Are there Amateur Radio events during the year? 2017/2018 Executive Most Amateur Radio clubs meet weekly or President: Stan Williams VA7NF monthly. Hamfests are popular events that often 778-806-4662 feature the sale of new and used equipment and parts. Various radio contests are held Vice-President: John Brodie VA7XB throughout the year. Most important is Field 604-591-1825 Day. This contest, with emphasis on emergency SURREY conditions, is held on the last full weekend of Secretary: Jeremy Morse VE7TMY June. Operation, using temporary antennas and 604-8177763 generator or battery power, adds to the realism and simulates emergency conditions during a AMATEUR disaster. Treasurer: Scott Hawrelak VE7HA 604-862-6265 RADIO CLUB How can I learn about Amateur Radio? Information in this brochure has been adapted (with permission) from the Radio Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) publishes Amateurs of Canada website: study guides and The RAC Operating Manual, www.rac.ca/regulatory/faqham.htm available on-line from the RAC web site and some radio stores. Best of all, talk to an Amateur. How can I become a Member of the Surrey Amateur Radio Club? The Surrey Amateur Radio Club welcomes new Surrey Amateur Radio Club members, both experienced and beginner. The www.ve7sar.net Club will assist persons who have an interest in learning about amateur radio, becoming Meets at 7:00 pm on the licensed and participating in this exciting hobby second Wednesday of the month at: and public service. Please contact any of the Club executive listed Provincial Regional Emergency Operation on the back page of this brochure for more Center (PREOC) information, or simply come out to one of our 14292 Green Timbers Way, Surrey, BC meetings. … SERVING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH HAM RADIO WHAT IS AMATEUR Are there Amateur Radio events The appeal of Amateur Radio … Why must Radio Amateurs pass an is the ability to communicate across the country, examination? (HAM) RADIO? around the globe, and even with astronauts on space missions. Some Radio Amateurs build Amateur radio is ... and experiment with radio. Computer hobbyists Although a major purpose of Amateur Radio is a form of communication; a hobby; a community find digital modes to be a low-cost way to recreation, it is called the "Amateur Radio service. It could be a school teacher in British expand their ability to communicate. Those with Service" because it also has a serious face. The Columbia making friends over the radio with a competitive streak enjoy "DX contests" where government created this "Service" partly to fill another Radio Amateur in New Zealand; an the object is to see how many distant Radio the need for a pool of experts who could provide Alberta teenager using her computer to upload a Amateurs they can contact. Some like the communications in times of emergency or war. chess move through her radio which is retrieved convenience of a technology giving them Countless lives have been saved when these by a fellow chess fan in Florida via an amateur portable communication. Others use it to open skilled hobbyists acted as emergency radio space satellite; or a truck driver in the door to new friendships over the air, or communicators to render aid during or following Manitoba contacting Radio Amateurs in a through participation in an Amateur Radio club. a hurricane, tornado, ice storm, earthquake or hundred countries during a single weekend Many combine Amateur Radio with the internet other disaster. In addition, the government has contest. Radio Amateurs also save lives as part in various ways. acknowledged the ability of Amateur Radio to of an emergency communications network. advance communication and technical skills, and to enhance international goodwill. Typical Radio Amateurs … What is Involved? come from all walks of life – dentists, engineers, entertainers, missionaries, truck drivers, How are Amateur Radio operators This unique mix of fun, convenience and public ministers, politicians, students, workers, shut-ins “authorized” in Canada? service is what distinguishes Amateur Radio. and retired folks - all ages, sexes, income levels People get involved in Amateur Radio for many and nationalities. Some like voice There is only one authorization to transmit – an reasons, but they all have in common a basic communication on a hand-held radio. Others Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with the knowledge of radio technology, regulations and prefer Morse code through a low-power Basic Qualification and Call Sign. operating principles. All have passed an transmitter. Many transmit computer messages The Basic Qualification - is the entry-level and examination leading to an authorization to through amateur radio satellites. They all use does not require any Morse code test. To earn operate on the "Amateur Bands." These radio to communicate with their fellow Radio the Basic Qualification requires passing an frequency bands are reserved for use by Radio Amateurs. examination of 100 questions on basic radio Amateurs at intervals from just above the AM theory, regulations and operating practices. The Basic Qualification with call sign gives authority broadcast band all the way up through the How does Amateur Radio differ from microwave frequencies. Even though Amateur to transmit on all Amateur Radio bands above Radio conversations may be heard around the CB or Family Radio Service? 30 megahertz, in all modes. world by anyone with a suitable radio receiver, These unlicensed services are legally limited to The Advanced Qualification - To earn this given the right frequency and propagation voice operation over low powered equipment on requires passing a 50 question examination on conditions, Amateur Radio is basically two-way a single frequency band. Amateur Radio may radio theory. Added to the Basic Qualification communication between Radio Amateurs. involve voice, Morse code, computer data, or this permits the holder to build transmitting television modes on any of a number of bands, equipment, use high-powered transmitters, either direct or via repeater stations or earth- operate on the Amateur Bands below 30 Mhz, orbiting satellites, and may use considerable and to sponsor a voice repeater or club station. power and directional antenna systems. .