A Hobby from a Hobby
Morris Jones (WB9SFM)
on
November 14, 2009
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Once a Ham Operator receives QSL Cards from DX
contacts all over the world, you have the start of a new
hobby. What is it, well Stamp Collecting. I found keeping
the stamps from Ham's overseas, makes for a new
direction in my logging verifications.
I keep not only the stamps but the return address
markings off the envelope. In other words the return
envelope is a form of QSL. In some cases the DX HAM
operator leaves remarks on the outer envelope that I log
in a stamp saving booklet, of which I place photographs
(that the Ham's mail) and any documents from said Ham
op. I have received shark's teeth, photos of Ham wearing
sausage...the full kahuna.
Ham Radio is a lot of Fun, why not expand it to include
Stamp Collecting, your children might find it enjoyable
and develop a hobby connection them to your Ham Radio
Operating.
73 Morris Jones WB9SFM
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by AF3Y on November 14, 2009
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I have a friend whose grandchildren who really like to collect these stamps. Whenever they see me, it's always "Mr. Gene, have you got us any new stamps??" This is one reason I am not a real big fan of LOTW, and especially not EQSL. The stamps are a big thing for the children, and I enjoy my albums of cards. 73, Gene
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by KB2DHG on November 14, 2009
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yea, funny thing, I started doing the same thing about 15 years ago!
The wonderful thing about this hobby is just that. It is many hobbies that branch off from it. From collecting vintage gear to QSL cards, repairing and building,experamenting and desiging,and learning about geography and people around the world.
It is almost endless and I personally could not undersatnd anyone being board of it!
First got into HAM radio inthe early 70's and have been active every day since!
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by K9CTB on November 14, 2009
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I guess for the award-paper-chasers, LOTW and eQSL is a good thing. For me personally the QSL card *is* the paper chase.
I had two PSK-31 dx contacts recently where the guys advertised they were okay with LOTW ... I asked for a "hard" QSL card and both contacts said they were delighted to send one.
I think I'm afraid that someday a guy is gonna say he doesn't bother with mailed cards anymore ... till then, it doesn't hurt to ask.
Never thought of the stamp collecting thing though! I recently pawed through my modest card collection, and found that there are some very interesting stamps! Thanks for bringing up an interesting vector to our great hobby and service.
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by WA8MEA on November 14, 2009
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I had never thought of stamp collecting!
I have noted some of the offshoot hobbies that result from amateur radio over the years; meteorology, space sciences, camping/backpacking, etc.
I was always enjoyed meteorology. Even had my own weather instrument box out in the back yard when I was a kid. (Can you say "nerd"???) So it became a natural to start weather spotting when I upgraded many moons ago.
Hams often speak of the hobbies within the hobby; QRP, PSK, nets, satellites, etc. Here we have hobbies that have resulted from a hobby.
Here's another thing. Who says we have to be limited to one hobby? I use to collect match covers until it became too costly for restaurants and businesses to carry them. (That and making smoking illegal in public places....)
73, Bill - WA8MEA
http://HamRadioFun.com
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by N4CQR on November 14, 2009
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I have no interest in stamp collecting However, one of nephews does. So I save all of the stamps for him. He is always thrilled to get them.
Perhaps other non-stamp collecting hams saves theirs for someone else?
73 Craig
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by WE6L on November 14, 2009
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A very nice article Morris thank you! Strange you should mention collecting the stamps from overseas QSL card. Although I personally don't collect them my XYL does her call is KT6U, so if I work a station and she does not I always save her the stamp!
Thanks and Best 73
Bob WE6L & Michele KT6U
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by W8KQE on November 14, 2009
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Great subject!
Many moons ago, when I built a few Heathkit rigs and an SB-200 for a friend, I developed a fascination with tubes. Shortly after, I started restoring an old Fisher 500C tubed stereo receiver my father had at the same time I got into hi-fi, or high-end audio, as it's called these days. Ham Radio built my knowledge and confidence to do this. I built some Dynaco audio amplifier kits as well. These days, I find myself fascinated with the different sound characteristics of various tubes in audio preamps, amps, and guitar amps. I am a 'tube rolling' addict! I have come to recognize how great some of these older tubed rigs/receivers and audio preamps/amps sound, given their sweet, euphonic tubed audio!
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by N0FPE on November 14, 2009
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well I dont collect stamps but I however collect electronic junk!!! Just cant seem to leave that electronic doodad at the garage sale! I dont have a clue what a lot of it is or was, But its now mine! I have to purge the pile abt every 12 months. never did anything like that until I got into ham radio! .....now where did I put that thingamajig I bought the other day?
Dan
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by N6AJR on November 14, 2009
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I know of several hams over the years in foreign countries that ask for stamps from the us and other countries. I don't save stamops for myself but put them in an envelope and always find some one who collects them..
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by W3LZK on November 14, 2009
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I have been keeping both envelops and stamps, I enjoy looking at the different postmarks! It is kind of like a hobby within a hobby. Nobody else in the family into collecting stamps or anything else for that matter. Don' know what will happen to them all when I go to that ham shack in the sky, but its still enjoyable.
73 de Mark
W3LZK
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by KF4HR on November 14, 2009
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I've heard several hams say that QSL'ing has lead them into stamp collecting. Great pastime.
Over the last few years I've noticed a small handful of hams developed a spin off hobby... a keen interest in perfecting the fine art of CB style burping and blenching on the air. I'm pretty sure it's becoming a hobby, or at least a favor pastime for a few hams. It wouldn't surprise me to see a burping-blenching contest be created soon.
Our on-the-air burper's and blencher's may truly be a IQ challenged bunch, but then again, we can't blame them. I mean come on... it only took memorizing 26 correct answers to get on the air.
FCC listen up! If you can't bring back CW testing, would it be too much to ask to please at least include an IQ test?
KF4HR
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by VQ9LA on November 14, 2009
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So far this year I have sent out 5474 QSL cards and have about 20lbs of used envelopes with some very nice stamps on them. There is no possible way to ship everything off the Island when I depart. My goal is to keep my junk minimized. The envelopes are starting to clutter my quarters. They can all be yours if you pay the shipping from Diego Garcia. Shipping is by USPS (FPO) the postage rate will be the same as if you ship a box from CA to your location. A big flat rate box will hold a lot of envelopes. If no one is intrested they will end up in the dumpster.
My Email:
vq9la@yahoo.com
73
Hope to catch you in the CW Pileups
Larry Arneson
VQ9LA
Diego Garcia
BIOT
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by N0AH on November 14, 2009
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I also keep the stamps and envelopes- I have a lot of old Soviet Union envelopes with the red stars and German Reunification stamps and envelopes. I have hundreds of envelopes with my QSL's.......
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by TANAKASAN on November 15, 2009
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I also save the stamps but for a different reason. Most of my components are purchased from overseas and one of the customs officials at my local office collects stamps. More than once he has 'forgotten' to apply tax or duties on a parcel in exchange for some additions to his collection.
Tanakasan
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by KY6R on November 15, 2009
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I saved all of the stamps in a shoebox - not because I wanted to collect stamps, but because they were too beautiful to throw out. 5 years ago I taught a ham radio class at the local community center, and one of my students - who got his ticket told me he was also a stamp collector. You should have seen how happy he was to get that shoebox of stamps.
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by K2DC on November 15, 2009
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Several years ago I got a QSL card through Kappy Kaplan, WA4WTG who is the manager for the station I worked. In the envelope, he slipped in a note asking for any foreign stamps, cancelled or otherwise. He collects them, and he uses the dupes to help kids in his area to start their collections.
Over the last 9 years since I started chasing paper, I'm sure I've sent him around a 1000 stamps. Every time the envelope is full, out it goes. A couple of years ago he sent me (unsolicited) a hand carved hand painted totem eagle that he made, and it still sits in my shack.
My Honor Roll application went in about three weeks ago, so my QSL activity is winding down quickly. But I still have an envelope nearly full, waiting for Kappy when the next few come in.
Friends help friends, and hobbies beget hobbies. It's a Ham thing.
73 All,
Don, K2DC
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by WB9SFM on November 15, 2009
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Thanks for the nice comments. I am very concerned on the future of Ham Radio and how we as a Hobby/community can give direction to the youth. The younger ham operators will give energy to the hobby's future. At a recent Ham Radio club picnic, I brought a RC Helicopter for the children, you would not believe the kids, they were so excited. My ham club members became so interested in RC, they bought their own Helicopters. I was informed that a number of members wives (my ham radio club) were mad at me! I guess extending a hobby from a hobby can cost.
No matter what I will do my part to share and give joy to others using Ham Radio as a vehicle. In my heart I truly enjoy what Ham Radio has done to my life. Thanks K9CMQ, you may be a SK but you gave me a hobby I truly enjoy.
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by N0AH on November 15, 2009
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WHY ARE THERE FAT CHICK WEIGHT LOSS ADS ON EHAM NOW???????
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by NJSIDEBANDER on November 15, 2009
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by N0AH on November 15, 2009
"WHY ARE THERE FAT CHICK WEIGHT LOSS ADS ON EHAM NOW???????"
---------------------------------------------------
You have something against advertising? I guess if more of the people who use this website actually donated something to the operating cost, then the owner would not have to sell advertising, hmm?
Don't complain, open up that stingy wallet of yours and donate :)
Oh, and there are a lot of FAT GUYS out there too, especially among the HAM community. Ever got to a HAMFEST?
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A Hobby from a Hobby and lose a few lbs too!
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by N0AH on November 15, 2009
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Right....divert the attention to donations, etc........this is as funny as watching a few of these new companies with all these banners pushing MFJ down our throats like we'll really get the best prices from them for the same worthless junk.....or seeing how they have copied other's product and act like they've invented the 43 foot vertical with a matching network so that you too can get on 40/80M!! (Dec 2009 QST just called thes antenna's junk) But at least these are radio related ads.........
If I go to amatuer radio website, then I expct ham radio advertising banners. These fat ads are obviously for a friend or for a friend of a friend-
As for the arguement that a lot of ham's are fat, so are a lot of coin collectors......I don't see weight loss ads on coins.com, coinworld, coinconstesting, buymycoins, etc......What, since we all look overweight bring on the weight loss ads? What is next, hearing aids, or worse, you know, those ads with the race cars?
Eham is bonkers-
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby and lose a few lbs too!
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by WB2WIK on November 15, 2009
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I didn't check the other responses so this may be redundant, but I agree...it's a great idea.
"Used" (canceled) stamps don't have much value unless they are extremely rare, like the upside down biplane U.S. stamp, which even when canceled is worth thousands of dollars.
Most have just about no value, but it can still be fun to start a collection this way. That could lead to a more serious collection of unused stamps that do grow in value over time.
Unfortunately, I don't QSL DX stations "direct," and use the Bureau, so return cards come via the Bureau also and there aren't any foreign stamps on those (of course). But long ago I did used to QSL DX "direct" fairly often, and did receive a lot of interesting stamps as a result. Some of the most colorful and artistic stamps came from third world countries who actually use postage stamps as part of the national revenue. I have some great stamps from places like the Cameroon, with photographs of wild animals on them...they're gorgeous.
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby and lose a few lbs too!
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by K9MHZ on November 15, 2009
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Fat chicks let you buy radios. Skinny chicks go to Nordstroms.
Brad
K9MHZ
(Skinny wife)
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby and lose a few lbs too!
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by AF3Y on November 16, 2009
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N0AH mentions "coinconstesting". For some strange reason, this struck me as FUNNY as heck.
Many THANKS for an early morning chuckle-primer! And, Yep, I am an overweight, US coin AND Confederate States paper money collecting Ham!
73, Gene AF3Y
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by WA7PRC on November 17, 2009
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I understand that, when it came time to put Elvis Presley's likeness on a stamp after his passing, the National Philatelic Society (stamp collectors) was split three ways. One group wanted to show Elvis in his early days. Another group wanted to show Elvis in his later days. A third group didn't care... they just wanted to have his likeness on a stamp while he was still alive. ::rimshot::
vy 73,
Bryan WA7PRC
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by AE6RF on November 17, 2009
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While I don't collect stamps myself, I go out of my way to find interesting "non-standard" stamps to put on my outgoing QSL envelopes.
I used the triangular stamps that came out, I've used Muppets, Star Wars, Wonders of America, Childrens' Books, Northern Lights, Southern Florida Wetland stamps...
Whatever I can find that will make receiving the envelope a bit more fun for "the other guy."
However, when sending QSL requests to... "postal service challenged" countries, I go as boring as possible.
73 de Donald
(Who owes a whole passel of QSL cards at this point)
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by KE7UXE on November 17, 2009
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Good idea about the RC aircraft. Anything that attracts young people to the hobby is good stuff. If we don't do that Ham radio will die of old age.
For the "gentleman" carping about "fat chicks"....Please. Why insult people for no reason? Why don't you get with the guy who thinks that code cures all ills and discuss how the FCC can give us all some couth at 15 wpm....
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by KU2US on November 17, 2009
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YES! the same with me, but I went BONKERS! I recieved a nice card from an OP in St.Pierre Island. I noticed that the stamp on the envelope was not cancelled and steamed it off. It was a great stamp of a ship. From that I decided to collect all the stamps I could from St.Pierre in mint unused condition.I now have ALL of their stamps from 1945 to 1990 both regular and airmail in mint un-hinged condition. Yes, I had to buy a lot of them, but they are quite attractive and some are very rare. I am also poorer from this :) THANKS HAM RADIO :)...(But loving both my hobbies)..
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by KB2FCV on November 18, 2009
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I've saved some of the more interesting envelopes/stamps that I get from various QSL's from around the world. There are many interesting ones! I'm not sure what to do with them, I'm not a stamp collector, but I kept them because they are interesting
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A Hobby from a Hobby
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by OLLIEOXEN27 on November 20, 2009
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I have been a ham many years but have never sent a QSL card to anyone. A few months ago I received a large envelope of QSL cards from DX stations I have worked the past several years from some ham in Nebraska somewhere. That was interesting. I wonder if they are still waiting for replies?
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by AE6RF on November 20, 2009
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> I have been a ham many years but have never sent a
> QSL card to anyone.
My sympathies...
> A few months ago I received a large
> envelope of QSL cards from DX stations I have worked
> the past several years from some ham in Nebraska
> somewhere. That was interesting.
That nice ham in Nebraska (at the incoming bureau) fronted postage to send you the cards that have been accumulating there over the years. (Rather than simply throwing them out.)
> I wonder if they are still waiting for replies?
If the cards say (or have the little box checked) "Please QSL" the answer is "yes."
-Donald
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RE: A Hobby from a Hobby
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by W7ETA on November 23, 2009
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Similar evolution here: ham radio basics, Ohm's law, soldering, resistors, capacitors, inductors, reading simple schematics, 1948 Hand Book to see what state of the art was when I was born and building an xmitter and power supply from the Hand Book.
When my Radio Shack receiver, from the 1980s seemed to loose one channel, I remembered a HeathKit integrated monoblock sitting in the garage that someone had given me in the mid 90s.
I checked the point to point wiring, bought tubes, brought it up on a Variac, and it worked. Course, I bought different tubes to get the best sound from it. Changed the electrolytics, and coupling capacitors with Russian military surplus, and it sounded better.
Next, I copied the values for all of the resistors and few remaining capacitors, hauled out some 9 pin sockets from a closet, ordered new resistors and bought some mil surplus teflon coated wire. After the new parts arrived, I learned to compare how the kit was built to the schematic!
I had a lot of FUN stripping every thing out of the UA-1 HeathKit and replacing everything except for the xformers, volume control and switches.
Amazingly, it actually worked when I was done; and it sounded even better.
Next project was to gut and rebuild HeathKit AA-151 integrated stereo. I made a few problems for my self that I'm working thru. I didn't use the phono section and didn't install tone control circuit and didn't change the power supply to account for it; and, I've got an oscillation, motorboating, plus hum that wasn't there before--more learning.
I discovered that Dynaco FM-3 FM receivers can be rebuilt and improved plus one can do the alignment--one of those is enroute.
Santa is considering a table saw for Xmas, cause there is a thriving DIY community for speakers. Full range 8" ones in a "Horn" type cabinet look interesting, esp when the speakers are 95db, nominal 8 ohm, minimum 6.5 ohm.
AND, its antenna season here!
73
Bob
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