Hey, weather watchers! Dust off those snow boards, metre sticks and thermometers, because the IRG Weather Net will start for the 2024-2025 season on Monday, November 4, 2024 and run every morning at 7:30 a.m. Atlantic Time. Net control will be shared by Rick VE9MTB and Scott VE1CSA. They will gather your local observations and send them off to Environment and Climate Change Canada. ECCC uses the reports to fine tune their predictions and issue alerts in severe weather conditions. The reports are also used by other agencies such as River Watch and news media.
Exercise Synergy Challenge 2024 - October 29 & 30
Network configuration changes
New network diagrams are available with all new repeaters and zones indicated, available at the “Network” tab. Members can access the same map, but including current linking codes on the “Linking” tab which only appears when logged-in.
Effective July 12, changes to IRG repeater Zones have been made as part of the upgrade of equipment. Significant changes include:
Radio net frequencies for hurricane activations
When hurricanes or tropical storms threaten, The Hurricane Watch Net activates on 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz, and will use either or both of these frequencies as propagation allows.
If conditions require, a CANWARN Net may be activated on all or part of the IRG system. Be sure to listen to and follow the instructions of the net control station in giving any reports - report only what is asked --and remember the important ABC's: Accuracy, Brevity & Clarity.
All IRG repeaters now fully tone-enabled
With the Doaktown VE1XI repeater being the final one updated, all IRG repeaters are now tone-enabled. Users are required to program a sub-audible tone with their transmission to activate a repeater. For more information, see our Revamp page.
All IRG VHF repeaters use a CTCSS (or PL tone) of 151.4 Hz, while IRG UHF repeaters use 141.3 Hz. You can check the complete updated repeater listing by clicking on the “Revamp” tab at the top of any page.
CubeSat VIOLET deployed, awaiting first signal
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 towards VIOLET
Win a LaCrosse weather station
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.
Progress chart of CTCSS tone implementation
This chart will show which repeaters have been updated for CTCSS tones. Most repeaters are now transmitting a sub-audible tone if you wish to set "tone squelch" on to reduce any local interference. Repeaters showing set to "TX" are sending the tone out; those set to "RX" need you to send the tone to transmit through the repeater.
East Zone repeaters now tone-enabled
As of Monday, December 4, the East Zone repeaters are fully CTCSS enabled - users will need to use a PL tone of 151.4 Hz to transmit via these repeater. This includes Moncton VE1MTN (147.090 +), Acadieville VE9ACD (145.430 -) and Sackville VE9SKV (145.230 -). For a full list of updated repeaters, visit the IRG revamp page.
Student “makers” share some soldering resources
We recently got a great note from Grace Coleman, activity director for a school Technology Club in New Hampshire, who wanted to share some information from one of their student volunteeers: