The Coquitlam Amateur Radio Emergency Services Society (CARESS), operating under the callsign VE7SCC, proudly supports the Canadian Forces Affiliate Radio System (CFARS).

This unique and valuable partnership enables CARESS to contribute directly to national emergency readiness and communications resilience — bridging the gap between civilian amateur radio operators and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

What is CFARS?

CFARS is a Department of National Defence (DND) program established to support the Canadian Armed Forces with auxiliary radio communications during times of need — particularly in the event of natural disasters, infrastructure failures, or national emergencies when conventional communication systems may be degraded or non-functional.

Unlike typical amateur radio operations, CFARS operates under special licences and frequencies that are exclusive to government-affiliated use and are not open to the general ham community.

Stations such as VE7SCC that are authorized to operate as Canadian Forces Affiliate Radio Stations are entrusted with access to these protected frequencies and protocols, providing a secure and interoperable communications channel with CAF assets across the country.

CFARS Mission & Capabilities

The CFARS mission consists of:

1. Providing backup long-range HF communications in support of Canadian Forces domestic operations.
2. Testing and maintaining interoperability between military and civilian volunteer communicators.
3. Developing communications proficiency in Canadian amateur radio volunteers to support the CAF when called upon.
4. Coordinate with the U.S. Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) to ensure cross-border HF interoperability, enabling joint Canadian-American communications in continental emergency or defense operations.
   

CFARS makes use of:

• High Frequency (HF) communications, often utilizing NVIS and long-distance skip propagation.
• Digital and voice modes to ensure resilience and compatibility with military systems.
• Formal message traffic protocols, structured similarly to military radiotelephony procedures.

The CARESS Connection

CARESS has long been a cornerstone of emergency communications preparedness in the Coquitlam region, working closely with Emergency Management BC, local municipalities, and amateur radio operators. Its mission aligns naturally with that of CFARS:

• Emergency Preparedness: CARESS trains regularly to provide backup communication during wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and power grid failures.
• Community Resilience: By integrating into CFARS, CARESS becomes an asset not only to Coquitlam and Metro Vancouver, but to the entire nation’s defence communications matrix.
• Volunteer Excellence: Members of CARESS receive ongoing training and operational experience, enhancing both local capabilities and readiness to serve in a national role.

VE7SCC – A CFARS-Authorized Hub

The VE7SCC station is equipped with:

• High-performance HF transceivers capable of secure and encrypted CFARS communication (when authorized).
• Multi-band antennas optimized for both local NVIS coverage and long-range HF reach.
• Digital modem equipment supporting Winlink, ALE, and other military-compatible modes.
• Experienced operators trained in both amateur and CFARS-specific protocols, available for activation at short notice.

A Model of Civil-Military Cooperation

In a world of increasingly complex emergencies and cyber threats, reliable radio communication remains a vital national asset. The integration of CFARS into CARESS’ emergency communication mandate strengthens both institutions, providing a redundant, trained, and disciplined radio network ready to assist the Canadian Armed Forces whenever called upon.

VE7SCC’s status as a CFARS station is not just an honour — it’s a mission-critical responsibility. CARESS is proud to play its part in maintaining Canada’s communication sovereignty, one radio check at a time.