I am the worst QSLer ever …

Ok, so I started out with the best of intentions – kind of like when you buy that gym membership and promise yourself that you would get out and start your routine … but in a couple of days when you have a chance to give it your best starting effort. Well, I’m that guy.

I have my QSL cards, and a second direct card came to me from W4MPS (thanks much!) and I -still- have yet to send my first batch out. Why? That gym membership thing … remember?
In all honesty, I will be sending a rather large batch (15) of direct cards out tomorrow and will include my first packet destined to the out-bound QSL service for VE/VA land. As per the directions on the RAC out-bound website (and VE3OIJ’s guidance) I have sorted the cards as best as I could figure, including my attempt at organizing the bizarre US W4-land scheme.

I think this will be a rather expensive visit to the post office tomorrow morning, however, if others enjoy receiving a QSL card half as much as I have so far, the cost is secondary.

So in closing, my apologies to the more on-the-ball Hams (KD4BIN and W4MPS whose call signs will forever be imprinted in my mind) for not getting this done sooner.
To all who are going to receive a direct QSL card out of the blue, please, do me the favour of a direct reply. I have not included a postage-paid return envelope in the hopes that you will agree to reply direct on your own dime.

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QSL cards arrived – 43 to send out

My first-ever batch of QSL cards has arrived from UX5UO print today and I am very excited. The quality is superb and the price was excellent.

I opted for the luxury version (full colour front with a glossy finish, and gray-scale reverse).


I am sitting next to a box of 1000 cards, 43 of which have been filled out and are ready to be sent via the bureau (with one exception – a card to KD8BIN who QSLed me direct which was very thoughtful).

Sure is a lot of work trying to catch up on QSLing back-logged contacts! I have to remember to stay on top of my logs to ensure I don’t have a pile of QSL cards to send out in the future.

Now I just have to figure out how I actually send these via the bureau. 🙂

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Operating /P from the campsite

Well, I think I have found my favourite method of operating my amateur radio station! It would appear that (to me anyway) operating /P is the way to go.

Over the past couple of months, I have had the privilege of operating from various camp-sites around the Ottawa area, the most recent being from Charleston Lake Provincial Park.
Using a Yaesu FT-857D, an MFJ-902 tuner, a G5RV JR dipole, and an Orbial Marine deep-cycle battery, I have managed to work other radio amateurs as far away as 9000km (LU6AM in Argentina).

I am looking forward to making a few small modifications to my current setup to facilitate easier setup and tear-down, but for now, I am perfectly happy plugging away with my current station.

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My first QSL card …

What a great surprise!

QSL card from KD8BIN

Today I received my first in-bound QSL card from John (KD8BIN).
I am expecting my first batch of QSL cards to arrive within the next few weeks, so I eagerly await the privilege of responding direct to John’s extremely thoughtful direct QSL.
This part of the hobby really makes Amateur Radio enjoyable in my opinion. I mean sure, there are eQSL services, etc, but those are not tangible reminders of your efforts to contact other like-minded individuals around the world. Oh, and who doesn’t enjoy receiving fun mail for a change?! I mean, we get all kinds of unsolicited crap, and bills .. its nice to have a change of postal scenery once in a while.

I would like to thank John for sending a direct QSL card (without being prompted to do so, to boot!). I intend to offer my return QSL card just as soon as they arrive.

.. how exciting!

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