Ever wonder what ham radio is all about ? How about one theory of where the term ham came from ? For these answers and more information go to

http://www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio

The winter weather in North America has been the topic of much conversation of late. If all this weather isn’t enough to make you work on you and the families emergency preparedness plans perhaps it would be helpful to read the article noted below. The reality is we need to be prepared. ARES units need to be ready to respond. If you are an ARES member you need to ensure your family is properly looked after before you respond. Planning will assist you with the ability to respond promptly.

http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/threat-level-of-alaska-volcano-upgraded/article_f63476c0-7412-11e3-8e6d-0019bb30f31a.html

Neil King,VA7DX & Assistant BC/Yukon Section Manager, and Steve Wright,VE7CT will be taking part in the Amsterdam Island DXpedition. For information on this adventure go to  http://www.amsterdamdx.org/

Date/Time: 1600z Feb 1 to 0400z Feb 2.

Objective: BC stations can contact anyone anywhere, while stations
outside BC must catch the attention of BC stations.

Rules, exchange and multipliers, as well as helpful hints and a
schedule of same-day events (to capitalize on QSO potential) can be
accessed from the BCQP homepage on the Orca DXCC website.
Visit http://orcadxcc.org/bcqp.html.

In BCQP 2013, more than 140 VE7/VA7s got on the air and more Continue reading British Columbia QSO Party 2014 less than a month away →

This article was originally printed last April. I don’t think much has changed in  the interim and the article still makes some valid points

Those involved in emergency communications have long expressed concern about social media, both the good and bad.  The issue of bad is one that has risen lately. The article below is an example.  It once again demonstrates the need for accurate and timely information. This sometimes requires the ability to quickly react. Can your ARES unit react quickly enough to assist your Public Information Officer or Incident Commander ? Just some questions that need to be discussed during training sessions, BEFORE the incident occurs.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/23/tech/social-media/tweet-ripple-effect/index.html?hpt=hp_c3

It has been announced that VE6SH, in additon to be IARU President has now been appointed as Queens Counsel in Alberta…. and you thought you were busy !  Congratulations to Mr. Ellam. For more information on the appointment and the history of Queens Counsel go to

http://www.arrl.org/news/iaru-president-appointed-queen-s-counsel-in-alberta

In the latest issue of TCA we have three articles written by hams in the section.

John White, VA7WJ, wrote an article on Coaxial Lightning Arrestors

Dave Dickinson, VE7SST, wrote an article on the ARRL PIC Programming Kit

Erik Skovgaard ,VE7MDL, wrote an article on Broadband Receive Antennas.

Thanks gentlemen for your contributions

Today in 1959  Alaska became the 49th State. To read about the multi-year  process go to    http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2014/01/happy-statehood-birthday-alaska/,

We’re glad you are our neighbour, have a great day

The sun has reversed its magnetic poles marking the middle of the current solar cycle. To find out more go to  http://rt.com/news/sun-upside-down-flip-990/

The site below will take you to an interesting article on amateur radio and emergency communications in Wales.  They too seem to be short of members and are looking for more. They have some interesting qualifications and procedures too. To read the article go to

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/10904198.Gwent_radio_hams_ready_to_help_in_emergency/?ref=rss