Author Archives: VA3QR

About VA3QR

Obtained Basic (Canada) license on March 21, 1994. Received 5WPM Morse Code endorsement in the summer of 2003. Obtained my Advanced in the winter of 2014. Active on all Amateur bands between 160m - 70cm (excl. 1.25m), all modes. Primary rig is a Flex 5000A with ATU, RX2 and VHF/UHF module. Mobile rigs include Kenwood TM-D710A, and TM-480SAT. Antennas include Cushcraft MA-5B, Cushcraft A6270-13S, Hustler 6-BTV (with all 3 DX Engineering mods), 2 x Comet CX-333, Custom-Made Random Wire (tunes 160m - 10m), and MFJ Active Receive Antenna. I host the VE3PAQ Repeaters on 1.25m and 70cm, the VE3YAP APRS Digipeater, and the APRS2 Tier 2 network node for Ontario.

CY9C II – Parked in Dingwall, NS

Well we made it. Connor and I left Acton, ON at 7:40AM EDT on Sunday morning (July 28th), and made it to our AirBnB in Dingwall, NS at 6:30PM ADT on Monday evening (July 29th). I spent a great deal of time HF mobile on this trip, and it was a lot of fun. I… Read more »

CY9C Take 2 – Here we go again!

Well, we’re doing it again! Most of the operators of CY9C in 2016 are embarking on another trip to St. Paul Island in less than a couple of weeks. We plan to be QRV from July 31 through August 8 from 160m-6m, SSB, CW and Digital, along with EME and AMSAT. We’ll be operating from… Read more »

An Answer to the Question: “Why Should I Join RAC?”

Disclaimer: At time of writing, I am a member of the Board of Directors for Radio Amateurs of/du Canada. However, this article reflects my own personal views and not those of the organization. As I write this, I’ve just been re-elected to the Board of Directors for Radio Amateurs of/du Canada. I’m glad to be… Read more »

I’m Running for RAC Ontario-South Director (Take 2)

The Radio Amateurs of Canada is governed by seven regional Directors, which comprise the Board. The term of office is two years, with a three term limit, and elections are staggered so that about half the board remains during any potential transition of office. The deadline for nominations for Ontario-South Director for the upcoming 2018-2020… Read more »

Bad Interference & Good Neighbours

Most of my posts here over the past year or so have been more event-related than topical, so I thought I’d share an experience that I know most of us (Amateur Radio operators) have had: Finding the source of harmful interference to your HF receiver. I haven’t had much of a chance to spend in… Read more »