. More detailed results will be issued later but the numbers were;
Affiliate Members: 29
Military Clubs: 3
Total Participants: 33

73's and a Happy New Year to everyone and may the next 100 years see peace to all.

This site is not an official Department of National Defence web site. DND bears no responsibility for the content or the accuracy of the information presented. Information from this site is not be reprinted without the express permission of CFARS Management.