The RAC has no say in what are sections in the ARRL Sweepstakes, or any
other ARRL-sponsored contest. The decision to split Ontario into 4 RAC
sections for ARRL SS was made entirely by the ARRL management of that time.
Since the split, RAC has made minor adjustments to the boundaries of their
sections.
73,
Steve, N2IC
On Fri, Jul 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM Jeff Clarke <ku8e@ku8e.com> wrote:
>
> I've never really understood what the relationship is between RAC and
> the ARRL . There is nothing on either the ARRL or RAC webpages that
> speaks to this issue. So I Googled "rac and arrl partnership" and this
> is what AI returned:
>
> /The Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) and the ARRL (American Radio Relay
> League) have a partnership and work together in several ways,
> particularly within the realm of amateur radio in North America
> .
> Here are some key aspects of their relationship:
>
> Field Day: ARRL Field Day, a major amateur radio event, is open to
> amateurs in the areas covered by the ARRL/RAC Field Organizations and
> countries within IARU Region 2.
> Contest Sections: Both organizations utilize a system of "Sections" in
> their contests, with specific designations for ARRL/RAC Sections used in
> contests like Sweepstakes, the 160 Meter Contest, and Field Day./
>
> /Reciprocal Operating Agreements: The US and Canada have an automatic
> reciprocal operating agreement that allows licensed amateurs to operate
> in the other country with minimal issues. US amateurs need to carry
> proof of their citizenship and valid license and use the US call sign
> followed by a stroke and the appropriate Canadian prefix.
> Historical Connection: The Canadian Radio Relay League (CRRL), which
> later merged to form RAC, was originally a division of the ARRL before
> becoming autonomous.
> Collaboration on ARRL News: The ARRL website has reported on RAC
> announcements, such as the creation of a new Section.
>
> In essence, RAC and the ARRL maintain a cooperative relationship that
> facilitates the enjoyment and development of amateur radio across North
> America, particularly concerning contests and emergency preparedness
> activities.
> /
>
> /
> /
>
> I also Googled "rac and arrl relationship" and here is what was returned :
>
> /The relationship between the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) and the
> American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is one of distinct national
> organizations that share a common origin and collaborate in certain
> aspects of amateur radio
> .
> Historical Background:
>
> Early Days: The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) was founded in
> 1914 and initially encompassed Canadian amateur radio activities as well.
> Canadian Division: In 1920, the Canadian Radio Relay League (CRRL)
> was formed as a division of the ARRL, with a Canadian director on the
> ARRL board.
> Autonomy: The CRRL gained more independence over time, and in 1988,
> it became fully autonomous from the ARRL.
> RAC Formation: In 1993, the CRRL merged with another Canadian
> organization, the Canadian Amateur Radio Federation (CARF), to form the
> Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC).
>
> Current Relationship:
>
> Distinct Organizations: Today, the ARRL and the RAC are independent
> national organizations representing amateur radio operators in the
> United States and Canada, respectively.
> IARU Membership: Both organizations are member societies of the
> International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).
> Collaboration: While independent, they collaborate in some areas,
> including:/
>
> / Field Day: The ARRL and RAC jointly sponsor Field Day, a
> popular amateur radio operating event.
> Reciprocal Operating Agreement: The United States and Canada
> share an automatic reciprocal operating agreement, simplifying
> cross-border operation for licensed amateurs.
> Contest Section Structure: The organizations maintain a section
> structure for their respective countries, used in certain contests.
> Advocacy: They may collaborate on issues affecting amateur
> radio at international levels through the IARU.
>
> In essence, the RAC and ARRL have a historical connection stemming from
> the ARRL's early role in Canadian amateur radio. While now distinct
> entities, they maintain a relationship through their shared interests
> and participation in international amateur radio activities/
>
>
> I really don't understand the RAC's rational to even break up the
> northern provinces of Canada into three sections. That area of Canada
> has maybe 500 amateur radio licensees.
>
> A search on QRZ.com shows the following :
>
> VY1 call-signs (YT) - 276 matches
>
> VY0 call-signs (NU) - 63 matches
>
> VE8 call-signs (NT) -161 matches.
>
> By comparison the DC section alone has 531 amateurs. The state with the
> lowest number of amateurs is North Dakota with 1470.
>
>
> In my state of Georgia there are 18,769 amateur radio operators. We are
> just one ARRL section. States such as Massachusetts (13,131) , New
> Jersey (12,848) who have fewer amateur have two sections. (Source is
> http://www.arrl.org/fcc-license-counts .) Georgia's population is
> heavily concentrated in the Atlanta metropolitan area, with about 57% of
> the state's residents living there. I don't know what the criteria is to
> create a new section. I know it has nothing to do with radio contests
> but representation in the ARRL. Georgia would be a good candidate to
> break into more that one ARRL section.
>
> I agree with AF5CC that this change was made to create a new section for
> ARRL contests. Also, does the ARRL CAC vote on this or can the RAC just
> create new sections on a whim?
>
> Personally, I think the RAC has made some bad decisions lately -
> Boycotting the Dayton Hamvention based on non-ham radio reasons and now
> this. I'm sure the ARRL wasn't very happy about the Dayton boycott but
> keep that to themselves. Maybe the ARRL should just drop the Canadian
> sections from their contests. Then they would be independent from the
> ARRL like practically every other amateur radio society in the world is.
>
> Jeff KU8E
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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