Seems as if I read that method being used somewhere before, and as I need this entity, I hope it will suffice.

ARRL will accept a signed card that you prepare. Something like:

    "I confirm this QSO ___________________"

Include $$ for return postage. The best method is an SASE with his country's stamps. These are available from several good sources.

The easier you make it for him, the better are your chances that he will respond.

After hours in a CW contest, my toilet flushes "CQ TEST."

I have a Bencher dual-lever that I only used once. In my opinion it's a poorly designed key. Too many adjustments just to do the simple job of closing a contact.

I assume their single paddle is designed the same way and would not recommend it.

Ask them what is that big spring for? Why are there so many things to adjust?

Get something else.

The next time I visit my Bouvet time share, I will do an accurate census of the place and send a report to this forum.

There is a website where you can add your name to a micro chip that will be carried on the next Mars rover. They list the number of people in each country who have signed up. Six are listed as living on Bouvet Island!

Before you chuck the Vibroplex that you bought on eBay, you might look into replacing a few parts that are available from Vibroplex on their website. I think they also offer a service where you could send them the old unit, and they will recommend steps to bring it back to "original" condition. In any event, a Vibroplex is the only real choice that makes any sense. And there will be a serious cost involved.

The operator at ZM7AG, as I remember, in 1971 did something that I had not heard before or since. Someone called it Russian Roulette.

He had a transceiver without a separate VFO. He would make a contact, say on 14220. Then he would spin his dial, and everybody in the pile-up would spin theirs. The idea was to find a clear spot and call him. If he heard you, he would call you on your frequency. Then everybody would spin again - up or down.

Great fun! It was quite a challenge just to try and keep up with the guy. As I recall he was a new ham, recruited by INDXA, with no DXing experience, at a relatively rare place.

"Not exceptionally rare, but it was a new one.."

I guess they are all "rare" until you work them.

Mine was YA3TNC in 1968.He answered my CQ on 20 CW.

Chuck,

It would be interesting to hear the whole story someday. I always assumed that you couldn't get in or out of anyplace without passports. I'm sure it's a strange story. As I recall, they made around 32K QSOs and sent out all those QSLs!

Many times I almost threw the QSL away, and it took me a while to find it. So, I sent it to ARRL and uploaded the QSO to LoTW as a backup.

It will be #360 for me, and I still need P5,BS and BP. So, something to look forward to if I live long enough.

73, Jim

Chuck,

Nine years is fast work???

73,
Jim W4YA

No, the original QSL manager is Gus, DJ3XD.

I assume there might be some ham clubs nearby. My advice is to go to meetings and seek out guys who operate CW. That's one of the best ways to find out about any aspect of our hobby.

You can find a list of clubs in IL on the ARRL website. I suggest that you avoid DX, contest and other narrow interest clubs. Instead look for ones that teach code and schedule exams, etc. They usually have a website that will tell you they welcome new hams, hold classes, etc.

The QSL manager told me the 7O1YGF log will be uploaded to LoTW. Didn't say when.

7O1YGF cards are good!!! Finally approved by ARRL.