About amateur radio

What is amateur radio?

Amateur radio is a hobby where you use designated radio frequencies for non-commercial use. That can mean many things: chatting with your friends, trying to reach stations all around the world, experiementing with different transmission modes, or messing with equipment. Some people are more interested in the communications aspect, and some really enjoy the more technical aspects, such as setting up your own station, or, if you have your advanced qualification, designing and making a radio from scratch!

When you get your license, you get to pick a call sign, which is your ID as a radio operator. The first part of the call sign depends on where you live. For example, in Québec, call signs start with VE2 or VA2.

“Who even listens to the radio anymore?”"

Unfortunately, that’s what everybody my age says when I try and explain my hobby. But amateur radio is so much more than that! It’s an opportunity to learn more about the world around you and develop tech and DIY skills, to speak to people all around the world, and to be able to communicate with people without the internet. For example, when we go on hikes, me and my father, who is also a radio ham, can use our handhelds to speak, even if one of us is further on the trail.

On the air

I currently operate on 20 meters when I have time with an Icom IC-7300 transceiver and a speaker wire dipole. I will hopefully upgrade to a better setup soon! I also participate in the Montreal Amateur Radio Club net on the VE2RED repeater on Wednesdays at 20:00.

Radio-related projects

Handheld radio charging crade USB-C port

Together with my Dad (VE2QYB), I added a USB-C port in parallel with the inconvenient barrel connector on the charging port of one of our TYT UV-8000 handheld radios. The same modification on the second charging port is underway, but it is not going so well since it is my first solo soldering project.