# Eureka Amateur Radio Club
#radioamadorismo #atracao-polar #nunavut
Eureka Amateur Radio Club (VY0ERC) was founded in 2016 by VE3CXL, VE3KTB, and VE1RUS to re-establish the long-standing tradition of a continuous HAM radio presence at [Eureka, located at 79.99°N, 85.94°W](http://maps.app.goo.gl/yUTMSJ2wBcAf5HHT6), on Ellesmere Island ([IOTA NA-008](https://www.iota-world.org/islands-on-the-air/iota-groups-islands/group/523.html)) in Canada’s Nunavut territory. The first radio contact from Eureka took place in 1947 as VE8MA when the [Eureka Weather Station](http://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/campaigns/50-years-environmental-action/history-photos/eureka-weather-station.html) was established as a part of the [Joint Arctic Weather Stations (JAWS) Program](http://digiport.athabascau.ca/jaws/). Eureka and the other High Arctic Weather Stations had Amateur Radio Stations for many years. HAM radio has been an integral part of the history of these remote locations.
Eureka is the third-northernmost permanent research community in the world, surpassed only by Alert (also on Ellesmere Island) and Nord in Greenland ([IOTA NA-018](https://www.iota-world.org/islands-on-the-air/iota-groups-islands/group/533.html)). Known as "The Garden Spot of the Arctic", Eureka boasts abundant flora and fauna, including unique wildlife such as jaegers, snow owls, lemmings, arctic hares, muskoxen, arctic foxes, arctic wolves, caribou, and polar bears. The winter temperatures in Eureka can drop below -50°C. The area is an Arctic desert - Eureka has the lowest amount (a few cm) of precipitation of any weather station in Canada. Since its inception, the Eureka Weather Station has become a vital hub for various activities in the surrounding area and throughout the Canadian High Arctic. It currently comprises three main facilities: the Eureka Aerodrome, the Environment and Climate Change Canada ([ECCC](https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html)) Weather Station, and the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory ([PEARL](http://www.pearl-candac.ca/)).
VY0ERC operates from the PEARL Ridge Laboratory ([Ridge Lab](http://www.pearl-candac.ca/website/index.php/facilities/#Ridge-Lab)). The Ridge Lab sits at [80.05°N, 86.42°W](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UEMC3tz6eYB8GGoQ8), atop a hill at an elevation of 610 meters above sea level approximately 11 km away from the Eureka Weather Station. This geographical separation is significant, as the Weather Sation is in grid square EQ79, while the Ridge Lab falls in grid square ER60. Because the Ridge Lab is situated above 80°N, it is in ITU Zone 75 rather than ITU Zone 4, although both locations are in CQ Zone 2.
The Ridge Lab was originally built by Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC, currently ECCC) in 1992 to conduct research related to stratospheric ozone in the High Arctic and was named as Arctic Stratospheric Ozone Observatory ([AStrO](https://www.atmosp.physics.utoronto.ca/people/strong/above_and_beyond.pdf)). [In 2005, following the establishment of PEARL](https://cmos.ca/uploaded/web/members/Bulletin/Vol_34/b3405.pdf), AStrO became its main facility under the name Ridge Lab. Later, two more PEARL facilities were built: 0PAL – near the Weather Station and SAFIRE – near the Eureka Aerodrome. Since the establishment, PEARL has been operated by the Canadian Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Change (CANDAC), a consortium of universities and government agencies dedicated to studying the changing atmosphere over Canada. It has evolved into a state-of-the-art research facility with a [large complement of instrumentation](https://www.pearl-candac.ca/website/index.php/instrumentation/) for [measuring atmospheric properties](https://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic66-3-377.pdf) from the ground to over 100 km altitude 24/7 year-round. While most PEARL instruments are remotely operated, they require regular maintenance to be conducted every so often.
The elevation of the Ridge Lab presents challenges, as harsh Arctic weather conditions, including winds gusting over 100 km/h and icing, frequently occur. These factors complicate the task of maintaining VY0ERC’s antennas year-round. Unfortunately, none of our antennas - whether wire dipoles, commercial verticals, or beams - have survived for more than 12 months. Consequently, we set up our most critical antennas upon our arrival at the station and dismantle them before our departure.
Another challenge stems from our geographical location. At 80°N latitude, we experience total darkness from October 20 to February 20 and continuous daylight from approximately April 15 to August 27. This has a significant impact on the HF bands available for use. Additionally, being almost at the center of the Auroral Oval, ionospheric disturbances with a K index greater than 2 and an A index above 10 severely disrupt our HF propagation conditions. The 20-meter band remains the most reliable DX band, providing openings every day throughout the year. We utilize all modes of operation, including SSB, CW, RTTY, and FT8.
Since 2018, we have successfully explored HAM radio communications via FM and linear satellites, unlocking a new dimension of connectivity through space transponders. This endeavor has been both exciting and rewarding, enhancing our technical skills and earning appreciation from the global satellite HAM radio community.
VY0ERC is typically active three times a year: in February-March, July-August, and October-November, when we, PEARL staff, as well as scientists and university students, travel to Eureka to perform major equipment maintenance, [carry out atmospheric science experiments and participate in the on-site measurement campaigns](https://eureka.physics.utoronto.ca/). Since scientific research is the main objective of our presence at PEARL, we QRV when time permits. However, we always strive to make sure VY0ERC is on the air for the major contests, if they coincide with our trips. Finally, it has been our pleasure to provide fellow HAM radio enthusiasts with rare contact from the North, whether for awards or for casual conversations.