Welcome to the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club! We are a welcoming community of Amateur Radio enthusiasts who share a passion for communication, exploration, and learning.

Whether you are a seasoned Amateur Radio operator (a “ham”) or just getting started, we embrace members from all backgrounds and experiences. Here, everyone is valued for their unique perspective and love for the hobby. Join us as we connect, learn, and grow together, fostering a supportive environment where all voices—both on air and off—are heard and respected. We are excited to have you with us!
Join the OARC
This button takes you to Zeffy, the secure, Canadian online payment system. Learn more1.
Renewing your membership
The easiest and best way to renew your OARC membership is to wait for our membership-renewal reminder email, which you will receive 30 days before your membership expires. Then, just follow the instructions in that email. Learn more by reading our membership FAQs below.
Membership fees and discounts
An individual OARC membership is $25 and is valid for 12 months from your date of payment. We offer discounted memberships for youth, families and new hams. Please email membership@oarc.net for a discount code.
Discount type | Description | Discounted fee |
---|---|---|
Family | Two or more people at the same address | $30 CAD |
Youth | Under 19 years old | $15 CAD |
New hams | Free the year you pass your exam | $1* CAD |
* New hams are entitled to a one-year free membership, but we need to charge a nominal $1 fee for Zeffy to register you as a member.
Do members get the OARC newsletter?
We do not automatically subscribe you to our newsletter so click here to visit the OARC Newsletter page where you can subscribe and see past issues.
How are my membership fees used?
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.
You will receive a reminder when your membership is about to expire. Membership fees are subject to change at any time. If you have any questions, please contact membership@oarc.net.
At the OARC, we love our name tags!
Name tags make it easier to meet people and start conversations—no awkward “What was your name again?” moments. They help everyone feel more included, especially at bigger events or when there are new faces.
Name tags are simple, friendly, and super helpful for building a stronger club community. Please wear your OARC name tag at all OARC Club activities and Community Events, or if you are taking an OARC course, or participating in a workshop.
For more information about getting a name tag, please click the FAQ below: How do I get an OARC name tag?
Membership FAQs
- The OARC uses Zeffy to manage membership and other payments. Zeffy is a secure, zero-fee Canadian online payment system for non-profit organizations. It provides maximum security for you as none of your membership or payment details are kept on the OARC website. You will be asked for a donation to Zeffy, but this is optional. Whether you donate or not, OARC is not charged a fee. ↩︎
Last Updated on 2025-09-25 by Joannadanna