Radio Amateurs of Canada
 | |
| Abbreviation | RAC |
|---|---|
| Motto | "We're ALL about Amateur Radio! Tous ensemble pour la radioamateur!" |
| Formation | 1993 |
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Purpose | Advocacy, Education |
| Headquarters |
Ottawa, ON |
Region served | Canada |
Official language | English and French |
President | Geoff Bawden |
Main organ | The Canadian Amateur |
| Affiliations | International Amateur Radio Union |
Staff | 2 |
| Website | www.rac.ca |
Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), known in French as Radio Amateurs du Canada, is a member-based, non-profit organization of amateur radio enthusiasts in Canada. The RAC represents the interests of amateur radio operators before Canadian governmental regulatory bodies, provides technical advice and assistance to amateur radio enthusiasts, and supports a number of educational programs throughout the country. The organization publishes a bimonthly magazine distributed to members called The Canadian Amateur. Radio Amateurs of Canada is the national member society representing Canada in the International Amateur Radio Union.[1]
History
- 1967 — Canadian Amateur Radio Federation (CARF) formed
- 1979 — Canadian Radio Relay League (CRRL) formed out of the Canadian Division of the American Radio Relay League.
- 1993 — Merger of Canadian Radio Relay League with Canadian Amateur Radio Federation to form Radio Amateurs of Canada, Inc.
Regulatory advocacy
A primary purpose of the Radio Amateurs of Canada is regulatory advocacy. The RAC represents and acts as a liaison and coordinating body for amateur radio enthusiasts and local clubs throughout Canada. The RAC represents Canadian radio amateurs in policy decisions regarding international issues and regulation that affect amateur radio within the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and at meetings and conferences of the International Amateur Radio Union.[2] The organization also acts as a consultatory body to municipal, provincial, and federal government bodies in matters concerning the Amateur Radio Service.[3]
Services
The Radio Amateur of Canada offers programs and publications to "promote excellence, the state of the art, and the interests of amateur radio's many varied activities".[4] The RAC maintains a Field Organization for public service. Radio Amateurs of Canada also has a Youth Education Program to encourage use of amateur radio in schools across Canada, as a way to promote science and technology education. RAC offers technical and some financial assistance through this program.
Emergency services
Canadian amateur radio operators also provide emergency communications through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service organized in Canada by the Radio Amateurs of Canada.[5] The RAC has an understanding with The Canadian Red Cross Society to assist with communications in the event of an emergency or disaster.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ "Iaruweb:". Iaru.org. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
- ↑ Petersen, J.K. (2002) The Telecommunications Illustrated Dictionary, Second Edition, CRC Press, ISBN 978-0-8493-1173-4, p. 777
- ↑ "Recommendations from Radio Amateurs of Canada to Industry Canada Concerning Morse Code and Related Matters". Ic.gc.ca. 2010-05-18. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
- ↑ "The Objectives of Radio Amateurs of Canada". Rac.ca. 2010-12-29. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
- ↑ "Amateur Radio Emergency Service". Rac.ca. 2010-12-29. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
- ↑ McDougall, Allan & Radvanovsky, Robert (2008) Transportation Systems Security, CRC Press, ISBN 978-1-4200-6378-3, p. 223-226
