VE6VK Russell A. 'Russ' Wilson Calgary, AB Canada QCWA # 13272

ONLY DIRECT QSL'S WITH SASE WILL BE ANSWERED. I WILL ACCEPT eQSL's FOR VE6VK and VE6RH. FOR DIRECT QSL'S CHECK CANADA POST WEB PAGE FOR RATES TO CANADA, U.S.A. AND INTERNATIONAL. ONE CURRENT IRC IS ACCEPTABLE. CANADA POST WEB PAGE http://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/personal/findARate?execution=e1s1

Licenced in Canada 1947 as VE5RW and later VE6VK, formerly VK2DDO. I am custodian of the call VE6RH. I am also the QSL manager for VE6RH; QSL'S require an SASE, return postage, IRC (CURRENT ISSUE) or green stamps. DIRECT ONLY. I cannot send qsl's via the bureau as I am not a member of R.A.C. (Sorry)

I was born April 30, 1924 at Byron Bay, Australia (the most easterly point of Australia.) Before joining the services I worked as a commercial Telegraphist with the PMG. I served with Australian Army. RACS from 1942, and transferred to the Royal Australian Airforce (WW2) as a Wireless Airgunner. I was discharged at the end of WW2. I married my wife Pat (a Canadian) during the war. Pat came to Australia as a Canadian war bride.

We decided to immigrate to Canada in 1947, moving about western Canada, first in Calgary, Alberta, then North Battleford Saskatchewan, where I held the call VE5RW, then to Edmonton Alberta where I was assigned the call VE6VK, then to Jasper Alberta and finally returned to our present location, Calgary Alberta.

My hobbies include ham radio, fly tying, fly fishing, ice fishing and I play the harmonica. I retired from the Alberta Government Telephones in 1987.

The main activities in ham radio consist of IOTA, and until recently, Antarctic Bases , US Islands and Canadian Islands. I managed to confirm 800+ US Islands and 700+ Canadian Islands. I activated many islands for the Canadian Islands program but have now retired from these programs for personal reasons. I remain active in IOTA with over 1100 island groups confirmed. Charter member of the Calgary Communications Club, Awarded a Life Membership in the Calgary Amateur Radio Association in 1979. Life Member of the Morsecodian Fraternity in Australia, Member of the Croatian Telegraphers Club.

The picture shown is an operation from a float tube (belly boat), using a 1/4 wave vertical from a WW2 tank ( Ground; the lake) Gel cells for power. 27 countries and 197 contacts were made from the float tube. For the Canadian Island operation I sat on Grass Island BC67. I also activated other Canadian Islands. I have also operated from the back of a packhorse on HF. Used a counterpoise rolled up in the saddlebag. Managed to work lots of European stations including Albania. I did enjoy activating Canadian islands and combined this interest with my fly fishing that allowed me to activate some Canadian Islands.

My wife Pat passed away on November 26, 2013 at the age of 92 after almost 69 years of marriage. She was very supportive of my hobbies, for which I will be eternally grateful.

Calgary Communications Club


Operating VK2DDO from Valla Beach N.S.W. 1990


Station at VK2DDO in Forster, N.S.W. 1990


Russ VE6VK 1952


Station in the coal bin (North Battleford, Sask.)(1947-1950) VE5RW


My 1st beam, a W8JK rotatable with open wire feeders, VE5RW 1947-1950

May 28, 2016