Has Ham Radio Lost Its Soul? VK9DX Has Thoughts

Another Great Interview Kevin! I have had the honor of three radio contacts with Nick; two contests contacts and one ragchew QSO. Really enjoyed the whole interview but my favorite part was the insight of the 5 meter antenna height restriction, everything coming to the island via Air Freight and the absolute need to be self sufficient.
Thank You Nick for doing this interview with Kevin and sharing everything you did with us; really enjoyed it! 73 Nick 73 Kevin de Lawrence VA7LTX

 

No EQSL
No LOTW
Primarily QRZ, and if a paper card is needed it's a option!

Lately I've had several emails requesting a EQSL confirmation...
Not interested!!

 

Anyone else remember Jim Smith VK9NS..
He loved paper cards and I think I worked him on everything between 10 an6 160m...

 

You wonder, such an elusive OM, picture perfect, but not on LOTW, and charges $$ for a confirmed contact

 

Australia over Canada because of amateur radio?
The Canadian licence system is better
You get more frequencies in Canada
In Canada max power out is 2250w PEP out
for Advanced class and in Australia its 400w for SSB
and 120w for CW AM FM
and yes the the legal limit power for CW in australia
dont argue with me. go look it up !

 

How about those contesters filling up the bands? They operate during the week.

 

He has confirmed about 15 qso's on LOTW and qrz . com for me on 20, 15, 12 and 10 SSB and just waiting now for a few 6 meter qso's which he said he'll do later at some unknown time for a few 6 meter FT8 qso's which are what he says low priority.

I know what his web page says but you just need to get in a few rag chews with Nick, which he enjoys, but most of all never throw your callsign out there while he's in a qso with anyone otherwise!

The same fapplies to the calls VK9NI and VK9NT which were also fast confirmations.

I Never had a charge for a qso by any of these hams.

 

As others have said, another tremendous and fascinating interview, Kevin - thank you!

 

@VK9DX Thank you so much for the 15M CW contact from VK9NT! You were 5NN!

Thank you for the contact and the LoTW confirmation!
Eli AE0HQ

 

Has Ham Radio Lost Its Soul?
When VK9DX charges $5 for a LoTW upload, that's certainly what it sounds like to me. Don't have a problem with helping DXpeditions defray their expenses, but I'll never pay an individual who operates from the comfort of their home for a few mouse clicks.

 

When I was 12, a QSL was important to me. 63 years later, I do not participate in the Postal aspects of our hobby. NY is not rare, and QSLing became tiresome 30 years ago. I cannot participate in LOTW because I operate from several locations! (MA,VT)

If a frequency is in use, ignoring requests to QSY is just plain uncivilized. Did you think the complainer was listening to a clear frequency, just waiting for YOU?

If you run QRO on 146.52, you will cover up weaker stations that YOU MAY NOT HEAR.

NEVER "ignore" a request to QSY.

 

QSY for a EMERGENCY ..,,ALWAYS
Otherwise go fish

K8PG Paul Morse Music

 

SERIOUSLY BOYS AND GIRLS! QRZ logbook, confirmations and awards can't be any simpler and I've used it since it's inception. NEVER a problem. Sure! There's been temporary shut down. But was back up in no time! (Fred Lloyd...please confirm) I'll upload to LOTW because it's simply a two click upload. But to that end...I'm no fan of the ARRL.

WHOOPS! MY BAD! It was THREE clicks!

 

Especially when it seems like the the OP can easily afford it

 

WANTS MORE $$$$$