norac.bc.ca has just completed a major website migration and infrastructure update with our internet service provider Provision Data Systems. We can't say enough good stuff about the support Provision has given. They have had the answers to all of our questions and have been super responsive to all of our requests for service. Kudos to such a smart and responsive team.
For our club members' info, we've moved to a newer Linux server, Apache web server, MySQL database and PHP scripting engine. The recent versions of these components will continue to be patched against security vulnerabilities. In addition to that we have also updated/migrated to the latest version of Joomla, the content management system that underpins our website.
Big thanks for Provision's continued support of NORAC,
Mike VE7KPZ
NORAC Webmaster 2025
Provision Data Systems is the second largest commercial datacenter in the Okanagan and an Internet Service Provider based in Kelowna. Provision Data provides web hosting, managed services, dedicated servers, colocation and custom Internet related solutions for corporations and other ISPs. We have 25 years of experience in the IT industry, and currently run multiple datacenters that are located in the prestigious Landmark Technology Campus. We have ambitious growth potential, and have experienced continuous annual growth over the last 20 years.
February 8, 2025 - Vernon, BC
Another Carnival Parade Successfully Delivered!
Big thanks to all the NORAC members who turned out today to support the Vernon Winter Carnival parade. It was a great event and the NORAC team pulled off another successful parade organization with great support from the new executive from VWC. There was definitely some creative parking the NORAC team came up with given the rather cramped size of the new staging area.
This is a very important event to serve our community and create publicity for the club and amateur radio service.
Team members included:
John VE7JWS
Doug VA7CPS
Howard VA7PWF
Colin VA7EEH
Mike VE7KPZ
Robert VE7EZI
Jake VE7WEA
Jake's YL Caitlin
Jake's buddy Spencer
Richard VE7NT
Felix VA7VOL
Bud VE7KBK
Mike VA7XDM
David VA7SZ
Ritchie VA7RLX
A special shout out to Felix VA7VOL who did most of the heavy lifting to plan in advance.
In total, with pre-event planning plus on-the-day efforts, the club provided approximately 20+(15*4)=80 hours of service to our community.
Here are some pics of NORAC club members in action (thanks to John VE7JWS and David VA7SZ):
The volunteer crew gets ready for the briefing meeting.
The team's excitement shows in anticipation of a challenging event.
Mike VE7KPZ answers some questions from parade participants.
Howard VA7PWF and Colin VE7EEH happy to get the participants staged in numerical order.
Mike VE7KPZ receives guidance from Robert VE7EZI (multi-year VWCP organizational lead alumni).
Ritchie VA7RLX checks in with the Vernon SAR group while guiding traffic down a tight corridor.
Doug VA7CPS and Bud VE7KBK re-checking the plan. This duo had the trickiest section to coordinate this year.
Jake VE7WEA and Spencer manning the entry point of the staging corral.
Jake VE7WEA answers a participant's question while Spencer looks on.
Mike VA7XDM checking in with staging area organizational lead Felix VA7VOL.
Ps: right-click on any image and select "open image in new tab/window" to see a higher resolution version.