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Restructuring Amateur Radio in Canada: Embracing Change for the Future

This presentation discusses the state of amateur radio in Canada, highlighting challenges such as an increasing average age of licensees, a decline in new participants, and the risk of losing access to radio spectrum. On the positive side, it explores advancements in technology, like digital communication modes, making ham radio more relevant and exciting. It also looks into successful initiatives, such as the introduction of foundation licenses in the UK and Australia, aimed at attracting youth and revitalizing the ham radio community.

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Restructuring Amateur Radio in Canada: Embracing Change for the Future

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  1. Instructions for Presenters • PLEASE ensure that someone in your group takes notes during the Q&A period at the end of the session, and send your group’s comments and suggestions to Bj Madsen - VE5FX@RAC.ca • Please note that each slide has speakers notes associated with it - on task bar > “view/notes page”; these are intended to guide the presenter. • Before you start, please go to the task bar and select 66% for the slide enlargement. • Finally, please move this instruction page to the back of the “deck” before starting this slide show.

  2. Amateur RadioRestructuringin Canada - planning for the future R. Tait McKenzie Public School, Almonte, Ontario

  3. Age % Calculator

  4. Our Hobby Today • Increasing average age • Silent Key #s increasing • Number of new licensees too small • Downward spiral leading to: • decreased usage of our bands • vulnerable to loss of Amateur Radio spectrum to private sector

  5. On the other Hand - These are Exciting Times • Ham gear: • becoming increasing sophisticated & versatile • base; mobile & portable stations • prices reasonable considering the technology • Digital modes offer exciting possibilities: • PSK31 • effective at 10W or less • AND…..true digital HF radio is actually here • analogue to digital interface by AOR Technologies

  6. Ham Radio is NOT Dead Yet!! • Ham radio is not dying - it is changing • we must change with the times • computer-related technology has expanded our potential for radio communication • IRLP and EchoLink • WinLink and PackLink - HF and VHF Email • Hams continue to provide vital communication links in times of disaster • Amateur Radio is a National Resource!

  7. Around year 2000, a trend study indicated that, if nothing changed, in five years there would no longer be a requirement for Amateur Radio license examinations in the UK. Radio Society of Great Britain Solution

  8. Their solution: the creation of a “radically different” entry-level approach to Amateur Radio in order to bring more people into the hobby - particularly young people. FOUNDATION LICENSE

  9. British Amateur Radio License Intermediate License Foundation License Advanced License A Three-Tiered Approach

  10. Foundation License • Main concern is to avoid interference by new operators

  11. Foundation License • Introduced in January of 2002 • Designed to permit access to Amateur Radio as quickly as possible. • Training is practical • Small amount of radio & electronic theory • Participation in a training course recommended.

  12. Foundation License Course • Taught by experienced Radio Amateurs from local radio clubs • Takes 10 – 12 hours to complete • Followed by a 25 question multiple choice examination + practical • Exam is marked ‘on the spot’ • Re-writes are available if needed

  13. Training: • Attendance at a training course is recommended - where available. • Clubs are typically the source of tutors • Material is written at about a 12-year old level R. Tait McKenzie Public School, Almonte, Ontario

  14. Key Features of the new Foundation License Programme • Tutor guide is available • Clear presentation of content & clearly expressed expectations • Student workbook available for self-study • Requires on-air practice & experience • Can be used as school enrichment • for Science & Technology curriculum

  15. Assessment Method #1: • Practical assessment: • Set up a transmitter/receiver system • Demonstrate on-air operating competency Assessment by registered assessor or tutor

  16. Assessment Method #2 • 25 question multiple-choice exam • Covers remainder of syllabus • Lasts for 45 minutes Exams are marked locally & immediately

  17. License Privileges • Access to all bands from 136 kHz to 440 MHz EXCEPT the 10-m band (28 MHz) • Use of all modes • Maximum power output of 10 Watts • Callsign is M3AAA – M3ZZZ • Upgrade to Intermediate Level is recommended, but not required • Annual license renewal required

  18. Result of Instituting a Foundation License • An initial rush of 1000 new Radio Amateurs was predicted. • During the first three months, there were 3000 new applicants. • By May of 2003, 4000 M3 licenses had been issued in the UK. This represents about 8% of UK Amateurs.

  19. Retention Statistics • In the second year of the Foundation License programme, when renewals were due, fewer than 1% failed to renew. R. Tait McKenzie Public School, Almonte, Ontario

  20. GIBRALTAR • Same problems as identified in the UK • Developed same course as in the UK • Two-part exam – 100% pass rate • 50% increase in new members • Doubled the number of active hams in Gibraltar

  21. What about Australia? • Faced with similar problems to the UK • increasing mean age • declining numbers - in spite of their elimination of the Morse Code requirement

  22. The Australian Solution • Restructuring of the Amateur Radio licensing system • introduction of a Foundation license somewhat similar tothat of the UK • WIA (Wireless Institute of Australia) - similar to RAC in Canada is in charge of accreditation • have over 100 assessors (like our IC Accredited Examiners in Canada) • have over 35 clubs offering training & assessment

  23. What has happened in Australia? • In less than four months • 246 new licensees • 40 new applications for Foundation licenses arriving each week! • Clubs are delighted with the outcome • increased enthusiasm for hobby

  24. How is the Australian Foundation License Structured? • Focus is on the practical rather than the theoretical • strong practical component • assessment both written and practical • candidates must demonstrate capability to perform specific tasks that are specific to: • safe operation of a radio station • correct operation of a radio station

  25. VK Foundation License Details • Access to all Amateur Radio bands • from 80 m through 70 cm EXCEPT for 20 m • Can operate all modes - • AM / FM / SSB / CW (hand keyed only) • Power restricted to 10 W • Unique four-letter call signs - begin with “F” • for example - VK3FACN

  26. And here in Canada ! • Amateur Radio in Canada has a long history of stimulating technology development - i.e. IRLP born in Vancouver • Unfortunately - • numbers of active licensees continue to decline here too; • mean age of active Hams is steadily rising; • club activity falling off across the country

  27. And here in Canada • Nevertheless - Amateur Radio remains an excellent training ground for careers in Science & Technology • Promotion of Amateur Radio to young people just makes sense R. Tait McKenzie Public School, Almonte, Ontario

  28. What is RAC doing ? • February 2006 the RAC Board established • An Advisory Committee on the Restructuring of Amateur Radio in Canada • Members: • Bj. Madsen - VE5FX - Chairman - from Tisdale, Saskatchewan • Jim Anderson - VE6JWA - from Edmonton, Alberta • Brian Jackson - VE6JBJ - from Airdrie Alberta • Neil Carleton - VE3NCE - from Almonte, Ontario • Jim Dean - VE3IQ - from Ottawa, Ontario • Howard Dickson - VE1DHD - from Seabright, Nova Scotia • Earle Smith - VE6NM - RAC’s President, ex officio member

  29. Advisory Committee Objectives • Study the Foundation license concept as it exists in the UK, Gibraltar and in Australia • Consult widely with Canadian Radio Amateurs • Make recommendations to RAC’s Board on how we should proceed in Canada • Should RAC propose to IC an entry level certificate like the Foundation License? • If so, how should it be done and what would it look like? • Would the Amateur Radio licensing process require other changes as well?

  30. RAC Needs Your Input ! • Meetings like this are intended to provide Radio Amateurs with an opportunity to have input - both RAC members and non-members alike • RAC will host a web-based questionnaire for all to use and comment • Copy of this presentation is available on line for down-loading.

  31. What Next in Canada? • Clear that something needs to be done here too in order to turn the numbers around…..BUT • Is this Foundation license the way to go in Canada? • Potential concerns - • getting out of step with the United States • is HF access at this level practical? • policing the 10W power limit • time limits on Foundation License

  32. What would you like to see happen in Canada? • Questions that need to be answered: • Do we need to do anything at all? • Could a Foundation-like license be made to work in a Canadian environment? • If a Foundation-like license were introduced • what would/should it look like • what changes would need to be made to the current Basic and Advanced license structure? • What are your thoughts?

  33. The End

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