The Belleville Sea Cadet Corps leads the way again:
Belleville Sea Cadet PO2 Duncan Culliton (VA3FSY), has recently received his federal Morse Code operator licence endorsement. His examiner is quoted as reporting “He has a particularly good fist -perfect character formation & spacing steady speed.” As one of the cadets that obtained his Amateur Radio Licence, Duncan Culliton went on to study Morse Code adding that endorsement to his license.
The Communications Department of the Belleville Sea Cadet Corps, led by SLt Matthew Batten (VE3ZQW), was launched as a local unit initiative to introduce more science, technology, engineering, and math back into the optional Sea Cadet training program, as well as a primer for naval/maritime communications using amateur radio. Cadets are currently being trained towards their own amateur radio qualifications, with plans to have our unit station (VA3GKY) accredited as a CFARS (Canadian Forces Affiliate Radio Service) station, as well as a Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) station, allowing us to take part in Canadian Forces, Coast Guard, Police/Emergency and disaster communications training.
After in-person training was shut down due to Covid, our communications initiative took advantage of a socially distanced basic amateur radio course offered virtually through the Radio Amateurs of Canada organization. Ten members of our unit (9 cadets and one officer) sat through over 55 hours of online lectures in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Of the first ten QUINTE members, five have passed the federal qualification exam with 70% or more, with four obtaining “honours” of 80% making them licenced with the Amateur Radio Association of Canada. Three of those graduating have gone on to careers at Royal Military College in Communications and electronics. As a result of our success, 7 other Sea Cadet Corps in Ontario have now partnered with QUINTE’s initiative, enrolling their cadets in the on-line courses. Participation in the Amateur Radio association can lead to a career in electronics, even making the cadets eligible for grants & scholarships in that field.
The Belleville Sea Cadet Corps, RCSCC Quinte, supported by the Navy League of Canada Belleville Branch, normally meets Thursday nights at 16 South Front St. Training continues to occur virtually, when in-person training is not possible. Youth between the ages of 12-19 can join. More information is available on our web site www.bellevilleseacadets.com or phone 613 962-4647.
