HAM Radio ICON Gone forever

[KD4POJ]

Dhahran Amateur Radio Club, HZ1AB is no longer. #The station had to shutdown operations after almost 6 decades of operation. #The club was first started by the men of the United States Military Training Mission back in the 50s and was one of the most famous stations to operate from the Kingdom.

Club Secretary Thomas Carlsson, SM0CXU/AB5CQ reported that due to changes in the licensing requirement by the Saudi Arabia Communications and Information Technology Commission, that operations were no longer possible. #He also said that QSL manager Leo Fry, K8PYD still has all the logs and will process any outstanding QSLs.

The callsign has been reissued to Bandar Salah AL-Harby.

I had the great pleasure of operating this club station while I was in Saudi Arabia back in 1993. #WOW, is all I can say! #They had a very impressive operation and I spent Thrusday nights till Friday evenings operating this great station. #Meeting the men and women of this dynamic club was a true pleasure. #While I was there I got my first taste of operating DX and working from the other side of the pile ups that came from the first CQ I put out. #I will never forget the members and friends I met on the at the club and on the air, during my 3 months of working from HZ1AB. #I will miss them all.

73
Dwayne
KD4POJ

[w5hze]

The club will be greatly missed. #I was able to visit the club station only once during my expat days in 'Khobar (most of my free time was consumed by a local BSAC dive club), but I didn't operate. #That was during the period that you were there, Dwayne- who knows, our paths may have crossed that evening.

My old friend Al Chisholm (W5CA) will, I am sure, be particularly saddened when he hears about the closing of the station- as will the multitude of other expats who have fond memories of their own experiences there. #It's difficult to explain to most folks just how important this club was to the expat hams, both as a social venue and as a break from daily life in the Kingdom.

I'm not familiar with the change in regulations that precipitated the closing- I hope that some alternative will be provided for the expat ops over there so that they may somehow continue to enjoy amateur radio from Saudi Arabia. #But then again, it's the Kingdom & things tend to happen as they happen, sometimes without apparent logic or reason . . .

Guess I should send in my QSL while the opportunity remains open! #Many thanks to Leo for keeping the logs available.

73 . . . Ron WB5HZE

[m0hem]

what a wonderful station it was as a swl listener it will be missed

73 john

[kg5vk]

I wonder if there is any impact on 7Z1AB http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif??

I operated from there about a half a dozen times in 1993.

steve
KG5VK

[w2agn]

I will miss "Hot Ziggety One American Boy." One of my first DX contacts back around 1959. Guess not surprised Saudi's shut us down. Thanks to the folks that brought us Osama. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[k1lwi]

sure will be missed worked HZ1AB many time over years guess HZ1HZ did not help he is nr one in HZ land with lic http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif 73 k1lwi

[wb9gkz]

Do we really need to be all that concerned about the loss of some ham station in a country that supplied most of the 9-11 hijacking crew.

I don't think so.

Get over it.

[N1FSX]

I too was at Dhahran back in the winter/spring of '94. Worked HZ1AB. I also lived in Khobar towers for my entire "all expense" paid vacation courtesy of the USAF. I'm glad it wasn't blasted out from under me. Unlike my brothers in arms who were later slaughtered while they lay in their beds and Oh, by the way, the Saudis were on guard. hmmmm/ Sorry, I digress:

It was a nice break from the ridiculous rules imposed on us because of what our "host" government insisted upon, ie., "General Order # 1" No alchohol period. Whilst OBL was plotting against the great Satan and Habib was blasting through the red lights and almost t-boning us "Infidels" Ahh what a time.

The station was set up quite nicely. I forget what the rigs were but they weren't low-end. Lots of QSL cards on the wall. Nice folks attended an a regular basis. Other than that, Saudi Arabi in general are NOT our friends. They hate us and love our ever constant flow of income for their lousy oil.

Just thought I'd ring in.

Death to OBL
73
Chris

[W0LC]

This too was my very first HZ station worked. I sincerely hope that the new holder of HZ1AB will continue to be active. I have my doubts.

I think all of this is a political jesture. I won't go into that.

I will miss hearing that LOUD Hot Ziggity One American Boy phonetics on the air!

[W0LC]

Quote[/b] (wb9gkz @ Oct. 05 2004,07:07)]Do we really need to be all that concerned about the loss of some ham station in a country that supplied most of the 9-11 hijacking crew.

I don't think so.

Get over it.
I can understand your statement. However, in the amateur radio community, many hold no political boundaries against other amateurs. We are a fraternity of "brothers" that work and communicate with each other without worry of religious or political boundaries or beliefs. It isn't the governmental views I am working but an individual that is licensed just as I am.

I don't blame you for your views though. It is understandable in this day and age. 9-11 changed everyone's world.

[N1XHF]

Quote[/b] (W0LC @ Oct. 04 2004,13:50)]I can understand your statement. #However, in the amateur radio community, many hold no political boundaries against other amateurs. #We are a fraternity of "brothers" that work and communicate with each other without worry of religious or political boundaries or beliefs. # #
I wish that was true but that statement is far from the truth.

[KQ6XA]

It is a shame that amateur radio is used as a political football.

One other example of this is the difficulty many USA amateurs face when trying to get reciprocal licensing and bring ham gear in to some other countries. I've experienced large monetary deposits and fees combined with delays of half a year, only to finally get nowhere, and their government keeps the money.

Yet we continue to allow amateurs from those same countries to freely operate here in USA with almost no questions asked, because we are upholding our end of the reciprocal licensing agreements.

Bonnie KQ6XA





.

[v73god]

I am sorry to see it go. It also served as our MARS Station during Desert Shield/Storm. The Saudi government isn't ham friendly but that's their policy. It was a great break from work and a place for WESTERNERS to keep our hobby alive. I am sorry to see it go but I closed KJ6BZ (Johnston Island) last year and Midway Isle is no longer easy to get to. It's just another rite of passage.

[w9jn]

Please read reply # 7 on the first page. I agree with Pat in his statement! At least we can choose our government officials! Remember to vote November 11

73, W9JN

[4S7RO]

[QUOTE]

Yet we continue to allow amateurs from those same countries to freely operate here in USA with almost no questions asked, because we are upholding our end of the reciprocal licensing agreements.

Bonnie KQ6XA Unquote:

Not correct in all cases Bonnie, for years and years now, we have allowed US hams to operate out of 4S7 land. However, our kindness has never been receprocated. 4S7s are not allowed to operate out of the US. When our Club wrote to the ARRL, they were simply told that the ARRL had no interest in such matters. They didn't even deem it useful to help us get in touch with the right authority or in true hamspirit offer to become a broker. I believe a letter to the FCC was also never even answered.

We have a receprocal agreement with the UK, whose Society reciognized the fact that for every 4S7 which requests a G license there probaby are a 100 Gs who want a 4S7 -- a sought after DX Callsign.

When Burma, Bhutan, Bangladesh etc would not allow foreigners to operate from those places, DXers from the West would try to woo them and their authorities, just to get a call ! Do we need to stop issuing licenses to US citizens in order to get the ARRL and its interested members to feel the heat and start acting? That is not in the spirit of Amateur Radio, but why isn't that spirit receprocated?

As for HZ1AB, I have very fond memories of working them on several bands, but the fondest of them all was to work them on 160/40. I have no idea why the Saudis would want to close them down.

73,
Ron, 4S7RO

[W1CAR]

whatever

[KD5ILI]

Quote[/b] (W1CAR @ Oct. 06 2004,12:30)]whatever
And people wonder why the hobby is having problems....great attitude there.

Chris Sokol/KD5ILI
Wellston, Oklahoma

[kb9khf]

Quote[/b] (w9jn @ Oct. 06 2004,06:05)]Please read reply # 7 on the first page. I agree with Pat in his statement! At least we can choose our government officials! Remember to vote November 11

73, W9JN
Ummm. Vetern's Day is November 11th

Election Day is November 2nd.

[KB2SFH]

[QUOTE]"Do we really need to be all that concerned about the loss of some ham station in a country that supplied most of the 9-11 hijacking crew.

I don't think so.

Get over it."

I totally agree, and I might also add GOOD RIDDANCE

[W1HRM]

Now that we are talking to the Lybians again I wonder if the GIs will be back at Wheelus AFB. I used to operate as 5A2TJ back in the late 50's. The base is probaly trashed. My bunk..... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[su1ka]

Dear All
With all my respect to all what was written , but Let me be clear while describe the situation in the Middle East when we are talking about Radio Ham :
in Most of the Arab Country not all , there is a Radio Ham Society that's Help in all the Issues that belong to Radio amateur , even offer an easy way of getting license and runing on the Club Rigs for native and forigners.
but for some reasons concerning the Security license is dealyed or could not be allowed , that's Happend's to natives and also forigners no matter if they are from here or there, so political issues haven't a space in this matters , that's happens also in Eruope
I my self have an experience with that for some routine papers according to Ham issues. But I understand the situation.

I belive one day going on Air will be very easy for All from every where , And I wish that it could be today.

[su1ka]

But About HZ Land , I dont know the situation there , but I belive that there is a new regulation over there , and I should respect it as i respect the regulation in my country as a Radio Ham .

[ve3ikv]

What do you expect from a feudal "kingdom" society stuck in the Middle Ages, with checkered Italian tablecloths & sunglasses for fashion gear? #Just get a CEPT licence authorization and go to the rest of the civilized world instead. #73, Pete VA3RA - VE3IKV

[kb6ssn]

How truly unfortunate. I never worked them. But I suppose now I never will.

[w5hze]

This was a club for WESTERN amateur radio operators- Americans, Brits, etc., including our servicemen who are serving in the region. #THEY are the ones who lost station privileges, folks. #THEY lost a little piece of "home" when the station license was yanked out of their hands.

WE lost the ability to communicate with our countrymen in Saudi via amateur radio. #WE lost the future use of a MARS capable station to provide moral support for the families of our troops.

For Pete's sake . . . yeah, sure, "good riddance" indeed . . . bet our servicemen really appreciate that attitude, guys.

You should be ashamed. #Talk about speaking out of ignorance . . .

WB5HZE

[KB2SFH]

I am NOT ashamed for speaking my mind. The ones that should be ashamed are the ones that keep dumping on us for EVERYTHING THAT WE DO FOR THEM AT THE COST OF AMERICAN TAX MONEY THAT SHOULD BE USED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN FOR ONCE!

You should be ashamed. Talk about speaking out of ignorance . . .

WB5HZE

[W1CAR]

how bad an attitude must be is apparently directly inversely proportional to the amount of words used in a post. that's amusing.

I just think there are way worse things going on and threatening our hobby than what this thread is whining about. Take it how you like, or don't take it at all.

[w5hze]

The Crusty Old Timer down the road has informed me that application of the Wouff- Hong for the sin of trolling is not a permissible use of the device: #although perhaps warranted, trolling is not directly related to poor operation of an amateur station and thus remains exempt. #He somewhat acidly remarked that insofar as he was concerned, if it happens that the instrument is someday applied to trolls then it should also be applied to anyone so foolish as to bite their hook. #Oops.

73 . . . Ron WB5HZE # # # # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[m3kjh]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif I can understand your statement. However, in the amateur radio community, many hold no political boundaries against other amateurs. We are a fraternity of "brothers" that work and communicate with each other without worry of religious or political boundaries or beliefs. It isn't the governmental views I am working but an individual that is licensed just as I am.

I don't blame you for your views though. It is understandable in this day and age. 9-11 changed everyone's world.:(

On the button.. we are brethren, united by ether and radio.. the scum that caused 9-11 are nothing to do with the staion closed...only beauraucrats closed the station.. leave the politics to the politicians, let's concentrate on what we are, a brotherhood of amateurs and friends....

best wishes hot ziggety 1 american boy...

[W7FLE]

Quote[/b] (KB2SFH @ Oct. 09 2004,15:32)][QUOTE]"Do we really need to be all that concerned about the loss of some ham station in a country that supplied most of the 9-11 hijacking crew.

I don't think so.

Get over it."

I totally agree, and I might also add GOOD RIDDANCE
You ought to get a life Sucker, You have no idea what or where HZ1AB was. It was a chore that I was involved with for over 20 years. And Enjoyed every minute of it.
If your type of people ever had to maintain a underground station, You might show some respect.
Ron W7FLE/HZ1AB

[KB2SFH]

Quote[/b] (W7FLE @ Oct. 16 2004,11:57)][QUOTE=Quote ]"Do we really need to be all that concerned about the loss of some ham station in a country that supplied most of the 9-11 hijacking crew.

I don't think so.

Get over it."

I totally agree, and I might also add GOOD RIDDANCE
You ought to get a life Sucker, You have no idea what or where HZ1AB was. It was a chore that I was involved with for over 20 years. And Enjoyed every minute of it.
If your type of people ever had to maintain a underground station, You might show some respect.
Ron #W7FLE/HZ1AB
I have a life that I like, thank you very much for your concern. As far as your calling me a sucker and even taking it as far as emailing me a private message of the same, that only smacks of showing everyone reading your post how far down on the ignorance scale you go as well as crossing the line of harrassment of me which I will not tolerate. I am not at all upset by your displeasure of my post, hey can't please everyone ya know?, however I am an American citizen protected by the Freedom of speech so I will voice my opinions and either people will agree or disagree thank you very much. And on a final note, practice what you preach when you tell others to "Show some respect. Take heed and DO NOT harrass me again.

[AB6ST]

I agree with Ron W7FLE/HZ1AB, it took a lot of hardwork
and connections to have HZ1AB operating. I know this because I have fond memories of this Ham Radio station. I have been a club member for 14 years while working in Saudi Telecom. And for those who have never been in Saudi Arabia, having access to a Ham Radio station in that part of the world is like winning a Million in Lotto. Operating HZ1AB have been the best time in my stay in Saudi.
It is of great saddness that I hear this news, Changes do happen. The kingdom is specially suspicious of foreigners having access to radio communications inside the kingdom. As far as I know only the Royal Family and their close acquaintances get #to have #ham radio license privileges.
I remember the long hours the club members volunteered during desert storm running messages for our
troops in the frontline back to their families here in the states via packet Radio on 20 meters.
I won't forget the friends I had the honor to meet and operate with in the Club Station .
To All of you ..all the Best ..and may the real HZ1AB spirit live on in all hams who had the chance to #contact it and to the real lucky ones who had the chance to be the DX station while operating Hotel-Zulu-1-American-Boy.

I saw a post of somebody, obviously ignorant of the facts about HZ1AB. If you want to learn more about HZ1AB and what it is all about: WWW.QSL.net/HZ1AB

73's
Conrad #AB6ST/DU1CSU/HZ1AB

[KC8UZT]

Quote[/b] (KB2SFH @ Oct. 16 2004,09:49)]Quote[/b] (W7FLE @ Oct. 16 2004,11:57)][QUOTE=Quote ]"Do we really need to be all that concerned about the loss of some ham station in a country that supplied most of the 9-11 hijacking crew.

I don't think so.

Get over it."

I totally agree, and I might also add GOOD RIDDANCE
You ought to get a life Sucker, You have no idea what or where HZ1AB was. It was a chore that I was involved with for over 20 years. And Enjoyed every minute of it.
If your type of people ever had to maintain a underground station, You might show some respect.
Ron #W7FLE/HZ1AB
I have a life that I like, thank you very much for your concern. As far as your calling me a sucker and even taking it as far as emailing me a private message of the same, that only smacks of showing everyone reading your post how far down on the ignorance scale you go as well as crossing the line of harrassment of me which I will not tolerate. I am not at all upset by your displeasure of my post, hey can't please everyone ya know?, however I am an American citizen protected by the Freedom of speech so I will voice my opinions and either people will agree or disagree thank you very much. And on a final note, practice what you preach when you tell others to "Show some respect. Take heed and DO NOT harrass me again.
May I need to remind you that this forum isn't for bashing or name calling of ppl you both are adults here. If you have a problem with someone sending you a pvt message and you feel it was out of line notify one of the QRZ admins with a copy of the pvt message. That is what they are here for Patrick!!

But on another note I just wanted to add that you yourself may have funded the 911 terrorist attacks and not even known it. So please becareful what you say and think about where you spend your money, you might be funding terrorism. Just food for thought!!

73's

Dave