Central Alberta Amateur Radio Club
Jan 18th
Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) becomes an integral part of Amateur Radio culture; when a new Ham obtains his/her certification, they rush to join RAC and enjoy the benefits of the organization which is recognized both nationally and internationally as the voice of Amateur Radio in Canada. If it is an Amateur Radio question, concern or issue. RAC is the organization that addresses those concerns and supplies the answers and guidance.
We attain high service levels; we meet the needs of our members and serve as an example to other international Amateur Radio organizations on how to service their constituents. Director, Executive and Assistant Director positions are coveted by RAC members, who are equitably represented by their elected officials. The annual convention is well attended and through technology, is made available to a wider range of members who cannot attend in person.
RAC pushes communications to their members, through a variety of methods. Ham nets, local club communications, face-to-face meetings, presentations, newsletters. The Canadian Amateur magazine, social networks and e-mail/web bulletins are among the devices employed. We achieve a level of communication with the public, and the various levels of government that truly reflects our capabilities and the extent to which we can contribute to both emergency communications and public awareness of the abilities of our hobby.
RAC promotes education and “elmering†to new Hams, and supports the training and coaching of RAC volunteers to achieve exemplary results, at the municipal, provincial and national levels. The new RAC Field Training program is the recognized tool leveraged by our ARES groups (emphasis added). Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, and we develop an appreciation program that reflects our reliance on their abilities and commitment. All RAC members recognize and appreciate what the individual volunteers contribute, and the value that RAC, as an organization, brings to Amateur Radio in Canada.
RAC achieves a stable financial position, with a positive, growing membership which truly reflects the outstanding representation that RAC makes to Industry Canada and the world of Amateur Radio in Canada.
Jan 13th
The club has purchased a new controller from Link Communications to replace the aging and faltering controller we are using now.
The average user won’t hear much difference when you connect to the VE6QE repeater but in the background there are better improvements.  Things like the actual programming is easier and there are more radio ports to add more link radios. The pix shows the controller and the new UHF hub repeater mounted in a test rack in my shack for programming and testing. The radio at the bottom is going to be a new link that can connect the CAARC system into the SARA system for emergencies…It won’t be on full time like our other linked repeaters but can be connected by DTMF commands when needed… The only thing that is not shown here is the larger DVR (Digital Voice Recorder) that we are using presently on the existing system.  I hope to have it all ready to be installed at the repeater site in the spring. I will be bringing the controller to the next club meeting so if you want to see it you better show up. I will also be bringing some of the older home brew repeaters we have used in the past to compare old repeater building to the newer ones.
Skip, VE6BGT
Jan 11th
It is with sadness I report (VA6IX) Jack’s  wife Shirley passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer.  The funeral service will be held Saturday, January 15 at 1:30PM at the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Olds.  The church is located at  3802 57 Ave., across the street from the Hospital.  Viewing will be from 12:00 to 1:00PM. Our condolences to Jack and his family.  Shirley will certainly be missed.
Dec 5th
Welcome to the new and improved web site of the Central Alberta Amateur Radio Club.
This site will continue to be improved as the webmaster adds more items. Enjoy and have fun!
Nov 26th
Please enjoy this amateur radio site. You are welcome to sign up and register with your Amateur Radio Call sign.
If you have previously registered on the old web page then you are already an existing user. Please click on “Lost your password?” under the registration window in the left column and you will then be e-mailed a new temporary password. Log in to this site with the temporary password, then in the left column, click on “Dashboard”, then “Users”, then “Your profile”. Then fill in your new desired password at the bottom of the page. Remember to click “Update Profile” in the bottom left corner. From that point on you will be able to log in with your new password.
If you are a new user, click on” Register” and a new page will open.
You must enter your Amateur Radio Call Sign in the field “Username“.
Then fill in all the other fields. Â In order to proceed, all fields are required to be filled in.
Your registration will need to be approved before you will be able to login. Your registration approval will be emailed to you.
Once you are logged in, you will then be able to post news, forums, links, and your own gallery items!
Welcome, and enjoy this new web page.
Nov 21st
Then the CEC (Certified Emergency Co-ordinator) designation should be considered for any and every Canadian Radio Amateur. This is an open book exam provided by Radio Amateurs of Canada. You simply refer to the listed training materials (downloadable from RAC) while taking the exam.Then submit the exam to RAC to obtain your certificate if you pass. Click this link to go the RAC page for instructions and information.
http://www.rac.ca/en/rac/public-service/ares/cec-programme/
Nov 14th
Bob King VE6BLD of Lacombe and Gary Wheeler VE6CV of Lethbridge are part of CANWARN, the Canadian Weather Amateur Radio network, using their eyes and ears to report unusual weather in Alberta for Environment Canada.  They were both interviewed on CBC Radio1 on November 1, 2010. To learn more about CANWARN see  the drop down menu under ARTICLES on this web page. To listen to the interview please click this link.
Nov 11th
VE/VA6 Incoming QSL BureauThe VE6/VA6 Incoming Bureau is run by a group of dedicated volunteer amateurs located in Calgary,AB. Please Click this link to go to the web page and send them some money to receive your cards or they will be destroyed after 2 years. You don’t want to lose that rare DX contact confirmation!
Nov 2nd
VE6BLD on CBC talking about CANWARN (Canadian Weather Amateur Radio Network) at 12:12 on CBC Radio1 1010 AM Calgary.Tune in to listen..
http://www.cbc.ca/albertaatnoon/episode/2010/11/01/weather-watchers/
Sep 12th
[html] If we don’t support RAC now, when they need us most, we may as well kiss the bands goodbye.
Industry Canada advised both RAC and RAQI on Friday, Sept 10, 2010 that their Montreal office had authorized a number of 430 to 450 MHz frequencies and a single VHF frequency on 145.555 mHz. Â According to IC, frequencies were chosen to avoid known amateur repeater channels. Â These frequencies in the 70 cm and 2m amateur bands were temporarily authorized to support communications for many European entrants of a cycling event to be held on Quebec City and Montreal on Sept 10 and Sept 12 respectively. Â Â This type of authorized intrusion by Industry Canada of non-amateur communications in amateur spectrum is highly unusual and is a matter of great concern to Radio Amateurs of Canada. Â RAC will be taking the matter up with Industry Canada officials. Â RAC will be interested in knowing if actual interference has been caused to amateur communications; please report any observations to regulatory@rac.ca
Submitted by VE6CIA [/html]
