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Arctic Treasure

By On · Leave a Comment · In Amateur Radio

After completing WAZ160, I found myself in a bit of an identity crisis, filled with malaise and existential angst.  

What could I possibly enjoy in amateur radio after accomplishing this?

I decided to look at my log to see if there was another challenge to undertake that would give me pleasure again,  and as a result of this I have spent the last several weeks sorting through my Arctic Treasure.

This photo shows a young TF1MM 1990 after I had finished entering data into my logging program from all my QSL cards.

TF1MM 1990 QSL
 

These cards were stored during my  years in Hell,  and later ended up in one of the outbuildings in Otradalur, where they were exposed to snow and ice for several years.

Since my computer log showed that I had confirmation for several difficult awards, I decided to find those boxes and locate the QSL cards.

TFM1776
 
TFM1784

Several more boxes of QSL cards turned up – it seemed endless, I guess there must be around 100,000 cards – it appears that I have only lost very few cards during the time I was abroad.

Weeks of sorting all the QSL cards by band followed with the result that I found enough QSL cards to qualify for 5BDXCC – which will be endorsed with 160m for 6BDXCC and 5BWAZ.

The 5BWAZ application is being processed and once I receive the cards back from the WAZ Card Checker, I will send in my application for 5BDXCC.

I have prepared direct QSL requests for the missing zones for 5BWAZ and once they start trickling in, I will start looking for the zones I need to finish all 200 zones.

I have already begun working on my 5BWAS, but this requires another pass of sorting through the cards, since that award specifies that contacts be made from the same location and not from the same DXCC Country.

It seems that I have a new goal now.  What a pleasure.

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J28AA – Republique de Djibouti

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Today´s mail brought me the QSL card of J28AA.

When I worked J28AA he was my last Zone for WAZ160, but a few days later I worked 5H3EE who is also in Zone 37 and I received his card first as previously shown.

My DX total on 160 Meters now stands at 168 worked and 159 confirmed.

J28AA
 
J28AA 1 2
 

His QSL manager sent me an extra card for my collection – Serious DX indeed :

J28AA 1
 
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Worked All Zones (WAZ) on 160-meters completed

By On · 10 Comments · In Amateur Radio

I have received the QSL card for my QSO with 5H3EE in Zone 37.

This completes my WAZ160 accomplished without the use of SKEDs in approximately three years from the Auroral Zone.

Zone37
 
Zone37 1
 

My totals now stand at 168 worked and 158 confirmed entities on 160-meters.

WAZ160 All Zones
WAZ160 All Zones
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160-Meter QSL Cards

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This album contains the most interesting 160m QSL cards and my 160m DXCC.  

Some rare entities have more than one card.   Received QSL cards will be added to this album as time goes by.

dxcc160
dxcc160

These QSL cards represent my collection of countries for the DXCC160 Award. Some rare countries have more than one card in this album

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Two Call Communications

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Two calls was all it took to add TJ9PF in Cameroon to the log on 160-Meters.

The Arctic King will not be denied.

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My totals now stand at 168 Worked / 154 Confirmed on 160-Meters.

Endless Joy in the Arctic

By On · Leave a Comment · In Amateur Radio

I was called by Mike, 5H3EE in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania on 160-Meters. 

Tanzania is in Zone 37 like J28AA whom I worked only a few days ago to complete my WAZ160.5h3ee

Mike does not have a receive antenna installed yet, and QSB, QRN and QRM made the contact difficult for both of us.

What a pleasure it is to be able to dig out such signals from the noise.

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I sent Mike a note by email and some communication followed, reproduced with Mike´s permission below:

==================================================================

Hi Thor,

thank you! You really have big ears…
Here still no RX antenna – and much QSB.

Thanks for your patience!

73 Mike
- Hide quoted text -

—– Original Message —–
From: Thorvaldur Stefansson
To: Mike Stange
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 2:09 AM
Subject: TF4M – 160 QSO

hi Mike !
thanks for the QSO on Top !
73
Thor

======================================================================

Hi Thor,

yea, that was really exiting. Listening to the record I am remembering how the QSO was passing off.

I did not realize, that you have copied me already at my first call. Since I was busy calling VP8ORK on 40m at the same time and was thinking: Well, Thor will not run away so fast, but this guys will do in a few days… I went back to the 40m pile up. Getting aware, that my chances are not big overthere at this time I went back to your QRG after a short time. And I did not belief my ears: You were calling me, YOU MUST HAVE HEARD ME!!!. From now on the story is short: We did make it…Hi.

Thanks a lot for your patience! Thats the QSOs you will always remember, nice stuff…

73 Mike

PS: At the end of the night I did also get the VP8ORK boys…Hi.

PS2: I really have to bring up my RX 4 Square…

=====================================================================================

Hi Thor,

no problem, you can put my message on your site.

I did realize during the QSO: Thanks god, that your signal was coming up, when you asked for the RST again. That was a critical moment.

I know, especially in W6/7 several guys are waiting for me. I have all here now for the RX antenna (a HI-Z 4square…I guess, I was one of the last who did get one, before they closed for the lawsuit)…only my space is limited to bring it up in a perfect way. But, I will find a compromise.

Thanks a lot again, 73
Mike

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HK0GU – San Andrés Island

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This wonderful QSL card from HK0GU in San Andrés Island arrived in the mail today.

HK0GU
 
HK0GU 1
 

With the LOTW confirmation of J28AA this brings my totals on 160-Meters to 167 eintities Worked and 154 Confirmed.

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