Looking back the content of log books in '60s, I have found old and fond call signs like WA6UNF, WB6LWY, WA6YVT, W6ULS, WB6CFN, WB6BFR, WB6BBC, KH6EFW and so forth. Many more. Most of them have already gone SK. I also noticed I was trying to make chats from those days. It was not exceptional that I made a QSO longer than an hour. I have talked to Loren K6DVD, now W4YU, for almost a couple of hours. The more experienced I was with QSOs, it seems, the more details of them I recorded in the note books. It might be related with my capability with English. And it may mean I was oriented to conversation on this mode in the very beginning.
It is of no use nor interest if the QSO data has no other record than date/report/name/QTH. If I have recorded the partner's age, job or career in ham radio etc, it surely helps me to recall of the QSO. I need the info on the partner's set up in order to appreciate the report. The report means differently according the partner's antenna. As much info as possible should be put on the remarks in the log books, I believe. Most of the current log application is not suitable for this purpose.
I feel overwhelmed by how long I have spent for ham radio. I won't regret. It is of no meaning to me. Looking a series of 599 QSL type QSO records in them, I thought I won't spend time for those QSOs any longer. I should do something else in stead. But, again, no regret for this amount of QSOs in the past. It is my fortune. I have known many good friends through those QSOs. It is a proof of my having been and being at present.
Shin, this is good, and what some call "the uncluttering-of-life process." Like you, I always kept all my QSOs in paper (ARRL) logbooks. For me, I'm on number 60 now, and these do not include my contest QSOs, which are on separate logsheets early on and then transitioned to computer log print outs later. The contest QSOs come fast and consist of 5NN and something quick, and for me there now are 200K contest QSOs plus about 50K rag chew QSOs. But for sure, a lot of my life has been spent on the radio. Like you, I think, the pleasure is operating, and not the electronics per se, although I have built a complex station and do most all of my outside tower and antenna work myself (or with much-appreciated help from the local buddies).
ReplyDeleteAs part of my "uncluttering" process, during the past year I've cleaned out my large barn, my garage, and also have gone through my 51 year collection of QSL cards and saved only a few from every country (for DXCC records) as well as a very small number that represent mentors from the past (now SK) and/or friends and unusual cards. Over several months, I literally put out ten thousand or so paper QSL cards into the local recycling bin and hopefully they will end up as new envelopes or sheets of paper somewhere in another life.
The next step is to work with my dear wife, Diana, and go through the boxes and boxes or early photographs and slides, and condense those many symbols of our life together into something we can organize and leave for the children. Otherwise, they will have to throw them away someday.
Congratulations on the excellence in English, and your interest in people and the person-to-person side of our amazing hobby. You have left a wonderful mark, and continue to do so, as a key (in many ways) voice on the radio bands. Jim, N3BB
Jim,
DeleteI believe you and Diana have already been settled down home by now. I hope she is on a steady recovery phase, even if it is not very quick.
Thanks for the kind comment. I was surprised to know you have kept paper logs there. The old logs bring me back good old days. They are meaningless to the others including my family. I will still, however, keep them until I lay down the key forever.
I should accept your congratulating remark on my English as it is. But I still feel complicated things at it because I know there are many things to be improved with it. As a proverb says, I feel much more often that vita brevis, ars longa. I would go on studying to deserve your words.
You remembered of QSLs. I also have boxes of QSLs in a storehouse here. i should start giving up exchanging QSL or using the internet QSLing. I recall old Joe AH2G complaining of so many QSLs in his home. It is one of the areas for me which needs uncluttering also.
Take care. 88 to Diana.
Shin
"Congratulations on the excellence in English, and your interest in people and the person-to-person side of our amazing hobby. You have left a wonderful mark, and continue to do so, as a key (in many ways) voice on the radio bands."
ReplyDeleteJim, this is a wonderful statement you have made about Shin. I wholeheartedly agree with every word.
Don
Don,
DeleteI always thank you for those kind comment. As I wrote in the comment to Jim, I don't feel I deserve such words yet. A long way to go. Don't give up QSOs with me!
Your knowledge on the black box surely made me surprised. You are good at management of corporations, electronics and mechanics. Great. I have learned a bit of mechanical engineering at a college. But the knowledge has gone far away.
See you soon. Deers may enjoy watching a couple bathing in a hot bath tub there.
Shin
Shin,
ReplyDeleteI have been planning on taking some time and looking through my old logbooks from the 60's. I was sure that we had some QSO's in 1967/1968 but now I am not. I was also sure that I had a QSL card from you for 1967 but when I searched for that I only found 2 cards from quite a bit later.
I think that perhaps it is me that is not too good with the memory...
It is great to hear your signal come booming in over here. There are many times when the band is open between the USA and Japan and you are the only strong signal from there. You will be S9 + and the other JA1 stations will be S3.
73 and I hope you sleep well tonight.
Jack Z.
Jack,
DeleteYes, I think I have found your call in an old log book. I would confirm it later. Most states guys have changed their call signs. but you were an exception as well as WA7CBX Bernie.
I always enjoy talking to you on 40m. Have a nice vacation. You might have a lot of pleasant things to do or to experience toward Christmas. See you oftener.
Shin
Shin,
ReplyDeleteWe are all pack rats! I have all my old paper log books back to 1962 when I was WA9CVI in Indiana. They make for some interesting reading.
I have the photos of the radio table you wanted ready to send to you but still do not have your email address. If you sent email to my w0vx at verizon.net address I did not receive it. You can also try dave at customdigitizer.com.
73,
Dave, W0VX
Dave,
DeleteThanks. I would try the latter one later. Sorry for taking your time.
Shin