Out and About with Stuart VE9CF: Founder of Historic Sites on the Air

Stuart Crawford VE9CF is… a Canadian ham with a military past, a marketer’s mind, and a newfound mission to tell stories through amateur radio. First licensed in the ‘90s as VE4SRC, Stuart’s callsign changed with each military posting—from Manitoba to Alberta to New Brunswick. But the hobby took a 30-year backseat as career and family took the wheel—until recently, when he returned to radio with fresh focus and a two-letter callsign that nods to his time in the Canadian Forces. What began as simple Parks on the Air activations quickly evolved into something deeper. Stuart realized that many historic locations—churches, forts, battlegrounds—were missing from existing portable ops programs. So he built his own. Historic Sites on the Air (hsota.org) is now a growing initiative that invites hams to activate places that matter—not just for their scenery, but their stories. His gear is classic field-ready: FT-891s, lithium batteries, and antennas chosen for the setting—from a Buddipole to a truck-mounted ATAS. But the real hook isn’t the equipment—it’s the ethos. Whether he’s operating near an 1850s church or a remote Acadian fort, Stuart’s goal is the same: protect the site, share the history, and get a few good contacts while you’re at it.

Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio. Many thanks to DX Engineering for backing operators who bring ham radio into new places—whether that’s a battlefield in New Brunswick or a lighthouse off Halifax. Their support helps make activations like Stuart’s possible.