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INUVIK - Members of the Inuvik amateur radio club have been busy participating in contests with operators from all over the world.

Recently, the team was named the best club in the NWT for their work in relaying information during a world-wide competition.

John Boudreau is one of the members of the Inuvik amateur radio club. The group meets once a month to connect with other operators across the world. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Team member John Boudreau said their accomplishment might be in part due to the fact that the Inuvik team was the only NWT club participating in that contest.

Boudreau said he knows of one other club in Yellowknife.

The Inuvik club has been active for many years, with members coming and going.

Boudreau was involved in the club in the mid-90s, and reestablished the club along with Wally Rogers, who joined up in May 2007.

"Back then, we were active in all kinds of stuff," he said.

"It kind of died off when people left town."

Boudreau said it was Rogers who got the club started again when he inquired about getting his operator's licence.

The club meets once a month to perform exercises and contact other clubs that use their radios.

"We have a mobile communications centre," said Boudreau.

Over the summer, the two operators worked on their building and now they're ready to help with any emergency needs in the area.

"We told the town we're ready for emergency services," said Boudreau.

"In case all lines of communication are lost, we'll be ready to help."

Boudreau said they use different types of radio, depending on who they want to talk with.

"We use high frequency radios to talk with people from anywhere in the world," he said.

"We also have short-wave radios for around town."

One of the exercises the club participates in is trying to get in contact with as many other operators around the world as possible.

"You actually have to exchange specific information with them," he said.

While some technologies such as computers and the Internet have changed the way people communicate, Boudreau said the radio has always been the same.

"We're bouncing signals off the edge of the atmosphere, same as we always have," he said.

He said the aid of the Internet helps them find information easier.

Rogers said he got involved with the club because of his older brother.

"He repaired an old short-wave radio and we'd spend hours listening to BBC broadcasts," said Rogers.

Rogers said he has taken part in a number of events since joining the club last year.

"John has been showing me how to use orbiting satellites to communicate with other amateur radio operators," he said.

Rogers said the only requirement needed to become a licensed operator is a desire to learn about the technology and to have an interest.

"There is a technical component on the licensing exam, however there are training materials that make learning that aspect pretty straight forward," he said.