ON3VZ · KRISTOF
On the air.
One QSO at a time
Blog, adventures and shack of a Belgian radio amateur.
About me
Hello, my name is Kristof.
Radio amateur from Belgium. Callsign ON3VZ.
Active on HF, VHF/UHF, digital modes (FT8) and still learning on CW.
ON3VZ · Victor Zulu · Belgium
⬡ UBA Member ⬡ WLD memberJourney
My path to the airwaves
From first sparks of interest to licensed radio amateur — one step at a time.
Now — What's next?
Applying for the licence & gearing up
Licence application submitted — next up: acquiring equipment to practice and learn. The CW bug has bitten too. The HAREC handbook is already on the desk. That's the next challenge.
ON3CWHARECHF
March 2026
Theory exam at BIPT
Sat the theory exam at BIPT — on the way to becoming an ON3 radio amateur. A moment that had been building for years.
BIPTON3Exam
January 2026
Course in Sinaai — the fire is lit
Attended the Class C amateur radio course at the WLD club premises in Sinaai. Excellent training by ON4BB and others. Met fascinating people with a wealth of experience — what a learning experience! Joined section WLD and passed the practical exam.
WLDON4BBClass CPractical
2025
New year, new plans — discovering UBA
Setting new intentions for 2026, I finally made time to dive deeper into radio. Ended up on UBA.be and discovered that section WLD was organising the very first Class C amateur radio course. Signed up without hesitation — even though Sinaai wasn't exactly around the corner.
UBAWLDClass C
2019
Where it all began — radio waves & the sea
A lifelong interest in radio waves, sparked playfully on holiday with PMR446 handhelds. After earning my sailing licence and RYA Dayskipper diploma, I needed a maritime radio operator certificate. Obtained my VHF licence, then my SRC certificate. Though the focus was on procedures and equipment, my first contact with BIPT was made — and the curiosity about radio only grew stronger.
PMR446VHFSRCRYABIPT
Knowledge & skills
Areas I'm actively exploring and deepening — always a work in progress.
Propagation
How radio waves travel
Ionosphere, MUF, greyline DX, sporadic-E and how the time of year shapes the bands. Something new every day.
Antennas
From dipole to EFHW
Resonance, impedance, SWR. Cutting wire, tuning and measuring. The antenna is half the contact.
Digital modes
FT8 & weak signal
WSJT-X and the magic of FT8. Making DX on 5 watts that SSB could never reach. Fascinating technology to unpack.
CW
Morse under the fingers
Koch method via LCWO. Daily practice. The HAREC handbook is in the house — CW is the next big step to master.