I've been interested in ham radio for several years now, but only recently got around to getting a license. I got my license on June 21st, 2023. My callsign is VE9WZ.
Since getting my license, I've participated in nets on local VHF repeaters, have participated in Field Day, and have made some contacts on 20m HF, both SSB and FT8. I was honoured to be the recipient of the 2023 Brit Fader Scholarship.
Activities and Achievements
On October 1st, 2023, I made my first contacts in Europe. My first European contact was with SP9GOJ on 20m SSB, running 5W.
On September 22nd, 2023, I was awarded a RAC Scholastic Grant by Radio Amateurs of Canada.
On September 6th, 2023, I was awarded the 2023 Brit Fader Scholarship by the Halifax Amateur Radio Club.
On July 1st, 2023, I made my first FT8 contacts. My first FT8 contact was KB9JJF. I set the antenna up in the back yard, with the transmission line running into the kitchen window, and a desktop computer and the radio on the kitchen counter.
On June 24th, 2023, I was very fortunate to get to participate in Field Day with the Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club. I operated VE9RAC on 20m SSB, and made contacts in Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, and Mississippi. These were my first-ever HF contacts!
On June 21st, 2023, I obtained my Basic with Honours qualification. My first contact was that night, with the IRG Miramichi Area VHF Net via the Scotch Mountain repeater, VE9SMT.
Equipment
Baofeng UV-5R handheld VHF/UHF transceiver
Retevis RHD-771 39cm antenna
Yaesu FT-817 mobile all-band transceiver, very kindly on loan from Bruce VE9QR
