Archive - June 2020

Sometimes it can be very difficult to verify if a SWL request is genuine or the information is gleaned from internet sources. So I am asking the SWL community to help me make it a bit easier to verify your requests.
I am very pleased to report that SWL is still a very large part of Amateur Radio with several SWL reports coming in every week

The SWL QSL claimant should provide a list of 3 stations consecutively worked by the DX to verify that the QSL card claimant genuinely heard the DX.
Date, time frequency and mode listed with each report.
Any details about your station also welcome.

1) SWL QSL requests can be requested by email, with the required information to validate the SWL
2) I will add the Qs to the log as SWL and email the SWL claimant.
3) The person claiming the SWL must then go through OQRS to request the QSL for either Bureau or Direct.

Incoming SWL Bureau cards will continue be accepted if the call is an RSGB registered call sign, so always check the QSL Policy of the DXpedition. To keep the workload and cost to an acceptable level. I ask SWL’ers to email me and NOT send Bureau cards.
Please follow the same QSL instructions on this page here:
Any QSL without sufficient funds for a reply will be sent via Bureau.

Yes, that is today’s headline. In January 2021 new mandatory worldwide security regulations will be implemented in ALL countries.

Some countries already adopted these mandatory requirements in 2019. Briefly, all international parcels must have a completed electronic customs data (CN22/CN23/Pre-advice).

Although QSL cards are “Printed Matter” exempt from the requirements (non commercial), when the parcels reach customs in the destination country and the parcel displays no pre advice documents then customs can and ARE today either returning the parcel to the sender or destroying the parcels as a security risk.

Here’s a real example: I have attempted multiple times this year to contact the Brazilian Amateur Radio society to ask them for help. Every parcel I sent to Brazil is refused entry because it does not have the required data “from” the IARU Bureau system. I have received no reply from Brazilian QSL Bureau.

I raised this matter with the IARU and was told that because no IARU Bureaus have raised a concern that the problem does not exist.

If the IARU will not implement the changes required to meet worldwide postal /customs regulations then what does this mean for the future of the IARU Bureau system?

May has produced some of the best Sporadic E conditions for many years here in the Northern Hemisphere, with conditions between Europe to North America and the Caribbean and also Europe and Africa.

PJ4DX Steve in Bonaire reports. “After only ever working around the Caribbean plus a few NA / SA stations on 6m, on the 29th it opened up to Europe. Thanks to Bert for the phone call alerting me to the opening. Best DX was LY3W at over 9000km and I think I heard a 5B4 which would have been over 10,200km if we had made the QSO. Astonishing conditions – I can understand why they call it the Magic Band (I also call it the Frustrating Band!)”
PJ4DX OQRS

OY1OF Ólavur in the Faroe Islands also reports, “Good opening on 10m, 6m, 4m.”
OY1OF OQRS