2026-01-10, 09:23:02
This is V_3___, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada with this week's bulletin.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Basic Qualification Amateur Radio Course: Winter 2026
Radio Amateurs of Canada is once again offering an online Amateur Radio course so that
individuals from all across Canada can obtain their Amateur Radio Operator Certificate
with Basic Qualification.
This course prepares students for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Basic Qualification Level Operator Certificate exam to operate on allocated Amateur Radio
frequencies. It is open to everyone across Canada and even abroad. Classes will be recorded,
so occasional absences are not a problem.
The course will be held on Thursdays and Sundays commencing on Thursday, February 19 and
ending on Sunday, April 26. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6 pm to 9 pm Eastern
Time and Sunday afternoons 1 pm to 4 pm Eastern Time. There may also be a handful of additional
classes if necessary.
The registration fee for the course is $50 plus GST/HST. The cost of the Basic Study Guide is extra
and an order link will be provided upon completion of payment.
For more information about the course please contact the Course Administrator at
basiccourse@rac.ca and visit:
https://www.rac.ca/rac-basic-qualification-amateur-radio-course-winter-2026/
-- Alan Griffin; RAC Marcom Director
2. GERMAN AMATEURS' ACCESS TO 70 MHz BAND IN LIMBO
In Germany, amateurs' use of the 70 MHz band appears to be in limbo as of January 1st. The annual
temporary-use permit that had been in place expired on the 31st of December.
The regulator has taken no action to renew it.
The Novice-level amateur radio licenses have had temporary permission to use the 6-metre band.
The nation's regulator, BNETzA a Federal Agency, has not extended these operating privileges for
Class E license holders. Any amateurs wishing to transmit on 50 MHz in Germany must hold a Class A,
full license, which has had permanent access to the band since June 2024.
-- D A R C (via amateur radio newsline)
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. 52 Week Ham Challenge Returns for 2026
This year's challenge consists of weekly exercises ranging from making a QSO on Echolink to
eliminating a source of interference.
This is meant to inspire you to extend your horizon in amateur radio by weekly challenges
through the year that touch all aspects of ham radio (and related fields). A lot of the challenges
may be trivial for some participants (because it is what they do all the time), but very challenging
to others. Participants of the challenge are encouraged to help each other in any way possible.
Participants are encouraged to post progress through social media using the #hamchallenge hashtag.
An IRC channel is also available.
more information can be found at https://www.hamchallenge.org/
-- amateur radio daily news
4. NEW HOLLAND RADIO SHACK ACQUIRES QUICKSILVER RADIO
Quicksilver Radio Products, the popular Connecticut-based business established by John
Bartscherer, N1GNV, two decades ago, is relocating to Pennsylvania as a division of the
New Holland Radio Shack.
John, who was widely known as John Bee, became a Silent Key in October of 2025. The
death of the popular and personable radio amateur also drew concerns among loyal longtime
customers that his business would permanently close its doors. In a late December
announcement that appeared in the QRZ.com forums and on Facebook, the company said it
was in the process of moving its inventory to its new location. Quicksilver said that the
company also planned to have a presence at Hamcation in Orlando, Florida in February.
The business' website, qsradio.com, is also operating again.
-- Sel Embee, KB3TZD (via amateur radio newsline)
This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications?
Hearing none, This is V_3___ returning the frequency to net control.
Bulletin sent from Official Bulletin Manager VA3PC
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. RAC Basic Qualification Amateur Radio Course: Winter 2026
Radio Amateurs of Canada is once again offering an online Amateur Radio course so that
individuals from all across Canada can obtain their Amateur Radio Operator Certificate
with Basic Qualification.
This course prepares students for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Basic Qualification Level Operator Certificate exam to operate on allocated Amateur Radio
frequencies. It is open to everyone across Canada and even abroad. Classes will be recorded,
so occasional absences are not a problem.
The course will be held on Thursdays and Sundays commencing on Thursday, February 19 and
ending on Sunday, April 26. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6 pm to 9 pm Eastern
Time and Sunday afternoons 1 pm to 4 pm Eastern Time. There may also be a handful of additional
classes if necessary.
The registration fee for the course is $50 plus GST/HST. The cost of the Basic Study Guide is extra
and an order link will be provided upon completion of payment.
For more information about the course please contact the Course Administrator at
basiccourse@rac.ca and visit:
https://www.rac.ca/rac-basic-qualification-amateur-radio-course-winter-2026/
-- Alan Griffin; RAC Marcom Director
2. GERMAN AMATEURS' ACCESS TO 70 MHz BAND IN LIMBO
In Germany, amateurs' use of the 70 MHz band appears to be in limbo as of January 1st. The annual
temporary-use permit that had been in place expired on the 31st of December.
The regulator has taken no action to renew it.
The Novice-level amateur radio licenses have had temporary permission to use the 6-metre band.
The nation's regulator, BNETzA a Federal Agency, has not extended these operating privileges for
Class E license holders. Any amateurs wishing to transmit on 50 MHz in Germany must hold a Class A,
full license, which has had permanent access to the band since June 2024.
-- D A R C (via amateur radio newsline)
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
3. 52 Week Ham Challenge Returns for 2026
This year's challenge consists of weekly exercises ranging from making a QSO on Echolink to
eliminating a source of interference.
This is meant to inspire you to extend your horizon in amateur radio by weekly challenges
through the year that touch all aspects of ham radio (and related fields). A lot of the challenges
may be trivial for some participants (because it is what they do all the time), but very challenging
to others. Participants of the challenge are encouraged to help each other in any way possible.
Participants are encouraged to post progress through social media using the #hamchallenge hashtag.
An IRC channel is also available.
more information can be found at https://www.hamchallenge.org/
-- amateur radio daily news
4. NEW HOLLAND RADIO SHACK ACQUIRES QUICKSILVER RADIO
Quicksilver Radio Products, the popular Connecticut-based business established by John
Bartscherer, N1GNV, two decades ago, is relocating to Pennsylvania as a division of the
New Holland Radio Shack.
John, who was widely known as John Bee, became a Silent Key in October of 2025. The
death of the popular and personable radio amateur also drew concerns among loyal longtime
customers that his business would permanently close its doors. In a late December
announcement that appeared in the QRZ.com forums and on Facebook, the company said it
was in the process of moving its inventory to its new location. Quicksilver said that the
company also planned to have a presence at Hamcation in Orlando, Florida in February.
The business' website, qsradio.com, is also operating again.
-- Sel Embee, KB3TZD (via amateur radio newsline)
This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or clarifications?
Hearing none, This is V_3___ returning the frequency to net control.
Bulletin sent from Official Bulletin Manager VA3PC