In this issue: A new home, a new night, a new chapter for the OARC; Thank you to the Scouts Canada National Museum; and introducing a series of Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
A New Home, A New Night, A New Chapter for OARC
I hope that many of you are taking the opportunity to take your radio outdoors to operate from a Park or a Campsite or even mobile. Our new DSTAR repeater is starting to see some action. More on that later. And our Field Day was a huge success!! The weather was fantastic. For the most part, the Bands were cooperating. Visitors, volunteers and radio operators all had a great time. The food was fantastic as always and what’s more…our club score was a record! Look for a report by Greg Danylchenko for details on our website.
Looking ahead…
As summer begins to wind down, the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club is preparing for what I believe will be one of the most exciting years in our history.
We have grown tremendously over the past two years. With more members than ever before, new volunteers stepping forward, and many newly licensed amateurs joining our ranks, it is time for us to take another step forward as a club.
A New Meeting Home
Our first announcement is an important one.
Due to the early closure of the Scouts Canada National Museum, we have had to find a new location for our monthly membership meetings. Beginning this September, OARC will now meet at the Bell’s Corners Legion, 4026 Old Richmond Road, Bell’s Corners.
Because of room availability constraints, our meetings will also move to the fourth Monday of every month.
While this change may not be ideal for some, I have heard from a few that they know the Legion from other activities and it is a really great spot. For those who feel it is too far to drive, we will still be offering Hybrid meetings so that you can join us online, however to be able to participate in meeting activities you will have the best experience by joining us in person.
The Bell’s Corners Legion offers everything we were looking for: a welcoming atmosphere, full accessibility, plenty of free parking, excellent audio-visual facilities, and seating for more than 70 members and guests. It’s easy to reach from across Ottawa and provides a comfortable setting for learning, sharing ideas, and enjoying one another’s company before and after our meetings.
There is also something fitting about amateur radio finding a home at the Legion. Communications and signalling have played a vital role throughout Canada’s military history, and generations of amateur radio operators have contributed their knowledge and skills in support of their communities and their country. The Legion also shares another important characteristic with our club—it relies on volunteers and engaged members to remain vibrant and successful. That shared spirit of service makes this partnership feel like a natural fit.
I hope you’ll join us in making the Bell’s Corners Legion our new home.
Thank You to the Scouts Canada National Museum
Before we turn the page to this exciting new chapter, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the staff and volunteers of the Scouts Canada National Museum.
For the past several years, they have generously welcomed the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club into their facility, providing us with an outstanding venue for our monthly meetings, courses and workshops. Their hospitality, flexibility, and support have allowed us to educate, inspire, and connect hundreds of amateur radio operators from across the National Capital Region.
On behalf of our Board of Directors and every OARC member, I extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone at the Museum for sharing their home with us. We are grateful for the friendships we’ve built and for the role they have played in our club’s remarkable growth from 84 members to more than 200 members.
While we are excited about our move to the Bells Corners Legion, we will always appreciate the Scouts Canada National Museum for being such an important part of OARC’s recent history.
Thank you for your friendship and support.
The Next Evolution of OARC
During the summer I’ve had the opportunity to speak with many members and spend some time thinking about where our club should go next.
One message has come through loud and clear.
People don’t just join an amateur radio club to attend a monthly meeting. They join because they want to learn, build, experiment, operate, share experiences, and make lasting friendships with people who enjoy the same aspects of amateur radio.
That realization has inspired what I believe will become one of the most important initiatives our club has ever launched.
This fall we will be introducing a series of Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
Rather than meeting only once a month, these groups will bring members together throughout the year to pursue specific interests through education, hands-on projects, operating activities, field events, and mentoring. Each SIG will give members a chance to learn from one another while accomplishing something tangible together.
Whether your passion is emergency communications, amateur satellites and the International Space Station, MeshCore, Digital Operating modes, HF operating/DX and Contesting, Antenna building, Kit construction, Pico balloons, or another aspect of amateur radio, there will be opportunities to get involved.
These groups won’t replace our monthly meetings—they’ll extend them. They’ll create more opportunities to participate and get hands on with your own and club-owned amateur radio gear, more opportunities to volunteer, and more opportunities to build friendships and community within the club.
Be Part of It
Our September meeting will officially launch this exciting new chapter.
You’ll hear about each Special Interest Group, meet the volunteers who are helping organize them, and have the opportunity to sign up for the groups that interest you.
My challenge to every member is simple:
Join at least one Special Interest Group this year.
Whether you’re newly licensed or have been on the air for decades, you’ll discover something new, meet new people, and help make OARC an even stronger club.
The future of the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club won’t be built by the Board of Directors alone. It will be built by members who decide to get involved, share their knowledge, learn something new, and help others do the same.
The best years in Amateur Radio are still ahead of us together at the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club.
I look forward to welcoming you to our new meeting home at the Bell’s Corners Legion on September 28th at 6:30-6:45pm and to seeing you at what promises to be one of the most exciting September meetings OARC has ever held.
73,
Roger Egan, VA3EGY
President
Last Updated on 2026-08-08 by Joannadanna