313 Year Anniversary of Cascadia Fault Earthquake and Tsunami Observed
SEATTLE — January 26, 1700 is when an estimated magnitude 9.0 megathrust earthquake and tsunami occurred on the Cascadia Subduction Zone off the coastline of Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and British Columbia Continue reading WHY WE NEED TO PREPARE – A LITTLE HISTORY →

The BC Distracted Diver Legislation was very kind to amateur radio operators in that we were given a permanent exemption from this legislation. HOWEVER  to be exempt you must have a fixed mobile unit in your vehicle.  Hand held radios even if connected to an external antenna  ARE NOT EXEMPT. In other words you can get a ticket if you are found to be using your handheld while driving.

The Society for the Preservation of Amateur Radio will hold their annual Winter Field Day Contest on January 26/27 2013. The purpose of this event is to encourage Emergency Preparedness in the Winter.

For contest details go to    http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=11942

For the SPAR home page go to http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=11942

Do you need help putting a grab and go kit together? Emergency Management British Columbia has some information that will help.  Keep in mind to be effective your kit needs to contain personal information so you will need to protect it.  For suggestions go to

embc.gov.bc.ca/em/hazard_preparedness/grab&go.pdf

The website below lists the National HF Emergency Frequencies

https://www.rac.ca/en/rac/public-service/ares/frequencies/

Do you know the difference between a Tsunami Warning, a Tsunai Watch and a Tsunami Advisory? There are critical differences between these levels of warnings.  The response level varies for each category. To learn the definitions of each go to

Click to access HAZARDS%20AND%20THREATS%20-%20TSUNAMI%20TERMINOLOGY%20AND%20DEFINITIONS.pdf

Below is the RAC Bulletin on the changes to the Contraventions Act.  It may be a good idea to carry a copy  of your amateur certificate of proficiency  with you. Remember in BC if you have ham plates on a motor vehicle you must be a licenced ham and you may need to prove it. Check your vehicle registration for the requirements

RAC Bulletin 2012-072E – Regulations Amending the Contraventions Regulations
2012-12-22

There has been an announcement in the Canada Gazette as to changes in the Contraventions regulations concerning the enforcement of the Radiocommunication Regulations.

These changes will allow peace officers including Municipal, Provincial and RCMP police officers to issue tickets for certain offences under the Radiocommunication Regulations.

The changes may be seen at:

<http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2012/2012-11-21/html/sor-dors236-eng.html>

Radio Amateurs of Canada is the national voice for Amateur Radio in Canada. Our efforts not only promote the Amateur Radio Service but protect it from regulatory interference that may lead to less capability to provide emergency communications. Not already a RAC member? Why not join today at www.rac.ca and find out about the many benefits our members enjoy across the country and the world beyond.

Bill Gade, VE4WO
Regulatory Affairs

The IARU has now released all frequencies used in the Philippine storm event.   For full details go to

http://www.iaru-r1.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1103:another-storm-disaster-ends-in-the-philippines&catid=48:emcom&

7.09MHz is the frequency in use by Philippines ham operators. Please ensure you keep the frequency clear until the emergency is over.  For full details go to

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/december2012/philippines_activates_emergency_net.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#.UNnv

The aftershocks continue in Haida Gwaii with a Magnitude 5.0 reported at 0528 UTC Dec 6th 2012. The location was 50 kmsouth west of Sandspit. This is the same area where the Magnitude 7.7 struck several weeks ago.. There is NO Tsunami warning and no reported injuries or damage.  Representatives from several universities and Natural Resources Canada continue their research in the area.   This is yet another reminder to be prepared.  ARES units are you ready to assist if required ?