TRAINING / CERTIFICATION
Past and Upcoming Training Events
NARC ran a basic course which finished on May 14th, 2023 and graduated 6 new ham radio operators. An advanced course finished on 30 April 2023 graduating 6 new advanced qualification club members. The next basic and advanced courses will be starting sometime after Labour Day weekend
A one-day analog handheld programming workshop is planned which will be geared towards helping new ham radio operators. Students will need to bring their handheld, manual, and preferably a programming cable and a laptop.
Individual workshops for Digital FM modes (D-Star, Yaesu System Fusion, DMR) are planned, where students will need a handheld in their chosen digital mode, as well as a programming cable, laptop, and manual.
For any workshops, there will be no fee for NARC members and a nominal fee for non-members.
Anyone with interest in these learning workshops should submit a contact request directed towards training.
Amateur Radio in Canada
In Canada, Amateur Radio is regulated by the federal government, specifically Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (formerly Industry Canada). A step-by-step guide on becoming an Amateur can be found on their website at: https://www.ic.gc.ca /eic/site/icgc.nsf/eng/h_07048.html#ic-subnav-2-
While you may think Amateur Radio operators in Canada are not licensed. Rather ..
In some countries other than Canada, the Amateur Radio is a license. In Canada, it is called an Amateur Radio Certificate. To become a radio amateur you will need to get a certificate. Certification requirements are different in every country with different rules, privileges, and classes of certificate. Basically different levels of certificates gives different privileges on the ham bands. The more challenging the license requirements the more privileges that are granted and the more interesting and enjoyable ham radio becomes.
About Amateur Radio Certificates
NARC can help you get your Amateur Radio Certificate by offering both Basic and Advanced level classes at various times throughout the year.
To earn your certificate with Basic Qualification, you’ll need to pass a written exam. This is a 70% pass-grade, 100-question multiple-choice test, covering such topics as radio operating practices, basic electrical theory, and the Radio communication regulations that apply to Amateur Radio. A mark of 80% or more gives the candidate the additional privileges of Basic Qualification with honours which grants HF privileges. You can order your own manual if going solo but for the course, we have them in stock.
Candidates for the Advanced Qualification must pass a 70% pass-grade, 50-question multiple-choice examination covering electrical theory primarily related to the additional privileges granted to holders of the Advanced Qualification.
NARC offers both the Basic and Advanced Course when there is a large enough class size. Contact the training director at: training@narc.net.
1. Basic:
To qualify one must pass the basic exam with a minimum mark of 70% . This only allows the use of VHF and UHF frequencies on the HAM bands above 30 MHz using all modes.
2. Basic with Honors:
To qualify one must pass the basic exam with a pass mark of 80% or greater. This allows the use of all frequencies in the HF, VHF and UHF on the HAM bands using all modes.
3. Advanced:
To qualify one must pass the advanced exam with a pass mark of 70% or greater. This allows the use of all frequencies. As well, one can transmit on up to 1,000 watts of power, can build and set up equipment, sponsor a repeater & use remote stations (like VE6LRN). Basic certificate is required before getting an advanced certificate.
4. Morse Code:
To qualify, one must pass the Morse Code exam with 5 words per minute or greater for the entry level. This allows the use of all frequencies assigned to CW (Continues Wave). The American Radio Relay League has an excellent on-the-air CW practise with schedule here. As a NARC club member, we have 2 short wave (HF band) receivers which can be signed out for you to setup a HF receive station to study ARRL's code practise sessions. If you can't or don't want to setup a station, you can download the mp3 files for studying here.
Here are some great links like this presentation then CW training here and CW Academy
Resources to Pass Your Exam
If you have self-studied and think you are ready to take any of the exams, here are the suggested steps to follow to successfully pass:
Step 1a: For Basic, go to: https://apc-cap.ic.gc.ca/pls/apc_anon/apeg_practice.practice_form for the online practice exam. You can also go to: https://apc-cap.ic.gc.ca/pls/apc_anon/apeg_print.basic_exam and download a paper copy of a practice exam – ensure you download all three files.
OR
Step 1b: For Advanced, go to: https://apc-cap.ic.gc.ca/pls/apc_anon/apeg_practice.practice_form?p_level_id=1 for the online practice exam. You can also go to: https://apc-cap.ic.gc.ca/pls/apc_anon/apeg_print.advanced_exam and download a paper copy of a practice exam – ensure you download all three files.
Step 2: Take one practice exam per day. Once you have passed 6 to 8 exams in a row, you are ready and have an excellent chance of passing the written exam. The recommended score to meet or beat on either exam is 80%.
Step 3: Book an exam date with one of our accredited ISED examiners by contacting us here. Other examiners are available too and the current list of locally available examiners in Alberta can be found here: https://apc-cap.ic.gc.ca/pls/apc_anon/query_examiner_amat$examiner.querylist. Or you can book an exam with a Government of Canada Radio Examiner.
Online resources
The Cold Lake Amateur Radio Society (CLARS) offers video training on their web site.
http://clares.ca/va6hal%20training.html
Excellent smartphone apps are made by Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC). Google Android has "Amateur Radio RAC Basic Exam". Yes, there is also an advanced one for once you pass your basic qualification. On the Apple App store, there is a similar one called Amateur Radio Exam Canada, which is partly free but seems better as it records your progress.
To find an Edmonton area examiner, go to the ISED Canada website. For locations, mix it up with Strathcona County, St. Albert, etc.
https://apc-cap.ic.gc.ca/pls/apc_anon/query_examiner_amat$.startup