Pinoy
Amateur Radio Association of Alberta
(PARAA)
The first group of Filipino-Canadian radio amateur in Alberta originated from a group called "Radio Pinoy Association of Alberta." It was formed in the summer of 1997 by a group of 11 CB (Citizen Band) radio enthusiasts, namely Alex Acosta (VA6AMA), Tony Balbas (VE6TON), Rey Carasca, Lot Espiritu (VE6LOT), Ireneo Latore, Joey Maglalang, Ric Cawagdan, Noel Mondehar (VE6NOM), Edwin Villania (VE6VRE), Manual Viloria (VE6MAN) and Ernie "Boy" Zalameda (VE6EGZ).
The members decided to move on to an amateur band after two years, and with the help of Mike Eliuk (VE6MY), the PARAA - known as Pinoy Amateur Radio Association of Alberta -- was conceived with the club call sign VE6RPA.
Before long, on March 30, 2000, PARAA became affiliated to RAC (Radio Amateur of Canada) and a few months later, on September 13, 2000, PARAA became a licensed amateur radio group in Alberta.