I was born and raised in Romania, and hold a PhD in Physics. My first contact with this wonderful hobby was through my father, Septimius 'Ionel' (Lionel). He signed YR5TI before WW2 and was one of the founders in 1936 of the Romanian Short Waves Amateur Association. In 1946, he was among twelve hams who founded the first post WW2 Association, and signed an official petition for the reinstatement of the amateur radio activity in Romania. Retired in 1967, he became YO3TU and was a frequent presence for almost 20 years.

YO3-2388 since 1968, I was later licensed as YO3YC. Interested in both contesting and DXing, member of the YODXC, DXCC and IOTA, I kept my YO 1st class license and callsign after I moved to Canada with my family in April 1992.

I operate as VE3LYC since late 1995 and hold the DXCC Honor Roll (335 MIXT, 334 SSB, 332 CW), 9BDXCC, WAZ (SSB, CW), 5BWAZ, IOTA Plaque of Excellence (969/964), and the Antarctica Award Honor Roll. Since February 2005 I am QRV in digital modes (DXCC 253/246), and since September same year on 160 m (DXCC 171/169). Meanwhile, I confirmed 2300+ points for the DXCC Challenge. In 2008 I was elected member of the A1-Op Club.

The difficulties associated with putting on the air some of the most remote islands on Earth, usually for only a very short period of time, and sometimes under precarious propagation conditions make the island chasing a remarkable challenge. As such, I particularly enjoy the IOTA program. I obtained the IOTA 2000 and 2004 Gold Level Certificates, the only ones issued to a Canadian and North American station, respectively.

As a Pilot station I assisted the teams who put on the air for the first time Cham Is. (AS-162, 2002), Pamban Is. (AS-173, 2004) and Rennell Is. (SA-094, 2005). Together with Ken (G3OCA), I activated Finger Hill Is. (NA-194, Aug 2008) and Paul Is. (NA-205, Aug 2008) as VO2A. I also activated Fox Is. (NA-186, Apr 2009) as VY0A and Gilmour Is. (NA-230 New, Sep 2009). In Oct 2009 I was awarded the Premier IOTA Plaque for Outstanding Contribution to the IOTA Community.

I am the QSL manager for ONLY the following operations:

VIA DIRECT OR BUREAU: VO2A (NA-194 and 205, Aug 2008).

VIA DIRECT OR BUREAU: VY0A (NA-186, Apr 2009).

VIA DIRECT OR BUREAU: VY0O (NA-230 New, Sep 2009).

VIA DIRECT OR BUREAU: VE2/W2NTJ (Zone 2/2001-2003); VY0/W2NTJ (NA-159 & NA-196/2000,2003; NA-173/2000-2003).

VIA DIRECT ONLY: ES0/RZ1AK (EU-034/2002); ES1/RZ1AK (2002); ES8/RZ1AK (EU-178/2002); RK1A/P (EU-133/2002); UE1CLH (RLE-11/2002).