Issue No. 24 - 1st March 2009

And we thought January was quiet? Certainly a month of inactivity as far as exchanges are concerned which is borne out by the numbers below. Of those received 22 were for forwarding to Sam G4OHX in guises 5Z4/G4OHX and more recently of course V8FHX. Great to see cards to and from members in VK and Bill DU3/G4CWA was again found by members as he looked for Sam. I came across Bill calling CQ RSARS when searching for Sam 5Z4/G4OHX and have the card

Sam managed to work 28 RSARS members which was disappointing I think for he had hoped for more having rented a dedicated shack this time. He did put in quite a few hours but the gaps to EU were quite small although sufficient for a few of us to get recorded in the V8FHX log. It was pleasing to note that for MØOIC et al at Chilwell (G3CIO, GØCPO/A and 2E1SIS included) it was a new DXCC and IOTA contact. Furthermore, keeping an eye on the DX Cluster I noted that he did work quite a number of JA stations etc. so it is hoped that sufficient will claim V8FHX with IOTA for it to be accepted in my next 100 claim.

Looking ahead I cannot see activity being much better for March and April but I would really appreciate being proved wrong, which brings me on to the return of cards to members and the excitement of the forthcoming May Activity.

The May Activity does, thankfully, generate RSARS band activity which in turn helps breathe life into the QSL Bureau. However, sadly, we do still have members exchanging details well knowing that they do not have stamps in the Bureau, in fact relatively recent incidences have revealed members who:
(a) have never used the Bureau and
(b) would prefer not to get involved with cards at all!

All I will say is PLEASE check the RSARS QSL Bureau list before sending cards to the Bureau as cards for such stations will be returned with your next batch as "Undeliverable - no stamps at Bureau". I have been asked by one of the "guilty" stations to let members know that he does not really wish to get involved with cards ("been there, got the T shirt ….") and that they should send cards direct. This I will not do for it is not a Bureau responsibility, it is that of the person holding the microphone or key at the time, so please check the RSARS Bureau users list prior to writing out your card, if a list is not to hand ask if stations being worked will be using the Bureau. The list is available 100% up to date on the first day of each month thanks to our webmaster and located in the E-Library section.

No cards of outstanding interest to display this month, but next month I should at least have two from Sam V8FHX showing something from Brunei.