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-traditional sectors of interest and occupations. Hardly any new RARC members that joined the club over the past five years are retired. Our new members are woking as business consultants, educators, programmers, a lawyer, real estate developer, chef, air traffic controller, etc.

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 (e.g. Burnaby ARC, North Shore ARC, VECTOR, Coquitlam ARESS, East Richmond Digital Group, ORCA, BCFMCA). About one-fifth of our membership are women. One of our member is a descendant of the founding family of Steveston. A former member is the nephew of the brothers who founded 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 supports the City of Richmond's Emergency Programs where many club members are actively involved with the city's ESS (Emergency Social Services) and REPARS (Richmond Emergency Programs Amateur Radio Society). The club has been invited every year to the city's Public Works Open House to present a booth display in the Emergency Programs area. RARC has a long relationship and history of support with the city's emergency program activities.

RARC members have anually participated in the Steveston Salmon Festival Canada Day Parade providing radio communications for the event. This year, members were involved as parade route marshalls assisting with the entire parade day process.

Communications Assets

RARC members communication capabilities are supported by four key assets:

VHF and UHF repeaters (VE7RMD) situated at the City of Richmond Public Works yard.

Radio station (VE7GOG) with VHF and HF capabilities (10m, 15m, 20m, 40m, 80m) located on the Parks Canada Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. Station is equipped with fuell, 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 as instructional and demonstration tool for radio courses and public displays and Field Day communications.