Canadian Islands

A few years ago, when I paddled past Bigsby Island, on the south side of Lake of the Woods, I spotted a very old and abandoned lighthouse. I thought it would be the perfect operating position for a QRP adventure. Shortly after that, I discovered C.I.S.A., the Canadian Islands Awards program.The Canadian Islands Awards program encourages amateurs to operate from, and contact, inland Canadian Islands.

In the fall of 2010, I paddled back to Bigsby Island, and activated it. This involved making 25 QSOs from two countries. I operated on 20 metres and 80 metres using my Icom 703+. I worked 80 metres using a wire dipole antenna, and 20 metres using my Buddipole. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make many island chasers happy. I made my 25 contacts by working several Manitoba stations after the daily Weather Net, and by working a couple U.S. QSO Parties.

Paddling to the lighthouse was half the fun. It involved a 9 kilometre crossing to the island, and another long crossing to the point. The water was eerily calm.

All in all, it was a grand adventure. And, in the end, I was able to activate Bigsby Island as ON 287. There will be more to come....