Welcome to the November-December 2025 edition of the SARC Communicator, your go-to guide for all things amateur radio in our vibrant RF neighborhood. This edition is a journey across the history, innovation, and fascinating activities of amateur radio. As we transition from crisp fall days to the festive glow of holidays ahead, this issue looks at the enduring legacy of Émile Baudot, the pioneer of digital communication, and revisits the vital role of radio during the catastrophic 1917 Halifax Explosion. For satellite operators, discover how to seamlessly integrate SkyRoof with the Icom IC-9700 for LEO satellite operations, and check out our review of the past year in amateur satellites. Technical articles dive into RTTY as a viable emergency digital mode and explores the fascinating use of radio telemetry in insect tracking. We also have several articles on a current ‘hot’ activity, homebrew vertical antennas for Parks on the Air (POTA). Finally, catch up on the excitement of the ARDF World Championships, a glimpse into the future of Software Defined Radio, and much more. There are articles for all levels of amateur radio and you’re sure to find something of interest. https://tinyurl.com/SARC25Nov-Dec Here is an experimental AI compilation of 2025 Communicator issues but it may require sign-in with a Gmail account. You can even search the issues, ask questions, view a video or listen to a podcast! Dive in for inspiration, connections, and the pulse of what makes our hobby of hobbies special. A special year-end thank you to our contributors and columnists. Stay engaged—our readership powers us forward! Your feedback is welcome here or via communicator@ve7sar.net Enjoy this final issue of 2025! ~ John VE7TI, Editor VE7SAR.blogspot.com and VE7SAR.net We welcome your contributions of articles, photos or other Amateur Radio related content. Deadline for submissions to the next Communicator is December 15th Contents for this issue: • The Rest of the Story: RTTY and Émile Baudot’s Enduring Legacy 4 • Radio's Role in the 1917 Halifax Explosion 8 • NARA NVIS Test 12 • The Lighter Side of Amateur Radio 13 • Repair and Repurpose 14 • Radiofrequency and Telemetry in Insect Tracking 24 • What’s New at DLARC — October 2025 28 • ARDF Canada World Championship 2025 in Lithuania 30 • Integrating SkyRoof with the Icom IC-9700 32 • RTTY; A viable emergency digital mode? 36 • Pile-Up Control System - Take control of the pile-up! 40 • Satellite Tracking: Looking back on 2025, and ahead into 2026 42 • Homebrew Mobile Antennas 44 • The genius logic of the NATO phonetic alphabet 46 • The North American QRP CW Club 48 • Simple QRP 9:1 Unun Construction 50 • The Dominator End-Fed Halfwave Antenna by KJ6ER 52 • The POTA PERformer vertical antenna revisited 60 • FreqBuddy: A Modern Web-Based Radio Frequency Database 69 • Ham Radio Outside the box: PERformer modifications 70 • A good idea for suspending radials 72 • A Portable Power Project 73 • Zero Retries 76 • Margaret Atwood on CW? 80 • When your hobby revolves around electricity... 82 • Back to Basics - Digital Modes 86 • Study Aids 89 • No-ham Recipes: Meatloaf with sweet tomato-mustard sauce 91 • Profiles of SARC members: Sheldon Friesen VE7SRF 94 • SARC Member donates digital nautical archive 97 • SARC 50th Anniversary the transformative role of SARC 100 • Peter Vogel VE7AFV: Profile in Tech, Science & Amateur Radio 102 • SARC General Meeting minutes 104 • The SEPAR Report 110 • We’re back on track! 115 • QRT: Is Amateur Radio an Old Hobby or a playground for explorers? 116 • HAM LEFTOVERS... 118 • A look back… at The Communicator—December 2015 120
What an outstanding edition of the Communicator. The focus on the future of the hobby is great. Ham radio itself is always developing. Often people dont believe in. The dish fixing idea is childish and it works. Its for explorers who want to see what is really going on and how far they can go. Maybe a turned umbrella / suncover will work, too. To this the small antennas for 2M and 70cm are near to my own experiments, were other operators laughed about. And the good results can be confirmed, too. Over 100 pages of the hobby for the old and next generation or for to make them curious.
This is a fabulous magazine. I really appreciate the effort that goes into its production and look forward to every issue.
Thank you so very much for your magazine. I thank you for helping us ham operators of the world with your great articles. I especially liked the one about the boat blowing up in Halifax! Carl KA0IBF
