Passing the amateur radio exam teaches technical knowledge and regulations, but real confidence comes from practice, asking questions, making mistakes, receiving support, and simply getting on the air.
Category: Columnists
2026-10-01 mk’s Words – October 2026
September brought hamfest exams, missed events, communications exercises, audio difficulties at the OARC monthly meeting, and a new ham’s first CW QSO. This month, we are looking ahead to JOTA October 16-18.
2026-10-01 Ralph’s Technical Trawl – October 2026
Antenna gain does not amplify power; it measures how effectively an antenna concentrates RF energy in particular directions, with narrower beams producing greater directional gain on transmit and receive.
2026-09-04 The Prez Sez – September 2026
In this issue: NEW DAY AND LOCATION of OARC Monthly Meetings: 4th Monday of the month at 4026 Old Richmond Road (Bell’s Corners). Next meeting is Mon. Sept. 28 and, on the agenda: Launch of the OARC’s new Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
2026-09-02 Ralph’s Technical Trawl – September 2026
End-fed long-wire antennas offer excellent multi-band performance with simple construction. The real challenge is getting wire into a tall tree, where a slingshot and fishing line can help.
2026-09-04 mk’s Words – September 2026
September brings a whirlwind of Amateur Radio activity: a new meeting day and location, a flood of exams, Carp Hamfest, VHF contest, Pot Lid Net, and Radio in the Park.
2026-09-03 The New Ham – September 2026
Getting your Amateur Radio licence is only the beginning. The real adventure comes from experimenting, meeting other hams, discovering new interests, and learning as you go.
2026-08-08 The Prez Sez – August 2026
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).
2026-08-07 The New Ham: the Adventure Begins
I volunteered to write this column – The New Ham – for other beginners like me: the curious, those studying for their amateur radio licence, newly licensed operators wondering what to do next, and anyone who’s looked at a radio covered in buttons and thought, “Where do I even start?”
2026-08-04 Ralph’s Technical Trawl – August 2026
Summer is a good time to do a little myth busting about the topic hams love to chat about; Voltage Standing Wave Ratio, VSWR, often abbreviated as SWR. This month’s column was inspired by the articles written by Walter Maxwell, W2DU (SK).