The History of SARC

The Transformative Role of the Surrey Amateur Radio Club in My Ham Radio Journey

Fred Orsetti VE7IO, one of SARC's Founding Members

My journey in amateur radio, spanning over five decades, has been profoundly shaped by my involvement with the Surrey Amateur Radio Club (SARC), a community that provided me with knowledge, camaraderie, and inspiration. When I first joined SARC, I was a newly licensed ham, eager but inexperienced. The club became a cornerstone of my growth in the hobby, introducing me to seasoned operators like Doug Moore VE7CBM, the club president and an electronics teacher; Mike Hawley VE7AVM, an electrical engineer at BC Hydro; and Max Green VE7DZ, who ran a repair shop in White Rock and later taught club classes. These mentors, along with others, shared their expertise and passion, guiding me through the intricacies of amateur radio. The club’s monthly meetings, which began with enthusiasm and evolved over time, offered a platform for learning and collaboration.

A separate technical meeting each month allowed us to dive into hands-on projects, such as converting CB radios to operate on the 10-meter band. This project, which sparked significant interest among members, led to the formation of the Dogwood Chapter of 10-10 International, a prestigious recognition that required logging a specific number of QSOs. The sense of achievement from soldering circuits, mastering on-air communication, and earning this distinction fueled my passion for the hobby and underscored the value of community-driven learning.

One of the most memorable milestones in my SARC experience was the club’s first Field Day in 1976, held on seven acres of my property in White Rock. As a novice, I had little understanding of what Field Day entailed, but the event became a defining moment. Doug Moore and his electronics class arrived at my property on Friday, stringing wires through 50-foot trees to set up antennas for 80, 40, 20, and 10 meters. The event kicked off Saturday at 11 a.m., but not without challenges: the generator failed by Saturday night, forcing us to scramble for a replacement to power our 110-volt radios, and a couple of radios malfunctioned. On Sunday, an amusing incident occurred when my wife reported the doorbell ringing incessantly, caused by interference from a 10-meter sideband antenna operated by Terry Miller a VE7, now a silent key. These early mishaps taught me invaluable lessons about troubleshooting and resilience, reinforcing the hands-on nature of the hobby. In subsequent years, SARC held Field Days at McKee Mountain (nicknamed “Monkey Mountain”) near Abbotsford, a repeater site accessible only by a rugged four-wheel drive road. The remote location created a captive audience, fostering camaraderie and focus. During these years, SARC took first place in Canada for Field Day multiple times, relying on paper logging, manual dupe sheets, and weeks of post-event tallying. These experiences highlighted the club’s dedication and the thrill of collective achievement, even without modern tools like computers.

The Surrey Amateur Radio Club also facilitated unique opportunities for international connection. In 1984, inspired by Ralph Webb VE7OM and his contact Ron McDonald in the UK, a group of SARC members traveled to London to operate from the BC House, hosted by the Sutton and Cheam Amateur Radio Club in Surrey, England. The connection between Surrey, BC, and Surrey, England, fostered a meaningful exchange, with two weeks of operating, socializing, and building lasting relationships. Some UK hams later visited us in British Columbia, including one who stayed with me for a week. This trip exemplified the global spirit of amateur radio, made possible by SARC’s initiative and vision.

However, the club faced challenges in the 1980s and early 1990s, a period when my work limited my participation. By 1995, SARC had dwindled to just six members at a meeting held at Newton Senior Secondary, facing restrictions from the facility and contemplating dissolution. The club’s equipment, including a tower and a repeater, was at risk, and the repeater and its frequency pair was eventually donated to the Delta club. Fortunately, new members stepped in, revitalizing SARC with fresh energy and leadership. Their efforts rebuilt the club into the vibrant organization it is today, with a strong executive team maintaining financial stability and a broad scope of activities.

Reflecting on SARC’s evolution, I’m struck by how far the club has come since its early days in 1975, when CW, Field Day, and hands-on projects were the focus. Today, SARC engages in a wide range of activities, from public service events to contesting, which it excels at under skilled leadership. The club’s adoption of modern technologies, like software-defined radios (SDRs), contrasts with the bulky 110-volt tube radios we used in the beginning, yet it has maintained a commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering community. Compared to other clubs, like the Burnaby Amateur Radio Club, which struggled and never recovered, SARC’s resilience is remarkable. The club’s recovery from near dissolution to its current strength is a testament to its dedicated members and leadership. For me, amateur radio remains magical—whether it’s a 50-watt QSO to Europe with a simple wire antenna or the camaraderie of a Field Day.

To new hams, I encourage listening to experienced operators and embracing the hobby’s challenges and joys. The Surrey Amateur Radio Club gave me the foundation to grow, learn, and find joy in this hobby, and its legacy continues to inspire both members and the wider community.

~ Fred