[RAC-Bulletin] RAC Appoints New Deputy Director – Alberta/NWT/NU Region



Radio Amateurs of Canada would like to welcome Stephen Lee, VA6SGL, as the Deputy Director for the Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Region. 

RAC Alberta/NWT/NU Director, Ernest Clintberg, VE6EC/VE6ECK, appointed Stephen as Deputy Director on December 1, 2019.

As illustrated in the bio provided below, Stephen has extensive experience in Amateur Radio in Canada and internationally and this includes Emergency Communications.

Stephen’s predecessor was David Gervais, VE6KD, who served as Deputy Director since May 2016. A special thank you goes to David for his support of RAC and the Radio Amateur community. He has always been there to help others, encourage and provide wisdom and this can be attested by Amateurs who know him.

Stephen Lee, VA6SGL CEC

Stephen Lee was first introduced to the wonders of Amateur Radio in 1979 in his hometown of Port Talbot, Wales at a demonstration given at a Scout meeting. During the 1980s, his father obtained his Amateur Radio licence and this gave Stephen further motivation; and early in 1990, while studying for his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at the Polytechnic of Wales, he got his first Amateur Radio licence with the call sign GW7GCD.

While working as an Electrical Consultant, Stephen was offered a position in Canada and he immigrated to Red Deer, Alberta with his wife and daughter in September 2013. Prior to emigrating, he contacted the Central Alberta Amateur Radio Club (CAARC) and he joined the club in November and later won the prize draw at its Annual General Meeting. 

Stephen earned his Basic Qualification Certification in March 2014 and chose the call sign VA6SGL, and he achieved the Advanced Qualification the following year. He has served on the CAARC Executive since November 2014 in several capacities including Secretary, Vice-President, President and Past-President. In addition, he has his Certified Emergency Coordinator (CEC) designation and is currently the Emergency Coordinator for the CAARC and the Red Deer Area.

Stephen’s interests include antenna building and home construction and he enjoys operating on HF and taking in the occasional contest. He lives in Red Deer with his wife Maria, VA6TFL, where he works as an Electrical Engineer. Their three children live in Canada, Germany and New Zealand.

As Deputy Director for Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Stephen is committed to assisting the Director and will put his energy to promoting Radio Amateurs of Canada and advancing the Amateur Radio Service.

Ernest Clintberg, VE6EC/VE6ECK
RAC Director for Alberta/NWT/NU
Alan Griffin
RAC MarCom Director



[RAC-Bulletin] Progress Report from RAC Special Advisor to WRC-19: Week 3.

WRC-19 Update – Week 3 
Bryan Rawlings, VE3QN – RAC Special Advisor
The following is a quick summary of the status of Amateur Radio issues at the end of the third week of the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) taking place here in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Six Metres for ITU Region 1
A proposed allocation for the six-metre band in ITU Region 1 (Europe, Middle East and Africa) is expected to be presented in the coming week for approval. As outlined in my report last week, the proposed allocation would protect all existing six-metre privileges while offering new options to Amateurs throughout the Region. Once approval has been attained, more details will be made available.
Wireless Access Systems in 5 GHz
In 5 GHz, Radio Amateurs have a worldwide secondary allocation in 5650 to 5850 MHz. In Region 2, including Canada, this allocation extends to 5925 MHz. As mentioned in last week’s report, the 5850 to 5925 MHz band segment has been approved as “No Change” from the existing regulations.
The other segment under study which overlaps our 6 cm secondary allocation is 5725 to 5850 MHz. Here discussions which have evaded resolution during four years of study are continuing. The hoped for result would also be “No Change” but, taking note that certain designated countries already have, through footnote, an allocation permitting outdoor use and higher powers, and that the entire segment is also covered by an allocation for Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) operations, it may not be possible to reach a resolution fully satisfactory to the Amateur community.
Agenda for Future Conferences (WRC-23 and WRC-27) – Agenda Item 10
The International Amateur Radio Union continues to carefully follow a proposal by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) to create an agenda item in the 2023 Conference to study the compatibility of the Amateur secondary allocation in 1240 to 1300 MHz with the receivers used with the Galileo RNSS (GPS) system. This arises from an issue of interference – perhaps the only one – between a Galileo Earth station and an Amateur video repeater in Germany. The Amateur community has advocated that this be dealt with through existing ITU processes rather than the four years of study that an agenda item would entail. There has been some support so far for this approach.
Other proposals for WRC-23 items are also being followed. While the early start and debate on Agenda Item 10 are welcome, the volume of proposals and the debate on them have sometimes been overwhelming. Intense activities are taking place as to reach agreed positions in this final week of the Conference.
The signing and closing ceremonies will take place at the end of the coming week. Amateur Radio issues which are still outstanding are all caught up in this final sprint and by the time you read my final report, WRC-19 will be history.  
A word about RAC and DARF:
So as to cover the transportation and living expenses of our delegate, Canadian Amateurs make attendance at WRC’s and their Preparatory Meetings possible through the Defence of Amateur Radio Fund (DARF). Please try to think of this when you renew your RAC membership or if your club has some funds to spare.
Ma’a Salama from WRC-19 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Bryan Rawlings, VE3QN
RAC Special Advisor

[RAC-Bulletin] RAC Appoints New Deputy Community Services Officer

Jason Tremblay, VE3XTA, Deputy CSO

RAC Appoints New Deputy Community Services Officer

For immediate release: Radio Amateurs of Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Tremblay, VA3JXT, as its Deputy Community Services Officer (CSO) effective immediately. Jason recently represented RAC at the International Amateur Radio Union’s General Assembly Emergency Communications Workshop in Lima, Peru (as shown in the photo) and he has extensive Emergency Communications … Continue readingRAC Appoints New Deputy Community Services OfficerRadio Amateurs of Canada