RAC Assistant Director Stan Leschinsky, VE3TW (shown on the right) presents the Hall of Fame plaque to Phil Anderson, VE3FAS. Photo courtesy of Mike Goldstein, VE3GFN.
Thirty-seven Contest Club Ontario (CCO) members and friends gathered for their annual mid-winter luncheon in Oakville on Saturday, February 4. Braving cold weather and snow, the membership was not disappointed with the catered lunch and outstanding cast of presenters organized by CCO Vice-President Dave Dudley, VE3OI. The highlight of the event was the formal induction of CCO’s own Phil Anderson, VE3FAS, into the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame.
After the welcome by Dave Dudley, VE3OI, RAC Assistant Director Stan Leschinsky, VE3TW, outlined the history of the Hall of Fame award and described Phil’s contribution to Amateur Radio in Canada. Stan then presented the Hall of Fame plaque to Phil.
Also in attendance were Mary Coyle, VE3MVM, who had prepared the nomination papers, and former Hall of Fame recipient Bob Nash, VE3KZ. Trekking the distance from west of Thunder Bay was Hall of Fame Trustee and TCA Sports Page columnist Tom Haavisto, VE3CX.
The Hall of Fame presentation was followed by the regular CCO winter meeting. Five excellent presentations were made at the meeting:
- Dennis Gasparotto, VE3JAQ, on the Multi-Two 2016 CQWW CW expedition to 6Y3T
- Igor Slavka, VE3ZF, on his 2016 Zone 2 CQWW SSB 75 metres expedition
- Pierre Fogal, VE3KTB, on contesting from the Arctic
- Tom Haavisto, VE3CX, on operating from PJ2T
- Mike Walker, VA3MW, on practical Internet tips and remote radio connectivity
The Constitution for the Hall of Fame specifies that the appointment is made “for outstanding achievement and excellence of the highest degree, for serious and sustained service to Amateur Radio in Canada, or to Amateur Radio at large”. In his lifetime achievements, Phil Anderson, VE3FAS, has shown he is more than worthy of this honour.
Phil obtained his Amateur Radio licence in 1961. After a distinguished engineering career in defence research and space design he became an instructor at Humber College. His Amateur Radio involvement includes 50 years of service with the National Traffic System and he was awarded the prestigious Brass Pounders League Medallion for outstanding achievement in passing third party traffic. Phil served with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Eastern Area, was the Manager of the Eastern Canadian Net and Transcontinental Corps (TCC), and he volunteered with the QSL bureau for over 20 years.
A detailed account of Phil Anderson’s contributions to Amateur Radio appeared in the January-February 2017 issue of TCA magazine.
Contest Club Ontario, founded in 2002, is a group of like-minded individuals that share friendship and camaraderie with the goal of promoting the sport of radio contesting in Ontario. Membership is over 250 individuals with CCO ranking very well in the club completion category in most major contests. CCO meets formally twice yearly in February for the Mid-Winter Luncheon and in August for their annual general meeting and BBQ.
Prepared by Ed Frazer, VE7EF
Chair, Board of Trustees
Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame