Greetings, Winter Field Day is back for 2026, and we couldn’t be more excited! Every year, hams from across the country brave the cold, string up antennas in the snow, and put their skills to the test— and we invite you to join in the adventure.
At its heart, Winter Field Day is all about sharpening your emergency communication abilities, but it’s also about fun. Winter throws curveballs that summer never does—short days, freezing temperatures, icy winds, and sudden weather surprises. It’s the perfect chance to challenge yourself, push your station to new limits, and prove that you can stay on the air no matter what Mother Nature sends your way.
This isn’t a contest—it’s an experience. We call it an Operating Event. Whether you’re operating from the warmth of a cabin, a heated tent, or bundled up outside in the snow, you’ll gain practical skills while making lasting memories. You’ll also meet other operators, make plenty of QSOs, and maybe even discover new ways to enjoy the hobby.
Of course, safety always comes first. We encourage everyone to plan ahead, keep an eye on the weather, and know when to pack it up if conditions become unsafe. That said, the challenges of Winter Field Day are exactly what make it so rewarding—because if you can set up and operate in January, you’ll be more than ready for any real emergency.
Please carefully review the event guidelines in this packet, and feel free to reach out via our website if you have any questions. As we embark on another year of the Winter Field Day exercise, we encourage you to use this event to hone your skills as an amateur radio operator. We wish you the best of luck and eagerly anticipate hearing you on the air during this exciting event.
On behalf of the Winter Field Day Association, we thank you for joining us in 2026—stay warm, stay safe, and above all, enjoy the spirit of Winter Field Day!
Sincerely,
As a past participant in one of the Radio Amateurs of Canada’s on-the-air contests you are receiving this reminder of the pending Canada Winter Contest scheduled for December 20, 2025. The contest starts at 00:00 UTC and goes until 23:59 UTC on December 20, 2025. As well operators worldwide are invited to participate. Complete contest rules are available at: https://www.rac.ca/rac-canada-winter-contest-rules-2025/
Hope to hear you on the air during the Canada Winter Contest on December 20, 2025.
Sam
VE5SF
RAC Winter Contest Manager.
En tant que participant à l’un des précédents concours radio de Radio Amateurs du Canada, nous tenons à vous rappeler le Concours d'hiver du Canada qui aura lieu le 20 décembre 2025. Le concours se déroulera de 00h00 à 23h59 UTC le 20 décembre 2025. Les radioamateurs du monde entier sont invités à y participer. Le règlement complet du concours est disponible à l'adresse suivante : https://www.rac.ca/rac-canada-winter-contest-rules-2025/
Au plaisir de vous entendre sur les ondes lors du Concours d'hiver du Canada le 20 décembre 2025.
Sam
VE5SF
Responsable du Concours d'hiver de RAC
RAC Advanced Qualification Course for Maple Leaf Operators
https://www.rac.ca/rac-advanced-course-for-maple-leaf-operators-winter-2026/
The Winter 2026 RAC Advanced Qualification course will be starting on Sunday, January 4. Please register now!
Radio Amateurs of Canada is once again offering an online Advanced Qualification Amateur Radio Course so that individuals can upgrade their qualifications.
With your Advanced Certificate, you can run higher power, operate a remotely-controlled station, obtain operating privileges when travelling overseas, set up repeaters, be the trustee for club stations and even become an Accredited Examiner (AE) if you have the Morse code qualification.
Course information:
Course material pertaining to all topics covered in the course syllabus will be provided to all registered students. Please see the Advanced Course webpage for more information.
Note: You need to be a RAC Maple Leaf Operator Member to register for this course. If you are not already a RAC Maple Leaf Operator Member, you can upgrade easily. A registration form will be provided but you will need to be a Maple Leaf Operator Member to be able to see it and to register.
Schedule and Cost:
The course will be 10 sessions in length and each session will be two hours long.
In order to offer maximum flexibility, we will be running two Advanced courses so students will be able to choose one of the following two options:
Courses are offered on Sunday afternoons or Monday evenings and are two hours in duration.
Sunday afternoons:
Sunday afternoons at 1 pm Eastern Time (10 am PT / 2:30 NT) starting on Sunday, January 4 and ending on Sunday, March 8
Or:
Monday evenings:
Monday evenings from 8:30 pm Eastern Time (5:30 pm PT / 10 pm NT) starting on Monday, January 5 and ending on Monday, March 9
Course instruction:
The course instructor is Dave Goodwin, VE3KG. Dave has been an Amateur since 1975, is an active HF Contester and DXer.
Dave has been a RAC volunteer for many years. He is currently RAC’s Regulatory Affairs Officer and previously served as Atlantic Director, RAC President and in other roles.
From 2015-2020, Dave taught both Basic and Advanced courses with the Fredericton (NB) Amateur Radio Club. He is an Accredited Examiner (AE) for ISED and gives many Basic, Advanced and Morse Code exams over the web.
Course material pertaining to all topics covered in the course syllabus which is available on the Advanced Course webpage and will be provided to all registered students.
Course requirements:
The RAC Advanced Qualification Amateur Radio course is being offered at no charge to RAC Maple Leaf Operator Members as described below.
Participants in the course will need to meet all of the following requirements:
- Participants must already have the Canadian Basic Amateur Radio Qualification and a Canadian call sign.
- Participants must already be a RAC Maple Leaf Operator Member or become one by joining RAC at the Maple Leaf Operator level or upgrading to that level.
- Participants must have a copy of the Canadian Amateur Radio Advanced Qualification Study Guide provided by Coax Publications. For more information please visit the RAC Study Guides webpage.
- Participants must have a computer and Internet connection capable of using the Zoom conference platform. You do not need your own account on Zoom to take part in this course, but you may have to download a Zoom applet to participate.
- Participants must have a working email address to receive course materials and links to the sessions.
There is room on the conference server for 200 participants in each session. Auditors are welcome to attend on a space-available basis, provided they are RAC Maple Leaf Operator members.
Course registration:
Please visit the Advanced Course webpage for information on how to register for the course.
Other Amateur Radio Courses:
Amateur Radio Basic and Advanced Qualification courses are also now being provided both online and in person by Canadian Amateur Radio Clubs and organizations. Please visit the Amateur Radio Courses webpage for more information at the link provided below.
https://www.rac.ca/amateur-radio-courses/
Allan Boyd, VE3AJB/VE3EM
RAC President
Saturday social breakfasts are back at the Hot Spot on 6 restaurant on highway 6, opposite the Science Centre.
9AM start time. Starting Saturday October 4, 2025 and continuing every week.
Organizer is Howard VA7PWF.
If you plan to attend please let Howard know via email va7pwfatgmaildotcom so that he can reserve enough space for the group.
For members living in the "frozen north" of Armstrong and points north of there, there are weekly Wednesday morning coffee meet-ups.
They take place 10am Wednesdays at Jonnie and Lily’s Diner, 3460 Okanagan St, Armstrong, BC.
Any questions please contact Paul VE7PDE or Bud VE7KBK directly.