Q - What is Amateur Radio?

A - At the scene of a traffic accident on a Toronto freeway, a radio amateur calls for help, using a palm-sized hand-held radio.
- A retired school teacher in Nova Scotia makes friends over the radio with another radio amateur in New Zealand.
- A British Columbia teenager uses her computer to upload a chess move through her amateur radio transceiver to an orbiting space satellite, where it is retrieved by a fellow chess enthusiast in Florida.
- A truck driver in Alberta swaps call signs with hams in 100 countries during a single weekend "DX Contest".
- In Quebec, volunteers save lives as part of their involvement in an emergency communications network.

This unique mix of fun, convenience and public service is the distinguishing characteristic of Amateur Radio. Although people get involved in amateur radio for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology, regulations and operating principles, demonstrated by passing an examination leading to a certificate of proficiency, and authorization to operate on radio frequencies known as the "Amateur Bands." These bands are reserved for use by radio amateurs at intervals from just above the AM broadcast band all the way up into high microwave frequencies.

Q – Who Is the Typical Amateur Radio Operator?

A - Amateur Radio operators come from all walks of life - entertainers, missionaries, doctors, lawyers, ministers, politicians, and just plain students, workers, shut-ins and retired folks. They are all ages, sexes, income levels and nationalities. Whether they prefer Morse code on an old brass telegraph key through a low-power transmitter, voice communication on a hand-held radio, or computer messages transmitted through satellites, they all have an interest in what's happening in the world, and they use radio to reach out to communicate with their fellow radio amateurs.

Q - What's the Appeal of Amateur Radio?

A - Some radio amateurs are attracted by the ability to communicate across the country, around the globe, even with astronauts on space missions. Others build and experiment with electronics. Computer hobbyists find packet radio to be a low-cost way to expand their ability to communicate. Those with a competitive streak enjoy "DX contests" where the object is to see how many hams in distant locations they can contact. Some like the convenience of a technology that gives them portable communication. Others use it to open the door to new friendships over the air, or through participation in one of hundreds of Amateur Radio clubs across Canada. Many radio amateurs are also computer hobbyists and often combine amateur radio with the internet in various ways.

Q - What Are the Amateur Radio Bands?

A - Look at the dial on a old AM radio and you'll see frequencies marked from 540 to 1600 kilohertz. Imagine that band extended out many thousands of kilohertz, and you'll have some idea of how much additional radio spectrum is available for amateur, government and commercial radio bands. It is here you'll find aircraft, ship, fire and police communication, as well as the so-called "shortwave" stations, which are worldwide commercial and government broadcast stations. Amateurs are allocated nine basic "bands" (i.e. groups of frequencies) in the High Frequency (HF) range between 1800 and 29,700 kilohertz, and another seven bands in the Very High Frequency (VHF) bands and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) ranges, as well as Super High Frequency (SHF) or microwave bands. Even though many Amateur Radio conversations may be heard around the world by anyone with a suitable radio receiver, given the right frequency and propagation conditions, Amateur Radio is basically two-way communication between radio amateurs.

A - Many Radio Amateurs do not favour the term "ham". Although the origin of the term is obscure, there are several pet theories. The most plausible holds that "HAM" is an acronym from the initials of three college students who were among the first Radio Amateurs. Of equal importance is the word "amateur" which some feel reflects badly on the world's best pastime. The word derives from the Latin "amo" to love. Amateurs pursue radio (and related technologies) for the love of it. The word "Amateur" also has a legal meaning: there can be no payment for service.

Q – What is the History of Amateur Radio in Canada?

A - Amateur Radio is as old as the history of radio itself. Not long after Marconi transmitted the Morse code letter "S" from Poldhu in Cornwall, England, to St. John's, Newfoundland in 1901, amateur experimenters throughout the world were trying out the capabilities of the first "spark gap" transmitters. In 1913, Parliament passed the Radiotelegraph Act, and in 1914 the Minister of the Naval Service issued the Radiotelegraph Regulations prescribing the first operating and technical proficiency standards for Amateur Radio operators. By then, amateur experimenters were communicating across long distances. Using networks of stations, communication could be extended nation-wide. Under various government departments, Canadian radio communications and Amateur Radio grew to its present form with almost 50,000 licensees.

Q - Why Do Radio Amateurs Require a Certificate of proficiency?

A - Although the main purpose of Amateur Radio is recreation, it is called the "Amateur Radio Service" because it also has a serious face. The government created this "Service" to fill the need for a pool of experts who could provide backup emergency communications. In addition, the government acknowledged the ability of Amateur Radio to advance communication and technical skills, and to enhance international goodwill. This philosophy has paid off. Countless lives have been saved where skilled hobbyists act as emergency communicators to render aid, whether it's during or following a hurricane, tornado, ice storm, earthquake or other disaster. Proof of operating and technical proficiency of amateur radio operators has been required in Canada since 1914.

Q – How are Amateur Radio operators regulated in Canada?

A - Amateur Radio is presently regulated by Industry Canada under the Radiocommunication Act and Regulations. It is also subject to numerous international agreements. Amateur Radio stations cannot operate without specific authorization from Industry Canada. In Canada authorization is granted upon presentation of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate. There are four possible qualification levels shown on a certificate: 

The Basic Qualification - The Basic Qualification is the entry-level and does not require a Morse code test. To earn the Basic Qualification requires passing an examination totaling 100 questions on radio theory, regulations and operating practices. The Basic Qualification gives access to all Amateur Radio bands above 30 megahertz in all modes.

The 5 Word Per Minute Morse Code Qualification - To earn this Qualification, one must pass a 5 words-per-minute Morse code test. The 5WPM Qualification added to the Basic Qualification on the Amateur Radio Operator Certificate grants the holder access to the Amateur Radio bands below 30 MHz.

The Advanced Qualification - To earn the Advanced Qualification requires passing an examination totaling 50 questions on advanced radio theory. The Advanced Qualification added to the Basic Qualification on the Amateur Radio Operator Certificate permits the holder to build radio transmitting equipment, operate high-powered transmitters, and to sponsor a voice repeater or club station.

Q - What's the right Qualification for me?

A – To apply for an amateur radio call sign, you must first have earned an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification. However, you can take the Qualification examinations in any sequence. Once you have earned a Qualification it is good for life. The "entry level" Basic Qualification gives access to frequencies in the VHF, UHF and microwave bands using all modes of operation, and access to Orbiting Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio (OSCARS) which opens up space and world-wide communication. The other Qualifications may be earned to achieve access to additional bands, transmitter power levels, and privileges, as noted above. Radio amateurs usually carry their wallet-card certificates with them so they can operate wherever they go. Typically, they also keep a copy in their radio station at home.

Q - What do Amateur Radio operators do during and after disasters?

A - Amateur Radio operators set up and operate organized local and long-distance communication networks, as backup for governmental and emergency officials, as well as non-commercial communication for private citizens affected by the disaster. Amateur Radio operators are most likely to be active after disasters that damage regular lines of communications due to power outages and destruction of telephone lines.

Q - How do Amateur Radio operators help local officials?

A - Many radio amateurs are active as communications volunteers with local public safety organizations. In addition, in some disasters, coordinated radio communications among relief officials fails when radio towers and other elements in the normal communications infrastructure are damaged. Amateur Radio operators help to coordinate such communication.

Q - What are the major Amateur Radio emergency organizations in Canada?

A - Amateur Radio operators have informal and formal groups to coordinate communication during emergencies. At the local level, hams may participate in local emergency organizations, or organize local "traffic nets" using VHF (very high frequencies) and UHF (ultra high frequencies). In addition, hams operate through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the National Traffic System (NTS) which are coordinated through Radio Amateurs of Canada and its field volunteers as an extension of ARES and NTS in the United States, which are coordinated by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). In addition, in areas that are prone to tornadoes and hurricanes many hams are involved in Canwarn, operating under the Atmospheric Environment Service.

Q - Is Amateur Radio recognized as a resource by national relief organizations?

A – In addition to many municipalities who have formal agreements and include their local ARES group in their Emergency Plans, the Canadian Red Cross has a formal agreement with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and other Amateur Radio groups. The Canadian Red Cross, as the lead relief agency, coordinates support for the other relief agencies.

Q - What are some examples of recent emergencies involving Amateur Radio in North America (Canada*)?

A – This is a partial list of the major events during 1997 and early 1998 that received national press coverage:

Forest fires in northeastern Florida – June/July 1998

Tornadoes in Alabama - April 1998 Tornadoes in Minnesota - March 1998 Tornadoes and flooding in Georgia - March 1998 Flooding in the San Francisco area - February 1998 Tornadoes in Florida - February 1998

* "The Great Ice Storm" in Ontario, NY, Quebec, VT, NH, NB, and Maine – January 1998 Tornadoes in Jarrell, Texas - May 1997

* "500-Year Flood" in ND, MN and Manitoba - April 1997

Tornadoes in Arkansas - March 1997

Floods in Ohio and Kentucky - March 1997

Western US floods - January 1997

Q - If your loved ones are in a disaster area, can you use Amateur Radio to contact them?

A - Since radio amateurs in a disaster area usually are very busy helping with immediate relief problems, it is usually very difficult to contact loved ones in a disaster area via Amateur Radio. But, it is possible. Since hams in the disaster area may be called upon to assist local emergency officials, you should wait until the immediate crisis has passed and restoration efforts have begun. At that time, local hams may begin handling what is known as "welfare traffic." If you know a ham in your community, he or she may be able to enter a message into a traffic net which can then relay it to the affected site. The message should be brief (i.e. "Fred, We're worried. Call home, Mother"), with the destination address and phone number. Once received at the disaster site, your message may take considerable time to reach its intended destination since hams there may have no way of reaching your loved ones because of road blockages or outages in local telephone service. Do not pester your local ham to see if the message has been received. He or she has no way of knowing, and may be busy handling hundreds of similar messages.

Q - In a disaster area, can you use Amateur Radio to get word out to loved ones?

A - Yes. But the first rule is: have patience. When disaster strikes, all lines of communication, including Amateur Radio, are overloaded. Amateur Radio operators in the affected area must give priority to supporting local emergency relief efforts. When the immediate danger has passed, most provide "health and welfare" communication traffic for local residents unable to reach a telephone. If you are in an affected area, locate an Amateur Radio station (often identified by a sign or banner) and leave a very brief message (i.e. "All is well here, love, John") with the address and telephone number for your loved ones outside the disaster site. Radio operators will put your message in line as part of their daily net "traffic" where it will be relayed via amateur radio to the area where your loved ones live. Someone there may then be able to telephone your loved ones with your message. Since radio amateurs are individual volunteers, do not expect them to incur long-distance telephone charges to deliver a message on your behalf.

Q – How can Amateur Radio help with news gathering during or after a disaster?

A - During a disaster, media representatives sometimes use Amateur Radio as a source of information and news stories about conditions in the affected region. Many Amateur Radio operators are willing to provide interviews with reporters concerning information from the disaster site. In addition, reporters may wish to develop stories on Amateur Radio's role in disaster relief e.g. handling health and welfare traffic out of the site. Under Canadian regulations, Amateur Radio may not be used for active news gathering or program production purposes. For example, it would not be legal for a reporter to use Amateur Radio in a professional capacity to interview someone in another location. Amateur Radio operators are permitted to assist news media representatives in gathering information to be relayed to the public from areas where normal communication have been disrupted. This is so, particularly when the information involves the safety or life of individuals and no other channels of communication are available. The operator may ask questions of, or relay media questions to, Amateur Radio operators in the area. The questions and responses may be recorded by media representatives for a news broadcast. Amateur Radio must not be used to assist the news media in gathering information when telephones or other commercial means of communication are available. The news media may monitor Amateur Radio transmissions, but recording and rebroadcast under certain conditions (in or from war zones, for example) may not be legal or prudent, and may endanger the operator. Amateur Radio operators may not retransmit radio and television broadcasts.

Q – Are there other Amateur Radio events throughout the year?

A – Many traffic nets operate daily to pass message traffic and to maintain communications readiness in the event of a future emergency. Various contests are held throughout the year, in which Canadian radio amateurs may participate. Most important of these is known as Field Day, which is sponsored by American Radio Relay League in the US and Radio Amateurs of Canada. This is a specialized contest in the last full weekend of June, with the emphasis on portable operation under emergency conditions – temporary locations and antennas and generator or battery power. Another event in October is the Simulated Emergency Test (SET) which is used to exercise the emergency readiness of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the National Traffic System (NTS).

Q – What is Radio Amateurs of Canada?

A – RAC is the national Amateur Radio membership association for Canada. Founded in 1993, by the merger of the Canadian Radio Relay League with the Canadian Amateur Radio Federation, RAC is a microcosm of the Amateur Radio community. It not only reflects a commitment to the many interests of radio amateurs, but it also provides leadership as the official voice of Amateur Radio in Canada, whether in dealings with Industry Canada, as Canada’s member society the International Amateur Radio Union, or with the radiocommunication industry or the general public. Many of Canada’s most knowledgeable radio amateurs believe that, as competition grows for increasingly scarce radio spectrum, the future of RAC is the future of Amateur Radio.

Q - How can I learn more about Amateur Radio?

A – In addition to browsing around the RAC web site, the best ways to learn about Amateur Radio are to read the books and magazines devoted to the subject, to listen to hams on the "Amateur Bands", and, best of all, to talk to hams face-to-face. Hams take pride in their ability to teach newcomers to get them started in the hobby. There is probably an Amateur Radio club near you that will welcome your interest. RAC publishes the Study Guides for the Basic and the Advanced Qualifications, as well as the RAC Operating Manual - all available at radio stores across Canada, where you can also buy an inexpensive radio receiver which will receive communications on some of the amateur radio bands.