(This page updated April 2026)

Date: 2026 April 11, Saturday  (See the calendar ==> https://caraham.org/event-6307085

Venue: Eastside City Church, 1320 Abbeydale Drive SE, Calgary.
Door open to vendors at 8 AM; doors open to shoppers at 9 AM.
Learning Conference starts at 8:00.

Contact tables@caraham.org to reserve a selling table in advance:

• general admission tickets for shoppers and sellers $5
• table rentals for sellers: individuals & retailers $10 / table
• One FREE table for Bona-fide Clubs

* note that table renters must still pay individual general admissions

Poster =>> CARA Fleamarket_Poster.jpeg

Link to Calendar Event

Learning Conference 2026 lineup:

8:00 am - INTRODUCTION TO MESHTASTIC FOR AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS by Matt Patrick, VE6AZX

Meshtastic is an open source packet radio protocol using low-power, long-range radios. This presentation will introduce the Meshtastic project from an amateur radio perspective: we will demonstrate how to get set up with some inexpensive hardware, and show some of the infrastructure and activity on Calgary’s mesh network. This system provides text communication without any other infrastructure. This is an independent self-forming mesh network that works if the power is out and / or the cell phones are down. You don't have to be a licensed ham to set up a meshtastic node. Another piece in your emergency planning toolkit, and it's just plain fun to play radio with tiny devices.

9:00 am - Break for opening of flea market - chase some bargains and socialize.

10:00 am - VarAC - IS HF CHAT RE-INVENTED? by Greg Chabassol, VA6GAC

VarAC uses the Vara family of sound modems to perform keyboard to keyboard communications and has expanded to file and message transfers while automating processes that make it simple for new hams and non-computer users. VarAC uses the Vara family of sound modems to perform keyboard to keyboard communications and has expanded to file and message transfers while automating processes that make it simple for new hams and non-computer users.

Topics included: brief explanation of Vara family of sound modems and why in poor radio conditions it can get the message across while increase speed when comms are good; comparison to FT8 Specifically slices; Automated SNR data; Keyboard to keyboard conversations; VARAC mail; e-mail; File transfer; Artificial intelligence; BBS