News

Events: CanWarn Training 2010 quickly approaching

HAMILTON, Ont., March 26, 2010 -- The 2010 CanWarn training session will soon be here and we could be looking at possibly the biggest crowd to ever attend the Hamilton training date.

There has been lots of interest from the HAM community, municipal and provincial staff, as well as others.

Refreshments will be provided, and participants will go home with a very special gift from Environment Canada.

To read more about CanWarn Training, click here.

Saturday April 17th 2010,
09:00 until approximately 12:00
Nash Auditorium, Wilcox Building,
Chedoke Hospital, Sanatorium Road
Hamilton, ON

Please arrive at 8am to sign in.

Published: Mar 26, 2010 - 08:29 PM

Events: Hamilton CANWARN Training Session is confirmed for Saturday April 17, 2010

Environment Canada trains ham radio operators and other interested parties to spot and report severe weather. They learn about the structure of storms, the types of clouds to watch for and what the department's severe weather watches and warnings mean. All CANWARN volunteers are encouraged to sign up for the refresher courses which the department offers each year. Everyone is welcome, you do not have to be a Ham.

The next CANWARN training session is scheduled for Saturday April 17th 2010, 09:00 until approximately 12:00 at the Nash Auditorium, Wilcox Building, Chedoke Hospital, Sanatorium Road, Hamilton . Please arrive at 8am to sign in.

Click here for a map.

Published: Feb 03, 2010 - 11:17 AM
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Amateur Radio: Ontario's New Rules For Hand-Held Wireless And Entertainment Devices

As of October 26, 2009, Ontario's new distracted driving law will make it illegal for motorists to use hand-held wireless communication devices or any hand-held electronic entertainment devices while driving.

Specific attention has been given to the Amateur Radio community. Stated in a document at the Government of Ontario's web site:

The use of hand-held radios by amateur radio operators (who provide assistance, especially in emergency situations such as severe storms and blackouts) will be phased out within three years, to allow hands-free technologies to be developed.

To read the full document, visit news.ontario.ca.

Published: Oct 01, 2009 - 10:17 AM

ARES: ARES Operations Training

ARES Alerts and Information A new extensive ARES training program has been put together by RAC. The ARES training course covers many topics including emergency operations, the role of the amateur radio operator, emergency preparedness, equipment, safety issues and more.

If there are enough interested parties, we will be able to offer the course to the Hamilton-area ARES volunteers.

Anyone interested in attending this training course, should contact Jerry Osborn at:

The course will take place on Wednesday evenings at Dofasco, tentatively starting November 4, 2009.

Published: Sep 21, 2009 - 09:53 PM

Hamilton CANWARN Training Session Big Success

This year's CANWARN training was another huge success. There was a fabulous turnout of close to 70 people, HAMS and non-HAMS alike.

Environment Canada trains ham radio operators and other interested parties to spot and report severe weather. They learn about the structure of storms, the types of clouds to watch for and what the department's severe weather watches and warnings mean. All CANWARN volunteers are encouraged to sign up for the refresher courses which the department offers each year. Everyone is welcome, you do not have to be a Ham.

If you missed the Hamilton training session, the next CANWARN training session can be found by accessing the schedule at www.emergencyradio.ca.

Published: Apr 22, 2009 - 10:54 PM
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Amateur Radio: Canadian Firefighter and EMS Quarterly recognizes amateur radio importance in disaster readiness

The January 2009 issue of Canadian Firefighter and EMS Quarterly mentions amateur radio in an article on disaster readiness.

The article, written by Paul Dixon, is entitled Being Prepared: Detailed departmental procedures key to helping others during disasters.

A quotation follows:

What would cause your radio system to fail? Do you have alternate methods of communications and if so, how often do you test them? Cellular phones should never be relied on as a replacement communications system. If you have satellite phones, do you understand their limitations and have you trained your staff? Amateur radio has proven to be the one communications link that survives in a disaster, from Banda Aceh to Hurricane Katrina. How well connected is your department to amateur radio and have you ever run a real-time exercise using amateur radio?

The complete article can be read here.

Published: Apr 02, 2009 - 06:50 PM

ARES: ARES Operations Training

ARES Alerts and Information A new, extensive ARES training program has been put together by RAC. The ARES training covers many topics including emergency operations, the role of the amateur radio operator, emergency preparedness, equipment, safety issues and more.

If there are enough interest parties, we will be able to offer the course to the Hamilton area ARES volunteers.

Anyone interesting in attending this training, please contact Jerry Osborn at:

Published: Mar 15, 2009 - 04:56 PM

Amateur Radio: World Amateur Radio Day 2009 - Amateur Radio: Your Resource in Disaster and Emergency Communication

Each year on April 18, Radio Amateurs celebrate World Amateur Radio Day. On that day in 1925 the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was founded.

In 2009, the theme of the event is Amateur Radio: Your Resource in Disaster and Emergency Communication.

It is not by coincidence that last year´s meeting of the IARU Administrative Council chose this subject at this time.

Published: Feb 20, 2009 - 11:10 AM
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Events: Hamilton CANWARN Training Session is confirmed for Saturday April 18, 2009

Environment Canada trains ham radio operators and other interested parties to spot and report severe weather. They learn about the structure of storms, the types of clouds to watch for and what the department's severe weather watches and warnings mean. All CANWARN volunteers are encouraged to sign up for the refresher courses which the department offers each year. Everyone is welcome, you do not have to be a Ham.

The next CANWARN training session is scheduled for Saturday April 18th 2009, 09:00 until approximately 12:00 at the Nash Auditorium, Wilcox Building, Chedoke Hospital, Sanatorium Road, Hamilton . Please arrive at 8am to sign in.

Click here for a map.

Published: Jan 15, 2009 - 12:14 PM
Read more about Hamilton CANWARN Training Session is confirmed for Saturday April 18, 2009 (293 more word(s))

Earthquake Strikes Costa Rica, Emergency Ham Frequency Declared

On Thursday, January 8 at 1921z, an earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck the Central American country of Costa Rica. The earthquake, with an epicenter located about 22 miles northeast of San Jose, comes after a series of almost 60 seismic events that have rocked the country since early this week.

The Radio Club de Costa Rica (RCCR) -- that country's IARU Member-Society -- is monitoring local repeaters and 7090 kHz. IARU Region 2 Emergency Communications Coordinator Cesar Pio Santos, HR2P, requests that 7090 kHz be kept clear of non-essential traffic due to possible emergency communications dealing with the earthquake. The ARRL encourages all amateurs to be aware of the emergency operations on this frequency. US (and Canadian) amateurs should avoid interfering with Spanish language SSB while using digital modes.

Published: Jan 09, 2009 - 07:58 PM