The March/April electronic edition of TCA is now available. More information at
Florida to Stage and Simulated Emergency Test in March 2021
Hams in Florida will participate in a simulated emergency test in order to ensure they are ready in the event they are needed. To learn more about the planned event go to
http://www.arrl.org/news/whirlwind-boom-emergency-communications-exercise-set-in-northern-florida
An Interesting Winter Rally in Jan 2020.
Hams out west held a rally in late January. As you would expect there was snow, cold and some other interesting things in their area of operation. To read about this rally go to
http://www.arrl.org/news/wildlife-outnumber-participants-in-winter-yellowstone-vhf-radio-rally
Another Reminder to ARES Units
An earthquake on Vancouver Island on Feb 18 2021 serves as a reminder ARES units must be ready to respond if called upon. The COVID pandemic has forced everyone to change how they maintain their readiness. What has not changed is the need to be ready.
For more information on the quake go to
US Amateurs Respond to Weather related events
Amateur radio operators activated nets in various states to assist those in need. To learn more go
http://www.arrl.org/news/ares-volunteers-reported-responding-to-severe-weather
ARRL Continues Rule Modifications for Field Day 2021
The COVID Pandemic requires some rule changes for the 2020 Field Day. Given the current state of affairs there will be rule changes in 2021. To learn more go to
BC QSO Party Feb 6 2021
The Annual BC QSO Party will be held on February 6 2021. All the information you need can be found at
CANADA’S NATIONAL HF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS FREQUENCIES..
Do you know Canada’s National Emergency HF frequencies. If not see the site below
https://wp.rac.ca/national-hf-emergency-communications-frequencies/
Winter Field Day January 2021
The Winter Field Day will be held on Jan 30/31 2021. For more information go to
RAC Winter/Spring 2021 Online Advanced Course is filling up quickly!
RAC’s next online Advanced Certificate course for Winter/Spring 2021 is filling up quickly.
Since May 2020, 400 Radio Amateurs across Canada have used this course to prepare for the Advanced exam.
This instructor-led, 10-session course will begin in early February and end in early May. You can choose to attend either the Sunday afternoon sessions or the Monday evening sessions.
Background information:In response to the global pandemic, Radio Amateurs of Canada is once again offering an online Advanced Qualification Amateur Radio Course so that individuals can upgrade their qualifications while continuing to practise social/physical distancing.
With your Advanced Certificate, you can run higher power, operate a remotely-controlled station, obtain operating privileges when travelling overseas, set up repeaters, be the trustee for club stations and even become an Accredited Examiner (AE).
Course information:
The course will be 10 sessions in length and each session will be two hours long.
In order to offer maximum flexibility, we will be running two Advanced courses so students will be able to choose one of the following two options:
- Sunday afternoons from 3 pm to 5 pm EDT (12 pm PDT) starting on Sunday, February 7 and ending on Sunday, May 2
Or
- Monday evenings from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm EDT (5:30 PDF) starting on Monday, February 8 and ending on Monday, May 3
Note: There will be no sessions on February 14 -15, March 28-29 and April 4-5.
Course Instruction:
The course instructor is Dave Goodwin, VE9CB. Dave has been an Amateur since 1975, is an active HF Contester and DXer and his DXpedition to Point Amour Lighthouse was featured on the front cover of the November-December 2020 issue of The Canadian Amateur. Dave has also been a long-time volunteer at the national level and has served as the RAC President and as the RAC Director for the Atlantic Region. Since 2015, he has also has been teaching Basic and Advanced certification courses with the Fredericton (NB) Amateur Radio Club.
Course material pertaining to all topics covered in the course syllabus will be provided to all registered students and is available online at:
https://www.rac.ca/rac-online-advanced-course-winter-2021/
Course Requirements:
The RAC Advanced Qualification Amateur Radio course is being offered at no charge to RAC Maple Leaf Operator Members – both current and future as described below.
Participants in the course will need to meet all of the following requirements:
- Participants must already have the Canadian Basic Amateur Radio Qualification and a Canadian call sign.
- Participants must already be a RAC Maple Leaf Operator Member or become one by joining RAC at the Maple Leaf Operator level or upgrading to that level.
- Participants must have a copy of the Canadian Amateur Radio Advanced Qualification Study Guide provided by Coax Publications. For more information please visit the RAC Study Guides webpage.
- Participants must have a computer and Internet connection capable of using the GoToMeeting (GTM) conference platform. You do not need your own account on GTM to take part in this course, but you will have to download an applet from the GTM site to participate.
- Participants must have a working email address to receive course materials and links to the sessions.
There is room on the conference server for 200 participants in each session. Auditors are welcome to attend on a space-available basis, provided they are RAC Maple Leaf Operator members. You can sign up by following the instructions on the Winter 2021 Advanced Course Registration Page.
Other Amateur Radio Courses:
Amateur Radio Basic and Advanced Qualification courses are also now being provided both online and in person by Canadian Amateur Radio Clubs and organizations. Please visit the Amateur Radio Courses webpage for more information at the link provided below.
https://www.rac.ca/amateur-radio-courses/embed/#?secret=dfiNwuIdDY
Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA
RAC President and Chair