Central Alberta Amateur Radio Club
EMO worker tries to drum up enthusiasm for ham radio
Oct 14th
EMO worker tries to drum up enthusiasm for ham radio
In an emergency, ham radio is an essential form of communication, Mike Johnson says
A free workshop about ham radios will be held in Sackville on Oct. 22. (Nicole Williams/CBC)
A ham radio probably isn’t the first form of communication a person thinks about in an emergency, but sometimes, it’s the only one that works.
Ham radios can use wireless transmission to send messages to battery-operated radios.
And they can be useful when large storms knock out telecommunications, says Mike Johnson, the Cumberland Regional Emergency Management co-ordinator.
He is partnering up with EOS Eco-Energy and the West Cumb Amateur Radio Club to hold a free workshop in Sackville to try get more people interested in ham radios.
Different technology
Johnson, who is also a member of the WestCumb club in Amherst, N.S., said that when we lose essential communications such as cellphones, landlines and the Internet — a ham radio can come to the rescue. Hurricane Michael, which struck Florida this week, devastated normal channels of communications.
Storms that knock out telecommunications for long periods of time create more problems for co-ordinated emergency response, he said.
He said he’s already seen how ham radios could help in New Brunswick.
In January 2017, a massive ice storm knocked out power to thousands in the northeast for days.
Operators dwindling
“It became very difficult,” said Johnson.
Today, ham radios are considered a hobby more than a necessity, and not many people know how they work.
“Our numbers are dwindling,” Johnson said of the amateur radio clubs.
But younger members are needed, especially since the clubs’ services may be needed even more as the climate changes.
“We still use Morse code to this day,” he said.
Requires a test
Johnson said there are a few steps to becoming a ham radio operator.
“You need to study, take the test, once you pass it’s a one-time cost,” he said. “It’s good for life.”
After that, it’s just buying the equipment to use. Equipment for amateur radio costs between $300 and $5,000.
The workshop will be held at the Sackville Royal Canadian Legion on Monday, Oct. 22, at 6:30 p.m.
SET 2018 Oct13
Oct 12th
SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST 2018 October 13
The Scenario: Please see Stephen’s post below
Possible useful info:
National HF ARES Frequencies
SSB Frequencies Tactical
75 M ‐ 3.675 MHz LSB Alfa
40 M ‐ 7.135 MHz LSB Bravo
20 M ‐ 14.135 MHz USB Charlie
17 M ‐ 18.135 MHz USB Delta
15 M ‐ 21.235 MHz USB Echo
10 M ‐ 28.235 MHz USB Foxtrot
CW Frequencies Tactical
80 M ‐ 3.535 MHz Golf
40 M ‐ 7.035 MHz Hotel
20 M ‐ 14.035 MHz India
17 M ‐ 18.075 MHz Juliett
15 M ‐ 21.035 MHz Kilo
10 M ‐ 28.035 MHz Lima
Digital Frequencies Tactical
80 M ‐ 3.596 MHz Mike
40 M ‐ 7.096 MHz November
20 M ‐ 14.096 MHz Oscar
17 M ‐ 18.096 MHz Papa
15 M ‐ 21.096 MHz Quebec
10 M ‐ 28.096 MHz Romeo
IRLP Reflector 9302
ARES Red Deer system
| Frequency | Offset | Tone | Location | State | Call | Use | |
| 146.5550 | 0 MHz | 103.5 | Rimbey | AB | VE6YXR | OPEN | |
| 444.5500 | +5 MHz | 91.5 | Red Deer | AB | VE6YXR | OPEN | |
| 447.6000 | -5 MHz | 110.9 | Buck Lake | AB | VE6YXR | OPEN | |
| 448.7500 | -5 MHz | 107.2 | Crossfield | AB | VE6YXR | OPEN | |
| 449.8750 | -5 MHz | 107.2 | Alix | AB | VE6YXR | OPEN | |
| 449.8750 | -5 MHz | 103.5 | Sundre, Limestone Mtn | AB | VE6YXR | OPEN |
Simulated Emergency Test (SET) – October 13, 2018
Oct 11th
The 2018 Simulated Emergency Test will be held on Saturday, October 13, starting 9am local time on the Central Alberta Amateur Radio Club repeater network, VE6QE etc.
This will be a virtual exercise for a train derailment. As a virtual exercise there is no need for anyone to travel to take part.
The exercise will use a Net Control Station (NCS) plus a minimum eight other stations.
Each operator participating in the exercise will receive a script detailing station location.
The following link includes the instructions and minimum specific messages noted above: SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST 2018
Hope you are able to take part.
73
Stephen Lee, VA6SGL CEC
CAARC and Red Deer & Area EC
Cell: (403) 307-1643
Amateur course Okotoks Oct 2018
Sep 19th
Upcoming Ham Radio Course
Ham radio course signup 2018 open this PDF document. It contains all of the course information. Fill in the form and email it to us.
Amateur (Ham) Radio basic course
Have you ever wanted to learn about Ham Radio? Come and join our course from October 25 to November 18 2018 in Okotoks, Alberta.
About Ham Radio
Come and learn all about Amateur Radio and prepare for the Basic level examination. Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It’s fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.
Although Amateur Radio operators get involved for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles, and pass an examination for the Industry Canada license to operate on radio frequencies known as the “Amateur Bands.” These bands are radio frequencies allocated by Industry Canada for use by ham radio operators.
Getting started
If you wish to get started ahead of the course, review the links below. To help get you started, download the Industry Canada Question Bank. The question bank has every question (and answer) that is on the Basic and Advanced test. You can take practice exams on the Internet using the actual questions from the exam bank and measure your progress.
While the exam generator will help you memorize the correct answers it doesn’t teach you the theory behind the question. Come to this class and learn why ham radio works as it does, equipping you with the skills you need in the field to fully benefit from your involvement in this hobby, plus you’ll get instruction on how to operate properly.
Course dates: October 25 1900-2130h, November 3-4 and November 17-18 0900-1730h
Place: Okotoks Firehall #1, 132 Milligan Drive, Okotoks AB T1S1W2
Exam: Basic Qualification exam included, taken on the final day
Cost: $85, includes one examination attempt. Textbook required, available at GPS Central for about $50
Note: Payment must be received in full by October 15 2018 to confirm your seat. Attendance is limited.
About your instructors
Dann St-Pierre VE6TD licensed in March of 2002 and holds his Basic and Advanced level qualifications in Canada, and earned his US Extra class privilege in December 2009 and holds call sign KU7R. He is the Communications Director for the Foothills Amateur Radio Society and plays a key role in the design and maintenance of the FARS’ repeater network that covers 50,000 square kilometers of Southern Alberta.
Vince d’Eon VE6LK licensed in March of 2002 and holds his Basic, Advanced and 5wpm Morse code qualifications. He earned his US Extra class privilege in October 2014 and holds call sign AI7LK. He is the Secretary of the Foothills Amateur Radio Society and was the lead Ham Radio operator during the High River floods of 2013, Canada’s Worst Natural Disaster. He participates in many Car Rallies and other events around Western Canada as a radio coordinator or operator.
Getting Started Resources – get a jump-start on the course with these items:
Purchase: Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide – 9th Edition, 2nd printing, 2016
https://www.coaxpublications.ca/ord0001.php or available at GPS Central in Calgary
Review: Radio Amateurs of Canada http://wp.rac.ca/category/uncategorized/begin/
Review: Radio Information Circular RIC-3 http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01008.html
Review: Regulation by Reference RBR-4 http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01226.html
Review: Available Call Sign Lookup https://apc-cap.ic.gc.ca/pls/apc_anon/query_avail_cs$.startup
Review: Exam Generator and Question Bank http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/025.nsf/eng/h_00040.html
SABRE-27 High Altitude Balloon
Sep 17th
Hi
The weather is looking promising so we’re going to give it another try this Saturday, September 29.
Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested.
73, Bruce – VE5BNC
Unfortunately we’ve had to postpone the flight due to terrible weather. (near freezing, 40km winds and a mix of snow and rain).
I’ll re-send an announcement when we have it rescheduled.
Thanks
Bruce
Hi Bob
The Saskatoon Amateur Radio Club is planning on flying a VHF voice repeater on our next flight on September 22. Please pass this on to anyone you think will be interested. More >
Amateur Radio Course Calgary
Sep 17th
Basic Amateur Radio Class set to begin Monday, September 17th.
There are still several spots available for anyone you may know who is interested in taking the basic class that we offer.
If you know someone who may be interested in taking a Basic Amateur Radio Class, please direct them to our on-line registration and our upcoming course. Information can be found at this link: http://www.caraham.org/event-3046898
Report on CAARC 2018 Field Day
Jul 18th
Well, ARRL Field Day is over for another year. Some Central Alberta amateurs operated this event from the Red Deer County EOC Amateur Radio Station. I would like to thank CAARC for encouraging me in this venture. I also thank Rod, VE6XY, and Stephen, VA6SGL, for trying to keep me grounded. And a special thank you to Brian for helping me understand the radios and correcting the aim of the HF beam antenna and for serving as Safety Officer. Ric Henderson, now Assistant County Manager of Red Deer County, found a way to let it happen. Ryan Mysko of Red Deer County served as the Red Deer County EOC member of our planning team. And a big Thank You to him for being patient with the preparations and testing and facilitating our access to the county’s radio station.
Online petition about radio interference
Jun 11th
Online petition about radio interference
Deadline for signatures: October 4, 2018
Radio Amateurs in Quebec have told us of a petition involving a radio station that is “generating interference on purpose”.
While we have not had a chance to investigate the specific details of the incidents the petition refers to we agree with the importance of acting to support the security of high frequency communications.
Those interested in signing the petition can do so at the following website:
https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1631
The petition will be closed for signatures on October 4, 2018 at 9:33 am.
Alan Griffin
RAC MarCom Director
BBQ Found
May 24th
Hi everyone, I’ve contacted Baker Hughes about a BBQ trailer, they have offered to donate this to the club. I’ve got it booked for June 15, 16, 17 018. Just as an FYI, they mentioned that they’ve been having trouble with the one half but said they’d most likely have the bugs worked out by the time we get it. Let’s cross our fingers and hope the whole thing works. 73 from VA6TNA
