VA7RA
Roland
Following high school, my first trade qualification was as an Industrial Electrician. I worked under the Atlantic ocean servicing the coal mining industry in Nova Scotia. Also during that time I completed the Radio/TV repair course from National Radio Institute. (1959-61) I joined the Canadian Army Regular (Armoured Division) Royal Canadian Dragoons as a Radio Operator in the Centurion MK IV tanks. (1961-64)
I received my 'Certificate of Proficiency in Radio' (Amateur, 10 wpm) in 1965 and issued the call VE1APB. One year later I passed the Advanced requirements including 15 wpm CW. This all led to my employment as a Broadcast Technician with CBC Radio Fredericton NB 1966-76
I
accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord & Saviour in 1970. I enrolled in
Theological Studies at The Atlantic Baptist College in 1977. Completed a
BTh. degree from The Internationl Seminar, Florida. Ordained
to the Christian ministry on Tancook Is. NS, April 27, 1982.
In December of 1989 we moved to Vancouver BC to join our daughter, Fayedra & two sons, Brian & Bruce. Retaining the VE1APB, I aquired the call VE7PDX for BC. In 2014 I added VA7RA. In Canada, you are permitted to hold more than one call at a time. The 'shack' is no longer shared with my xyl of 60 years, Roylene passed into the presence of her Lord & Saviour on Dec. 2- 2022.
I
can be found on the following Nets almost daily :
-
The ARMS (Amateur Radio Missionary Service) Net on 14.307, 1500-1700z. (Canadian
Director)
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The RV Service Net, Mon-Fri on 7.272, 1600-1700z.
-
The Noon Time Net on 7.284, 1900z
-The
Aurora Net on 7.100, 2300z (US welcome on CW)
-
The BCPS net (British Columbia Public Service) net, on 3.729, 0130 -0230 UTC.
(NCS on Wed's at VE7SCC, Coguitlam Club and stream live on YouTube @
BCPSN & the date.
I
am all band/all mode with a FT-857D to a Hi-Q on the trailer hitch
for HF and a V/U Comet antenna on the trunk.
73/99,
Roly (The Padre
Updated 22 Feb 2026