Get on the air with us!
The Ottawa Amateur Radio Club (OARC) maintains Amateur Radio equipment and infrastructure for use by club members and the community in the National Capital Region.
On this page, you’ll find information about the OARC repeaters, the 10m beacon, and how to get technical advice.
OARC Youth Equipment Program
The OARC Youth Equipment Program (YEP) is a radio-equipment loan program that that provides used radio gear to the next generation of Amateur Radio operators. After taking the Club’s Basic Amateur Radio course, many young people earn their certificate with great enthusiasm, only to find that the cost of quality equipment can sometimes be a barrier. Our program ensures that no keen and motivated young amateur is held back by financial limitations.
Click here to learn more about the YEP, including how the program works, and how to donate used equipment and funds.
Repeaters (VE2CRA)
The club has three repeaters (VE2CRA). One is located in the Gatineau hills just north of Ottawa, with a great view and footprint. We have two auxiliary receivers: one in downtown Ottawa and one in Sarsfield, Ontario. See the original tower installation video.
Analog repeaters
VHF: 146.940/146.340 100Hz CTCSS required
UHF: 443.300/448.300 100Hz CTCSS required
Digital repeater
As of 2022 a new DMR digital repeater is on the air.
Frequency: 444.400/449.400
Colour Code: 1Time slot: 1 for BrandMeisterTime slot: 2 Talk Group 6 for the XLX196 Ottawa Valley Reflector
Currently, the repeater is not connected to the Internet. It will only provide local communications using DMR.
Internet Radio Linking Protocol (IRLP)
IRLP Node 2040
146.940/146.340 (VE2CRA)
Code 411 for info
Code 204 for activity
Code 88 for time
The system will not initiate any outgoing connections. It will accept incoming connections.
EchoLink®
Node name is VE2CRA-R
Node number is 810311
146.940/146.340 (VE2CRA)
10 m Beacon (VE3TEN)
The OARC’s 10 m beacon (VE3TEN) is located a few miles south of Ottawa, near the intersection of Century Road and Ontario Highway 416 (the Veterans Memorial Highway).
The beacon operates on 28.175 MHz and the mode is Frequency Shift Keying (FSK). This means that the radio is on at full output at all times but that the transmit frequency is varied by about 700 hz to provide an audio tone shift at the receiver. FSK can be received by a receiver in any mode.
Tuning in the beacon so that it makes sense requires you to tune to 28.175 MHz on CW and read the tone that is there. The spaces between the elements are the higher tone. If that doesn’t work, tune to 28.175.28 MHz on Lower Sideband (LSB) for better results.
Current equipment consists of a rack mount box containing the transmitter, power supply and the identifier unit. The antenna, a Ringo Ranger, is mounted approximately 50 feet above ground level. The output of the transmitter has been turned back to 11-12 watts and a ducted cooling system has been installed to increase the life span of the radio.
Scroll down to see the beacon photo gallery below.
Need technical advice?
Contact Us if you have questions about OARC equipment, including the repeaters, the beacon, OARC activities focused on equipment, or if you need any any technical advice.
Beacon (VE3TEN) photo gallery
Last Updated on 2026-05-01 by Joannadanna