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The Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club, Inc. was first organized as the Moncton ARC in 1936.
On the July holiday weekend of that year, the newly formed Club hosted a gathering of Radio Amateurs.
It was Moncton’s first Amateur Radio event and by all reports a great success. It was extensively chronicled in local newspapers and in QST magazine.
MARC became a very active Club and three years later hosted another Hamfest on Labour Day weekend in September 1939 just as on-air activity ceased with the outbreak of WW2. When peace returned in 1945, there was a gradual restoration of traditional and new bands to the Amateur Radio Service as their military use was relinquished.
In the postwar years, MARC continued its existence with some periods of inactivity until 1966. At that time a group of local Radio Amateurs met at the Legion Hall on Botsford Street and in recognition of the expanding communities adjacent to Moncton, agreed to re-organize and revitalize MARC as the Moncton Area ARC.
As Canada celebrated its Centennial, MAARC hosted a very successful Atlantic provinces Hamfest in 1967. It was attended by close to 400 Radio Amateurs. MAARC continued as an active Club, hosting periodic Hamfests and conducting an annual Flea Market.
In 1977, MAARC was incorporated under New Brunswick statutes as a “not-for-profit” organization and this year is marking its
75th Anniversary.
MAARC, Inc. is a member of Radio Amateurs of Canada and the American Radio Relay League. It conducts regular monthly meetings (except July) on the third Monday of each month. The September meeting is designated as its Annual General Meeting with new officers taking office on October 1st.
Among objectives of the Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club, Inc. are
(1) promotion of Amateur Radio as a licensed and regulated activity under federal jurisdiction
(2) fostering technical and social activities,
(3) conducting technical seminars,
(4) maintaining Club station facilities and
(5) providing training assistance to those wishing to qualify as licensed Radio Amateurs.
The Club offers activities of interest to Radio Amateurs of all ages. It also provides unique computer access to its Club transceivers for members who are restricted from establishing a home station. Something undreamed of in 1936!
Senior members are assisted with transportation to Club functions.
MAARC, Inc. recently qualified for a federal government grant enabling it to update Club facilities, station equipment and antenna systems.
The Club maintains and operates two HF/VHF stations, VE1EV and VE9MSR, together with a Space Station, VE9MSC. It makes regular contacts with the International Space Station and monitors other orbiting satellites. The call sign VE1EV was originally held by Gorely Brown, the Club’s first Secretary and longtime active member. To honor his memory, VE1EV, was adopted as an official Club call sign.
To mark the Club’s 75th Anniversary a “special event” call sign, VC9M, will be in use during the 2011 Field Day and until July 25th.
Special QSL cards will confirm each contact.
MAARC, Inc. is a progressive organization keeping fully abreast of the latest advances in Amateur Radio. Radio Amateurs and those interested are encouraged to join MAARC, Inc. and enjoy the use of its many facilities, instructional sessions and social activities.
Your comments and input on MAARC’s Web site will be welcomed.
Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club, Inc.
Serving the community through Amateur Radio
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