On this page, you’ll find answers to some frequently asked questions about Amateur Radio, about OARC Membership, and about OARC Activities.
Amateur Radio FAQs
Amateur Radio (also known as ham radio) is an increasingly popular radio-communication service that uses the radio-frequency spectrum for non-commercial, person-to-person voice and other communication. Amateur Radio offers an invaluable way to stay connected without reliance on the Internet, cell network or satellites during emergencies and natural disasters. Amateur Radio operators also provide radio-communications support as a public service at community events such as ski and bicycle marathons.
To become an Amateur Radio operator in Canada, you must pass the examination for Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification with a mark of 70% or greater. This exam is governed by the federal department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED).
The OARC Basic course prepares you to write the exam. The course covers all 100 Basic exam topics over 12 weeks. All course materials are provided. Learn more about OARC courses, workshops, and exam administration on our Education page and watch the online OARC calendar to register for specific educational offerings.
Membership FAQs
Yes, you can pay for your OARC membership online. The OARC uses Zeffy, a secure, zero-fee, Canadian online payment system for non-profit organizations. When you pay, you will be asked for a donation to Zeffy, but this is optional. Whether you donate or not, OARC is not charged a fee.
To pay for a new membership, click this link. To renew an existing membership, please wait to receive our membership-renewal reminder email, which you’ll receive 30 days before your membership expires. Then, just follow the instructions in that email.
To renew an existing membership, please wait to receive our membership-renewal reminder email, which you will receive 30 days before your membership expires. Then, just follow the instructions in that email.
There are three ways to know when your OARC membership is expiring:
1. A reminder email will be sent to you.
Thirty (30) days before your membership expires, you will receive our membership-renewal reminder email saying your membership will expire in a month. This email will go to the email address you used when you paid for your membership. You will receive this reminder even if you have enabled automatic renewal.
2. Download your membership card, which has your expiry date. There are two ways:
Click the “Download membership card” button in the email you received when you paid. The email has the subject line “OARC Membership”.
Click this link to “activate” your Zeffy account, using the same email address you used to pay for your membership. Once inside your Zeffy account, you’ll see your OARC membership payment on the transaction list. Click “download e-ticket” to see your membership card.
3. Click this link to Contact Us
We will check our records and let you know your membership expiry date.
You can check if you set up automatic renewal – and make changes – in three ways:
1. Your membership-renewal reminder email will state if you set up automatic renewal.
Thirty (30) days before your membership expires, you will receive our membership-renewal reminder email saying your membership will expire in a month. If you set up automatic renewal, the email will also confirm that your card will be charged in a month. The message will include a link to make changes, if needed. This email will go to the email address you used when you paid for your membership.
2. Your payment-confirmation email will state if you set up automatic renewal.
The email you received when you paid for your membership will indicate if you set up automatic renewal. The email has the subject line “OARC Membership” and, if you set up automatic renewal, inside it will say “This is an annual recurring payment….”. This email contains a link to make changes, if needed.
3. Your Zeffy account will state if you set up automatic renewal.
Click this link to “activate” your Zeffy account, using the same email address you used to pay for your membership. Once inside your Zeffy account, you’ll see your OARC membership payment on the transaction list. The button with the word “Yearly” on it indicates that you have set up automatic renewal. Click the “Yearly” button to make changes, if needed.
Yes, if you added a donation to Zeffy to your previous membership purchase, and you also set up automatic renewal, the donation will be included in the recurring payment.
If you prefer not to make this additional donation to Zeffy, you can cancel and re-establish your automatic renewal. One way is to use the link in the membership-renewal reminder email you will receive 30 days before your membership expires. Another way is by activating your Zeffy account, using the same email address you used to pay for your membership.
- All current OARC members should have their name tag already.
- If your name tag was lost or damaged, you can order a replacement for $20 by clicking: Order an OARC name tag. This link takes you to Zeffy, our online payment system.
New hams (having passed the ISED exam within the past 12 months) are eligible for a FREE one-year OARC membership (value: $25) and FREE name tag (value: $20). New hams can contact membership@oarc.net for a discount code, then follow these two steps (these are two separate transactions):
- Click Join the OARC and use the discount code to get your FREE one-year OARC membership.
- Next year, 30 days before your OARC membership expires, you will receive a reminder email with a link to pay for your next membership.
- You will have the option to set up automatic renewal at that time and we hope you will. Automatic renewal lessens the administrative burden on you and on the Club.
- Click Order an OARC name tag and use the same discount code to get your free name tag. You will be asked to enter your call sign and your first name, as you would like them to appear on your name tag.
Your annual membership fee goes towards the following types of expenses:
- Maintenance and upgrades of OARC radio-communications equipment, including repeaters and antennas, radios, tools, kits, and go kits;
- Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) insurance, which protects you from liability during club events and when you are operating on your own at home or out and about (some conditions apply) Note: Only members in good standing are covered by RAC insurance;
- Monthly club meeting expenses such as room rental, audio-visual technology, refreshments; and
- IT and web expenses, such as web hosting and maintenance.
OARC Activities FAQs
The OARC online calendar and the OARC newsletter are the two best ways to keep up to date on OARC activities, courses and workshops.
The online calendar is visible on every page of the OARC website. You can also click OARC Calendar to view the calendar as a list.
You can also subscribe to the calendar to have all items appear directly in your calendar (click the “Subscribe to Calendar” at the bottom right of the page). And you can add individual events to your calendar by clicking the “Add to calendar” button inside each event.
Subscribe to the OARC Newsletter to receive news and views of the OARC twice a month. You can also explore past newsletters on that same page.
If you still have questions, click this link to Contact Us
Last Updated on 2026-04-11 by Joannadanna