Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦

#AmateurRadio Operator since 1994, President of @RACTWEETS 2021-2024, #CY9C 2016/2019, HF Field Ops, #Prepper, Expat. #HamRadio alter ego of @philamcbride.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

Playing with the new Yaesu FTX-1 (Optima) firmware in my truck. Connected WIRES-X via HP3EGD on top of Volcán Barú. So far, it’s stable. Give me a few days to see if it stays that way.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

@OGridPete No shortage of those around here 🙂

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

Yesterday’s activation 🙂

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

@14NE900 I haven’t needed any, but there is lots of documentation out there.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

HP3/VA3QR/M. Yaesu FTX-1 Optima mobile installation into my 2010 Nissan Navara D40 complete 😁

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

@erickdahan If you go back to CR and you're close to PA, try HP3EGD-R2 - a 70cm C4FM repeater at the top of Volcan Baru. And no, I haven't paid any import taxes on anything. As for TEP, I've moved here permanently and all of my gear followed me here - we got allowances that we came under on.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

So I'm still operating under IARP as HP3/VA3QR, but I'm now receiving help from HP1CDW and the C4FM Panama group. They helped me identify the correct paperwork and the club secretary, who is also a lawyer, is presenting my application to the government. Fingers crossed.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

- I'm not operating IARP, I've got a temporary license from Panama. I'll get my permanent license and my HP3 callsign next year (immigration process).

- Not much of a local market here. I'm still exploring, but the rig and all the associated parts were imported. That said, there is a national C4FM network and 10 active clubs recognized by the regulator.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

Hood, doors and tailgate bonded, cabin and bed bonded together. All that’s left is the muffler and waiting for the rest of the parts to arrive to install the FTX-1 Optima in my truck.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

My new toys have arrived and Zorro wants to play with them.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

HP3/VA3QR PA-0020, currently SSB 14270.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

Grabbing breakfast, then off to PA-0020.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

@cqcqcqdx Oh that sucks. That happened to me after a microburst 15 or so years ago. At least it looks like your house didn’t take any damage. Good luck with the rebuild.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

My FTX-1 Optima is finally on its way to Panama with the SCU-66L 10’ extension. Mobile installation in a 2010 Nissan Navara in a couple of weeks. Will take video and post as I go.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

@POTAActivator Amen.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

Received my updated operating authorization from Panama, giving me Class A privileges across the country as HP#/VA3QR. Getting my field kit ready for some ops - perhaps some POTA 🙂

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

@cqcqcqdx A BIOS battery that never dies?

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

Well crap - now I've got to buy another radio. Thanks, Yaesu.

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

@VE6LK *sigh - opens wallet*

[Phil A. McBride, HP3/VA3QR 🇨🇦🇵🇦 @VA3QR]

@K0LWC I spent a lot of time going over this data when I was President of RAC. I’m going to disagree with you on this one, Matt - Canada is in a different place. So is Panama. They’ve gone from 400 to 850 operators in less than 10 years. As a percentage, that huge.