VERON Afdeling Kanaalstreek: A Resilient Amateur Radio Community in the Netherlands

Stadskanaal, Netherlands — The VERON Afdeling Kanaalstreek stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of amateur radio enthusiasts in the region bordering Groningen and Drenthe. Officially established as a VERON chapter on April 15, 1978, its formation marked the successful culmination of previous attempts and a spirited debate over organizational affiliation.

A History of Persistence and Community

The genesis of the Kanaalstreek chapter dates back to December 16, 1977, when 45 individuals gathered at Hotel Dopper in Stadskanaal. Driven by the "explosive increase" in local radio amateurs and the considerable distances to existing chapters in Groningen and Emmen, an action committee spearheaded efforts to consolidate the region's amateur radio forces. This marked the third endeavor to establish such a chapter in the area, following earlier attempts in 1946 (under the name "Veenkoloniën") and around 1959 (also named "Kanaalstreek"), both of which ultimately ceased operations.

A notable discussion during the inaugural meeting centered on whether to form a VERON, VRZA, or a combined chapter, mirroring the models in Emmen and Groningen. A vote revealed a split preference, with 19 favoring VERON and 23 preferring VRZA. Despite the numerical lean towards VRZA, the action committee's unanimous stance against a combined solution, threatening their withdrawal, ultimately led the assembly to formally establish the VERON Afdeling Kanaalstreek. The chapter's first official board was established on May 18, 1978, comprising PA0RSR Henk Rubingh as chairman, PE0RTX Jan Wolthuis as secretary, NL-5937 Nico Bakker as QSL-manager, Menno Fleischer as treasurer, and PE1AYH Jan Boerema, PA0TAR Jan van der Reijden, and PA0UGB Gerard Borchers as board members.

For 28 years, the chapter's meetings were hospitably hosted at Café Harry Schut. Following Harry's decision to retire in 2011, the chapter relocated in September 2012 to the S.T.A.R. in Stadskanaal, a mere 100 meters from its previous long-standing venue.

VERON: A National Framework for Amateur Radio

The VERON (Vereniging voor Experimenteel Radio Onderzoek in Nederland), founded on October 21, 1945, promotes amateur radio communication and related experimental radio and electronics research. It is a national association for licensed radio amateurs and shortwave listeners, boasting approximately 8,000 members across 64 local or regional chapters, each with its own board. These chapters are represented in the Verenigingsraad (VR), an annual spring assembly where policy proposals are debated and voted upon.

The "experimental" aspect of the VERON's mission is central, involving individual and group projects in antennas, electronics, and the increasingly popular field of digital signal decoding. Activities include expeditions to remote locations, requiring advanced equipment and knowledge, and the "Back To The Future" project for shortwave listeners, focusing on radio reception without external power. Many chapters offer self-building activities, measurement days, and courses leading to the radio amateur license examinations (N- for Novice and F for Full license). Since 2008, the "permit" has transitioned to a "registration," but call signs remain.

"Radio" within VERON focuses on signal transmission through the ether, including radio wave propagation, modulation methods, conversion of electrical signals to electromagnetic waves, and filtering signals from noise. Licensed amateurs operate on specially allocated frequency bands.

"Research" is an inherent part of the hobby, driven by curiosity. Members explore antenna efficiency, high-frequency circuit design, new modulation techniques, and the integration of software and electronics. Findings are often published in the club's magazine, Electron, fostering collective knowledge and continuous development.

The VERON serves as the Dutch section of Region I of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), reflecting the global nature of amateur radio. This international cooperation helps standardize amateur radio frequencies and fosters worldwide friendships through cross-border radio contacts.

Chapter Activities and Information

The Afdeling Kanaalstreek holds its chapter evenings on the third Friday of every month, a tradition established from its very first meeting to avoid conflicts with surrounding chapters. The chapter's website provides comprehensive information, including:

• Current Agenda 2025:
  • May 31, 2025: 45th Frisian Radio Market Beetsterzwaag.
  • March 21, 2025: Quiz during the meeting.
  • September 8, 2023: Lecture on Lofar.
  • 2023: Experiment Day.
  • September 2022: September meeting.
  • May 20, 2022: Lecture on the QRM killer.
• General Information: About the VERON, membership, the QSL-bureau, and the "Vademecum."
• Technical Information: On antennas, bulletins, SMD techniques, and PACC downloads.
• Special Topics: "De grayline zone" and "Afdeling en PACC."
• Contact information: Contact persons, meeting locations, and details on history.

The VERON Afdeling Kanaalstreek exemplifies a resilient and dedicated amateur radio community, blending a rich history with ongoing engagement in the technical and social aspects of the hobby.