CANWARN involves an active group of people that spot and report on severe weather. It was originally formed as a network of weather-trained ham radio operators across Ontario, and has since spread to Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and into Atlantic Canada. The network now includes a growing team of other formally trained severe-weather spotters, from members of the Canadian Red Cross to government and provincial park staff.

With June 1 being the official start of the hurricane season, The Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) provided a media update on the upcoming season.  Included in the May 23 presentation is meteorologist Bob Robichaud (VE1MBR) with Enviroment and Climate Change Canada at the CHC.  This is a link to the video presentation in both official languages (run time about 45 minutes). 

The International Repeater Group held its annual general meeting in Doaktown on Sunday, April 27.  In addition to discussing repeater updates, regular nets and other items, election was held for officers.

The IRG Weather Net held its last daily net for the 2021-2022 season on Friday, April 11.  Since November 4,  observers contributed an estimated 23,000 items of data to help Environment Canada, N.B. River Watch, and other agencies in their forecasting. 

Friends of Murry Brown (VE9MB) are saddened by his recent passing on March 2, 2025. 

Murry was instrumental in his role at Radio Branch of the N.B. Department of Transportation (now RadComm at NB-DTI) in working with the IRG to establish the linked radio system now used by radio amateurs.  

New network diagrams are available with all new repeaters and zones indicated, available at the “Network” tab.  Members can access the same map, but including current linking codes on the “Linking” tab which only appears when logged-in.

Effective July 12, changes to IRG repeater Zones have been made as part of the upgrade of equipment.  Significant changes include:

With the Doaktown VE1XI repeater being the final one updated, all IRG repeaters are now tone-enabled.  Users are required to program a sub-audible tone with their transmission to activate a repeater.  For more information, see our Revamp page.

All  IRG VHF repeaters use a CTCSS (or PL tone) of 151.4 Hz, while IRG UHF repeaters use 141.3 Hz.  You can check the complete updated repeater listing by clicking on the “Revamp” tab at the top of any page. 

CubeSat VIOLET was deployed from the ISS last week, but its antenna may not yet have released.  Attempts to contact from the UNB team will be made periodically.  The orbit of VIOLET at this time is very close to the ISS, so you can find out when VIOLET may be within range at Heavens Above web site (you may need to adjust for your location, and be sure to select "all passes".).  UNB will be using 145.910 (only 6 watts pointed