Wishing Everyone the very best in 2021. 2020 presented some challenges that is for sure. Hopefully 2021 will be a safe and prosperous new year for you with lots of good times on your radio. Stay well, Stay safe.

Radio Amateurs of Canada has received the sad news that former RAC President, Farrell Hopwood, VE7RD, became a Silent Key on December 8, 2020 at age 91.

The following information was extracted from the online obituary notice which was published in North Shore News on December 30.

“Farrell worked for BC Tel for many years and was active in St. Stephen’s parish, North Vancouver as well as instrumental in the founding of the Radio Amateurs of Canada.

He is survived by his son David, brother Brendan, sisters Eileen and Deidra, sister-in-law Lee, their spouses and many nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful to the staff of Delta Hospital as well as Wexford Independent Living in Tsawwassen for their care and support. Due to the current Covid restrictions, a celebration of Farrell’s life will be limited to a private Mass with a graveside service to follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated.”

RAC would like to extend its sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Member of Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame 2015

Farrell (Hoppy) Hopwood, VE7RD, was inducted into the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame in 2015 and the information provided below was published in the January-February 2016 issue of The Canadian Amateur magazine in recognition of this significant achievement. We will be including a tribute article to Farrell in the March-April 2021 issue of The Canadian Amateur magazine.

Farrell Hopwood, VE7RD, better known as “Hoppy”, was born and raised in British Columbia. Hoppy’s parents were influential mentors in his early telecommunications career.

His father, Jack, was a telegrapher with Canadian Pacific (CP) Telegraphs; his mother, Mona, was a Teletype operator who worked alongside Jack. Hoppy learned the landline Morse code from his dad.

Hoppy started his telecoms career in Vancouver as a telegraph lineman for CP Telegraphs in 1948 and then transferred to BC Telephone, where he worked his way through maintaining telephone dial offices to long-distance carrier systems in Vancouver.

After the changeover to public distance dialing in 1959, Hoppy was involved with mechanical switching, TD2 microwave and large digital switching networks; and in 1971, formed a Systems Coordination Centre (SCC) to help BC Telephone and other large business users to install new telecom networks. He managed the SCC until he retired in 1992.

In 1955, Hoppy obtained his Amateur Radio licence and his first call sign, VE7AHB. He held a strong interest in all aspects of Amateur Radio, particularly DX, VHF/UHF linking and packet. He was an early member of the Canadian Radio Relay League (CRRL), the Canadian Amateur Radio Federation (CARF), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Telephone Pioneers and the North Shore Amateur Radio Club. He was also a member of the team that created an Amateur Radio station and exhibit at EXPO 86 in Vancouver.

These memberships introduced him to government regulations and the various threats to Amateur Radio bands. This led Hoppy to become an Assistant Director for the Canadian Amateur Radio Federation, followed by Director and Vice-President.

He sought the CARF Presidency on the condition that the CARF Board commit to meet with the CRRL Board to revisit prior discussions with the CRRL to create one national society. Thus began a series of meetings between CARF and CRRL.

Merging the two societies was a complex and delicate process for the whole merger team and when roadblocks occurred it was up to the two Presidents to find a way around.

Hoppy particularly appreciated working with CRRL President Dana Shtun, VE3DSS (now also VE3DS), who shared the vision for a strong national Canadian Amateur Radio society and served as RAC’s first Vice-President.

Hoppy was appointed RAC President and remained in this post for six years. During this period the new RAC team improved services to members and to the Amateur Radio community in Canada. Hoppy retired at the end of 1998 after serving three terms as President.

Hoppy was inducted into the Hall of Fame on December 10, 2015 at the annual banquet of the North Shore Amateur Radio Club in North Vancouver, BC.

Alan Griffin
RAC MarCom Director

The electronic TCA (eTCA) version of the January-February 2021 issue of The Canadian Amateur (TCA) magazine is now available for viewing or download from the RAC website.

The paper version is now being processed by the printer, but it will be delayed as a result of COVID-19 and the holiday season.

Stay tuned to the RAC website for additional information.

To download your copy please make sure you are logged into the RAC website and then visit: https://www.rac.ca/digitaltca/

Alan Griffin
RAC MarCom Director

Given the recent events in Nashville and COVID some vulnerabilities in the communication structure have been exposed. Interestingly COVID has shown the lack of emergency preparedness by citizens in Vancouver and the explosion in Nashville has again identified the vulnerability of emergency communications networks.

Just more reasons for ARES and the ability to respond and assist when and where necessary.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/emergency-planning-pandemic-1.5849717?fbclid=IwAR1rtBU-AflBWPhEjoqxNknaD4JUvqSi6AHU3MDGzHtcTi-oBsKlUPe6k14

https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/12/25/nashville-explosion-communications/amp/

The blast in Nashville has caused an interruption in communications and amateur radio operators are holding nets on various repeater networks. To learn more go to

http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-ares-volunteers-standing-by-to-assist-if-needed-in-wake-of-nashville-blast

You might find the attached article interesting. Kinds of looks at things from space

https://phys.org/news/2020-12-earthlings-astronauts-chat-ham-radio.html

Merry Christmas to all from the Coast Emergency Communications Association. This years COVID Christmas will be different for many. Please act calmly, responsibly and with safety foremost in mind.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all the first responders, medical folks and all others working so hard to keep up safe.

Stay Well Stay Safe.

SSTV Event to Help ARISS Mark 20 Years of Continuous Ham Radio Operation in Space Dec 24 -31 2020

The BC Provincial State of Emergency has been extended until January 5th 2021. The Provincial Health Orders remain in effect until January 8 2021. Please do your part to prevent the spread of COVID

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0068-002134

Register now for our next Basic Amateur Radio course. whether for a modern hobby, emergency preparedness, hiking, off-roading or communications anywhere, without a phone Course starts online Jan 18 or COVID limited classroom Jan 19 @ 6:30pm. Email VA7XB@rac.ca