Funny QSL Cards

DX'ers.
I found THIS site which has thumbnail images of 144 funny QSL cards. Just click on the thumbnail to see a larger image. Once you do that, you can just work through a slide show of all of them. Be aware, some are a bit racy!

Logbook of the World Setup - Step by Step Guide

If there is anyone in the WVDXA who needs help in getting started with the ARRL's Logbook of the World, HERE is a Step-by-Step set of instructions to get you going. Just click on each step (1 through 7) and follow the explicit instructions. This set of instructions is MUCH easier to follow than those posted on the ARRL's web site. As of tonight, the status of LoTW shows:

140,456,947 QSO records have been entered into the system.
9,782,560 QSL records have resulted.

I am currently running just over 20% of my QSO's showing confirmed on LoTW but I do have a lot of U.S. calls in there. Recently I did receive QSL's on LoTW for Vatican City and Scarborough Reef so there is plenty of nice stuff showing up there.

NØHR's DX'pedition Map

Here is an interesting Internet tool for looking at DX'pedition info. NØHR has a map on his web site that displays a small white dot for each current DX'pedition. You can click on that spot and a window will pop-up showing all the details for that operation including dates of the operation, QSL info and website among other things. Here is what the map looked like on September 21 after I clicked on the dot for 3B7C:The map can be found HERE and requires the latest version of Flash player. If you do not have Flash installed, there is a link on the top of that page where you can install it for free.

Note that there is a slider at the bottom of the map. You can move it to some future date and DX'pedition dots will pop up and then disappear. When you see a dot at some location (or the date) you are interested in, let the slider stop and click on the dot. Nice presentation.

Snap-Shots Added to All Links

Introducing Snap Shots from Snap.com

I just installed a nice little tool on this site called Snap Shots that enhances links with visual previews of the destination site. Note that there is a little balloon like icon at the end of each link. Just roll your mouse over that icon and a preview of what that link looks like will pop-up.

Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need, without your having to leave this site, while other times it lets you "look ahead," before deciding if you want to follow a link or not.

Should you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out.

Get DX Alarms on Your Cell Phone

Wouldn't it be nice not to have to worry about leaving the radio when that rare DX station you need might just show up? Well, here is a piece of software that will watch the Packet spots and send a text message to your cellphone when the DX call you need shows up! Ain't technology sumpin'? You just need to be running DXLab's Spot Collector software (free) and this software, SpotSpy, (also free) is an add-on for DXLab. Just set it up, grab your cellphone and get back to a normal life, secure in the knowledge that when that P5 shows up, your phone will ring (and it won't be W8OI telling you he just worked it on 6 bands either!)

W8GG Works Willis Is. on 30-M

Greg worked VK9WWI this morning (9/24/07) at 0750Z on 30-M for a new one on CW. This is a two man mini-DX'pedition to Willis Island which you can read about HERE. Greg says he was not strong but he was good copy. They plan to be operating from Willis until October 5th. W8OP, Alan, also worked him on 40-M CW yesterday about 2100Z.

W8QHG Makes it to Taiwan

In doing a little Google searching I found THIS WEBSITE that has picked up the article on Bob, W8QHG, receiving his No. 1 Top of the Honor Roll plaque. Way to go Bob. You even got mentioned on a Taiwanese web page! His fame spreads world-wide!

W8HC to Operate CCQWW from Israel

Hal W8HC returns to Israel (4X) in October for a fifth consecutive CQWW Phone Contest from the Holyland. Joining Hal again this year is Jerry, K8OQL, another familiar West Virginia contest callsign. They will operate with other 4X operators as a M/S entry from the IARC Club Station in Reut, Israel (4X4REM). In year’s past, Hal operated as 4X0WV during the contest, but for this year he was granted a special contest callsign 4XØC thanks to the assistance of IARC President Joseph, 4X6KJ. Direct QSLs to W8HC or via the buro. All QSOs will also be uploaded to LOTW as in previous operations and Hal will QSL 100% via GlobalQSL.com.

3B7C Log Search

The ability of some DX'peditions to upload their logs to the Internet in near real-time has become a major improvement in the satisfaction I get in working a station and then having the instant gratification of seeing my call in the online log. To check the log for the current 3B7C operation, click HERE to go to the main page of the 3B7C website and then click on the "Online Logs" link in the left-hand frame.

If you have worked 3B7C you will see a graphical representation of the number of bands and modes where your call appears in their log like this:This is the band chart for our own W8DL. Don has done quite well with this operation. Congratulations! Does anyone else have a chart with more Greenies?

CQ CQ de WVDXA Blog

Greetings from 'da Prez.

The WVDXA now has another Internet tool to help with the search for that elusive DX. This is the "Official" Blog of the West Virginia DX Association! BTW, "Blog" is short for "Web Log."

I hope that many different people will step up and begin posting to this Blog all the Hints and Kinks they use to work those rare (and not-so-rare) DX stations.

Anyone who wants to be able to post to this Blog need only contact W8TN and get an account set up. If you would rather not go to that extent, you can just send an email to one of the Blog Authors listed under the "Who Are We?" heading at the bottom of the Blog and they will post it for you.

The great thing about this Blog is that all these jewels of wisdom will be available for all time in the Archives of this Blog so you can easily find it later. Put your thinking caps on and let us know what you would like to see posted here.

Now, save the link to this page in your Favorites or Bookmarks so you can check back regularly.