CTARC Security Issues Over the Air... 15 Dec '19

Often we become so accustomed to chatting with friends over the air that we are inclined to forget there are others listening in and some for sinister purposes.

Inexpensive VHF receivers are easily available from a wide variety of internet sources. Criminals are becoming much more technically savvy than they were previously. Although criminals mainly use these radios to monitor security services transmissions, they can also listen to our transmissions.

Members are reminded to be careful about discussing home security issues over the air, along with mentioning that you or another fellow ham will be away from home on vacation [and that therefore the house will be empty].

Even referring to departure or arrival times at the QTH [say, coming home from the salt mine] can be risky.

We need to guard against compromising our own or others' security by revealing sensitive information over the air. This has already caused losses in Cape Town.

Be aware.

CTARC Seasons Geetings! - Dec '19

As we approach the end of quite an eventful year, we thank all who took part in the CTARC's many and varied activities throughout 2019.

It simply remains to wish all our Cape Town Amateur Radio Centre members, friends and families, compliments of the festive season for 2019!

Stay safe during the holidays;
be careful on the roads...

Our first monthly meeting of 2020 will be held in the clubhouse at 14h00 on Saturday 25 January 2020. Further details will be announced here and on the Sunday morning bulletins.

We look forward to seeing you all in the new year!

CTARC Report on Fox Hunt of 7 Dec '19

Here are some photos from the Fox Hunt that took place at near the CTARC clubhouse on the Saturday afternoon of 7 December 2019.

Here is a report on the event, by Rob ZS1SA:

We had another foxhunt and it was a lot of fun. This time I hid the fox and I found that by placing the fox on the ground at the base of a steel fence tricked the hunters for quite a while due to the reflections caused by the fence. Eventually it was found by the hunters and we all had a good laugh.

Congratulations to Colin ZS1RS who once again was first to the fox.

Come and join us on our fox hunts; even if you have no equipment.
Any of the hunters would welcome assistance to point the antenna or watch
the radio S meter for example and to guess where the elusive fox may be hiding.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday, 25 January at the first meeting for 2020.

73

Rob ZS1SA

CTARC The Last Morse Code Maritime Radio Station in North America - 11 Dec '19

Here is a link to a short but fascinating video about last functioning maritime radio station using Morse Code in the USA - The Bolinas Radio Station at Point Reyes in California - call sign KPH.

While Morse radio telegraphy operators have all but disappeared from ships on the high seas, there are still a few in operation. KPH still services them.

See the video [here].

Photo by Frank Schulenburg - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23112321

CTARC Fox Hunt - 7 Dec '19

Come and join us for our next Fox Hunt this Saturday afternoon, 7 December 2019. Meet at the club house at 12h00 noon for a briefing and get ready to find this elusive critter!

Ideal equipment will be:

• A directional antenna for two metres, 
• A two-meter hand-held radio 
• A simple compass, and possibly 
• Some way to reduce the signal level from your antenna to your radio [i.e. an attenuator].

If you do not have all of this equipment, do come along anyway and bring what you have. It is fun to team up with someone who does have a radio and antenna and together determine where Foxy is hiding.

Great fun to be had by all!

The hunt should take two hours or less to complete.

Always a fun event. See you there!

Rob ZS1SA

_____________________________________

Note: This event has now taken place.

Read the report [here] and in [Ragchew of January 2020]