“Get on the Air on World Amateur Radio Day” Special Event: Saturday, April 18

On Saturday, April 18, 2020 (1200Z to 2359Z), Radio Amateurs of Canada is organizing a special on-air event to celebrate World Amateur Radio Day. https://www.rac.ca/get-on-the-air-on-world-amateur-radio-day-event/ Every year on April 18, Radio Amateurs worldwide take to the airwaves in celebration of Amateur Radio and to commemorate the formation of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) on April 18, 1925. World Amateur Radio Day is the day when IARU Member-Societies can show our capabilities to the public and promote global friendship among Amateurs worldwide. The theme of World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) is “Celebrating Amateur Radio’s contribution to Society” and this is especially relevant given the important role Amateur Radio will play as the current global crisis unfolds. IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, provided the following message: “As I write this the world is in the midst of battling the COVID-19 crisis. A few short weeks ago many of us could not imagine the levels of isolation that we are now dealing with and the sacrifices of many on the frontlines of the pandemic. As we have done in past challenges to our society, Amateur Radio will play a key part in keeping people connected and assisting those who need support. Having come off my own 14-day isolation after returning from an overseas trip, I am touched by the kindness of strangers who assisted me when I was unable to leave my house. It strikes me Amateur Radio operators, who give so much during these times of crisis, are not limited to assisting over the air. Amateurs are true volunteers and I would encourage everyone to assist in the community as they are able to. My wish for this World Amateur Radio Day is for everyone to stay safe, follow the advice of medical professionals and use Amateur Radio and your skills to help us through this crisis.” Radio Amateurs of Canada has decided to hold a new “Get on the Air on World Amateur Radio Day” special event in which we encourage as many Amateurs as possible to get on the air and contact as many RAC stations as possible. RAC official stations will operate across Canada from 1200Z to 2359Z on April 18. The RAC official station call signs are VA2RAC, VA3RAC, VE1RAC, VE4RAC, VE5RAC, VE6RAC, VE7RAC, VE8RAC, VE9RAC, VO1RAC, VO2RAC, VY0RAC, VY1RAC and VY2RAC. Those contacting one or more of these stations will be eligible for a special commemorative certificate noting their participation in RAC’s Get on the Air on World Amateur Radio Day Event. Note: Starting at 1800Z, VA3RAC will be active in the Ontario QSO Party and will be sending the contest exchange. Stations contacting VA3RAC after 1800Z are encouraged to send their contest exchange in return (state/province/country or Ontario county). For more information on World Amateur Radio Day and the special event please visit: https://www.rac.ca/operating/world-amateur-radio-day-april-18/ Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA President, Radio Amateurs of Canada Alan Griffin RAC MarCom Director www.rac.ca 720 Belfast Road, #217 Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z5 613-244-4367, 1- 877-273-8304 raccomms@gmail.com Update April 9, 2020:  The use of the VE7RAC call sign is available via application to myself (forwarded to the RAC Regulatory Affairs Officer). Multiple stations can use the call provided there is only one station on each band/mode slot at any time. I will co-ordinate this. Logs are to be sent to dir.bc.yukon@rac.ca and/or regulatory@rac.ca. This is an opportunity for people to get on the air, celebrate World Amateur Radio Day and get a pretty PDF certificate using whatever their band/mode is. ~ 73 Keith VE7KW dir.bc.yukon@rac.ca