It's easy to think that things were always rosier in the "good old days". In fact the number of licensed amateurs in Canada is growing faster than the overall rate of population growth. A very healthy sign for the hobby in Canada.

Some statistics to ponder:

Annual growth rate in the number of Canadian licensed hams: 2023 1.7%, 2024 2%, 2025 4.2%
Number of licensed hams in Canada in Aug 2025 = 78,819
Number of Canadian ham clubs in 2025 = 1,566. A decline of 7.5% from the previous year.

The growth rate of licensed amateur population 2024-25 in BC was 3.5%. The average growth rate across all provinces was 2.6%, roughly double the population growth rate.

Conclusion: The service or hobby (depending how you want to look at it) of amateur radio in Canada is not mouldering away. It's healthy and growing!

Thanks to Dave Goodwin, VE3KG, of the Radio Amateurs of Canada for publishing this information in the Nov/Dec 2025 edition of The Canadian Amateur.

On Saturday December 21, 2025, three brave souls set out to tackle the elements on the first day of winter to support the Nanaimo Amateur Radio Club (NARA)'s semi-annual NVIS propagation exercise. Fortunately, winter hadn't arrived yet and the day was sunny and seasonally warm. No heaters required! 

Howard VA7PWF, Colin VA7EEH and Felix VA7VOL met up at the DND grounds in Vernon to set up a dipole resonant to 60m which was strung up between their trucks at a height of approximately 8ft.  With one little adjustment, they got the SWR down to 1.7:1, good enough. When the radios (FT-710 and FT-891) were fired up they immediately heard Jack VE7GDE, the exercise controller from Nanaimo loud and clear, a definite 5-7! The only problem was, they couldn't transmit on 60m. With a quick call to Lorne VE7LWK, he suggested they do the unthinkable: read the manual! It explained how to tune into the channelized frequencies permitted on 60m. Who knew? With that, they all checked into the exercise with ease. Also checking in from home were Lorne VE7LWK and Paul VE7KWA.  

This was a great learning exercise and a chance to operate on 60m, something that they had not done before.  

Howard VA7PWF

NORAC members and guests embarked on the great pilgrimage to Kiki Gardens in Vernon, BC for the annual NORAC Christmas dinner — fueled by holiday cheer, questionable navigation apps, and the promise of free non-alcoholic beverages.

As usual, the conversation was lively—but in true HAM radio spirit, politics were strictly off the menu (alongside pineapple on pizza and talk about antenna lengths). The food did not disappoint: beef, pork, chicken, and seafood so good, even the vegetarians were taking notes.

Our freshly minted president, Howard, demonstrated excellent delegation skills by promptly handing off emcee duties to our former president, Ritche—proof that leadership is really about knowing when to pass the mic. Ritche, ever the pro, kept things rolling smoother than a well-tuned transmitter.

The evening’s grand finale was the announcement of the HOTY (Ham Of The Year). This year’s well-deserved honoree was none other than Colin Parkes, VA7EEH/VA7ZFG—congratulations, Colin! May your signals always be strong and your SWR always low.

And now, your official club reminder: start hydrating and stretching early, folks, because next year’s NORAC Christmas Dinner promises to test not only your appetites but your waistband resilience. We expect bigger laughs, taller stories, and possibly a record number of prizes. Stay tuned on 146.880 MHz (FM, -0.6 offset, 123.0 Hz tone) for updates—and maybe a training schedule.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!!

73 de VE7MHX

Michal