Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Package for Newington

After My nice suprise from the Zero bureau, I took some time to go thru the QSL cards and determined which needed return cards.Some I had already exchanged with but some were from Hams asking for return confirmation. Oldest card was from a QSO from 2010! Patience is much needed but the cost is just right!:)
I also took some time to examine My recent log and pick some contacts I would like a card from. Some I bypassed because they only wanted direct mail or even money. Bureau members and QSL managers are My preferred mail options unless its a Dxpedition or very rare. Then I'll send direct!
I'm an ARRL member and the cost to send thru their Outgoing QSL bureau is very affordable. Twenty cards is three dollars-a great deal.
I enjoy exchanging QSL cards but I can't imagine just that option for verifying new DXCC's. Very glad for LOTW and EQsl.
73--Tim

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Route 66 Special Event 2014

I happened to be in the shack and hear a station with a 1 x 1 call and checked on QRZ and realized He was part of the Route 66 Special event. I had heard some local Hams discussing this event last weekend but had no time to check it out at the time. Having some time this weekend I decided to check out the particulars and maybe make some contacts.
This event is sponsored by the "CITRUS BELT AMATEUR RADIO CLUB" from California and they have a nice Website for information. It is the 15th Year of the event and this Year it runs from September 6th 0000z to September 14th at 2359z on the 80m to 6m bands, even WARC bands, using CW,Digital and SSB.
They are operating 21 unique callsigns for this event-- W6A thru W6T, the last two being mobile stations. All are positioned along the old Route 66 Highway route or there about! A single contact with any of the stations makes one eligible for a nice certificate with a $4 donation. I like wallpaper so I will be sending My money!:)
Missing the first week of this event did lessen My chances of a clean sweep but My goal was to make as many contacts as I could fit in. Most of the stations were busy and had nice signals. Propagation was up and down and I only had several spotted I could not hear.As of this writing I have 5 in the log but the event is not over....
73---Tim

I ended with 8 total--even one mobile. Not too bad with limited time!

Sunday, September 7, 2014

More Zero Bureau QSL cards.

Mailman delivered these this week from the Zero Bureau. Not alot of cards but still fun to receive. I have a blog post from August 25th 2012 explaining the bureau process I use if interested. The bureau is just one of the many tools a Amateur has to enhance the Hobby. Not alot to add- this blog has lately taken a back seat to other endeavours but I have no plans to abandon it for now. Please check back now and then- contest season is just around the corner so I will have write-ups on some of those radio  weekends!
 73--Tim