Category Archives: Emergency Communications

Ham Radio Thwarts Zombie Apocalypse

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Central Toronto Amateur Radio Club VA3CTA course class Toronto ham zombie apocalypse disaster training preparedness license

Learning to use Amateur Radio can help people prepare for any disaster, including a Zombie Apocalypse. Photo credit: Daniel Hollister – http://www.thatzombiephoto.com

The threat of a zombie pandemic, commonly known as a zombie apocalypse, is ever present in today’s world of widespread genetic engineering and frequent international travel. Fortunately, Amateur Radio can help minimize the impact of such a catastrophe and as such, the Central Toronto Amateur Radio Club (aka CenTor) will be offering an Amateur Radio licensing course starting May 1, 2013.
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CenTor ARC 2012 Field Day Event: Live on VA3XPR, June 23 – 24:

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VA3XPR VE3CTA Field Day Toronto Ham Radio Amateur Ian Shaw VE3IJS VA3JE John Evelyn 2010 Emergency Communications CenTor ARC Club

Amateur Radio operators John Evelyn, VA3JE (left) and Ian Shaw, VE3IJS (right) during Field Day, June 2010. Photo courtesy of Ward Kennedy, VE3WGK

Please note that the VA3XPR repeater will be the designated talk-in frequency for the CenTor ARC 2012 Field Day event on June 23rd & 24th. Details about this event are outlined below.

 

Ham Radio All Talk in Times of Crisis

Despite the prevalence of the Internet, Amateur Radio has never failed as a lifeline during times of crisis. To demonstrate this capability, the Central Toronto Amateur Radio Club (aka CenTor) is conducting an Amateur Radio emergency preparedness exercise on June 23 – 24, 2012, which will be open to the public. Continue reading →

Emergency Communications and the International Repeater Group

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Crabbe Mountain IRG International Repeater Group New Brusnwick VE1PD VA3XPR amateur radio ham

The VE1PD Crabbe Mountain IRG Repeater Site

April 21, 2012 – VA3XPR Global 360 Net

Guest Speaker: Al Thurber, VE1AKT, President, International Repeater Group

Overview: Providing emergency communications using linked amateur radio repeaters can be a very effective method of communicating information between disparate areas during times of emergency or natural disaster. The International Repeater Group (IRG), in conjunction with the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NBEMO), operates a network of 23 linked amateur radio repeaters across the province of New Brunswick, to provide a comprehensive back-up communications network to those used by public safety and emergency services.

Please join in to the VA3XPR Global 360 Net where our guest speaker Al Thurber, VE1AKT, President of the International Repeater Group, will provide an overview of this network and the IRG’s partnership with the NBEMO, plus provide an update on recent activities, such as the preparations for the recommissioning of NB Power’s Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.

The net details are below:

Date: April 21, 2012
Time: 14:00 UTC
RF (Toronto Area): 441.950+ PL 100 Hz (VA3XPR)
IRLP Reflector: 9558
EchoLink Conference: *VK3JED* (42840)

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Severe Weather Reporting in Canada

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CANWARN severe weather canada amateur radio ontario toronto ham repeater VA3XPR

CANWARN

March 10, 2012 – VA3XPR Global 360 Net

Guest Speaker: Ward Kennedy, VE3WGK, CANWARN Volunteer, Ontario Region

Overview: Since severe weather is no a stranger to Canada, Environment Canada, in partnership with the Amateur Radio community, created CANWARN, which is a network of volunteers who report severe weather nationally using Amateur Radio. Please join in to the VA3XPR Global 360 Net where our guest speaker Ward Kennedy, VE3WGK, CANWARN Volunteer, Ontario Region, will provide an overview of the CANWARN organization and how it is helping to keep Canadians safe by reporting severe weather when it happens.

 

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Amateur Radio and the Tuscaloosa Tornado Experience

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Richard Ranson KD9Q amateur radio university alabama senior broadcast engineer ham

Richard Ranson, KD9Q

March 3, 2012 - VA3XPR Global 360 Net

Guest Speaker: Richard Ranson, KD9Q, Senior Broadcast Engineer, University of Alabama

Overview: On April 27, 2011, a large tornado tracked across Tuscaloosa County, Alamaba, including the southern and eastern portions of the city of Tuscaloosa. Join in to the VA3XPR Global 360 Net to hear a firsthand account from our guest speaker Richard Ranson, KD9Q, on how Amateur Radio provided vital emergency communications during this natural disaster.

RSVP: Click here (registration not required)

 

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