Seaway Valley Amateur Radio Club to Showcase Emergency Communications Capabilities

Canada Day – Lamoureux Park, Cornwall, Ontario

The Seaway Valley Amateur Radio Club (SVARC) will host an interactive booth to highlight and demonstrate the vital role amateur radio plays in emergency communications. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe live communications with local, provincial, national, and international contacts while learning how amateur radio operators support public safety and emergency preparedness.

Information packages will be available for individuals interested in learning more about amateur radio and its contributions to communities across Canada.

A Proud Canadian Tradition

The Seaway Valley Amateur Radio Club is comprised of qualified and experienced amateur radio operators, commonly known as “hams,” who are licensed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). To obtain and maintain their licences, operators must successfully complete examinations covering radio theory, regulations, and operating practices.

For more than a century, amateur radio operators have provided reliable communications support during emergencies and disasters when conventional communication systems become unavailable. Across Canada, amateur radio serves as an important backup communications resource for federal, provincial, and municipal governments, as well as emergency response organizations.

Amateur radio operators invest significant personal resources to build, maintain, and operate communications infrastructure that can be activated during emergencies. Their volunteer efforts help strengthen community resilience and ensure communication capabilities remain available when they are needed most.

Emergency Services and Public Safety

Amateur radio operators regularly work alongside emergency management organizations and public service agencies. The Ontario Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response coordinates provincial emergency management activities and assists communities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies. The ministry also provides support to qualified amateur radio organizations that contribute to emergency preparedness initiatives.

The Canadian Armed Forces also recognize the value of amateur radio through the Canadian Forces Amateur Radio System (CFARS), a nationwide network that promotes communications skills, technical expertise, and emergency preparedness among military personnel and amateur radio operators.

Supporting The Amateur Communications Network (ACN)

Visitors to the SVARC booth will also learn about the Amateur Communications Network (ACN), a decentralized, high-speed digital network designed, built, and maintained by Canadian amateur radio operators.

Operating independently of commercial internet and cellular infrastructure, ACN provides a resilient communications platform capable of supporting emergency and disaster response efforts. The network enables:

• Digital message and email transmission during communications outages;
• Packet radio and TCP/IP networking over amateur radio frequencies;
• Long-distance computer-to-computer data transfer;
• Mesh networking systems that create self-healing, off-grid communications networks.

In Eastern Ontario, these digital systems are often integrated with Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) groups through the Seaway Valley Amateur Radio Club, providing critical communications support during training exercises and real-world emergency situations.

Learn More

Members of the public are invited to visit the Seaway Valley Amateur Radio Club booth to learn more about amateur radio, emergency communications, and opportunities to become involved in this rewarding technical hobby and public service activity. Join us at Lamoureux Park.

For additional information, please refer to the accompanying publication, Welcome to the Wonderful World of Amateur Radio.