CubeSat VIOLET deployed, awaiting first signal

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Samiha Lubaba (VE9LMB), Noah Lydon (VE9NL), Joudi Al-Lathqani, Brent Petersen (VE9EX), Dhyan Baruah and Quynh Nguyen (VE9QN), at the Canadian Space Agency with VIOLET, November 27, 2023. Image credit: Canadian Space Agency

CubeSat VIOLET was deployed from the ISS last week, but its antenna may not yet have released.  Attempts to contact from the UNB team will be made periodically.  The orbit of VIOLET at this time is very close to the ISS, so you can find out when VIOLET may be within range at Heavens Above web site (you may need to adjust for your location, and be sure to select "all passes".).  UNB will be using 145.910 (only 6 watts pointed

Win a LaCrosse weather station

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LaCrosse LTV-WSDTH03 Breeze Pro Sensor with V61-11 display

Update!  The winner of the draw for the new LaCrosse weather station was VE9GM, Gino Mazerolle of Drummond, NB.   Congratulations, Gino!  Thanks to all who participated, and keep on providing those observations.

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the WeatherNet, Scott VE1CSA and Rick VE9MTB want to thank everyone who’s checked in over the years allowing the reporting of over 600,000 pieces of data to the Atlantic Storm Prediction Center.

Upgrades coming - Week of July 17

Three more repeaters will be upgraded to require CTCSS (PL tones) during this week:

  • VE9VDR 147.390 - Seven Mile Ridge / Campbellton - 151.4 Hz
  • VE9ELM 145.410 - Elmtree / Belledune - 151.4 Hz
  • VE1BRD 147.315 - Allardville / Bathurst - 151.4 Hz

You will need to program your radio to transmit the PL tones shown above in order to be heard when using the repeater after this change is made.  You can add the PL tone prior to the change if you wish.  Consult your radio manual for help.

The phase-in of CTCSS is part of the ongoing upgrade of the IRG system underway.  For more information:
IRG system upgrade and changes coming   |   Up-to-date chart of upgraded repeaters  |  The future is sub-audible tones

IRG upgrade - July update

Earlier this spring, we notified all our contacts that changes were coming to the IRG repeater system.  Here is the latest news.

Details of work completed to date:

  • April 2023:
    • Three additional UHF stand-alone repeaters activated:
      • 442.025 (+) CTCSS= 141.3 on RX and TX - Fredericton VE1BM site
      • 443.400 (+) CTCSS = 141.3 on RX and TX - Pleasant Ridge VE1BI site
      • 442.500 (+) CTCSS = 141.3 on RX and TX - Saint John VE9STJ site
  • April 2023:
    • Automatic timed repeater IDs - disabled on April 27, 2023.
    • Clock time adjusted.
  • June 2023:
    • As of June 26, all repeaters are now transmitting CTCSS (PL tones);
      • 151.4 on VHF sites
      • 141.3 on UHF sites
    • VE9GMI reactivated, now on Campobello Island on 146.955 (-)  with CTCSS 151.4 Hz enabled on both RX and TX.  This repeater is stand-alone at this time, to be linked to South West Zone soon.
    • VE9MBY repaired at Maces Bay 444.875 (+) with CTCSS 141.3 Hz enabled on both RX and TX.
    • Audio drop-out issue repaired on Stanley Zone (VE9NRV and VE9GLA)

Special thanks go out to Gino VE9GM and Nick VE9MP and  DTI Radio Communications Branch for all the extra work involved in this upgrade.

Time to get ready for CTCSS (PL tones)

As mentioned above, all repeaters  are now transmitting CTCSS (PL Tones), and two (Campobello and Maces Bay) also now require you to transmit CTCSS to operate.  Also, the three new UHF repeaters also require CTCSS.  Check your radio manual to find out how to "turn on" your CTCSS (PL tone).   We recommend that you learn how to program your often-used frequencies along with the new CTCSS to memory channels - it will save you lots of time in the future.

The tones to program are 151.4 for the VHF repeaters, and 141.3 for the UHF repeaters.

There is no harm in setting up your radio now to transmit with the tone "on", even before your local repeater is upgraded to require it.  

So, get out your manuals and program your memory channels to include CTCSS before it's too late! 

We'll produce a new repeater directory when all the changes are implemented, but in the meantime, here is a list of all the repeaters and the CTCSS tones now in effect.   For the rationale and a complete summary of all the changes planned, visit this page:  IRG system upgrades and changes coming.

We'll keep you updated as things go along via future postings and on regular nets , so stay tuned!

 

Atlantic Canada Climate Summary and Outlook reports

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Snowpack end of Feb 2022

Here you will find the “Atlantic Canada Climate Summary and Outlook” bulletins.  
Vous trouverez ci-joint les bulletins française  « Résumé et Perspectives climatiques du Canada atlantique »

... from Meteorological Service of Canada / Environment and Climate Change Canada / Government of Canada. 

(Note: As of October 2024,  not all months are included, some missing will be added at a later date)

New Maces Bay 444.875 repeater

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New Tait repeater at Maces May

The repeater at Maces Bay (VE9MBY 444.875 +) is back on the air, a new repeater has been installed.  In addition, the repeater is now programmed with CTCSS tone 141.3 Hz on RX and TX.  You will need to program your radio to send the CTCSS (PL tone) in order to use this repeater.  In addition, you have the option to set your radio to ignore any signals on that frequency except those sending 141.3 Hz.  This may resolve issues with distant repeaters or signals causing interference on your radio.

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