View Full Version : QSL cards from NI6IW - USS MIDWAY (CV 41)
AF6HA
03-20-2008, 01:13 PM
Good Morning All,
As some of you might know, NI6IW is a bit delinquent in returning QSL cards sent in by SASE. I wanted to give a short SITREP on this...
Since taking over as "scribe" for the shack, I've put in around 20 hours in transcribing notes and contacts from scratch paper to formal logs. Starting out from June 07, I'm half-way through Nov 07. I'm hoping that I'll be complete and up-to-date with this portion of the project by the end of this month. Once this stage is done, I'll be able to return QSL cards sent in by SASE.
The next step in this project will be to enter everything into LOTW and EQSL. While I know that not everyone uses one or both of these services, some of us do, and I want to make sure that all bases are covered.
A bit more cumbersome that what I thought it would be, some of the obstacles I'm facing are (1) reading handwriting from different folks (some are easy, some are not!); (2) Looking up calls here on QRZ's look-up function for their QTH information (City, County, State, Grid); and (3) Time. Working full-time, going to school almost full-time, and still with two young sons in the home, time is sometimes at a premium! Fortunately, I'm able to use some of the long and dry duty days at work to make good progress.
Thanks for the patience for those of you who are still waiting for your card from NI6IW - I appreciate it! For those of you who want to "work" us, our special event calendar is posted here on the ZED, on the League's website, and on eham.net.
73 and Best DX to All,
Ken
WA9SVD
03-20-2008, 03:03 PM
Good Morning All,
As some of you might know, NI6IW is a bit delinquent in returning QSL cards sent in by SASE. I wanted to give a short SITREP on this...
Since taking over as "scribe" for the shack, I've put in around 20 hours in transcribing notes and contacts from scratch paper to formal logs. Starting out from June 07, I'm half-way through Nov 07. I'm hoping that I'll be complete and up-to-date with this portion of the project by the end of this month. Once this stage is done, I'll be able to return QSL cards sent in by SASE.
The next step in this project will be to enter everything into LOTW and EQSL. While I know that not everyone uses one or both of these services, some of us do, and I want to make sure that all bases are covered.
A bit more cumbersome that what I thought it would be, some of the obstacles I'm facing are (1) reading handwriting from different folks (some are easy, some are not!); (2) Looking up calls here on QRZ's look-up function for their QTH information (City, County, State, Grid); and (3) Time. Working full-time, going to school almost full-time, and still with two young sons in the home, time is sometimes at a premium! Fortunately, I'm able to use some of the long and dry duty days at work to make good progress.
Thanks for the patience for those of you who are still waiting for your card from NI6IW - I appreciate it! For those of you who want to "work" us, our special event calendar is posted here on the ZED, on the League's website, and on eham.net.
73 and Best DX to All,
Ken
A few hints:
1, Develop a specific log sheet form, (similar to the ARRL log book or YAESU Log books) that document date, time, frequency, signal reports, comments, and operator name. (Maybe ask Yaesu to donate a few dozen log books to get things started.)
Our club station has ten possible operating positions, so we still use paper logs and also designate a "Contact Identifier" that specifies which position was used for a contact, as well as a sequential number for that position. Since during sunspot cycle peaks, we can get literally hunderds of QSL requests per month, it's mandatory that the identifier be given to the other station and they include it on their QSL along with their SASE.
2. INSIST that the operators use the log sheets, filled out completely and legibly. Don't allow "scratch pads" to substitute for log sheets. It doesn't really take any longer to fill out a log sheet than to scribble something on a scratch pad. Let the ops have their scratch pads, but insist actual contacts be properly entered on the log sheets.
If you want more specifics, PM and I'll be glad to give a few more hints.
73, and good luck!
P.S. I'll be looking for your station on the air, and espcially during Museum Ship's Weekend.
AF6HA
03-20-2008, 04:02 PM
A few hints:
1, Develop a specific log sheet form, (similar to the ARRL log book or YAESU Log books) that document date, time, frequency, signal reports, comments, and operator name. (Maybe ask Yaesu to donate a few dozen log books to get things started.)
Our club station has ten possible operating positions, so we still use paper logs and also designate a "Contact Identifier" that specifies which position was used for a contact, as well as a sequential number for that position. Since during sunspot cycle peaks, we can get literally hunderds of QSL requests per month, it's mandatory that the identifier be given to the other station and they include it on their QSL along with their SASE.
2. INSIST that the operators use the log sheets, filled out completely and legibly. Don't allow "scratch pads" to substitute for log sheets. It doesn't really take any longer to fill out a log sheet than to scribble something on a scratch pad. Let the ops have their scratch pads, but insist actual contacts be properly entered on the log sheets.
If you want more specifics, PM and I'll be glad to give a few more hints.
73, and good luck!
P.S. I'll be looking for your station on the air, and espcially during Museum Ship's Weekend.
SVD,
Roger all, have taken care of that! Ops are allowed scratch paper, but there is ONE log sheet that is filled out when making a contact, and that comes right to me after the special event concludes. I check everything through QRZ's look function, and then enter data into the "smooth log" - one I've modified from he one from the League.
Appreciate the pointers!
73,
Ken
Ken, is there a open shack that is open for use? I was on the Midway last month and the family absolutely loved the tour. Folks, if you've ever wanted to see a BIG boat with lots of goodies (#### pits, simulator rides, places to eat, etc.) the Midway was it.
I was in Admiral's country during the tour and walked around several banks of Collins receivers with an audio recording of WWV? Was I close to the "shack"?
AF6HA
03-20-2008, 11:10 PM
Ken, is there a open shack that is open for use? I was on the Midway last month and the family absolutely loved the tour. Folks, if you've ever wanted to see a BIG boat with lots of goodies (#### pits, simulator rides, places to eat, etc.) the Midway was it.
I was in Admiral's country during the tour and walked around several banks of Collins receivers with an audio recording of WWV? Was I close to the "shack"?
Yes and no. We operate at least once a month, but not using original ship's equipment (not yet) (schedule posted on qrz, arrl, and eham). We also have subject manner experts on hand at other times that can explain how things worked in the radio room spaces.
Walking through Admiral's Country (coming in form the Flight Deck and going down one deck), you will work your way through a couple of other spaces (working left or aft). Once you get through a space similar to Combat Information Center, you will turn right and go down the first part of a long passageway. Take the first or second entry to your left and you will be in the Radio Room where we operate.
Contact me a day or so before the next special event (in April), and I'll arrange to meet up with you, and bring you onboard as a guest operator.
73,
Ken