Yellowknife Amateur Radio Society (VE8YK)

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, CANADA

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DXWorld reports that as of 23 February, 2022, the Parliament of Ukraine declared a state of emergency starting 24 February 2022 in all of Ukraine, other than in eastern Donetsk and Luhansk.  While the state of emergency is to last 30 days, given the magnitude of Russia's invasion (which is an act of international aggression) of Ukraine in the past 24 hours, the length of the declaration is probably going to be extended.  Amongst the various decrees a ban on amateur radio transmitting devices is now in effect.  Amateur radio receivers are not banned - and that would include shortwave receivers (http://www.ykars.com/index.php/amateur-radio/shortwave-listening-dxing ).

The suspension of amateur radio services in times of war or national emergency is not unprecedented.  The amateur radio service was suspended in most countries during World War 2, including Canada, and many amateur radio operators found themselves in uniform with various signals formations and in development of high tech systems such as radar or code-breaking. 

The Yellowknife Amateur Radio Society expresses its concern over the current situation and wishes all radio amateurs in Ukraine to know that they are in their thoughts.  We have removed their QSL cards from out photo gallery as a precaution.  Hopefully they will be on the air again soon and making transpolar contacts.  They will have an important role in the wake of the illegal act of aggression.

The Society also sends its best wishes to all amateur radio operators in harm's way and to the members of the Canadian Forces and our allied forces reinforcing NATO's security in eastern Europe in this situation.  Our thoughts are with you and we urge you to ignore media disinformation efforts by Russian and pro-Russian interests. 

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