Bylaws and memberships …
The OARC management team has been working hard in the last few weeks to finalize our new ONCA (Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act) compliant bylaws, which will be published on this website in the next few weeks. We’re still customizing, testing and documenting Zeffy, our new online secure membership management system. Please wait a few more weeks (likely early January) for us to officially launch this new system when you can pay for your new or renewal membership.
Exciting news!
We are about to graduate a group of new licensed radio operators from our basic amateur radio course. We are now offering students of our basic amateur radio course, who pass the ISED exam and obtain their Canadian callsign the following for just $50:
- A brand new 25-Watt VHF/UHF mobile radio, programming cable, and mag-mount antenna.
- A DC cigarette lighter plug with power pole connection so they can operate in a vehicle or from battery virtually anywhere.
- A one-year OARC membership.
- An OARC name badge.
We will make sure they sign up for a free one-year membership with Radio Amateurs of Canada. The total value of our offer is about $300. This offer is fully funded from our course revenue. We expect this will be a big incentive to attract new members and inspire students to complete our course and get their license.
We will develop and deliver a series of GOTA (get on the air) hands-on workshops to help our new hams become familiar with their new radio. It will include set-up programming and provide opportunities to practice proper operating etiquette. We will help our new hams troubleshoot any challenges that may come up and make sure they feel welcome in our community. We will invite them to our first meeting in January so they can say hello and you can help me welcome them to the club.
Next meeting/social …
Our December 11th member’s meeting is a social event at RAC headquarters from 7 PM to 9 PM. There will be no presentation. This is an in-person event only. We hope to see many of you there for an eyeball QSO and ragchew. We will have Christmas baking, cookies, coffee and cold beverages. If you have not yet been to the newly renovated RAC headquarters, this would be a great time to do so.
Giving back …
Many people in our community need help. Visits to the Ottawa Food Bank network of 100 food programs are now over 556,000 annually. This marks a 90% increase since 2019. We are asking for your help to support the Ottawa Food Bank. When you visit RAC HQ, please bring a non-perishable food item and place it in the box at the door. If you cannot attend in person, please consider making a financial donation to our online Holiday Food Drive which runs until January 17, 2025.
RAC Winter Contest
Thanks to Dave Green and Mike Kelly doing some early planning, we will be back to participating in the RAC Winter Contest on December 28 2024. RAC has decided to host based on the unqualified success of their Canada Day contest this past summer. Lucky participants will be able to operate the new radios at RAC HQ. You can read the rules on the RAC website. If you’re interested in participating as an operator, or logging, or both, then send an email to our RAC Director North/East, Craig Delmage VE3OP/VE3KKU at craig.delmage@rogers.com . Craig will be arranging the schedule. New hams are encouraged to participate and will have an opportunity to both observe experienced contester and get on the air or help out with logging.
Then what?
Our next monthly meeting will be on January 8th, 2025 at RAC HQ. Our meetings will continue to be hybrid so you can attend in person or online. Our presentation topic is AREDN. Stay tuned for details.
On behalf the OARC management team, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
All my best and 73,
Roger Egan VA3EGY
The Prez
Last Updated on 2025-07-31 by Joannadanna