About RARC

The idea of forming an Amateur Radio Club in Richmond, British Columbia was conceived somewhere around the 1950s (date not verified). Meetings have been held at various locations over the years including several member’s homes, a barn loft, the East Richmond Community Centre, the Worker’s Compensation Board Building, and finally to the current location at the Steveston Community Centre.

RARC members are from all walks of life. The demographic stereotype of a 'typical ham' is eroding as new certified radio Amateurs (they are no longer licensed) are entering the hobby from non-related backgrouns and occupations. Hardly any new members over the past five years are retired. Our members are business consultants, educators, programmers, a lawyer, an air traffic controller, as well as former law enforcement officers and technicians. And nearly 20 percent of our membership are women.

INTERESTING NOTES ABOUT RARC MEMBERSHIP - Not all members reside in Richmond. Members are also involved with other Amateur radio clubs and emergency communication organizations in the Vancovuer area (i.e. with Burnaby ARC, North Shore ARC, VECTOR, ORCA, BCFMCA). One of our member is a descendant of the founding family of Steveston. A former member is a relative of the Lubzinsky brothers, founders of the world-renown Richmond ship's wheel maker. A long-time member was a Morse code operator during WW2.

RARC and the Richmond Community

RARC has always been an integral part of the Richmond community. Many of it's members are also members of local community organizations such as Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society. The club radio station, VE7GOG, is on the Parks Canada Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site in Steveston Village. RARC has a MOU with the GOG Cannery Society for the station's occupancy on the federal property since 1992 and has partnered with the Cannery Museum's programming activities in 2016.

RARC is a long time supporter of the City of Richmond's Emergency Programs, where many club members actively volunteer with ESS (Emergency Support Services) and REPARS (Richmond Emergency Programs Amateur Radio Society). Every year, the club participates in the city's Public Works Open House to set up an info booth neighbouring the ESS and REPARS displays at the Emergency Services exhibit area. RARC has a long relationship and history of supporting the City of Richmond's emergency program activities.

RARC members anually participate in the Steveston Salmon Festival Canada Day Parade by providing radio communications for the event. In recent years, club members participated as parade route marshalls during the parade. The club also particpated in the annual CCM Safety & Secure Living Fair which provided opportunities for outreach to other segments of the Richmond community. In 2014 RARC partnered with H.J. Cambie Secondaty in Richmond in the A.R.I.S.S. program to enable students to contact the International Space Station.

Communications Assets

RARC members' radio communication capability is supported by the club's four key equipment assets:

VHF and UHF repeaters (VE7RMD) situated at the Richmond Public Works yard. Location of the repeater equipment on city property is at the pleasure and generousity of City of Richmond.

Radio station (VE7GOG) with VHF and HF capabilities (10m, 15m, 20m, 40m, 80m) situated on the Parks Canada Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. Station is equipped with fuel, generator and water for self-sustaining operations.

Towable communications trailer equipped with radios for VHF, UHF, HF with VHF repeater. Trailer also has batteries and generator for operations under self-sustaining power.

Portable radio go-kit with VHF, UHF, HF and D-STAR capabilities, and battery for termporary independent operations. Radios have been used for instruction and demonstration at radio courses and public displays and Field Day.