From Doug Mercer, VO1DTM, Vice President Field Services, A.R.E.S.

Good morning folks,

When the changes to the RAC insurance took place at the end of 2010, the fact that many registered ARES Members would no longer enjoy the benefit of third party liability insurance while engaged in ARES activities became startling clear. The new program requires that you must be a member of a RAC Affiliated Club that participates in the insurance program to have this coverage as well as the optional coverages. Many of you I know are unable to comply with this, and there is no way that I would be comfortable asking you to expose yourselves on behalf of the Field Organization.

I therefore have the following proposal before the Board for approval.

A new national club, The Canadian Field Organization Inc will be formed and incorporated. Directors  will include the RAC VPFS and volunteer Section Managers, it will act as any other club and will participate in the RAC Affiliated Club program and the Insurance program. To join the club and be fully covered you must:

* Be a registered ARES member
* Pay an annual membership fee of $5.00 if you are a RAC member
* Pay an annual membership fee of $15.00 if you are not a RAC member
* Not be a member of another RAC Affiliated club.

To determine some numbers, I would be very interested in hearing from all of you on whether or not you see this as something that would be helpful to you, or any comments you might think appropriate.

Thanks for your continued support of the RAC - ARES.

73


Doug Mercer  VO1DTM 
Vice President Field Services
Radio Amateurs of Canada
P.O. Box 1042 Goulds
Newfoundland Labrador
A1S 1H2
Tel: (709) 364-4741
Cell: (709) 697-3319

Basic ARES Training

   The basic training required for an ARES operator is the message handling course.  This explains how to receive and send messages to an emergency net. This is the bread and butter of the ARES radio operator.  The EC arranges this courses as needed.  

The other training is being recommended is the EMO's

  (Emergency Management Ontario) IMS100 (Incident Management System) online course.  This teaches how all the various emergency responders and organizations interact with each other.  Good for an acronym overload.  There is online certification test for this course also. 

prepared by: Matthew, VE3OCC

What is the I.T.U.?

The ITU - International Telecommunication Union

______________________________________________________________________________

ITU

If you were to ask most amateur radio operators what entity is
responsible for granting privileges to use portions of the radio
spectrum for amateur radio purposes the answer would likely be their
own national telecommunication authority. However, that's only
partially true. The ultimate authority for the use of the radio
spectrum is the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It is
desirable that each amateur radio operator understand what the ITU is
and why its work and decisions are important.

Most countries are Member States of the ITU and by way of treaty
generally agree to be bound by the decisions of the ITU when it comes
to the usage of the radio spectrum. Each country can decide that a
certain use determined by the ITU may not apply in their own
jurisdiction. It is not common for countries to do that but it is
within their sovereign authority to do so.

The International Telecommunication Union is a United Nations agency
that deals with information and communications technology issues. They
have an extensive web site at www.itu.int

 that details much of their
work. The ITU is based in Geneva, Switzerland and includes in its
membership 192 Member States and more than 700 Sector Members and
Associates.

ITU has coordinated the shared global use of the radio spectrum,
promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits,
worked to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing
world, established the worldwide standards that foster seamless
interconnection of a vast range of communications systems and
addressed other global concerns, such as mitigating climate change and
strengthening cybersecurity.

The top staff official of the ITU is its Secretary-General, Dr.
Hamadoun Toure who is also a licensed radio amateur with the call sign
HB9EHT. There are three sectors in the ITU: Radio- communication
(ITU-R), Development (ITU-D) and Standardization (ITU-T). The IARU is
a Sector Member in both the ITU-R Sector and the ITU-D Sector. The
IARU fully participates in both of those sectors by attending any and
all meetings that involve issues that may impact the amateur or the
amateur-satellite services. The Secretary-General, the Deputy
Secretary-General and the Directors of the three ITU Sectors are
elected to four-year terms by the Member States at Plenipotentiary
Conferences held every four years. The IARU is a recognized
international telecommunication organization and is invited to
participate as an observer at the Plenipotentiary Conferences. The
most recent "Plenipot" was held in October, 2010 in Guadalajara,
Mexico.

The ITU Council was established in 1947 under the name Administrative
Council, following a decision taken by the 1947 Plenipotentiary
Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. The Council
comprises a maximum of 25% of the total number of Member States, which
are elected by the Conference with due regard to the need for
equitable distribution of Council seats among the five world regions
(Americas, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and
Australasia).  The current Council is comprised of 48 members.

The role of Council is to consider, in the interval between
Plenipotentiary Conferences, broad telecommunication policy issues to
ensure that the Union's activities, policies and strategies fully
respond to today's dynamic, rapidly changing telecommunications
environment.  It also prepares a report on the policy and strategic
planning of the ITU. In addition, Council is responsible for ensuring
the smooth day-to-day running of the Union, coordinating work
programs, approving budgets and controlling finances and expenditures.
Finally, Council also takes all steps to facilitate the implementation
of the provisions of the ITU Constitution, the ITU Convention, the
Administrative Regulations (International Telecommunications
Regulations and Radio Regulations), the decisions of Plenipotentiary
Conferences and, where appropriate, the decisions of other conferences
and meetings of the Union. The IARU has attended several ITU Council
meetings in the recent past.

The ITU-R Sector is very important for radiocommunication services,
including the amateur and amateur-satellite services. Every 4 or 5
years the ITU holds a World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) to
revise the international Radio Regulations. It is the job of WRC to
review, and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the
international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum
and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite
orbits. Revisions are made on the basis of an agenda determined by the
ITU Council, which takes into account recommendations made by previous
world radiocommunication conferences. The general scope of the agenda
of world radiocommunication conferences is established four to six
years in advance, with the final agenda set by the ITU Council two
years before the conference, with the concurrence of a majority of
Member States. The next WRC is scheduled for 23 January to 17 February
2012, just one year away.

Under the terms of the ITU Constitution, a WRC can:

1. revise the Radio Regulations and any associated Frequency
assignment and allotment Plans;

2. address any radiocommunication matter of worldwide character;

3. instruct the Radio Regulations Board and the Radiocommunication
Bureau, and review their activities;

4. determine Questions for study by the Radiocommunication Assembly
and its Study Groups in preparation for future Radiocommunication
Conferences.

There is a lengthy preparatory process for every WRC in which the IARU
participates as a Sector Member. There are usually countless meetings
dealing with each agenda item that has been determined to be on the
agenda for a WRC. Many of those agenda items can, and do, have a
substantial impact on the amateur radio usage of portions of the radio
spectrum. It is important for the IARU to participate to "protect our
frequencies" and when the opportunity presents itself, to expand our
spectrum.

ITU-R Study Groups and Working Parties address each agenda item on the
WRC agenda and try to arrive at a consensus and recommendation(s) how
the agenda item may be addressed or dealt with at the WRC. Studies are
conducted many times to determine how a proposed new usage may impact
the other services, or not. Each of these agenda items are thoroughly
discussed for at least a couple of years leading up to the WRC. You
can imagine how important it is for the worldwide amateur community
that IARU participate in the entire study group/working party process.

ITU-D is where much of the ITU's work on disaster response takes
place. The development arm of the ITU considers emergency
telecommunications an integral part of its projects integrating
telecommunications/information and communication technology in
disaster predication, detection, and alerting. Emergency
Telecommunications play a critical role in the immediate aftermath of
disasters by ensuring timely flow of vital information which is much
needed by government agencies, and other humanitarian actors that are
involved in rescue operations and providing medical assistance to the
injured. IARU's task in the ITU-D Sector is to ensure that amateur
radio's role in disaster communications is understood and appreciated
by the ITU members. The ITU-D Sector also conducts a worldwide
conference. The current schedule calls for a World Telecommunication
Development Conference every 4 years. In 2010, the WTDC was held in
Hyderabad, India in late May and early June. IARU participated in the
conference.

The ITU also sponsors regional and global exhibitions called TELECOMS.
An ITU Telecom offers a global ICT community platform that gathers
stakeholders from across the telecommunications/ICT sector to connect,
collaborate and create the future ICT landscape. Forums or seminars
related to ICT are conducted at the Telecoms and IARU has participated
in such forums, usually on topics related to emergency communications.

SPAR Winter Field Day Jan 29, 2011 at Jane Forrester Park (Meyers Pier) Belleville.

Members of the Quinte Amateur Radio Club and Prince Edward Radio Club set up a station at Jane Forrester Park (Meyers Pier) Belleville to participate in SPAR Winter Field Day on Jan 29, 2011. The participants braved the cold to set up in the open with an antenna supported by two sign posts. At one point a "mystery lady" arrived with coffee and chocolates for the participants. It wasn't until she had left that they realized she was a stranger to everyone in the group. Those participating included Art, VE3SQG, Don,VE3LYX, Peter, VE3UR, Tim, VE3UO, Brian, VA3BRW, Greg, VE3CH (& son), Dave, VE3DAD, and Bob, VE3QWB.
Check out photos of the event:
http://picasaweb.google.com/106344294636539420815/WinterFieldDay2011#

Almonte Amateur Radio Club's Repeater Installation

During 2010 the AARC installed an analog repeater station at the Almonte Fire Hall that is linked with the Lanark North Leeds ARES radio network. This allows amateur radio communications by portable or mobile stations over a large area.

Last year the club also installed a hospital sponsored amateur radio station at the Almonte General Hospital.

"Our goal in 2011 is to purchase and install the necessary digital equipment for the effective operation of our Amateur Radio Emergency Service," explained Webb. "Thanks to this new technology our volunteer radio operators won't be limited to simply passing along voice information during an emergency. We'll also be able to relay important data, such as GPS coordinates, data files, and images. These can be printed at the Emergency Operations Centre and handed directly to the agencies we serve."

For information and photos about the club's community work, visit the AARC web site: www.almontearclub.ca.

Monthly EC Report for Frontenac County ARES Group (2011/January)

Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Ontario Section
Monthly EC Report for the Month of January, 2011

Comments:
  The Frontenac ARES Group took part in the SPAR Winter Field Day. This is the fifth
year we have done so.  We deployed to a small uninsulated summer cottage,
65 Km. North of Kingston, and operated for 24 hours under less than ideal
conditions.  VE3SIQ, VE3MNE, VA3ORP, VE3CLQ and our DEC, VA3WOW, all took
part in the Winter Field Day.

This event is designed to teach us how to deploy and operate under frigid
winter conditions.  We do hope that everyone realizes that not all
emergencies happen in good, warm weather, and we need to be prepared for
deployments in all seasons.

Our next activity also has a winter theme. We have been asked to help the
Lanark-North Leeds ARES Group to provide communication for the Rideau Lakes Sled Dog Races at the end of the February, 2011.

Monthly EC Report for Prince Edward ARES Group (2011/January)

Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Ontario Section
Monthly EC Report for Prince Edward ARES Group in the Loyalist ARES District

Comments:
 15 January    With Kevin Maylin, VA3THB, conducted a half-day training
workshop on IMS100, for Bill Milligan, VA3WOW, Gilbert Provost, VA3NQ, Owen
Clark, VE3ORC, and Dave Whattam, VE3WHM.

17 January   Assisted Bill Milligan, VA3WOW, DEC Loyalist District,
reviewing a draft of an operating manual for Loyalist District prepared by
Bill Nangle, VE3CLQ, of Frontenac County ARES.

17 January  With Bill Milligan, VA3WOW, DEC Loyalist District, attended the
monthly meeting of the Kingston ARES group.

19 January   With Bill Milligan, VA3WOW, DEC Loyalist and Peter Hodgson, VE3UR,
EC Hastings, participated in a presentation to the Quinte Amateur Radio
Club.

20 January   With Bill Milligan, VA3WOW, DEC Loyalist District, attended the
monthly meeting of the Frontenac ARES group

27 January   With Dave Whattam, VE3WHM, ran the VE3TJU backup generator and
familiarized Dave with the generator and repeater setup.