Issue No. 29 - 1st August 2009

Well even though the final number of cards received this month does not necessarily support this comment but July has been a little more active than expected with a steady stream of cards arriving, sadly, not thick envelopes but certainly pleasant to see a bit of activity between members.

We had on display last month a few historical cards kindly provided by Kit GM4EMX and whilst feed back has been slim it was my pleasure to include them. In addition to cards displayed as received from members one member thought cards seen here (links below) would get us scurrying through early log book pages to see if any of those appeared. Sadly I didn't even bother checking my log for (a) far too many radio years away for me plus (b) a card from any of these operators would have been mounted in a frame above the shack. It is of course thanks to these early operators that that we are where we are today. No black boxes, received surrounded by white foam and twin cardboard boxes, being used by them I would suggest as I am sure that the majority if not all were home brew rigs. If for no other reason please visit the links and wonder.

http://www.qslcollection.co.uk/

http://www.andycowley.com/amrad/OldCards/G2/index.html

Also available is the directory of experimental licenses, 2AA being shown as the first. These are from 2001 and it was nice to see a few "local" experimenters from Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire, maybe a few addresses close to you

Following in a nostalgic mood, in my last batch of cards received from the RAFARS QSL Bureau Manager I was again reminded of the passing of G3EKL our V-P(SK). I received a card for him for an exchange with GB2VET made by him during Veteran Awareness Week 2006. It was for an FM contact (which was Ray's main radio interest) on 6th August 2006. It had taken almost three years to arrive but as it has been said "wait and they will come." (I think the actual words were "build it and they will come" from the movie "Field of Dreams" - I think). Anyway I thought it fitting when one thinks how long we sometimes wait for cards. In the case of this one for Ray sadly a bit too late

Another card on display this month arrived with my latest batch of cards from my RSGB QSL Bureau Sub-Manager - always a great pleasure to receive but you will be wondering why have I decided to display a card from Geert ON7TWA? Now that you are back from checking the membership list I will continue and explain all. With Sam G4OHX away on one of his overseas trips it was left to me to again open the Hogmanay PIPO Net, this one, 31st December 2005. Looking at my log I see that on calling CQ RSARS at 1200hrs in addition to many members calling one voice selected out of the malaise of sound was ON7TWA and it was of course great to have a visitor from Belgium help get the 12 hours net going, and the decency to send a card with his thanks hopefully he will do us the honour again in the future. He was at position number four in my logbook.

Passing like ships in the night?

Our webmaster, Dick G3NVK, never resting on his laurels is always looking for ways in which to improve our excellent website. This does of course each month include this newsletter and to assist Dick in making this an exceptional start to a new display on 1st August I have scanned in a larger than usual number of cards sent to him for the accompanying gallery. I also have yet to see this new system in full flow so we will be very pleasantly surprised together and, in advance Dick, many thanks. I have tried to supply cards not previously displayed but if you have seen them before, no apologies from me, just enjoy them twice

It is good to hear Nick F/G3RWF (N2DAN Key) F283 being worked by members. Ian G8OFZ was the first RSARS contact completing an exchange with Nick on this occasion, and thanks to a friendly phone call I was the second

Finally to our monthly statistics. During and up to the end of June I had a 100% bureau clearance (so I could vacuum up the dead spiders etc) and as a result of this, two things have happened. (a) receipts of envelopes from members have been up in number, albeit with fewer cards, which (b) has had an affect on the number of cards being despatched during July. However it is good to see a bit of card movement, even if in smaller quantities, and the bureau getting re-filled again.

Statistics

As always - good hunting, especially with our members overseas.