One of the ways I start this column is to ask myself “So what have you done lately?”
This time, most of the fun stuff has been toward the end of the month. I didn’t get on the air on New Year’s for straight key night, but have decided to get my callsign on the air a bit more. It hasn’t been every day, but there are a few more QSOs in the log than last year.
Over at VE3RHQ, we have been working on getting the satellite station ready to go. So far the antennas are working (Great for terrestrial VHF and UHF too) and the rotators are mostly working. There is still some work to get computers tied to controllers and radios to do all that tracking, dopplering and logging stuff, so the operator just needs to know how to slap the key around, or holler into the microphone, just like on the big waves. We’ll get there.
We also had fun playing in Winter Field Day. Like most of the continent, we were operating as an INDOOR station. Given the weather at the time it is not surprising that there were only a handful of the 400+ stations we worked who were outdoors, mostly in the Southwest.
I also set up the schedule for Capital City Net controllers for Monday nights in 2026 and January 2027. We’re in good shape up to Field Day, but could use a few more controllers for some of the summer/fall nets, as well as in December. Let me know if you want to join us and I’ll send you the info.
Toss in a little elmering and some ham help and before you know it we are standing at the edge of the longest, shortest month.
Coming up is the British Columbia QSO Party, along with several others on the same day, and a few more exams, although nothing like the dozens HYS has graduated from the Basic course. Congratulations to all those who passed, and encouragement to those who need to re-try.
I expect the Carleton U Aerospace group will be asking for an exam session soon as well.
73
& Good luck to those helping at the Canadian Ski Marathon.
mk
Last Updated on 2026-02-07 by Joannadanna