Hamstudy Basic and Hamstudy Advanced were created by Frank VanderZande VE7AV of Prince George, British Columbia. Frank is an avid and enthusiastic Radio Amateur and had a career as a Radio Inspector within the Canadian radio regulatory service. That service has gone by various names over the decades, and is currently part of the Government of Canada’s department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). ISED reports to the federal Minister of Industry. As an ISED officer, Frank played a key role in the transformation of the administration of the Amateur Radio service. In retirement, Frank used his expertise to develop Hamstudy. In 2021, Frank transferred his ownership of Hamstudy to RAC. Frank continues to play a leadership role in Amateur Radio and made an important contribution to the updating of the Amateur Radio Basic and Advanced examinations from 2023 to 2025.
About the author
Dave Goodwin VE3KG has been a Radio Amateur for over fifty years. He earned his certificate and became a Radio Amateur at age 15. Dave has been an enthusiastic contester and DXer ever since. He has completed DXCC on every band from 160 through 6 metres. He has set numerous records in contests. He has also been a RAC volunteer for many years and served in various positions on RAC’s Board and Executive.
Starting in 2015, Dave has taught courses with the Fredericton Amateur Radio Club (FARC) to help newcomers earn their Basic qualification. In 2017, Dave developed a course for the Advanced qualification, which he taught with FARC until 2020. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Dave adapted his Advanced course on-line and made it a RAC activity. By the summer of 2025, Dave had taught the Advanced course thirty (30) times. Approximately one thousand (1,000) Canadian Amateurs from every province and territory have used Dave’s course to prepare for and pass the Advanced exam. Dave is also an ISED Accredited Examiner, and conducts most exams on-line.
Originally from Saint John, New Brunswick, Dave has lived in five provinces and overseas. His previous call signs include VE2DZE, VE2ZP, VE6TG, VE9CB, VO1AU, VO2AAA, VE3AAQ, JG1RSL and T32AU. He currently holds VE3KG (Ontario), VO2AAA (Labrador), G3AAA (UK) and W8SR (US). Dave has operated from twenty countries on six continents.
Dave now lives in rural eastern Ontario with Melanie, the love of his life. Melanie is extremely supportive of Dave’s involvement in Amateur Radio, as Dave is of her work as a jewellery artist. Dave is on the HF bands on CW almost every day.
Dedication
I wish to dedicate Hamstudy 2025 to two great Amateur Radio friends who have joined the great pileup in the sky: Brian Crook VE3CRG and Alan Goodacre VE3HX. Brian passed away in January 2025 and Alan passed away the following June. They each had careers in the hobby of almost seventy years. Always friendly, always helpful, always good-humoured, both Brian and Alan exhibited some of the best attributes of the human soul and the highest calling of the spirit of Amateur Radio. It is hard losing two excellent mentors in a matter of a few months. I hope they know they left Amateur Radio and me better for having known them.
Dave Goodwin VE3KG