Photo courtesy of Don Middleton VA7IQ.
The highlight of the amateur radio year is the largest emergency preparedness exercise in North America called “Field Day” with over 40,000 radio operators participating. These “hams” annually practice the rapid deployment of temporary emergency stations and operation off-the-grid for 24 hours. During this time, the stations need to be completely self-sufficient with all equipment operated using battery, solar, wind and portable generators.
In June 2023, we celebrate 42 years of Field Day operation organized by the Delta amateurs with the support of the City of Delta, Delta Fire and Emergency Social Services at the North 40 Park Reserve near Boundary Bay Airport. Several radio stations are set up over the weekend providing communications using voice, digital data and Morse code communication. We invite the public to visit during the weekend while stations are operating from 11:00 a.m. on Saturday to 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Station locations within the North 40 Park Reserve.
| Info) Information Table |
20m Voice |
40m Voice |
80m Voice |
10m/VHF Voice |
CW) 20m/40m Morse code |
P40m Digital Data |
P20m Digital Data |
There is also a contesting component to the exercise to determine our effectiveness, in which points are awarded for many factors including the number of contacts made during the 24 hours of operation and community engagement.
Delta ARS was founded in 1980 on request from the then Corporation of Delta (now City of Delta) to form a group of radio amateurs to provide an Emergency Communications Network working with the Municipality’s Emergency Measures Organization. One year later in June 1981, the club participated in its first Field Day.
Since that time, amateur radio as a hobby has thrived in Delta. In 1994, the club became a society and currently has around 80 members. These members have diverse interests, such as contacting people all over the world, contest operating, electronic construction, data and satellite communication, locating hidden stations, propagation studies, research and history.
Rear: Dave Miller VE7HR, Peter Hass VA7ZUG, Chris Scholefield VE7XH, Darrel Smith VE7CUS, Bob Cristofoli VA7BJC
Front: Trudy Miller VE7TJM, Mark Toeckes VE7CLX, Tom Robson VE7DID, John Hutton VE7JNH
The club provides communication in support of many community events including the Run for Life, Ladner May Day’s Parade, Tour de Delta, Delta Triathlon, Luminary Festival and Police Day. We also provide the following services:
- Repeater stations on VHF/UHF
- VHF/HF radio gateways
- Emergency radio communication
- Public service events
- Basic and advanced radio courses
- Swap Meets
Delta ARS provides an outlet for radio amateurs to gather and share their experiences in the hobby. We invite all to attend and learn about the hobby of amateur radio. Our meetings start at 7:00 pm, alternating between the North Delta Public Safety Building and the South Delta Recreation Centre. Check our website for the list of upcoming meeting topics, dates and locations.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
