G[mloulnal - Quarter Century Wireless Association

Chapter 7O, National Capital
Have you ever heard an echo of you or someone
else's signal? Delayed echoes ofup to 1b seconds and
more have been observed as long ago as 1927 when
they were first discussed. Echoei with delays of 1Bg
ms _o1 multiples thereof are explained by around the
worldionospheric propagation. Medium delay echoes
with delay times in the range of from 0.8 to 0.4 seconds
are the result of propagation along the earth,s
magnetic field lines. But long delayed echoes are still
somewhat of a mystery.
Alan Goodacre VESHX has been interested in signal
echoes for many years and has published papeis
on the subject. He has and continues to conduct research
in this area. He and others have heard echoes
over the frequency range from 7b meters to 28 crlr..
Several amateurs in Seattle heard echoes on Zb meters
simultaneously. Keyer bursts were sent while spinning
the dial. The 230 ms delayed signals tracked.
Work done with the ISIS topside ionospheric sounder
d-etermined that they resulted from propagation along
the earth's magnetic field lines. The delay of these
kinds of echoes depends on your location. From Ottawa
they are in the range of from 0.3 to 0.4 seconds.
At 85 degrees North the delay time is 15 seconds because
the magnetic field lines become longer as you go
farther North.
Alan is going to do more experiments this summer.
He has a two times four element 10 meter array
he can elevate and rotate. He tape records his shori
transmissions and any delayed received signals along
with a time signal. Analysis is done witha convolu-tion
process on the computer, which brings very weak
signals out of the noise. His experience is that in operating
for an hour he will get one or two hits. Wi[h
more recorded samples of echoes with delays of a second
or more their origin possibly can be determined.
Two new members, Joe Pakinson VEBJG and Marg
Heaslip VESEQE were warmly welcomed.
Clare Fowler VESNPC - Secretary
Chapter 76, Blue Ridge
Hello, from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North
Carolina, and the town of Hendersonville, home of
Chapter 76. We have a very active QCWA chapter that
meets the first and third Wednesdays, 11:80 AM, at
Ryans Steak House. Visitors to our area are most
welcome to join us at the luncheons. Chapter 76
officers for this year are:
Jim Harrison W4TFT - President, George Knudsen
W4GCK - Vice President, Danny Mellard WA4TOG -
Director, Edith McDade WA4SRD - Director, Duke
Knief W4DK - Secretary, WaIt Steiges W1HTL - Treasurer.
Duke and WaIt are continuing in their officer positions
and that, thanks to them, holds our Chapter
together.
At a recent meeting, we had a wonderful event
when D. B. "Doc" Appleton, K4RR and Bill Symons,
K4IH, received number 18 and number 21 QCWA
26 QCWA fournal - Summer 2001
Doc Appleton K4RR on the left and Bill Symon K4IH on
the right displaying the beautiful eCWA plaques for their
80 years of licensed amateur radio service.
plaques that commemorated 80 years of licensed ama-
teur radio service. Doc and Bill told us of their
early activities in radio and those attending the
meeting thoroughly enjoyed the remarks by these fine
men. Both Doc and Bill continue to be active
hams and active Chapter 76 members.
We have outstanding programs and interesting
speakers at our Chapter 76 meetings and again we
invite all in our area, vacationers too, tojoin us at our
luncheon meetings.
Ghapter 81, Long lsland
Since our holiday meeting in December at the prestigious
Milleridge Inn, our activities have slowed down
due to the approaching winter. It was now decided that
it would be imprudent to continue underwriting portions
of the dinners at expensive meeting places
After much searching we located a suitable restaurant
with modest prices and a separate area where
a meeting could be held undisturbed. A further change
was in the dinner format. It allowed ordering from
the menu. This pleased many members who o6jected
to a limited choice of pre-arranged dinners.
It was arranged to have our first meeting of the
year (Feb.28,2007) at the new place ofour choice. It is
called "Boulder Creek" and is built in western style
like a huge bunkhouse. Although lacking in intimacy
it has a certain western charm. There was an elevated
platform somewhat removed from the general clientele
which was quite adequate for meetings.
The wintry weather limited the attendance to
about l7members who, as always, enjoyed the camaraderie.
Herman Milatz W2ILC - Secretarv
Why does a slight tax increase
Eost you S2U0 and a suhstantial tax
Eut savE you thirty Eents?
-Peg Bracken