To celebrate World Amateur Radio Day in Ottawa on April 18, 2025, the OARC and West Carleton Disaster Relief partnered to demonstrate how Amateur Radio can be used to connect communities together, especially during an emergency or disaster.
Many members got involved in our joint event with West Carleton Disaster Relief for World Amateur Radio Day in Ottawa. It was a day of active radio communications! From roughly 10:00am to 2:00pm, there was steady foot traffic at all three locations: Constance and Buckham’s Bay Community Centre, West Carleton Client Service Centre, and Huntley Community Centre.
Members showed up in person with their mobile and portable stations to show community members how they work. A few non-hams seized the opportunity to Get on The Air (GOTA) under the supervision of a certified Amateur Radio operator.
The day saw plenty of on-air contacts as well, using the OARC VE2CRA repeater. We heard from Radio Amateur of Canada (RAC) headquarters (VE3RHQ) and the Scouts Canada National Museum (VE3SHQ), and the Diefenbunker (VE3CWM). We also heard from individual operators from their homes (as far away as Perth, Ontario) and from their vehicles.
Local media coverage (West Carleton Online & Your Community Voice)
The Mayor’s Proclamation
The Ottawa Amateur Radio community is very grateful for the boost from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe’s proclamation of April 18, 2025 to be World Amateur Radio Day in Ottawa! You can read the proclamation below.
Celebrating World Amateur Radio Day worldwide
Every year on April 18th, Ottawa Amateur Radio operators join others worldwide in celebrating World Amateur Radio Day, taking to the airwaves in celebration of amateur radio and commemorating the formation of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) on April 18, 1925. This year is the IARU’s 100th anniversary and the theme for the day is “Entering the Next Century of Amateur Radio Communications & Innovation”.
Last Updated on 2025-04-19 by Joannadanna