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1. [57]Home
2. [58]Beyond Local
Using technology to connect with each other is old hat for ham radio
operators
Amateur radio operators use the airwaves to stay connected during
coronavirus outbtreak
[59]0
May 4, 2020 2:45 PM By: [60]Barry Kerton
antenna-cropped
Ham radio operators use a wide variety of equipment such as this beam
antenna to help them talk with their fellow radio enthusiasts all over
the world.
BARRHEAD — Amid the coronavirus outbreak and people being forced to
spend more time at home, people are using technology to bridge the
physical gap and stay connected.
However, this is not new to amateur radio operators. From the early
days of radio, “ham radio operators”, they are more commonly known as,
have been using the airways to connect with other amateur radio
enthusiasts.
Ham radio operators use the radio frequency spectrum to pass
non-commercial messages to each other using a wide variety of
transmission mediums such as voice, Morse code, television and as well
as other digital modes.
Barrhead resident Jeff Attrill is one of the more than 7,900 operators
in Alberta. In Canada, there are upwards of 70,000 hams.
Amateur radio operators are also often called upon to provide emergency
communications.
“It is a great hobby,” he said, adding amateur radio operators come
from all walks of life and age demographics.
The Town and Country This Week caught up with him shortly after he
finished a conversation with another local ham in Westlock via VHF
simplex.
VHF (very high frequency) is mainly a line-of-sight transmission,
mainly used for local communications. Simplex refers to using one
frequency.
Hams have also installed repeaters, located on high buildings, hills
and mountains, to extend the range of their radios.
Although Atrill holds an advanced licence and is allowed to operate on
the entire amateur radio frequency spectrum, his favourite method is
VHF.
He noted most ham radio operators start out operating on VHF or UHF
(ultra-high frequency) FM, which also uses line of sight communications
through simple mobile of handheld radios, talking through repeaters.
The two closest repeaters in the Barrhead area are in Whitecourt and
Stony Plain. There is also a repeater in Athabasca, as well as several
repeaters servicing Edmonton and surrounding regions. The Stony Plain,
Whitecourt and Athabasca repeaters are sponsored by the Quarter Century
Amateur Radio Club based in Edmonton.
“The Whitecourt and Stony Plain repeaters are linked together and every
Wednesday night there is a net, that any ham who can hit the repeater
can check-in to,” he said, noting the net is quite informal. “On
Wednesday [April 1,] we had 25 check-ins.”
Atrill noted for many people in the Barrhead and Westlock regions using
their first radio, they might have a little trouble hitting the local
repeaters, but with a little ingenuity and the help of another ham,
they could build an antenna that would extend their range and easily
reach the repeater.
He also noted as they gain experience, they might want to expand their
activities. For example, he said, one of his favourite activities on
VHF single-sideband is using atmospheric conditions to extend his
range, noting he has talked to someone as far as Lethbridge. He has
also relied on amateur radio satellites to extend his range.
Attrill added there are several other modes and subsections of the
hobby for people to explore whether it be HF (high frequency) where
hams use the ionosphere to bounce signals off for long-distance
communication, contesting to transmitter hunting and building your
equipment.
“The options are almost endless,” he said.
Atrill noted that for those interested in getting their amateur radio
licence, it is more attainable than ever.
Attrill was first licenced in 1973 in New Zealand. To get his
technician licence he had to write a hand-written exam that included
drawing out schematics. The technician class allowed only limited
access to the ham radio spectrum.
“It wasn’t too difficult for me because I was a television technician,
but it did stop a lot of people who might have otherwise been good
operators from getting into the hobby,” he said, adding that to get a
higher class with more privileges people had to prove their proficiency
in Morse code.
Canada, at the time, had similar requirements.
“But that has changed. It is much easier for people to get into ham
radio. With a little bit of effort, anyone can get their licence,” he
said.
Licencing requirements
In Canada, there are two classes of licences Basic and Advanced.
For the basic licence, prospective hams have to write a 100 question
multiple-choice exam demonstrating their knowledge of basic radio
theory and operating practices. Morse code is no longer a requirement.
The advanced exam is 50 questions and candidates have to demonstrate a
deeper understanding of radio theory.
For more information on how to get a Canadian amateur radio licence,
visit [61]Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC).
RAC is a not-for-profit national association whose mandate is to
liaison with government agencies about regulatory and spectrum issues
that impact amateur radio on a national and international level.
[62]Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
Read more from [63]TownandCountryToday.com
__________________________________________________________________
About the Author: Barry Kerton
Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the
paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
[64]Read more
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160.
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ba7a7a3a0f6e092f6e195f6e195a4a4a4fda0a7b2bfb1b6a1a7a7bcb7b2aafdb0b2f6e397f6e392f6e397f6e3929fbab8b6f6e1e3b4b6a7a7babdb4f6e1e3aabca6a1f6e1e3bdb6a4a0f6e1e3b1aaf6e1e3b6beb2babff6e095f6e1e380bab4bdf6e1e3a6a3f6e1e3b5bca1f6e1e3bca6a1f6e1e395819696f6e1e3bbb6b2b7bfbabdb6a0f6e190f6e1e3a0b6bda7f6e1e3a7bcf6e1e3aabca6a1f6e1e3babdb1bcabf6e1e3b7b2babfaaf6e1e3b2a7f6e1e3bba7a7a3a0f6e092f6e195f6e195a4a4a4fda0a7b2bfb1b6a1a7a7bcb7b2aafdb0b2f6e195b7b2babfaafebbb6b2b7bfbabdb6a0
161.
https://www.stalberttoday.ca/highlights/alberta-doctors-concerned-with-surgical-mask-quality-2333980
162.
https://www.stalberttoday.ca/beyond-local/feds-to-partly-cover-top-ups-for-front-line-workers-on-minimum-wage-2332329
163.
https://www.stalberttoday.ca/beyond-local/the-latest-developments-on-covid-19-in-canada-on-may-7-2332182