CQ CQ CQ – #HamRadio Saturday – QSO Card 1st Draft

Aug 1, 2015 at 11:30 am

Last week I mentioned that I – who am not yet proficient in Morse Code – used my iPhone app to decode some signals that I picked up. I heard people from Maine and Oklahoma.

This week I set up my Buddistick antenna for the 20m band and found quite a few CW contacts going on as well as some phone. I heard a fellow from Florida speaking to someone in Virginia but I couldn’t catch the callsigns. There was a lot of distortion and they came in and out. I also heard a fellow in N. Carolina, got his call, and sent him an email, to which he responded.

Once again, hams are pretty nice folks.

Last week I also mentioned that I will have to make a QSO card pretty soon. I have a first draft.

As far as I can tell, QSO cards tend to fall into the categories of starkly utilitarian or personalized with some image that says something about the ham. So, I came up with this for the front (using GIMP).

And, no, I haven’t forgotten about a possible vanity call.

Now I need a good template for all the technical stuff which goes on the back.

The ever helpful WB0YLE sent me a link to SuperAntenna, which looks great! It would suit my needs well, I think. It looks versatile and, above all, easily portable. I can see one in my stars.

Also, I had a long Echolink rag chew last weekend with an American priest who lives in Poland. He was back in these USA for a short stint for a parental visit. Having no gear, he uses Echolink. So, thank to Fr. N2FCH (also SQ3SWS) for that chat.

I will turn on my Echolink program for a while today while at my computer.

It’s homily prep continuation today (EF and maybe also OF on Sunday!) If you are a ham, you can use Echolink. Install the program and send your call sign in for a password. Easy.

Also, I am building a list of hams who frequent this blog:

Z-Blog HAMS