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www.southgatearc.org
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Joint Canada-USA Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Preparedness EventA demonstration of co-operation in emergency communications preparedness between Canadian Radio Amateurs and those in the United States is being planned for September 29 and 30, 2007, with the installation of a special event station at historic Signal Hill, St. John's, Newfoundland. Sponsors are Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) and Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC). Facilities, provided by Parks Canada, are being coordinated by the Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SONRA). The objectives are three-fold: a) to highlight the capabilities of Amateur Radio in providing emergency communications in times of crisis; b) to illustrate the cooperation between Canada and the United States on emergency preparedness, within the context of the Security and Prosperity Partnership signed by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada in 2005; and c) to create a database of communications ‘first responders’ that the Government of Canada could contact for emergency communications assistance in times of crisis. The site is the Marconi memorial station on Signal Hill where reception of the first trans-Atlantic wireless transmission occurred in 1901. This is the first time an official activity of its type has been conducted and Radio Amateurs from all across Canada and the U.S. A. are being invited to participate. In particular, ARES members in both countries are encouraged to take part and to "talk up" the value of Amateur Radio as a community resource. Operations will feature virtually all transmission modes on most HF bands over a two-day period and officials from government and the ARRL have been invited to attend. ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, has confirmed his intention to attend and members of the RAC Board and Executive will also be in attendance, including RAC President Earle Smith, VE6NM. Special event call sign VO1ARES has been approved by Industry Canada for use during the event and perhaps may be heard on the air before and after as approval extends from September 27 to October 1 inclusive. For the official inauguration of the event on Saturday, September 29, when dignitaries are expected to be present, the following frequencies and modes are planned for use, plus or minus: 1430Z - 1830Z 29 Sep 07 A commemorative QSL card will be issued automatically via the bureau to every contact made. QSLing may be done through the bureau to VO1ARES via VE9GLF. If desired, QSLs may be sent direct to VO1ARES via VE9GLF, G.L. Friars, 35 Upper Quaco Road, Baxters Corner, New Brunswick, Canada E2S 2S2. ALL replies from VO1ARES will be via the bureau. Those wishing a direct reply, including Short Wave Listeners, must include an envelope and sufficient postage. Within Canada, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). If outside of Canada, please include sufficient International Reply Coupons (IRCs) to cover the cost of a letter from Canada to your country. This is imperative in order to receive a card directly, otherwise it will go via the bureau. Remember, only Canadian postal stamps may be used on mail posted from Canada. Do not send U.S. or other non-Canadian stamps. Upcoming issues of RAC’s The Canadian Amateur (TCA) magazine, the ARRL's QST magazine and the RAC website www.rac.ca will contain further details of the event. Details of VO1ARES activities are also posted at www.qrz.com and http://hamcall.net/call
and on the ARRL's special events page at http://www.arrl.org/contests/
Below is an event schedule for Saturday, September 29. Source: Radio Amateurs of Canada
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