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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, October 13, 2011 · 4 Plumbing Mart Since 1959 Ham Radio hams it up Oct. 15 Ham Radio enthusiasts across Ontario will be practicing their disaster and emergency communications capabilities on Saturday, Oct. 15 and radio operators from Halton Region will be part of the action. Every year, the province holds a Simulated Emergency Test to practise disaster communications skills and to test emergency radio communications systems. Operating this year from the Emergency Operations Centre for Halton Region and the North Halton Red Cross in Milton, Ham radio operators from the radio groups in Halton region, including the Oakville Amateur Radio Emergency Service and Halton Region Emergency Communications Team, will set up a radio communications stations capable of communicating with other Hams across the province. The public is invited to visit the operators at North Halton Red Cross located at 100 Nipissing Rd., Unit 5, in Milton from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Over the past few years, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications in emergencies including the Japan earthquake and tsunami, Haiti earthquake, Midwest floods, tornadoes, and other events world-wide. During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio -- also called Ham radio -- was often the only way people could communicate, and hundreds of volunteer Hams used their communications skills and radio equipment to help save lives and property. Ham radio, in Haiti, provided emergency communications following the devastating earthquake which destroyed that country's telecommunications infrastructure. Ham radio provided a critical communications link between field medical staff in the disaster zone, military "hospital" ships offshore, and medical and logistical resources on the mainland in Florida. The annual North American Simulated Emergency Test (SET) event helps local Hams and Hams across the continent practice their emergency communications skills using voice, digital modes, and even good old fashion Morse Code to test their equipment and operating skills. This year, the operators from the Oakville Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) and the Halton Region Emergency Communications Team (HRECT) will be operating from one of our partner organizations, the Canadian Red Cross. Radio Amateurs of Canada and the Canadian ARES groups have a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Red Cross to provide emergency communications for the agency in times of disaster. There are an estimated 50,000 licensed Hams in Canada (650,000 in the U.S. and more than 2.5 million worldwide). The Oakville ARES group and the Halton Region Emergency Communications Team club have more than 20 members who will be participating in this year's event. Buy a Kitchen Sink or Faucet Save 25% Buy Both Save 30% W install We every r thing we sell Kitchen Sink & Faucet Sale October 14 & 15 3235 Fairview St. 905 639-7106 www.plumbingmart.ca ...to an active retirement lifestyle at Vistamere, Oakville's premier retirement residence. Nestled in a well established neighbourhood, close to popular Hopedale Mall, living at Vistamere is like living in a fine hotel. Everything is included in your monthly fee; there are no hidden charges. Three meals a day in our beautifully appointed dining room, snacks, weekly personal laundry and linen service, daily housekeeping and so much more, have made Vistamere the choice for active seniors. Our fully equipped Residents Kitchen is ideal for personal baking. You Y can enj n oy a game of pool in our comforta f ble Club Room, have a game of bridge in our Card Room or just chat with new fr f iends in our bright and airy main lounge. We W even have a custom designed indoor shuffleboard court! Call today for your personal tour. W d love to have you join us! We' 380 Sherin Drive, Oakville, Ontario (905) 847-1413 www.vistamere.ca