Reg VK6BQQ, VE3BQQ, VA3BQQ SK Sunday 04/10/2026

Vale Reg VK6BQQ RIP

Reg VK6BQQ - Tribute by Ian VK6SKY

NOTE: Reg VK6BQQ has retired from net control after a staggering 1244 nets, thats almost 24 yrs worth, his last net was held on 15th November 2025 AU, we thank Reg for all his done for Amateur Radio over the years & keeping these nets going for such a long time. Ron KD4RON & Eugene AF7JM will now continute to run these nets from now on which also includes Aviation reports from Catherine KE5CEJ, so Please Check in & say Hello, all are Welcome. 73 John vk3hjq 15/11/2025

Thank you so much to all of you that make these nets possible, especially Mike N0VZC for hosting the TECHLINK conference server Node 9229 & Robert VK2DY, John VK3HJQ, Dave GW8SZL from ANZEL for being Admins on the system. The TECHLINK conference server hosts the Friday Night Tech Net and the Flying Pig Net along with several other interesting and informative nets, all are welcome to Check in & join us for a fun time of ICQ (Information, Comments & Questions).

LIVE FROM JANDAKOT, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Weather in Jandakot Western Australia

Every Friday evening from 20:00 to 22:00 EST (00:00-02:00 UTC Saturday Morning)

Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the first operational sortie of the Avro Lancaster. 1st to 28th March 2022.

The West Australian VHF Group is sponsoring a special event station VK80LAN. Below is the certificate of appreciation awarded to Reg VK6BQQ for his contributions to the event.

At the opening ceremonies:

Left - Reg VK6BQQ with Mr. Arrowsmith, a 100 year old Lancaster pilot from WW2.

Right - Reg VK6BQQ with two VIP's from the RAAF.

Check out the websites of other participants in this event:

https://www.qrz.com/db/VK80LAN

https://www.qrz.com/db/GB80LAN

https://www.qrz.com/db/VE80LAN

VK80LAN was issued by the Australian ACMA at the request of the West Australian VHF Group and sponsored by the Wireless Institute of Australia, to celebrate the 80 year anniversary of one of the few Avro Lancaster aircraft surviving from service in World War II. This event is ably supported in Western Australia by Reginald Bagshaw, VK6BQQ, and his "Flying Pig Net". One exemplar of the plane is located in the RAAFA Aviation Heritage Museum in Bull Creek, Perth, Western Australia which is also supporting this event. Another is the Lancaster nicknamed "G for George" located at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, ACT, Australia.

This commemorative event for Lancaster aircraft is being simulateously partnered in the UK by callsign GB80LAN and in Canada by callsign VE80LAN organised by Hamilton Amateur Radio Club (VE3DC) and Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

Reg's VK6BQQ certificate for his participation in celebrating the Australian Air Force centenary.

Finally there!!! 1000 weeks on the air.

Air Australia Open House - March 7th 2021 - A few pictures from the open day at the airport.

March 7th 2021 - Air Australia Office - Reg VK6BQQ Net Control on the Flying Pig Net with Geoff VK6ZY

Reg's VK6BQQ, Some Projects:

Leather tobacco pouch made for Reg VK6BQQ by Mike VK6KMS.

Reverse side of tobacco pouch with rendering of Canadian Snow Birds aircraft, a Canadair CT-114 Tutor.

And one of Reg's VK6BQQ projects, a model of the HMS Victory, a work in progress.

Have a favorite project you'd like to post? Let Reg know.

Taking Off for Another 50 Weeks. Heading for 1000 Nets.

Quick info:

My Name is Reg, I host the Friday Night TechNet World Wide on the *Techlink* conference EchoLink node 9229. I live in Australia and also am Retired. My call sign is VK6BQQ, in Canada I have VE3BQQ/VA3BQQ.

Send us your comments via email: regbagshawvk6bqq@gmail.com

Join us every Friday evening from 20:00 hours local to 22:00 Toronto Time. (00:00-02:00 UTC Saturday Morning)

And the Flying Pig Net!!!

Reg likes aviation ALMOST as much as ham radio so he's carving out the second hour of the Technet for hams that have a background or interest in avaition (pilot, aircraft mechanic/maintainer, etc) to swap stories and share their avaition experiences. We've named it "The Flying Pig Net".

And here folks is the original Flying Pig. No record could be found giving his call sign though.

And despite being able to copy code at 30 WPM, Porky had no interest in becoming a Ham ..... lol

Reg VK6BQQ makes a precision landing after autorotation from 10,000 ft.

950 Consecutive Weeks on the air - March 27/28 2020

900 Consecutive Weeks on the air - April 12/13 2019

Rememberance Day 2018

For Rememberance Day celebrating the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, Reg broadcasted the Friday Night Tech Net from the Kelmscott Spud Shed.

This was in association with the Hills Amateur Radio Group.
https://www.yourlocalexaminer.com.au/radio-calls-for-remembrance-day/
Although the various Australian special events stations have QSL cards posted elsewhere on QRZ.com, here is one unique to the Friday Night Tech Net.

800 Weeks!!!!

As mentioned, Reg likes aviation ALMOST as much as ham radio. So for his 800^th week on the air with the Friday Night Technet he convened the net while sitting in the cockpit of a WWII Avro Lancaster at the Aviation Heritage Museum in Bull Creek, WA (no not Washington State). His fondness for the Lancaster comes from his participation in restoring the airworthy Canadian Heritage Warplane Museum’s Lancaster shown in the 800^th week QSL cards below. She’s named Vera.

Photos from the 800^th week broadcast from the Aviation Heritage Museum.

Three quarters of the way to ONE THOUSAND weeks on the air.

And 50 weeks before that.

And QSL's from bygone years.

Connect to The Technet:

Michael VE7KI has set up an Echolink conference *TECHLINK* at node 9229 that will now be the primary Echolink connection for the Friday Night Tech Net. The *HANDIHAM* & *HAM* conferences will be connected as well.

To connect via radio through an Echolink Repeater enter *9229. Just 9229 will try to connect you with an IRLP node.

Though Echolink is no longer connected to Van-IRLP node 9008 you can connect via the *HANDIHAM* network & the ANZEL Multimode network (*HAM*).

Ontario Repeaters:

VE3TTT Repeater London 147.180 MHz + 114.8/442.300MHz + 131.8 LONDON
VE3SUE Repeater London is 444.400 PL of 114.8 thanks to Dan VE3FLK IRLP Node 2400
VE3SRT Repeater Shetland 447.050 PL of 123.0 thanks to Dan VE3FLK
VE3TCB Repeater Thedford 146.940 PL of 123.0 thanks to Dan VE3FLK
VE3JOP Repeater Vaughan 443.775 145.310 thanks to Shelly VA3KY
VE3PRC Repeater Brampton 443.550 146.880 thanks to Peel Radio Club
VE3RFI Repeater Hamilton 443.250 PL of 151.4 thanks to Al, VA3AM
VE3WOM Repeater Whitby 147.150 PL 103.5 thanks to Whitby Amateur Radio Club
VE3MIS Repeater Mississauga 145.430 PL 103.5 thanks to Mississauga Amateur Radio Club

U.S.A Repeaters:

N0BVE Repeater Minnetonka, MN 145.450 PL -
N0BVE Repeater Minneapolis, MN 444.650 PL 114.8
N0BVE Repeater MSP International Airport 444.325 PL 131.8
W0EQO Repeater Maple Lake, MN 145.470 PL114.8
KC9YZR Repeater Medford, WI 443.975 PL 114.8
KA0KMJ Repeater Chaska, MN 445.000 PL 100
NX0P Repeater Albert Lea, MN 146.685 PL 100
K0VVY Link Rapid City, SD 147.5 PL-
KA0PQW Repeater Ellendale, MN 442.925 PL 114.8; 224.64 PL 110.9
KA0PQW Link Arden Hills, MN 223.94 (-) PL 100
KA0PQW Link Faribault, MN 146.595 Simplex PL 114.8

The Georgia Conference:

Thanks to Worth, (KG4PXG) the Echolink *GEORGIA* conference is now connected to the Friday Night Tech Net

Australia Repeaters/Networks:

VK6ZGN Repeater Willetton, W.A. thanks to Bob VK6ZGN

ANZEL Multimode network (*HAM*) thanks to Robert VK2DY, John VK3HJQ, Norm ZL4NORM & Dave GW8SZL

Also Checkout the Friday Night Tech Net Yahoo Group at:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Fridaynighttechnet/info

In a few words:

It all started from a whim in Burlington over 14 years ago by Reg Bagshaw VE3BQQ on 146.550 simplex, his first contact was the late Dave VE3DLK in Hamilton. Over 500 weeks later and still going strong, It has become a Friday night ritual with an average of 50 or more check ins. Using the Internet via IRLP, Echolink, E-mail and of course good old fashion RF radio. The Net initially ran as a Technical Net and as interest and support grew we offered online Emerging and support for those looking to upgrade from Basic to Advanced licence, with the help of Reg and his knowledge and experience from many years in the communications industry.

Several Local hams have done this, also thanks to the TechNet Team several Hams have helped with Tower Erections, Antenna Installations, Radio Repairs and other technical problems. Today the Net has evolved more into a social gathering place for Hams worldwide to meet and gain insight into what is happening in the world of amateur radio.

200 Weeks Ago