Two New Programs...

There’s a couple of new programs up and running these days to give you another outdoor operating option instead of POTA. These are CANParks and PARCs.

CANParks was brought into being by Stuart, VE9CF, a few weeks ago. This is a truly Canadian program that allows all parks, regardless of the level of government operating them, to be active in the program. This allows National, Provincial, and Municipal parks to be added to the list of available entities to activate. 

It has grown quickly with the help, suggestions, testing and participation of amateur radio operators from right across Canada.

This program has opened up a huge amount of parks, and they are available to virtually anyone, whether you’re driving, biking, or even walking, there will be a park near you available to activate. I have 11 parks within a 10 minute walk of my house, and another 50 within a 15 minute drive. Given the high cost of gas these days I think these parks will get a work out soon.

The other new program is PARC's, based in France, but a world-wide program for park activating. 

This program came about as a result of the US dominated POTA Board of Directors threatening to remove 80% of the French parks from the system, because they didn't meet the US standards. The French fought back with their own program, which they made world-wide. The guiding light in this program is Larry, F5PYI.

Check out their websites, both are well put together and modern looking, and are packed with interesting information about the programs. Click the links above.

Stay Safe Out There!