Elizabeth Anderson

From Vancouver to the world’s oceans

Before she became VE7YL, Elizabeth trained in Vancouver at Sprott Shaw Radio School, earning a Certificate of Proficiency in Radio — Second Class. This was a professional wireless qualification, not an amateur licence. Her radio career began during the Second World War, when she worked for the Canadian government as a coast-station operator at VAI and as an interceptor operator; the latter work required her to learn Japanese Katakana radio code.

• Before 1947

  Graduated from Sprott Shaw Radio School in Vancouver with her Second Class radio certificate.

• 1947

  Joined the Norwegian cargo ship MS Vito as radio operator. A San Pedro newspaper reported her arrival on February 18, 1947, to inspect new radio equipment being installed aboard the vessel.

• 1947–1951

  Spent four adventurous years at sea aboard Vito and later MS Skauvann, visiting China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, and the west coast of North America.

• 1951 onward

  Married Reg Anderson and lived internationally with her family, including periods in Sumatra, Venezuela, the Netherlands, Curaçao, Canada, Iran, and Indonesia.

Back on the air

Her on-air life was genuinely international. She held or used the callsigns EP2EA in Iran, PA9ELA and VE7BIP/PA in the Netherlands, and YB0ADT in Indonesia. Initially a CW-only operator, she later tried SSB and helped build friendships among women amateurs through the “Natter Net.”

Elizabeth pursued DXing, YL contacts, island activity and contesting with lasting energy. Her own account records an ARRL DXCC Honor Roll total of 330 current countries in 2000, as well as the activation of 33 islands near Vancouver and in the Fraser River with Richmond Amateur Radio Club members.