Our Story: Forged in Necessity, Sustained by Passion

Nestled in the North Atlantic, our island communities in Saint Pierre and Miquelon are defined by their breathtaking beauty and their unique vulnerability. Since the early 2000s, the Association Des Radioamateurs Et Des Amateurs Radio De L’Archipel (ADREDARDLA) has stood as a vital guardian against this vulnerability.

Our story began with a simple, powerful realization: when storms rage, cables break, and networks fail, the timeless technology of amateur radio remains. Founded in 2003 by a small group of dedicated enthusiasts, ADREDARDLA was born from a commitment to public service. We transformed a technical hobby into a lifeline. What started as a shared passion for radio waves has evolved into a formal, essential nonprofit organization, recognized for our unwavering dedication to ensuring that no resident of our archipelago is ever left isolated in a crisis. For over two decades, we have been the silent sentinels, the backup system for when all else fails, and the teachers empowering the next generation of innovators.

Our Mission: Your Lifeline When Networks Fail

Our mission is clear and critical: To enhance public safety and foster community resilience in Saint Pierre and Miquelon by promoting amateur radio. We provide critical emergency communications, train volunteers and youth in vital STEM skills, and preserve the art of radio communication for future generations.

We exist to answer the call when traditional communication infrastructure is compromised. We are the link between isolated individuals and emergency services, the reassuring voice in the dark, and the educators building a more technologically literate community.

Our Vision: A Future Where No One is Ever Truly Cut Off

We envision an archipelago where every community, regardless of its size or remoteness, is permanently connected through a resilient network of skilled volunteers. We see a future where the knowledge of radio science and communication is not a niche skill but a cherished and common asset, passed down through generations. We strive for a Saint Pierre and Miquelon where technology serves humanity first, empowering citizens to be the heroes of their own stories during emergencies.

Our Core Values: The Principles That Guide Our Waves

• Service: Our primary duty is to our community. We volunteer our time, expertise, and resources for the public good, never for personal gain.

• Resilience: We prepare for the worst while hoping for the best. We build robust systems and train relentlessly to ensure we can operate under the most adverse conditions.

• Education: We believe in the power of knowledge. We are committed to demystifying technology and making STEM education accessible and exciting for all ages.

• Innovation: We honor the rich history of radio while embracing modern technology. We continuously adapt and integrate new tools to enhance our emergency capabilities.

• Community: We are our neighbors’ keepers. We foster a culture of collaboration, trust, and mutual support, working closely with official agencies and community groups.

What We Do: Turning Mission into Action

Our work is divided into three core, interconnected programs:

1. Emergency Communications & Public Safety
This is the heart of our service. We act as a force multiplier for official emergency responders.

• Emergency Net Activation: When disasters strike—such as severe storms, power outages, or floods—we activate our emergency communication network. Our trained operators provide real-time situational reports from across the islands to emergency coordination centers.

• Weather Spotting: We partner with meteorological services. Our members are trained weather spotters, providing ground-truth observations that are critical for accurate forecasts and warnings for our specific region.

• Community Support: We provide communication support for public events like marathons and parades, ensuring event organizers and medical teams can coordinate seamlessly over large areas.

2. Youth & STEM Education
We are building the resilient community of tomorrow by educating the youth of today.

• School Workshops & Clubs: We bring amateur radio into classrooms and after-school clubs. Students don’t just learn theory; they get hands-on experience building simple antennas, understanding radio wave propagation, and making contact with other radio operators around the world.

• License Training: We offer free courses to help students and adults alike study for and obtain their official amateur radio license from the French regulatory authority (ANFR). This credential turns them from learners into certified communicators.

• STEM Skill Development: Through radio, we teach fundamental skills in electronics, physics, geography, and computer science, sparking passion for future careers in technology.

3. Volunteer Training & Community Building
Our network is only as strong as its operators.

• Ongoing Technical Training: We host regular workshops on antenna theory, emergency power systems, digital radio modes, and message handling protocols to keep our volunteers’ skills razor-sharp.

• Simulated Emergency Tests (SETs): We regularly conduct realistic training scenarios to practice our response protocols, identify areas for improvement, and ensure seamless coordination with agencies like the Civil Security.

• Preserving Radio Heritage: We maintain a community station and archive, celebrating the history of communication and its profound impact on connecting our islands to the world.

Our Impact: By the Numbers

• 20+ Years of continuous service to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

• 50+ certified and active volunteer emergency communicators.

• 100+ students introduced to STEM principles through our programs annually.

• Countless hours of volunteer service dedicated to training, drills, and public education.

• Multiple successful activations in support of civil authorities during real-world emergencies.

Our Team: Volunteers Driven by Duty

ADREDARDLA is powered entirely by volunteers. We are a diverse group of retirees, engineers, teachers, students, and everyday citizens united by a shared sense of duty and a passion for radio communication. Our leadership is comprised of an elected Board of Directors who govern the organization, set strategic goals, and ensure we remain true to our mission. We are not paid for our time; our reward is a safer, more connected, and more prepared community.

Join Us in Building a More Resilient Archipelago

The work we do is too critical to be done alone. We rely on the support of our community to maintain our equipment, train new volunteers, and expand our educational outreach.

You can help us ensure the airwaves are never silent:

• Become a Volunteer: No experience is necessary! We will provide all the training you need to get your license and become part of our team.

• Become a Member: Join as a supporting member to help sustain our operations and have a voice in our future.

• Make a Donation: Your financial contribution directly funds essential equipment like generators, radios, antennas, and educational materials for our youth programs.

• Partner With Us: Are you from a business or community organization? Let’s discuss how we can work together to enhance resilience across the islands.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our mission. Together, we can ensure that Saint Pierre and Miquelon remains strong, connected, and prepared for whatever the future holds.