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When
I started off with an interest in emergency communications, but I've discovered some many more aspects of radio to enjoy. I like building antenna, foxhunting, and volunteering at sporting events too. The most aspects of radio I discover, the more I have to like! Here's an overview of my personal radio learning adventures.
Personal Radio Time line
2023The TC10K, as SQUELCH! I went over 13 km's as an inflatable dinosaur and it was truly epic!
Read more and see the photos here: Squelch at the Times Columnist 10K
2022
Lantern rouge for the Tour de Victoria bicycle ride again in 2022, as well as other Victoria BC events like the Times Columnist 10k run/walk and the Royal Victoria Marathon. And yes, I am still learning more about my Yaesu, it's got a lot of features! I've been a regular on a C4FM Wires-X net called CQ Canada, a coast to coast net on Wednesdays. The SSIARS had a very successful booth at the Fall Fair, where I fulfilled a longstanding ambition in 2022, I finally got to be a dinosaur.
2021
Amazing new HT, a Yaesu FT3D. What an amazing piece of equipment, I'm still learning it (which will almost certainly be something I'm still saying next year). I'm now active with a YL net as well as Emergency Communications nets. Also, back on the SSIARS (same club, new name) Executive as Treasurer. In 2021 I participated in an Antenna Bee and the Tour de Victoria as well as the 2021 Shake Out Exercise (in which I was briefly net control!). It's been a really exciting year of radio.
2015
Yipee! I'm expanding my involvement with emergency radio nets - I still participate in the Salt Spring Island net on Wednesdays at 7pm, and I often try to check into the PEP net too. I'm still operating from my TAD base station, using my copper plumbing J-Pole built with the club at our 2013 J-Pole party (photo below) and I now have a HT as well.
2014
Treasurer for my local ham club again this year. Late in 2014 I moved to Vancouver Island, and I'm now operating from the Cowichan Station area south of Duncan BC, still a member of the SSIARC, but I'm no longer on the executive in 2015. I got my first HT radio, a Baofeng, in 2014.
September 2013
The Salt Spring Island Fall Fair. More Fall Fair fun; fox hunting (radio direction finding), radio text messaging, antenna testing, radio email, and live QSO's from all over the world.
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J-Pole Party! Wow, an antenna bee is a great event, six of us built our own 'home brew' J-Pole antennas from copper plumbing parts, coaxial cable and a few bits and pieces. Soldering with a torch is a bit of a learning curve, I like my soldering iron better than before!
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Operating from the south end of Salt Spring Island, discovering the mixed joys of metal roofs for the first time!
January 2013
My 1 year Hamiversary!
December 2012
Elected (acclaimed? appointed? voluntold?) as Treasurer of the SSIARC, joining a skilled executive and hoping that rolling coins is my biggest responsibility.
October 18, 2012
Shake-Out BC - an earthquake preparedness event in British Columbia Canada on October 18th at 10:18 am local time.
This is not really a radio event, rather a general emergency planning and preparedness event, with community and province wide participation. Last year I thought about household safety and preparing a 'grab-and-go' bag, our food and water supply (for people and pets), and the first aid kit; but this year my earthquake planning will include my radio equipment too!
For more information on Shake-Out BC visit here: http://www.shakeoutbc.ca/
September 30, 2012
Salt Spring Island Amateur Radio Club annual BBQ and Foxhunt - I love foxhunting!
September 15, 2012
Helped with the SSIARC booth at the Fall Fair, got to try Fox-hunting!
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VA7ALG & VE7TEP at the Salt Spring Fall Fair
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VA7ALG Foxhunting, fortified with Candy Floss!
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Connected with Clara's TTT Net via Echo-Link, spoke with women hams from around the world!
August 22, 2012
Net Control for the weekly SSI Emergency Communications net
 Photo by Michael Powell VE7GMI
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Assisted with communications and acted as a mobile APRS tracking point, by motorcycle, following a group of bicyclists for the Velo Village event.
June 20, 2012
Net Control for the SSI Emergency Communications net
May 2012
Joined Clara - the Canadian Ladies Amateur Radio Association www.claranet.ca
March 28, 2012
Checked in with several local emergency communications nets, on Salt Spring and Vancouver Island.
March 21, 2012
Net Control for the Salt Spring Emergency Communications net, for the first time!
March 9, 2012
First contact on the air! Spoke with several members of my local amateur radio club.
January 2012
Received my 'Certificate of Proficiency in Amateur Radio, with Honours' from Industry Canada ... I got my license!
Joined the Salt Spring Island Amateur Radio Club - the SSIARC
October 2011
Enrolled in a Ham radio course offered by local Amateur radio club
Thanks for visiting... hope to meet you on the air! 73
~ Andrea VA7ALG