I usually don’t post about QSLs so frequently, but yesterday two arrived that I feel deserve some comment. The first is from Mike, KA2NJY. Mike is one of the Novices that I worked last month and blogged about. Mike writes that he’s been a Novice since 1979! His QSL card (see below) looks like a card from the 1970s, doesn’t it?
The second card is from Giovanni, IK2DAD. Giovanni sent his card direct, costing him 0.85 euros (about $1.17). This card, obviously, is going into my collection of QSL cards from stations whose call signs spell words.
The other notable thing about this card is that the stamp on the envelope had a drawing of “La Bocca della Verità,” or “Mouth of Truth.” According to Wikipedia, “Starting from the Middle Ages, it was believed that if one told a lie with one’s hand in the mouth of the sculpture, it would be bitten off.” My wife and I have a great photo of her father with his hand in the mouth, wincing as if the sculpture had just chomped on him.
Dick says
Your KA2JNY Novice QSL reminds me of a Silent Key obit that I read on e-Ham several years ago. The SK was an elderly Novice, one who had been that class from the very first day it was created. He spent all his on-the-air time on 80 meters, Novice frequency, of course. Gave many a new ham their first cw QSO. This chap maintained his boat-anchor station himself until the end. I remember my own Novice days. They were the happiest time and haven’t been matched since then.
John says
Just worked KA2PJO a couple of weeks ago myself. Nice chat with him. In fact he was the second Novice I worked that day.