Tune in to this amateur radio swap event

Amateur radio enthusiasts and electronics hobbyists from across the Okanagan gathered at the Sphere Research Corporation in West Kelowna for a highly anticipated equipment swap event.

“This is our annual ‘stuff day’ sale, every year we set out a lot of equipment and parts for electronics, and we let all the schools know, and the teachers, as well as the radio club,” Sphere VP of Finance Susan Shawlee told Kelowna10. “We’ve been running it for 15 years now, it’s always been very popular.”

The event on Saturday was organized jointly between Sphere and the Orchard City Amateur Radio Club (OCARC) who brought additional gear to sell to new and old enthusiasts alike.

A wide variety of equipment was on offer, including transceivers, antennas, amplifiers, tuners, and other accessories. Enthusiastic buyers and sellers engaged in lively discussions, showcasing their technical knowledge and passion for amateur radio.

“Right now, in the Okanagan valley, there's probably about 600 or 700 licensed amateur radio operators,” OCARC Board Member Robert Meldrum said. “Within the club sphere there's probably 150 or 200 that are active in that aspect of the hobby.”

The operators are licenced by the federal government to be able to broadcast on specific frequencies allocated to them, from shortwave, and [just above] AM, to satellite range.

He admitted the hobby can be a bit daunting for the average person.

“We recognize that you have to have an interest in basic electronics and radio communication,” Meldrum explained. “But if you have an interest or if you want to apply that interest, there are various opportunities for you to use your skills and communication skills to support the community.”