The International Year of Astronomyand Amateur Radio

What IYA is about

2009 commemorates Galileo Galilei life's work and devotion to observing and discovering our universe.

Brings awareness of Astronomy as a science on a global scale and how it has evolved over 400 years.

Gets people out and observing when ever they can and sharing the experience with others.

The Vision A unique “out of the box” Idea

Brings together Astronomy / Ham Radio

Get both hobbies working together

Ham are every where and talk at all times of day and night worldwide

Lets get them talking about Astronomy and IYA

How to become a radio amateur in Canada RAC (Radio Amateurs of Canada) www.rac.ca Ham courses Learn Electronics, radio theory and Radio Regulations Examination

Levels of proficiency Basic

50% provides 29.5 Mhzand above

Advanced 70% HF (world band radio)

+ all bands and all modes.

Radio Modes used in Ham Radio HF (High Frequency)

Global communications Modes

USB, AM, FM

VHF (Very High Frequency) Local / Global - through IRLP

FM, USB

IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) VOIP

Amateur Radio callsign designations across Canada

VE7, VA7 British ColumbiaVE6, VA6 AlbertaVE5, VA5 Sask.VE4, VA4 ManitobaVE3, VA3 Ont.VE2, VA2 QuebecVE1, VA1 Nova ScotiaVO1 NewfoundlandVO2 LabradorVY1 Yukon VY2 PEI

But most of all Ham Radio is...

Talking

Making friends

and tons of fun.

Special prefix has been granted for use by all amateur radio operators to use for two months during IYA 2009

January 1st – Feb 28th 2009 the prefix will be.

CG for VE prefix's

CF for VA prefix's

CH for VO1 prefix's

CI for VO2 prefix's

Special Event Station, VE7IYOAin Victoria, BC Canada, sponsored by WARA

During June, VE7IYOA will be on-the-air and will coincide with Field Day, 2009.

Field Day, an annual amateur radio exercise encouraging emergency communications preparedness among amateur radio operators around the world. In the United States, it is typically the largest single emergency preparedness exercise in the country, with over 30,000 operators participating each year.

Encourage other radio clubs, individuals in Canada to setup other IYA special Event Stations

Would provide worldwide scope for IYA 2009

RAC (Radio Amateur's of Canada) would assist www.rac.ca

International scope

ARRL ( American Radio Relay League) www.arrl.org Encourage American radio clubs to set up Special Event Stations as

well

IRLP can connect Amateur Radio Repeaters over the Internet on a Global nature.

For example node # 1030 in Victoria, BC Canada might connect to #6506 In Victoria, Australia and hams could easily communicate about what observing is being done in real-time with students.

This allows amateurs to talk around the world on a local repeater with simply a small handheld FM transmitter

Using IRLP during IYA 2009(Internet Radio Linking Project)

IRLP may also connect ham radio operators that belong to various RASC Centres across Canada on a semi-regular basis.

Emphasis on Astronomy Day or during IYA events.

Using IRLP during IYA 2009(Internet Radio Linking Project)

Sample QSL Card

During April / May 2009 ISS / Expedition 19

It May be possible to do ARISS contacts during IYA 2009 as there will be Canadian Astronauts in space.

ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station)

WARA is looking to do a High School ARISS contact next year

What is Ham Radio really all about?

Having Fun!!!

and

Making friends allaround the world.

For more information

www.hamiya2009.info

Tnx

Malcolm Scrimger, VE7DAO