Echolink is currently offline on the VE6LAW repeater.

The computer hosting this service has decided to pack it in.  We are in the process of looking for a replacement as it is not repairable.   Once the replacement computer is acquired there will be some setup time required as well as some tweaking required once it’s on the air.

Thanks for your patience while we work on getting Echolink back online.

Thanks everyone that came out and volunteered to support the RunWild Marathon.  We could not have done it without you.  We had our hiccups a long the way, but everything worked out in the end.

The Icom repeater was put back in as the primary repeater the Sunday before and the race and it performed flawlessly for the event.

This race was also the first opportunity to showcase our new trailer.  We received a lot of positive comments on it.  Thanks Gary, Steve, Tom, and Mark (and Me) for working so hard on the trailer to get it ready for this event.

NCAARC and NARC have partnered together to provide support for the RunWild Marathon in our back yard on May 5. We require a minimum of 35 radio operators to ensure we can provide the organizers adequate coverage of the route. This is a great opportunity for us to get out and show the St. Albert Community what HAM radio is all about.

Please let me (VA6AWS – Andrew) know ASAP if you can volunteer to help us out with this important event. You can send me an email at va6aws@ncaarc.ca and let me know if you can help out. IF you have not volunteered for an event don’t be shy – it’s not hard work. Basically we need volunteers that can operate a radio and report what you see.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want any more information on this event.

Thanks,

Andrew

Neil Smith (VE6AZA) wrote this great article on what amateur radio is all about.  Enjoy!

How can you describe a hobby that has dozens of facets?  How do you explain a hobby whose devotees take part in a pastime that is enjoyed, in a personal way, by kings and commoners, game players and scientists, and by rich and poor? A hobby that is a delight to people all over the world – people both distinguished and world-renowned– and by us ordinary people?

It’s radio, and it’s inhabited by Radio Amateurs  (otherwise known as “Hams”) in the short , very short, and ultra short radio waves. What Hams do with these “waves” makes a long list of fascinating miracles.

For only a few examples, they can:

……….Talk directly with people all over the globe, using only their own personal equipment, (you’ll be surprised by who you’ll meet— even, for example, television and movie stars). They can also bounce signals off the moon, and keep track of the activities of the sun.

…………Build radio and computer equipment, (it can be very simple or extremely sophisticated)

………….Have contests, to compete with other “Hams” in timed races to make contacts between  “Hams” worldwide to see who wins the most points.

…………..Sometimes, using radio,  reach people who are in emergency situations, help them save both lives and property, and assist the civil authorities and charities.

……………As “Amateurs” (some of whom happen also to be scientists, engineers, and technicians or just “handimen”, or “handiwomen”), be instrumental in making worthwhile discoveries, and  advancing science and engineering.

……………..Using computers and radio together, make contributions to the science and practice of computing.

……………..Enjoy the company of a very interesting and varied assembly of people at home and around the World, who can become very sociable “Hams”. (Many astronauts are “Hams”)

YOU can join in the fun and games of“Ham” radio, and make the world friendlier.

Just click on “CONTACT US” on this website.

(Your age doesn’t matter — and we do training, for free!)