W8USR - Special Events
Ontario Science Centre On-Air Special Event
The Special Event
The permanent amateur radio station located at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto operates under the callsign VE3OSC. The foundational goal of this interactive station is to demonstrate and showcase ham radio technology to museum visitors, sparking interest in wireless communication across new generations. During this early 1990s activation, the museum operators issued a unique commemorative QSL card featuring an image of the physical radio operation to hams who successfully confirmed contact.
This specific contact holds historical significance as it was logged under my former amateur radio callsign, N8SWQ, during a late-afternoon opening on the 40-meter band.
Vintage Collins S-Line Hardware Profile
During the event, the VE3OSC station was notably showcasing classic vintage Collins Radio hardware alongside contemporary high-frequency (HF) transceivers and VHF/UHF packages. The featured setup included:
- Collins 32S-1 Transmitter: A legendary tube-driven HF transmitter introduced in 1958 by the Collins Radio Company. It covers the 80 through 10-meter amateur bands, delivers approximately 100 watts of nominal PEP output power, and features robust technical stability across Upper Sideband (USB), Lower Sideband (LSB), and CW modes.
- Collins 75S-3 Receiver: A classic vintage high-frequency receiver manufactured starting in the early 1960s. It spans the 80 through 10-meter bands in highly accurate 200 kHz tuning segments, fully supporting AM, CW, LSB, and USB operation.
Placing the Collins 32S-1 transmitter and the 75S-3 receiver side-by-side forms the foundation of the iconic Collins S-Line. It is widely recognized by radio historians as one of the most aesthetically beautiful and technically advanced amateur radio engineering achievements of the classic vacuum tube era.
About the Ontario Science Centre
While often colloquially mistaken by visitors as the "Toronto Science Centre," the renowned institution has never held that name. The museum was originally conceived in 1964 and officially opened its doors to the public in 1969. At the time of this on-air contact, it was universally known as the Ontario Science Centre. However, its formal legal name under provincial legislation has consistently remained the Centennial Centre of Science and Technology throughout its entire historical archive.
Station Log: Contact History
| Date / Year | Special Event Call | My Callsign Used | Time (UTC) | Frequency | Band | Mode | Operator's Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 12, 1994 | VE3OSC | N8SWQ | 19:32 UTC | 7.168 MHz | 40 Meters | SSB | Ray |