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Instructions for Presenters

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

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Instructions for Presenters

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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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