This year saw the return of the once annual White Rock Sea Festival. This year the three-day event was organized by the city staff. The White Rock Radio Club was asked to help with communication in the Saturday Torch Light Parade Event. The parade started at 8:30pm but the preparation began long before. Our first group of members were on site at 4pm and the second group by 7pm. The last member was done around 10:30pm. A long day for those helping to put on the event.

The parade took place along the White Rock Waterfront, Marine Drive, stretching the 2.5km length of the promenade. Floats were assembled at the west end and finished their route by the Washington Grill. We had members positioned along the route. The location presents some significant challenges for VHF coverage. The route has a large hill in its middle, and it follows along the base of a large slope that forms the bulk of the city. Repeaters in the Metro Vancouver Area provide spotty if any coverage along the waterfront, including our own repeaater. Simplex was possible but it was very touchy with positioning being quite critical.

In light of the location challenge, the club reached out to the Salt Spring Radio Club which runs a wide area coverage repeater on Salt Sprint Island. – 147.320 (VE7RSI). This repeater was ideal in being able to cover the entire length of the route with good reception. We wish to thank our friends In the Salt Spring Club for their permission to use their repeater for the event. It worked out very well for the event. Fortunately, this year there were no major issues that needed handling and the parade went off with few issues.

Members participating this year were Ralph Webb (VE7OM) providing Net Control functions. Joe Kalwajtys (VE7JJK), Bill Northcott (VE7WNO). Bob Legault (VE7ADX), additional help from Andrew Elgin (VA7LGN), and Luis Araiza (VA7WCR). It was a fun event and all felt it was a successful evening.