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

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

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

Who are Canadian Amateurs?

A decline in interest in Amateur Radio

Emphasis on young people:

The licensing structure should change :

Elmering is very important:

An Entry-Level Certificate:

A focus on basics:

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

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

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

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

The Structure:

Entry-Level Requirements:

Entry-Level Privileges:

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

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

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

How will it fit?

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

….. 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

…. 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.

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