*** INFO REGARDING 3Y0E & ZS8T Marion isl. by Petrus ZS6GCM

I've been happy to support the 3Y0E activity by Petrus, ZS6GCM: hosting the online log and supporting the site http://www.3y0e.com - dedicated graphics, PR and site management. Currently being ***much involved*** in preparations and a site creation for another Petrus' trip - ZS8 Marion island. All information available at http://zs8t.net/

All these works are 100% non profit and are my personal, voluntary contribution into the amateur radio.

*** INFO REGARDING ZD9BCB

I'm responsible for confirming contacts with Brian ZD9BCB in Gough island AF-030 in period between January-September 2007. Please refer to all details at his entry at http://www.qrz.com/callsign/zd9bcb .

*** SQ8X QSL INFORMATION

You’re most welcome to send your QSL to confirm our contact and I will come back with mine on 100%. To confirm our QSO, please do as follows:

+++ I PREFERE TO QSL DIRECT +++

My QSL address is:

Stan, P.O.Box 8, 38-600 Lesko, POLAND

To receive QSL in return, please enclose SAE and 1 IRC or 1 “green stamp”. ONLY new, blue IRCs are accepted. All mail out of Europe goes via Prioritaire/Air Mail to make delivery faster. I’m also 100% via the bureau, too (however it takes loooong time to receive cards – that’s why I prefere to QSL directly…). I DO NOT USE eQSL.

*** SQ8X QSL DESIGN

Time to time I make QSL designs. Some samples are available at: http://sq8x.net/ - all of them have been designed for free as my personal input into the amateur radio hobby.

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BIOGRAPHY NOTE

I must say that if I didn't start my adventure with the ham radio, I’d never be in the place I am, doing what I do, knowing what I've learned. I’d be a different, much less - let's say - conscious person I guess. Discovering the hobby opened my mind and gave possibilities to learn and explore many things, and moreover - gave a great chance of meeting very interesting people. This is what the ham radio stands for me indeed.

It's funny how my hobby begun. I was 15 when Polish communism collapsed and they suddenly started to import products to the country. In 1989 I discovered CB walkie-talkie. There was a solar max that time and I was stunned that next to taxi drivers asking wives to prepare dinner :) I could hear some people talking in foreign languages. I started to spend some time with headphones on my head and English dictionary in my hands. This is how I become able to speak a bit of English. While learning some more about the hamradio, I got my license in 1993. A real journey without passport has begun…

But my hobby wasn't always going fine. My parents died and due to lack of money (suddenly I had to take care of a whole house myself etc.) I was forced to sale all equipment. I lost the hobby for 6 years and almost all contacts got suddenly cut by bad fate. I had to stop studding at university (I used to study environmental protection with elements of meteorology). I started to work at local community department in my town but this was something making me more depressed. I decided to quit it and to start doing freelance jobs. It was another chance to learn something new. Today I do some journalist jobs, take photos, make DTPs etc. I established a website http://www.bieszczady.pl/ dedicated to my region - one of the most beautiful part of the country - The Bieszczady Mountains. Since it became an important source of regional news and is being recognized by Polish media, I started to cooperate with press and radio. I also run summer WX forecasts for Polish Radio (+ some hints and interesting stories for Bieszczady’s visitors etc).

This is how I started to work as press/radio reporter but also rather as independent freelancer with a possibility of choice. I'd never identify myself with all those journalists who seek sensations etc. I don't earn any good cash at all but I really enjoy feeling free to decide what I do, and for whom. You never know what's gonna happen. For instance, in 2006 my photography works have been acknowledged by headhunters and I’ve got a chance to work for a top Hollywood’s director and producers. I’m obligated to do not mention any names… sorry… but… I can tell I’ve been responsible for a footage documentation and introducing the region to the filmmakers.

--------------------------- RIG AND OPERATING

In October 2006 I’ve decided to come back to the hobby and bought a new transceiver. At the present time I use barefoot Icom IC-756 PRO III with a Heil's studio mic GM-4 & PSQP HC-5 Headset + dedicated boom and shock mount by Heil Sound. I also use a SignaLink USB card for digimodes. I’ve got just a vertical multibander (40 to 10m bands) for now (but planning to set up a 7 el. Yagi In 2008). It’s Polish GP7DX and it’s a little bit similar to HyGain AV-640 and I’m quite satisfied with its performance. I’ve been fortunate to work such DX as Pitcairn island, Swains isl., Cook isl., Hawaii, Bouvet isl., Alaska, Antarctica, Franz Joseph Land, French Polynesia etc. in recent months of current sun cycle minimum... – most of them in huge pile-ups that require some operating skills and… HAM SPIRIT = do not call before acknowledging what station you call, having a good discipline in pile-ups, following operators’ hints and helping other operators to make good contacts, too. And at last, but not least: I always try to represent my country on the air at its best I can.