about hamshack.ca

Hamshack.ca is a Canadian website built by and for amateur radio operators. Created by Don Rosberg, VE7DXE, the site was launched in 2020 to fill the gap left by cancelled in-person swap meets during the pandemic. It has since grown into a comprehensive national platform where Canadian hams can buy and sell gear, connect with clubs, explore vendors, and now, prepare for certification with QSL Courses.

A Free Buy & Sell Platform for Hams

At its core, Hamshack.ca offers a fast, user-friendly Buy & Sell system tailored to amateur radio. Licensed hams can list, browse, and manage equipment ads free of charge. Advanced filtering tools by province, category, and keyword make it easy to find exactly what’s needed. With close to 2,000 registered users and thousands of weekly views, hamshack.ca has become a trusted destination for surplus amateur gear.

Many Canadian radio clubs link directly to Hamshack’s classified listings for their regions, eliminating the need to maintain separate “for sale” sections on their own websites.

Club Repository and Map – Strengthening Local Connections

Hamshack.ca hosts a national Club Repository to help connect amateur radio operators with local organizations. Each club has its own listing page, complete with contact information, website links, and—in many cases—a live feed of listings posted from their region.

A fully interactive Club Map makes it easy to locate nearby clubs across Canada. This visual tool helps operators find a local community, explore club activities, and identify groups offering public service or emergency communications support.

Emergency capabilities are a special focus. Clubs are encouraged to describe their readiness and roles in emergency communications. This information helps raise public awareness and supports municipalities or organizations looking to integrate amateur radio into their response plans.

Vendor Directory – Suppliers for the Ham Community

Hamshack.ca features a growing Vendor Directory that connects users with businesses and individuals offering products and services related to amateur radio. From antennas and power supplies to accessories, kits, and technical services, the directory is a one-stop shop for quality, ham-focused offerings.

Each vendor entry includes business details, website links, and product descriptions, giving amateur operators a reliable way to find suppliers. By listing here, vendors gain targeted exposure to an engaged audience that shares their interests.

QSL Courses – A Smarter Way to Learn

New to Hamshack.ca, the QSL Courses section offers a unique online learning system for aspiring amateur radio operators. Built around a “Question-Specific Learning” method, the courses turn actual exam questions into short, easy-to-understand lessons. Each topic includes built-in mini-quizzes to reinforce learning.

Courses are fully self-paced, written in plain language, and aligned with the official Canadian Basic and Advanced syllabi. Whether preparing for the first time or returning to the hobby, learners gain confidence through clear, practical instruction.

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Hamshack.ca is free to use but relies on donations to operate. Users who’ve found great gear, made a quick sale, or benefited from the learning resources are encouraged to buy Don a coffee—a small donation that helps cover server costs and site development.

73 de Don VE7DXE

 

Please help support hamshack.ca - Hamshack.ca may receive a small commission when an Affiliate Link is clicked, or when a third-party item is purchased. This money is used to pay the costs of running the site.  

Transmission Lines and Antenna Systems

Advanced Antenna Design Quiz

This challenging 20-question quiz delves into advanced antenna design, targeting seasoned ham radio enthusiasts eager to test or expand their knowledge.

1 / 20

In a phased array, what is the primary method to achieve a directional pattern?

 

2 / 20

Which antenna is known for having both horizontal and vertical radiation patterns?

 

3 / 20

How does the gain of a two-element Yagi compare to a dipole?

 

4 / 20

What happens to the radiation resistance of a short dipole as it's made shorter?

 

5 / 20

Which of the following is NOT a primary component of a quad antenna?

 

6 / 20

What is the main benefit of using a log-periodic antenna?

 

7 / 20

What type of antenna uses a long wire with a series of loading coils or capacitors?

 

8 / 20

Which antenna has a radiation pattern shaped like a figure-eight?

 

9 / 20

Which of the following best describes a collinear antenna design?

 

10 / 20

What is the primary advantage of a stacked antenna configuration?

 

11 / 20

Which type of antenna is most sensitive to the height above ground?

12 / 20

What determines the resonant frequency of a loop antenna?

 

13 / 20

What antenna configuration uses a driven element with a parasitic element to achieve directionality?

14 / 20

How is the feed point impedance of an end-fed half-wave (EFHW) antenna typically characterized?

15 / 20

For a quarter-wave vertical antenna, what is the ideal number of radials?

16 / 20

Which of the following antenna types exhibits the highest gain?

17 / 20

What is the primary radiation pattern of a vertical antenna over perfectly conducting ground?

18 / 20

What is the primary purpose of using a balun with a dipole antenna?

19 / 20

In a Yagi-Uda antenna, which element is the longest?

20 / 20

What is the primary advantage of a Beverage antenna?

Your score is

The average score is 54%

0%

Classified Listings - Hamshack Canada's Ham Radio Buy and Sell Site

  • Vacuum Variable Capacitors
    by Brian Summers on June 23, 2025 at 3:38 pm

    These two capacitors will be shipped anywhere in Canada when both are purchased. If you are only interested in one then the unit price is $220 plus shipping. Note that mounting hardware is metric. Specs are 20-300pF 15kV/5kV for one and 25-330pF 10kV/6kV for the other. The post Vacuum Variable Capacitors first appeared on Hamshack.

  • FS – Xiegu 5105 HF QRP trasnceiver – POTA !!
    by VE3MKX on June 23, 2025 at 2:39 pm

    FS – Xiegu 5105 HF QRP transceiver with built in AUTO TUNER, hand mic, power cord, and pelican style case ! Covers hf plus 6m ! Great shape ! $425 plus shipping. The post FS – Xiegu 5105 HF QRP trasnceiver – POTA !! first appeared on Hamshack.

  • Hammarlund SP-600 FREE for pick up only
    by Joe Lockhart on June 23, 2025 at 3:05 am

    For FREE a Hammarlund SP-600 NOT WORKING for parts. It was a good idea at the time 🙂 Not going to fix it so if someone wants to try you can for free pick up only. No holds, first one to come and get it, it’s yours. It’s located north of Saskatoon about 20 minutes. The post Hammarlund SP-600 FREE for pick up only first appeared on Hamshack.

  • Heil Goldline Pro microphone
    by Joe Lockhart on June 23, 2025 at 2:57 am

    Heil Goldline Pro microphone I bought this awhile ago but never really used it as much as would have liked to. Great mic with great sound. Does have some scratched as you can see in the photos. Comes in nice box and cover. Sold and Shipped in Canada only so please supply your address for The post Heil Goldline Pro microphone first appeared on Hamshack.

  • GAP Titan DX Antenna
    by COLIN PARKES on June 23, 2025 at 2:36 am

    My GAP Titan DX antenna is up for sale. It was bought in  April 2023. With the exchange, shipping and import duties back then cost me just under $1300 to my door. It was only up for 3 months. It has since been stored in dry, covered storage. It is in near-new condition. Other than The post GAP Titan DX Antenna first appeared on Hamshack.