I bought a handheld radio to listen to railroad traffic, discovered several repeaters in the Northern Virginia area and subsequently developed an interest in Amateur Radio activities. Heard many references to "Hamfest" and "Field Day" and wondered what all the excitement was all about, so I attended the June 2010 Manassas Hamfest, took the test and qualified for Technician Class license. I participated in a few Field Day setups and had a really great time.
Upgraded to General Class at the August 2010 Berryville Hamfest and bought a Yaesu FT-857D and RadioWavz G5RV-Jr in the Fall. August 2011 I passed the test for Amateur Extra class and Spring 2012 added a Kenwood TS-590s to the shack plus a Buddipole antenna. On fair weather weekends I set up portable operation in nearby parks. Also have the Yaesu FT-270R in the car (that's the radio that started it all).
QSL?
Finally decided on a qsl card (sample below) which represents my interest in railroads. It's a tourist line near Cumberland MD but the forested area looks like it might be called Oak Hill. If you send a card direct or via DX bureau, I will return via the same route. A self-addressed envelope for direct return is nice but not required. I am especially looking for railroad-related themes though I appreciate any style card. Contacts are also uploaded to eQSL.cc and now LoTW.
LoTW seems harder than it needs to be though I think in the end it's worth it: uploaded my QSOs for the past year and qualified for WAS in a few categories and also DXCC. Thanks to everyone -- all 50 states, 11 provinces, 100+ DX entities on six continents! I have heard a station at the South Pole a few times but was not able to work him yet. Many, many contacts worked with low power. The QRP bug has bitten me quite hard.
I am now handling incoming DX bureau cards for USA '4N' stations. If your call is, for example, K4NVA, I will be sending your cards if you have envelopes and stamps on file. Or I may be contacting you to provide SASEs
Going postal
The price of a US first class stamp increased to 45 cents on January 22, 2012; postcards are now 32 cents; letters to Canada and Mexico are 85 cents; all other countries $1.05. Do you wish it was 1968 again?
Hello Mr.William, I am your new friend from Indonesia. I wish you for visiting my page at QRZ.com. See you again , next time.Thank you. 73 bye. de YC2IRE.
I inadvertently had my rig set to just 5w during ARRL 10m SSB contest. I appreciate decent band conditions and I thank you for bearing with my weak signal.
Worked 11 of the 13 Colonies. Did not hear DE or NC. Heard WM3PEN and the pileups were huge! Congrats to those who made 1 contact or 13+1 and God Bless America!
IV3BCM de
W7BC2012-05-26 00:18:18 UTC
Tnx for looking me up, Oscar. Best wishes, good DXing. vy 73, Dick W7BC
PU2KNK de
PU1BBZ2012-05-25 23:54:30 UTC
Boa noite Leonardo.
Muito bem copiado em 3.693 KHz aqui por Vitória - ES. Reportagem 59. Sinal 9+20dB.
73 de Nelson - PU1BBZ
BV1EL de
DU8WAA2012-05-25 23:29:28 UTC
Hello ken, Greetings from the Philippines. Nice to see U on the web. Hope to hear U soon and Hope U can also visit my qrz Page. all the best 73! de DU8WAA _ loloy _
L53GO de
L53GO2012-05-25 22:56:28 UTC
- WPX CW Contest 2012: Op. LU5FZ
DJ0AJ de
DJ0AJ2012-05-25 22:01:09 UTC
BM2ERX--HELLO MY FRIEND HAVE NICE --DX--DJOAJ
VY73 --BM2ERX greeting djoaj ekrem vy73
BM2ERX de
BM2ERX2012-05-25 21:48:42 UTC
bm2erx大家早.六米120等侯
DJ0AJ de
DJ0AJ2012-05-25 21:25:07 UTC
HELLO JOHN HAVE A NICE EVENING FROM HERE
WY2G---WY2G--MY FRIEND JOHN VY73 djoaj
WY2G de
WY2G2012-05-25 21:22:00 UTC
Hello Tracy K7EWA, thank you for your visit, and for signing my page - hope you enjoyed it. 73 de John WY2G.
DJ0AJ de
DJ0AJ2012-05-25 21:05:17 UTC
ZL1PO HELLOmy, friend your also have at nice
weekend from DJOAJ VY73 ZL1PO ZL1PO
ZL1PO de
ZL1PO2012-05-25 21:02:40 UTC
To all have a happy and safe weekend.Best 73 ZL1PO
BV1EL de
M0VKC2012-05-25 21:00:36 UTC
Tnx Ken fer 20m contact.Hpe to cu on other bands!
GL 73 TU... Nige M0VKC
S51ZZ de
ON5DML2012-05-25 20:10:39 UTC
Hi Vojko,thanks very much for nice qso this afternoon via ONFF001 my /P location in the High Fenes ! Hope to meet u agn very soon my friend Vojko.Best regards for u and yours.73's H-Paul !
DJ0AJ de
DJ0AJ2012-05-25 20:02:21 UTC
IZ0TRL--HI DR--OM--GIL HAVE at nice evening-and
have at,nice DX--vy73--from here--all-the best GIL
IZ0TRL--GB-GIL djoaj ekrem -SALUDOS
IZ0TRL de
IZ0TRL2012-05-25 19:52:43 UTC
73's to all. Ciao
7Z1FM de
7Z1FM2012-05-25 19:42:01 UTC
Greetings from Saudi Arabia.
Best 73
7Z1FM
