I am so happy I found your channel! My dad was a huge radio amateur, and he spent years and years of his life among radios, building his own antennas, etc. I really want to learn more about this hobby, and I am looking forward to obtaining my license soon. I live in Hamilton, ON. Thanks for the great tips and suggestions.
Hi Darryl and welcome to the hobby. I've been involved in Ham Radio for almost 60 years now. I got interested when my dad (VE3FWR - SK) got his ticket back in the 70s and we joined the Skywide Amateur Radio Club in Toronto. Since you live on an island there might not be a club near you but I'd encourage you to join one in your region regardless. Our club in Oakville Ontarion no longer meets in person due to COVID-19 so we have an online weekly meeting on Saturdays with members and friends from California, BC, AB and Bogata. The importance of hanging out with older club members is you'll be subjected to a wealth of knowledge and guidance on how to get the most out of your hobby. And BTW you're going about it in a way which you'll likely find very productive and interesting. Experimentation is the name of the game. And your right about contesting and antennas as that's what I do a lot. If you haven't already invested in some reading resources allow me to highly recommend getting the ARRL Handbook, the ARRL Antenna Handbook (and when you super interested in learning how to get on the low bands with a killer signal ON4UN's excellent Low-Band DXing book), the ARRL RFI book and finally the ARRL Grounding and Bonding book. With the basic exams not as technical as in the past newcomers to Ham Radio can get a ticket and get on the air without a lot of knowlege and skills. But that's the way it's always been even when we had to draw out schematics of receivers and transmitters to pass. When it comes to clubs and organizations I'm a member of the Oakville ARC, Radio Amateurs of Canada where I served on the executive, the ARRL and Contest Club Ontario and even after all this time I too am still learning. Have fun and keep up the videos as sharing your journey will be very helpful for new guys.
Hey Peter! Thanks for the welcome! I definitely came across an opportunity (covid-19) to have the time to take the class and I was extremely fortunate that the Instructor I had was passionate about the hobby and went well above and beyond the "testing material". I think his passion definitely inspired me. If I had just learned the rules and regs to pass the test, I probably wouldn't be as passionate about as I am! And fortunately there are several active regional clubs on the Vancouver Island, these clubs work together to help maintain the "island trunk" repeater system and have daily and weekly nets covering topics of "wellness" to your usual "emergency service" nets and more. I was blown away, it was like I stumbled into a world I had no idea existed! And yes, all of our in person meetings have been suspended as well, hopefully soon we will start having safe meetings. (our island has only 1 known active covid case currently). And the aim of my videos are definitely to help promote the hobby to new comers as I couldn't find a lot of videos from a Canadian perspective so I thought I would try and do my part to promote and secure the future of our hobby!! Thanks for the comment! 73's
Living on the island and being an outdoor enthusiast and with little to no cell coverage, the ham Radio seems to be the way for me. Thanks for doing these video's while being Canadian helps in the knowledge/laws in Canada.
We do a lot of fishing way up North where there is no service. I have another RUclipsr friend who does the competitions (he's in Minnesota). The idea is for obvious emergency reasons and also half expecting an SHTF scenario in the near future. Looking forward to catching the power supply vids.
Thank You! My progress has been a little slow on the power box build. I've been collecting used cells and it's proving to be a little more time consuming tracking them down without having to pay someone for dead batteries. 🤣
i think the first thing people do is start making custom antennas. lots of plans out there. helps you understand some of the science and math. if you are backpacking and need extra coverage, a roll up J pole antenna would be on my list to have from a tree. then you might try making balluns, dipoles and beams, etc. nice little series. enjoy...
Any Amateur Radios up near Sudbury? Thanks for all the info. Its nice to have the Canadian side of the picture. I see so many US related HAM radio, so I pick and choose the information, to try and get my head wrapped around certain things. So much to know and learn, but so worth it.
I'm excited to study and pass my exam as I brought some radios over with me from the UK (Retevis RT8 and Motorola TRBO 4800e aka XPR7550 in NA) which I was originally using with a license there for business communications on 449MHz. But now I have no use for them and being able to communicate with people around the world, and also opening my doors to being able to respond in an emergency situation really appeal to me. I live at the base of Seymour Mountain in North Vancouver, BC and ironically there happens to be a HAM repeater right above me effectively. I can see it from my house!
Hey Darryl! Great videos! I got into ham radio because I’ve always been a CB guy and just wanted to learn more about how radios and propagation work. I started with the Hamstudy and was going to do it on my own but later decided to take the RAC online course over zoom. So glad I did as right afterwards I wrote my exam and passed with honours! Love building home brew antennas. I too bought a UV5R as my first radio. Great affordable way to get started. Recently bought a AT 779UV mobile. Looking forward to more videos! 73 VA3EBK
I’ve been thinking about learning about ham radio for emergency preparation. When BBC started broadcasting on Short wave to communicate info during Ukraine Russian war, it got me thinking I need to have an alternative to cell towers
You can get a License plate from ICBC with your radio call sign on it to make it easy to identify amateur radio operators so that they can assist with emergency communications in the event of a natural disaster. link here www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/licence-plates/Pages/Ham-radio-plates.aspx
I'm picking up a UV-5R to notify my presence when driving on logging roads, or at least monitor the position of the trucks, when I'm driving out to camp, and as a safety communication if no cell phone coverage and my GPS has issues. I'm in BC as well. I'm curious, do you have to buy a radio that has an IC designation? or can you buy them from anywhere and program them yourself?
I would always recommend taking a ham class, all the info you've asked about would be answered along with providing valuable information about operating rules on different areas of the spectrum. I say this becuase, TECHNICALLY, with a UV5R you are NOT allowed to operate on LADD, RR, FRS, GMRS. Also, I believe that the majority of UV5R's are not even permitted to operate on ham bands. All that being said, these are not rules that people abide very well. But after taking a ham course, you will have much more knowledge about where, when and how to operate. Also, most radios are required Ro be type certified for whatever you are using them for.
Can you provide a link to where you bought your radio for $40 CAD? I'm having trouble finding cheaper sources for the Radios, everyone selling them for more than that?
I looked for my original purchase link and couldn't find it. Sorry! However it was from Aliexpress! It took two months to arrive but it gave me plenty of time to actually get my license/call sign. 🤣
Hello Darryl I messaged you before asking you how to go about getting a ham license in Canada on line I tried for a Mississauga club which was only offering it on Monday nights But I work please direct me to a sight which I can take weekends or during the day
Aside from it being a hobby, does anyone make a career out of this? I'd be interested (especially now that my 25yr career as a gas technician in Vancouver has ended due to an injury)?
Not to my knowledge. There are specific rules about not charging people for taking the ham exam. Ham radio also has specific rules for not being used for commercial or business purposes. In my experience the hobby is geared to the do it yourselfer. The ham radio exam is mostly comprised of questions about how the components of radios actually function as well as the regulations that go along with it. I think aside from radio repair, there isn't much you could make a living from.
I am so happy I found your channel! My dad was a huge radio amateur, and he spent years and years of his life among radios, building his own antennas, etc. I really want to learn more about this hobby, and I am looking forward to obtaining my license soon. I live in Hamilton, ON.
Thanks for the great tips and suggestions.
I'm glad I could help in some way! I'm still learning all the time! But I hope to keep making videos covering topics as I learn!
Me too also in Hamilton dont know when the hamilton radio club will be starting back up
Hi Darryl and welcome to the hobby. I've been involved in Ham Radio for almost 60 years now. I got interested when my dad (VE3FWR - SK) got his ticket back in the 70s and we joined the Skywide Amateur Radio Club in Toronto. Since you live on an island there might not be a club near you but I'd encourage you to join one in your region regardless. Our club in Oakville Ontarion no longer meets in person due to COVID-19 so we have an online weekly meeting on Saturdays with members and friends from California, BC, AB and Bogata. The importance of hanging out with older club members is you'll be subjected to a wealth of knowledge and guidance on how to get the most out of your hobby. And BTW you're going about it in a way which you'll likely find very productive and interesting. Experimentation is the name of the game. And your right about contesting and antennas as that's what I do a lot. If you haven't already invested in some reading resources allow me to highly recommend getting the ARRL Handbook, the ARRL Antenna Handbook (and when you super interested in learning how to get on the low bands with a killer signal ON4UN's excellent Low-Band DXing book), the ARRL RFI book and finally the ARRL Grounding and Bonding book. With the basic exams not as technical as in the past newcomers to Ham Radio can get a ticket and get on the air without a lot of knowlege and skills. But that's the way it's always been even when we had to draw out schematics of receivers and transmitters to pass. When it comes to clubs and organizations I'm a member of the Oakville ARC, Radio Amateurs of Canada where I served on the executive, the ARRL and Contest Club Ontario and even after all this time I too am still learning. Have fun and keep up the videos as sharing your journey will be very helpful for new guys.
Hey Peter!
Thanks for the welcome! I definitely came across an opportunity (covid-19) to have the time to take the class and I was extremely fortunate that the Instructor I had was passionate about the hobby and went well above and beyond the "testing material". I think his passion definitely inspired me. If I had just learned the rules and regs to pass the test, I probably wouldn't be as passionate about as I am! And fortunately there are several active regional clubs on the Vancouver Island, these clubs work together to help maintain the "island trunk" repeater system and have daily and weekly nets covering topics of "wellness" to your usual "emergency service" nets and more. I was blown away, it was like I stumbled into a world I had no idea existed! And yes, all of our in person meetings have been suspended as well, hopefully soon we will start having safe meetings. (our island has only 1 known active covid case currently). And the aim of my videos are definitely to help promote the hobby to new comers as I couldn't find a lot of videos from a Canadian perspective so I thought I would try and do my part to promote and secure the future of our hobby!!
Thanks for the comment!
73's
Personally I do alot of camping and fishing alone and getting a license and a radio is perfect for those areas that have no cell service.
Living on the island and being an outdoor enthusiast and with little to no cell coverage, the ham Radio seems to be the way for me. Thanks for doing these video's while being Canadian helps in the knowledge/laws in Canada.
We do a lot of fishing way up North where there is no service. I have another RUclipsr friend who does the competitions (he's in Minnesota). The idea is for obvious emergency reasons and also half expecting an SHTF scenario in the near future. Looking forward to catching the power supply vids.
Hey Darryl, I just hit the bell because I don't want to miss your update on your mobile power supply. Great videos - your enthusiasm is contagious!
Thank You! My progress has been a little slow on the power box build. I've been collecting used cells and it's proving to be a little more time consuming tracking them down without having to pay someone for dead batteries. 🤣
i think the first thing people do is start making custom antennas. lots of plans out there. helps you understand some of the science and math. if you are backpacking and need extra coverage, a roll up J pole antenna would be on my list to have from a tree. then you might try making balluns, dipoles and beams, etc. nice little series. enjoy...
Any Amateur Radios up near Sudbury? Thanks for all the info. Its nice to have the Canadian side of the picture. I see so many US related HAM radio, so I pick and choose the information, to try and get my head wrapped around certain things. So much to know and learn, but so worth it.
I'm excited to study and pass my exam as I brought some radios over with me from the UK (Retevis RT8 and Motorola TRBO 4800e aka XPR7550 in NA) which I was originally using with a license there for business communications on 449MHz. But now I have no use for them and being able to communicate with people around the world, and also opening my doors to being able to respond in an emergency situation really appeal to me.
I live at the base of Seymour Mountain in North Vancouver, BC and ironically there happens to be a HAM repeater right above me effectively. I can see it from my house!
That's great! I look forward to hearing you on the air!
Hey Darryl! Great videos! I got into ham radio because I’ve always been a CB guy and just wanted to learn more about how radios and propagation work. I started with the Hamstudy and was going to do it on my own but later decided to take the RAC online course over zoom. So glad I did as right afterwards I wrote my exam and passed with honours! Love building home brew antennas. I too bought a UV5R as my first radio. Great affordable way to get started. Recently bought a AT 779UV mobile. Looking forward to more videos! 73 VA3EBK
This series definitely helped. I'm just looking for a bit more range while hunting.
I’ve been thinking about learning about ham radio for emergency preparation. When BBC started broadcasting on Short wave to communicate info during Ukraine Russian war, it got me thinking I need to have an alternative to cell towers
You can get a License plate from ICBC with your radio call sign on it to make it easy to identify amateur radio operators so that they can assist with emergency communications in the event of a natural disaster. link here www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/licence-plates/Pages/Ham-radio-plates.aspx
That was actually the first thing I did. I should have included that!! Dang!
I would love to watch a video about the ISS repeater. Excited to follow along! 73 de VE3GKT
I'm definitely trying to get some plans together for an ISS Repeater video. It's tough, that sucker is fast!! Lol.
I'm picking up a UV-5R to notify my presence when driving on logging roads, or at least monitor the position of the trucks, when I'm driving out to camp, and as a safety communication if no cell phone coverage and my GPS has issues. I'm in BC as well. I'm curious, do you have to buy a radio that has an IC designation? or can you buy them from anywhere and program them yourself?
I would always recommend taking a ham class, all the info you've asked about would be answered along with providing valuable information about operating rules on different areas of the spectrum. I say this becuase, TECHNICALLY, with a UV5R you are NOT allowed to operate on LADD, RR, FRS, GMRS. Also, I believe that the majority of UV5R's are not even permitted to operate on ham bands. All that being said, these are not rules that people abide very well. But after taking a ham course, you will have much more knowledge about where, when and how to operate. Also, most radios are required Ro be type certified for whatever you are using them for.
@@darryldowney ok thanks for getting back! Cheers
Would love to know where you got the UV-5R? I'm looking around for a good entry level unit. Do you know if it's IC designated or does that matter?
got mine on Aliexpress for $33 cad. Works perfectly. Got the programming cable as well.
very interested in hearing videos on your solar power creation. I too am interested in that but don't know where to start.
I am a prepper so yeah.....
Hi, I was looking these uv-5r radios today and if I understand correctly they are not legal to transmit on in Canada?
Do I have to wait for the actual certificate to come, or can I start broadcasting as soon as my call sign is in the database(like the usa)?
You do NOT have to wait for the paper.
@@darryldowney how long did the letter take in the mail? i am not sure if they lost mine.
Can you provide a link to where you bought your radio for $40 CAD? I'm having trouble finding cheaper sources for the Radios, everyone selling them for more than that?
I looked for my original purchase link and couldn't find it. Sorry! However it was from Aliexpress! It took two months to arrive but it gave me plenty of time to actually get my license/call sign. 🤣
I found a link from the same seller!
a.aliexpress.com/_mrhhLc7
Baofengradio.ca they are under 60 bucks w/ free shipping.
@@198xassasin I just bought mine from Baofengradio.ca yesterday. Seemed like a good deal. $69 for the radio and cable including taxes & free shipping
Do you have to have a license? what is the purpose? what if you just want to listen to info current news
To just listen you don't need a license, you need a license just to transmit
That's exactly why I got my licence - off grid coms. DMR and APRS is cool too. Maybe I'll catch you on the Island Trunk System. VA7MWD
Precisely! I try to get into the Monday night net when I can!
Hello Darryl
I messaged you before asking you how to go about getting a ham license in Canada on line I tried for a Mississauga club which was only offering it on Monday nights
But I work please direct me to a sight which I can take weekends or during the day
Hello Sofia,
The only classes I'm aware of are listed on the www.rac.ca website.
Aside from it being a hobby, does anyone make a career out of this? I'd be interested (especially now that my 25yr career as a gas technician in Vancouver has ended due to an injury)?
Not to my knowledge. There are specific rules about not charging people for taking the ham exam. Ham radio also has specific rules for not being used for commercial or business purposes. In my experience the hobby is geared to the do it yourselfer. The ham radio exam is mostly comprised of questions about how the components of radios actually function as well as the regulations that go along with it. I think aside from radio repair, there isn't much you could make a living from.
Great intro videos. Hope to catch you on the radio sometime VA3XAP
lol know one going to comment about the dance at 9:26
75 like
The repeater council for southwestern ontario appears to be a porn site oops 🙈