Logbooks, QSL’s, LID’s and Awards

Man, have things changed over the last decade while I was out of Ham Radio!

Here’s just a few things I’ve noticed that have changed considerably. First off, I miss some of my old friends that have left this world. K8MO, WA2HMY, WA4JTK, W2ONV, and W4MWT just to name a few. Rest in peace fella’s. Some like MWT and JTK were quite annoying for the most part, but they are still missed.

Another item that comes to mind is the difference in quality of some Ham Radio operations. I take it since the FCC dropped the Morse Code requirements and more than a couple license classes, many “Chicken Banders” have made their way to Amateur Radio without any type of proper training in “radio operation etiquette” like in the old days. When I get asked “what’s my 20″ on 14.226 or I get told “you’re hitting me with 30 pounds”, I have an issue with that. It must be the “lack of” a radio history lesson, or their “lack of” desire to learn the way many of us did years ago. Something’s been lost in the translation, that’s for sure. And what’s with these long tail DX call pile-ups? The DX station has made 3 contacts with decent ops by the time Joe Dumbass gets his KD6 call out 4 times over… Everybody is transmitting and nobody is listening – more CB bullshit has made its way here I guess.

Anyway, enough of my bitchin’. I’ve learned you just can’t change “stupid”.

Computers have come a long way in the last 10 years. Enough so that they’re actually reliable now and have proven themselves to have many worthwhile uses in Ham Radio. Rig Control, Remote Rig Control, Logging, Contesting and even Awards to name a few. A lot is done “electronically” now, and I’m still catching up with the many facets of “computer utilization”. I am using Logbook of The World (LoTW) and eQSL for awards which is much easier than waiting on mail for years through the Bureau or spending a small fortune on stamps, IRC’s and return postage. My Logging is now done through Ham Radio Deluxe (which I really like) versus old paper logs. Plus HRD is free and I like free. That’s what sealed the deal.

73 for now, more to come…