The call sign VY0ERC belongs to the Eureka Amateur Radio Club, which operates in Nunavut, Canada, on Ellesmere Island. Given the station's geographical location at 80° north latitude, VY0ERC is generally considered to be the northernmost amateur radio club station in the world. The club continues a long tradition of amateur radio operations in the Eureka area, dating back to 1947.
The station is located in one of the most extreme regions on the planet. Eureka is one of the northernmost permanently inhabited research sites in the world. Winter temperatures regularly drop below -50°C and the area is considered an arctic desert with minimal precipitation.
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The story of VY0ERC
The Eureka Amateur Radio Club was formed in 2016 by radio amateurs VE3CXL, VE3KTB and VE1RUS. Their goal was to restore the continuous amateur radio presence in Eureka, which had been a part of local history since the establishment of the Eureka Weather Station as part of the Joint Arctic Weather Stations program. The first documented amateur radio calls from Eureka were made under the callsign VE8MA.
Today's VY0ERC station operates from the PEARL Ridge Lab, located approximately 11 kilometers from the Eureka Weather Station at an altitude of 610 meters above sea level. Its location above 80° north latitude also brings an interesting peculiarity - the station is located in ITU zone 75, which makes it a popular target for diploma hunters and DXCC entities.
Operating in such conditions presents a number of technical challenges. Strong winds with gusts exceeding 100 km/h, icing and extreme temperatures significantly shorten the life of antenna systems. Club members report that none of the antennas used so far have lasted longer than twelve months. For this reason, the most important antennas are often assembled upon arrival at the work site and dismantled before departure.
Technical equipment VY0ERC
The station's equipment has evolved over the years, but the current overview published by the club provides an interesting look at the technical solutions used in the extreme conditions of northern Canada.
| HF transceiver | Kenwood TS-480HX |
| Amplifiers | Vectronix HF600-QSK, National NCL-2000, Drake L-4B |
| Multi-band directional system | spiderbeam HD yagi 20/17/15/12/10 m |
| Moxon antennas | 20 m and 6 m |
| Verticals | Cushcraft AV-5, Cushcraft R-5 |
| 40 m system | Homebrew 4-square phased array |
| Satellite station | yaesu FT-847 |
| Satellite antenna | Arrow II Yagi for 2 m and 70 cm |
| Rotator | Hy-Gain HAM-IV |
The station also operates CW, FT8 and WSPR beacons. The infrastructure includes a SpiderBeam HD telescopic mast and several experimental systems designed to monitor the propagation of radio waves.
traffic from the high north
The geographical location significantly affects the radio conditions. The area has polar night from approximately October 20 to February 20 and polar day from mid-April to the end of August. Another factor is the location near the center of the auroral oval. Increased geomagnetic activity often causes significant deterioration of HF propagation. According to operators, the 20 m band remains the most reliable DX band throughout the year.
VY0ERC operates all major amateur radio modes including SSB, CW, RTTY and FT8. Since 2018, the club has also been heavily involved in satellite operations via FM and linear amateur satellites. This activity has resulted in many unique connections from one of the most remote locations in the world.
Latest activity VE3KTB
According to the current operational announcement dated June 14, 2026, VE3KTB will activate VY0ERC from approximately the last week of June until July 22, 2026. At the same time, there is a possibility of activating Cornwallis Island (IOTA NA-009) during the move to Eureka. The operation will be carried out according to the work obligations and time capabilities of the PEARL laboratory staff.
The current status of the beacons shows that the international WSPR transmitter is operating in automatic mode. The FT8 receiving beacon is also in operation, while the CW receiving beacon RBN is out of service.
YouTube video
The club publishes videos documenting the operations and scientific activities at the PEARL laboratory. The official link to the video is provided directly on the VY0ERC website.
QSL cards VY0ERC
The station's QSL manager is Charles M0OXOThe club explicitly states that paper QSL cards are currently distributed exclusively through the M0OXO system. OQRS. Prevádzkovatelia zároveň žiadajú rádioamatérov, aby QSL karty neposielali priamo do Eureky ani prostredníctvom bureau systému.
For many DXpers, a QSL from VY0ERC represents valuable proof of contact with one of the rarest North American locations. The exceptional geographical location, limited operating hours, and challenging logistics make every contact with VY0ERC an unforgettable amateur radio experience.