Amateur Radio Operator
Robert James Finn, VE9EE VE1PDZ
My "career" in the Amateur Radio Fraternity commenced on that most memorable day I received news of receiving my privileges back on June 1, 1990. I attended a licencing course held by the LCARC (Loyalist City Amateur Radio Club, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada) in what was then the old DVA Hospital. I was (and remain active in) a long-time short wave radio listener (SWL) dating back to the early seventies. I got into "two way radio" in 1985 on CB Radio (General Radio Service, as it is termed here in Canada) and was licensed as XM6520243. While on CB I met many who were also simultaneously licensed for Amateur Radio and they often encouraged me to try to obtain my Amateur Radio privileges.
Licensing requirements then required a ten word per minute code send/receive testing. I was fortunate to pass on the first testing-run of the code portion on the night of the testing. You can only imagine my feelings of elation that night. The Amateur Radio Service went through some major restructuring shortly after my licensing and eventually code was dropped as a licensing requirement. My first call sign was VE1RJF. When the "VE9" prefix was added to the New Brunswick call sign allotment I changed my call sign to VE9EE. I have since acquired an additional callsign, VE1PDZ (which was the call sign of my wife, Shelley, who passed away in 2023) and two club station call signs, VE9SWL and VE9CDX, which are for my Loyalist City DX Club.
I operated on two meters and ten meters in those early days. As time went on I attended field days put on by the LCARC. I also became involved in "editing" the LCARC newsletter, The Wavetrap, in the 90s for a number of years. I taught code at some licencing classes in the early 90s. The teaching of the code and the newsletter projects were something that I loved doing.
I write such a lengthy "amateur radio bio" not to impress with my "writing prowess" (I make no pretense at being a polished writer let alone proficient speller or grammarian; a phrase I have often included in my past authored newsletters, etcetera), but to try to convey my endless enthusiam for what has to rank among the most wonderful of all avocations/hobbies. To me, Amateur Radio is more than a mere hobby or avocation. It is the participation with/in a fraternity, a worldwide fraternity of like-minded participants in a hobby and radio service that has such a latitude of diversity in what you can become involved in.
Amateur Radio can also be a valuable resource to not only the operator but also to your community, province, or nation in times of disasters, such as severe weather events, floods, lost persons, etcetera. The Amateur Radio Service has a long and proud history of public service in many countries around the world. There have been events when the only communications in/out of a region were those provided by the Amateur Radio operators. In fact, many Amateur Operators train for emergency communication scenarios on a regular basis with such agencies as the local Emergency Measures Organization
Moving along to the present; I am hoping my little bio/testimonial will be one of inspiration that inspires you to become involved in Amateur Radio and to study to obtain your license with Basic/Advanced endorsements. Contact any member of your local amateur radio club and they usually will be more-than-happy to assist you in your quest. It is possible that the club in your area may regularly hold licensing classes giving instruction in all you need to know to take the required examinations. When licensed, I urge you to consider joining your local Amater Radio club and the national Amateur Radio organization, the Radio Amateurs of Canada.
I look forward to hearing your callsign "on the bands".
Bob Finn, VE9EE VE1PDZ