Operating Notes: WOW!, 1×4 callsigns

Wow!

Yesterday, when I QSYed to 40m, I found the California QSO party in full swing. I know from trying it once, not to participate in this contest, at least not with my callsign. Despite signing KB6NU/MI, I got bombarded with calls from people thinking that I lived in California.

So, I tuned up to the old Novice band. Even when a CW contest is in full swing, a portion of the old Novice band from 7110 to 7125 kHz is open for contacts, mostly slow-speed contacts.

Taking a look at the band scope, I saw some activity on 7118 kHz, so I tuned in there, just in time to hear Frank, K4WOW, sign off with another operator. As soon as the contact was clear, I called K4WOW and bagged him.

I’m hoping this will yield another QSL for my collection of QSL cards from stations whose call signs spell words. On his QRZ.Com page, Frank says that he doesn’t QSL by mail anymore, but I’ve sent him a blank card and an SASE. I’ve even filled out the card, so that all he has to do is sign it and mail it.

You learn something new everyday…

A couple of days ago, I worked Phil, WB4FDT. I’ve worked Phil a couple of times, and knew from our previous QSOs that he was the secretary of the Old Old Timers Club, a group devoted to the history of radio. He’s also the editor of their newsletter, Spark-Gap Times.

I always learn something from Phil. In this contact, he told me that during the late 1920s and early 1930s, some hams were issued 1×4 callsigns for their portable stations. Below is an example of a QSL card from one such station.

In the Summer 2018 issue of Spark-Gap Times, a short article on this appears:

Beginning about 1927, the Commerce Department started to issue special “ZZ” 1×4 callsigns, such as W9ZZBJ for portable calls. In the Radio Amateur Callbook, the “ZZ” block was usually denoted as a footnote. 1932 was the first year that the “ZZ” block was denoted as a portable station in the listing and not as a footnote. Some of th eportable licenses were secondary stations, with the “home” station listed. Some portables appear to the be only license for that individual…..In 1934, the Federal Communications Commission took over amateur licensing , and there was no longer a “ZZ” 1×4 call sign block.

You never know who you’ll talk to on ham radio

I always enjoy asking the people I contact what kind of work they do, or, if they are retired, what kind of work that they used to do. You never know what kind of interesting things you’ll find out.

Last week, I worked Gil, VA3NQ, who happens to be a retired grape grower and wine maker. The band changed on us and we didn’t get to talk much about that, but I’m looking forward to our next QSO.