2016年7月9日,加拿大安省中部第42屆火腿節(Hamfest)在多倫多西部城市Milton舉行。參與者以中老年人居多,也有些很年輕的小朋友,應該是受他們父輩的影響而愛上了這一活動。
這裏所說的火腿,不是我們平時吃的火腿,而是業餘無線電的簡稱。業餘無線電英文簡稱HAM,中文又叫火腿。業餘無線電作為人們的一種愛好,在上個世紀中葉,曾經紅極一時,後來隨著互聯網和衛星通信的發展逐漸被世人冷落。盡管如此,世界範圍內的業餘無線電活動卻始終沒有停止過,而且發現業餘無線電通訊在救災和應對危機的情況下,起到了其他通訊手段無法替代的作用。現代社會的通訊確實非常方便,但是它的依賴性卻非常強,在某些特殊情況下,一旦失去了電力和網絡的支持,這些通訊就會癱瘓。業餘無線電通訊是一種免費的自主的遠距離通訊,平時是一種愛好,而在出現天災人禍的異常情況下又是一種自救和參與社會應急的手段。
火腿節英文介紹:
網址:http://www.hamfest.on.ca/ http://barc.ca/wordpress/
The Central Ontario Hamfest was founded in the late 60's by the Guelph ARC as a fund raiser for the St. Joseph's Hospital Amateur Radio club station. GARC was instrumental in acquiring and setting up the ham station at St. Joe's --- VE3SJH. As well, the volunteers taught beginners classes for many long-term-care patients resulting in a very active station at the Hospital.
The original Fleamarket was held in 1975 in the driveway of Rocco, VE3HGZ now VE3YJ's QTH and the following year, in the side yard of Gord McPhail, VE3IH. Over the years the organizers did such a great job in promoting this event that the increasing attendees kept overflowing larger and larger Guelph facilities forcing the club to make a hard decision on how to continue accommodating the growing crowds.
Faced with this growth problem, Guelph approached the Kitchener-Waterloo Club (KWARC) who joined forces with the founding Guelph club. The space problem was resolved by moving the event to Kitchener's Bingeman Park and then in 1998 to the Fergus Community Center. Since we've been at Fergus, the Tailgater presence has been growing steadily, especially since we've been blessed with beautiful weather every year (so far!)..
In 2010, our 36th year, we moved our classic to a new location. We believe you’ll find our new site easier to access- it’s on the other side of Hwy 401 from Princess Auto. Major vendors, collectors, hobbyists, and enthusiasts enjoy this one. Lots of room. You meet your friends at this one!