CARA

Calgary Amateur Radio Association

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How to Get Training in Amateur Radio

Are you interested in getting your Amateur Radio Certification? 

For information from Industry Canada's website, visit http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/radioamateur.e


News:   On July 5, 2024, Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) posted the following announcement on its website:

Working with the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) plans to update the Basic Amateur Exam questions and answers in early 2025"


The in-person Basic Amateur Radio classes in Calgary normally start in Sept. 

The CARA Advanced Amateur Radio class normally start in January.

Note that these classes are based on training books (see below) that you need to purchase prior to the classes. 

The Basic class is based on the Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide, and the Advanced class is based on the Advanced Qualification Study Guide .    

If you have any questions, please Contact the training coordinator at training@caraham.org


Where else can I get training?

Meanwhile, there are also other options if you want to get your HAM Certificate on your own. 

Here are a few options:

1 - RAC offers Basic classes.  https://www.rac.ca/rac-basic-qualification-amateur-radio-course-fall-2024/

2 - RAC offers Advanced Classes https://www.rac.ca/amateur-radio-courses/mlo-advanced-course-registration/

     RAC also maintains a list of provincial Basic classes and Advanced Classes   https://www.rac.ca/amateur-radio-courses/

3 - In addition, there are community provided self-pace training websites that may be of interest.

  • VA6HAL has put together a modular course on line for both Basic and Advanced.  =>  http://www.clares.ca/va6hal training.html 
    There is a lot of valuable video and training based information here.
  • Ylab's Free Canadian Amateur Radio Training Class ==>> https://www.ylab.ca/radioclass/  
    This has PDF, PPT, and YouTube Video's of all of the lessons. 
  • Annapolis Valley Amateur Radio Club (Nova Scotia) offers Course material to supplement their RAC Basic and Advanced courses  ==> https://avarc.ca/index.php/online-basic-course/  You will want to take their course through RAC.  
  • TNARC (The Northern Alberta Radio Club) is offering the Basic course (this year) over 6 weekends spread over 3 months.   https://www.tnarc.ca/training

Is getting an Amateur Radio Certificate difficult?   
The Certification testing objectives and practice exams are available on line at the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ISED website
See https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/h_sf01709.html.  


The Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide

The Coax Publications Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide includes all information required to pass the current ISED’s exam. The new 4th printing was reprinted and updated for the 2021 study season. 

Coax Publications Advanced Study Guide

Coax Publications also publishes the Canadian Amateur Radio Advanced Qualification Study Guide (2nd Edition, 2nd Printing). Written to the same high standards as the Basic Study Guide, this book covers all questions in the Industry Canada Advanced Qualification question bank while providing needed context.

Coax Publications Advanced Study Guide


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