Monday 29 December 2014

2014 Island QSO Party Results



The 2014 W / VE Island QSO Party results are in!!  

It's a great shame that more stations do not take part in this event, it's a lot of fun, and if the weather is good it's also a nice and enjoyable day out as well.

Obviously we're going to have to really advertise this event next year, or I can see it falling by the wayside.

We understand that here in Canada it takes place at a time when some of the lakes are already covered with thin ice, and it's getting damn cold.  Hopefully we will be able to convince people to move it to  a warmer time of year.

To check your result see HERE.

The 2015 Island QSO Party is scheduled for 17th & 18th October.  Mark it on your calendars and get out and enjoy some fresh air and play radio!!

Sunday 21 December 2014

Merry Christmas

We would like to wish everyone who visits our site a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

This year, 2014, has been an exciting time as we started to pick up the slack left by the old Canadian Islands Award Program (CIsA).  We had a number of island activations reported to us by different operators, and we hope to continue to grow the number of activations over the next twelve months.

Please remember that the back country lakes in Southern Ontario are still not frozen enough for travel to off-shore islands, so be very careful and check things out before you move onto the ice.

Also, if you're going out to do an activation, remember to dress for the weather and take extra clothing, hats, socks, and mitts with you.  You should also have in your pack the 10 Essentials.  See HERE for the list.

Have a great and safe Christmas Season, and we look forward to hearing of your upcoming activations.

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Tintern Island, ON-254 - AGAIN

Very late notice, but that's the way it goes sometimes :-)

John, VE3ISE will once again be activating Tintern Island, ON-254, located at grid FN03gc, today at 1600 UTC.

John will be on 40m at 7.235 +/- QRM.


He reports that he made 81 contacts on 20m last Sunday, let's hope we get a repeat today.







 

Thursday 27 November 2014

Tintern Island - ON-254

John, VE3ISE will be activating Tintern Island, ON-254, located at grid FN03gc, this coming Sunday, November 30th.  Tintern is located on the Niagara Peninsula.

John will on 20m, around 14.250 +/-  starting at 1600Z.

All QSL's should be sent to John's home call VE3ISE/m
 
This is a late in the season activation, so hopefully John will dress warm and stay out of the wind.
 
 

Wednesday 1 October 2014

The W/VE Island QSO Party - 2014


Simcoe Island activation October 2013
This years W/VE Island QSO Party is being held from 16:00 UTC October 18 through till 23:59 UTC October 19.

The island QSO Party has not had a lot of Canadian participation over the past few years....let's try and change that this year!!

Rules for the event can be found HERE.


We already have three islands lined up to be on the air in the Kingston, ON area, Wolfe Island, Howe Island, and Simcoe Island have already been signed up.

Send your activation notices to: canadaradio.01@gmail.com and we will post he details here for all to see.

Saturday 27 September 2014

Another Successful Activation!!

We are pleased to announce that Doug-VE3VS, Heather-VE3HQH and Bev-VA3DQB, successfully activated Fox Island on Friday, September 26th, and the island has been awarded the number: ON-291.

They managed 41 contacts while there. 11 with the USA, 1 with the Czech Republic and 29 with fellow Canadians.

 Well done Doug, Heather and Bev!!

I would also like to thank Barry, VE3ISX, and the rest of the guys from ONTARS who stood by on the 40m frequency for a couple of hours to ensure this island activation was a success.  This was fantastic support, and is what this hobby is all about.

Below are some photo's from Doug of the activation.

 
 
 
 

Friday 26 September 2014

Fox Island Activation

Late notice because I was away and couldn't check my email.....

Doug, VE3VS and a few friends are hoping to activate Fox Island, located in Lake Simcoe, about 1 km north of Snake Island (ON-012  FN04gh) on Friday, September 26 from noon EST (1600 Z) for five to six hours.

Expecting to use dipoles on 40m SSB and 20m SSB working around 7.250 and 14.250 to 14.260. Fox Island Location: 44deg 20.034 N   79deg 29.177 W

Elevation about 720 feet ASL.  Island size about 2000 feet E-W and also N-S. Part of the town of Georgina, York County.

Friday 29 August 2014

Hatzic and Bowen Islands

Bill, VE3CLQ, plans to activate Hatzic Island, BC-062 and Bowen Island, BC-078 this coming Sunday, August 31st.

Timings for Hatzic Island will be 1600 UTC till 1900 UTC, and Bowen Island will be 2200 UTC August 31st, till 0200 UTC September 1st.

Frequencies will be Frequencies in use will be (+/-):

7.250
14.250 - 14.260
21.350
28.450
Callsign in use will be VE3FCT/VE7.

Sunday 15 June 2014

Upper Brewer's Mill Island

Dave, VE3DZE, and friends will be attempting a first activation of Upper Brewer's Mill Island on Sunday July 27th.

The Frontenac Radio Group have attempted this on two previous occasions with no success.  This will be the third attempt, so let's hope they have more luck!!

The activation will start at 1400 UTC and continue till 1800 UTC.

Frequencies in use will be (+/-):

7.250
14.250 - 14.260
21.350
28.450
50.125
144.200

And the callsign in use will be VE3FRG.

Tuesday 27 May 2014

Upcoming Island Activations

Trial Island Lighthouse
For those operators looking for some rare BC Islands, wait no more.......  In late August Hatzic Island (CN89vd) and Bowen Island (CN89hi) will be activated by Bill VE7CVQ. 

Actual dates will be confirmed by late July on this website.

During the same time period Bill will also be activating Point Atkinson Lighthouse in West Vancouver, CAN-387 (CN89ih), and Trial Island Lighthouse in Victoria, CAN-506 (CN88ij).

Trail Island has never been activated so this will be a double activation.

Let's get the word out on future activations, so please post your activation notices to: canadaradio.01 at gmail.com

Saturday 24 May 2014

Successful Activation

Jack Straw back in the 1920's
We are pleased to announce that Tim, VA3TIC, and Derek, VE3HRW, successfully activated Jack Straw Island on Sunday May 18th, and the island has been awarded the number: ON-290.

They managed 28 contacts from three DX entities, under some pretty poor band conditions.


Well done Tim and Derek!!

Saturday 17 May 2014

Sunday 18th May

The Frontenac Radio Group will be activating Simcoe Island, ON-022. on Sunday, May 18th, 2014.  This activation will begin about 1430 UTC and go until 1900 UTC.
Call sign in use will be VE3FRG.

A second island will also be activated, this will be a first activation for this island.  Jack Straw Island near Gananoque is the location, and the call sign in use will be VA3TIC.  This activation will take place between 1330 UTC and 1700 UTC.

Frequencies in use will be (+/-):

7.250
14.250 - 14.260
21.350
28.450
50.125
144.200

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Island Location Help

We felt that there as no use for lists of islands if there was nothing to tell you where those islands where located. 

The last few days have been spent finding the location of many islands, starting with Ontario and British Columbia.   You will now find after the name of an island the Maidenhead Grid number, if we could actually find the island in question.

Those Maidenhead Grid numbers can be put into THIS search engine, and it will take you to the island you have selection on Google Maps.   The search engine is also available from the main page, on the right hand side.

For those islands without a Grid number, if you know where it is, let us know so was can get the correct location on the site for others to activate.