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.

Canadian Forces Affiliate Radio System – CFARS

I have been involved in volunteer communications since I was first licensed because it allows me serve and help others by doing something I’m good at and passionate about. For many years, the Amateur Radio has played a crucial role in civil emergency and disaster communications planning and deployment. Some notable events include the 1979 Mississauga… Read more »

Nepalese Earthquake Net After Action Report

It occurs to me that I never ended up posting my AAR here. Below is a report I wrote about the Amateur Radio-based activities I was involved in relating to the Nepalese Earthquakes. — Nepalese Disaster Net April 25 – May 1, 2015 AAR (After Action Report) By Phil A. McBride, VA3QR Foreward On April 25th,… Read more »

Live Streaming from my Radio

For those people who keep asking me “Phil, what do you actually talk to people about on the radio?” and  for all of those HAMs who want to check propagation based on what I can hear from my station, I have added a live stream from my Flex 5000A transceiver to my blog.  Just click… Read more »

CY9 DXPedition – I’m Going :)

I am one of (currently) 8 operators planning to go to St. Paul Island, for the period of August 19-29, 2016. Details can be found on the website, and updates will be posted to the Facebook page. The prefix is CY9, and at the time of posting, is 62/340 on the Most Wanted DXCC list.… Read more »

RAC Ontario South Director – Vote for Me

Radio Amateurs of Canada mailed out ballots to all members living in postal codes starting with L and M last week for the purposes of electing a Director for the region of Ontario South. I am running along with one other individual. RAC is the voice of Amateur Radio that the federal and provincial governments… Read more »