Radio Amateurs of Canada

1. Radio Amateurs of Canada A Proposal for Restructuring of Amateur Radio in Canada

2. The Survey: In January of 2007, RAC’s completed Committee Report on the Restructuring of Amateur Radio in Canada was presented to Industry Canada

3. The Survey: This Report followed a detailed survey of Canadian Amateur Radio operators which ran from July of 2006 to the end of October, 2006. It gathered 2220 responses, of which: • 82% were English • 18% were French

4. Who are Canadian Amateurs?

5. A decline in interest in Amateur Radio

6. Emphasis on young people:

7. The licensing structure should change:

8. Elmering is very important:

9. An Entry-Level Certificate:

10. A focus on basics:

11. The United Kingdom: • All bands and modes except ten metres • Maximum 10 Watts output • M3 series of callsigns • Emphasis on mentoring • Emphasis on practical experience with equipment

12. Australia: • All bands and modes except 20 metres • Maximum 10 Watts output • Special callsign: VK#Faaa • Mentoring is important • Strong cross-country corps of examiners

13. An Entry-Level Certificate in Canada: • Should be achievable by a grade 7 student • Should use a distinctive callsign • Should be time limited • Should have a strong mentoring component

14. An Entry-Level Certificate in Canada: • Should require proof of operating experience, under supervision • Should provide some, limited, HF access • Should have a power output limit of 100 W • Should have an examination at both the written level and the practical level • Should mesh with the existing BASIC and Advanced structure

15. The Structure:

16. Entry-Level Requirements:

17. Entry-Level Privileges:

18. Why 10 metre access? • Station requirements are modest • Can use modified GRS antennas • The band is not crowded • It offers excellent DX at solar maximums • At solar minimums, it can be used for local contacts

19. Mentorship is critical: • Source of expertise and experience • Hands on learning is the most effective • Provide new energy to clubs • Integrate new Amateurs • Will work well in schools

20. Other issues: • Should not be limited as to age • Available to young and old • Should be time limited • Three years maximum before upgrade • Should have a distinctive callsign • For example, CF3ABC

21. How will it fit?

22. The ‘new’ BASIC certificate: • Should continue with a pass mark of 70% • Should allow access to some HF bands: • 10 metre band, like the Entry Level and • 80 metre band • Upgrade to ‘Honours’ through: • Re-writing to earn 80% or better or • Morse code at 5 wpm

23. The Advanced Certificate: • Need not be changed appreciably • Should include some practical aspects: • Design, building & testing of antennas • Design, building & testing of simple circuits • Retain emphasis on electronic theory

24. Benefit of Entry Level Certificate: • Working with RAC’s Youth Education Program, schools, clubs and young people’s organizations to provide an entry to Amateur Radio.

25. Benefit of Entry Level Certificate: • Emergency Service Workers, perhaps not primarily interested in Amateur Radio, could obtain access to VHF/UHF bands for emergency work.

26. Benefit of Entry Level Certificate: • For retired people, who wish to use Amateur Radio for leisure, travel and enjoyment.

27. So, What’s the next step? • If Industry Canada agrees with: • Great Britain • Australia • Gibraltar • Canada’s Amateur Radio Population • Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) ……. that

28. ….. the next step: • That an Entry Level Certificate would be a Good Thing for: • Emergency Services • Young people • Amateur Radio in general in Canada, Then .......

29. …. the next step should be: Approval from Industry Canada: - On the general concept of an Entry Level Certificate - On the Content of such a Certificate - On the methodology required to achieve this change So that we can move forward to achieve this goal.

30. April, 2008 Bj. Madsen – VE5FX Midwest Director Chairman, RAC Committee on Restructuring of Amateur Radio in Canada The End