Amateur radio & military interoperability exercises

4 May

Two local emergency operations centres, the CRD EOC (VE7CRD) and Victoria EOC (VE7VEP), participated in an amateur radio & military (RJOC Pacific – Esquimalt & EMBC) interoperability exercise (Sweeper 2018) on Thursday, May 4, 2018. The primary responsibility for the CRD EOC and the Victoria EOC was to relay of verbal messages to Esquimalt and EMBC.

Four clubs (CVARS, Strathcona, Powell River, Oceanside) in the Cowichan Valley also participated in the exercise. They were the primary clubs interfacing with a Canadian Forces aircraft (JTOC Pacific) flying over Texada Island. Messages on amateur radio bands (HF) and a commercial radio band EP1 were sent amongst the participants.

Another example of such a radio amateur & military (Iowa National Guard) interoperability exercises (Exercise Stable Mercury) took place in the USA on April 23-24 using digital modes on 60-metres.

The disaster scenario for the Iowa exercise was a very interesting one: The scenario for the drill was based on an actual severe weather event that occurred 20 years ago, and the April exercise used radar feeds and storm spotter reports taken from the June 29, 1998, Iowa Derecho to inform this training event.

This is a very interesting read and another example how WARA volunteers can help the CRD prepare for emergencies.

QSL cards

28 Apr

Need a QSL card? Want to pay Canadian $$$?
Look no further. QSL Concept in Vancouver will supply your needs.

Thanks to Richard Thompson VE7XT for this information.

WARA 2018 Ham Grad Celebration

24 Apr

The WARA 2018 Ham Grad Celebration was a great success (42 attendees). We celebrated 16 newly minted radio amateurs who had excelled in their studies under the excellent tutelage of Andy Woodsworth VE7PT, David James VA7VK, and numerous other WARA instructors. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated team.

Many thanks to Richard Thompson VE7XT for his terrific presentation. His personal spin on our great hobby, his photographs of some amazing DXpeditions, and his numerous show and tell items (e.g., Morse keys) were a delight for both the old and new hams (and their guests).

Thanks also to Tom Heemskerk VE7ZTH for arranging the use of the room at the Royal Theatre and Glenn Lindsey VE7GRQ for managing the event and buying the pizzas.