Small world

One of the first contacts with a newly erected 80m vertical was with Bernie, ZS4TX. A new country for me – and for him.

After the QSO we continued to chat via text. I told him that I still remember my first ZS on 80m from when I was a freshly licensed teenager.

“Who did you work back then?” Bernie asked.

“It was back in 1980. Can’t remember the callsign, but I do remember the QSL card, and operators surname: Botha”- I replied.

“Pete Botha, ZS4PB”

“Yes indeed, it was him!”

“Well guess what – Pete married my father’s oldest sister. They were beef farmers in the Kalahari.”

“Yes, the QSL card featured cows and wire antennas; I still have it back at my parents house!”

“…and I also have Pete’s hand written logbooks from 1962 to 1984. What was your callsign, I’ll look you up”.

I couldn’t remember the exact year, after all, ZS4PB was active on 80m for a number of seasons, so was I. Bernie wouldn’t give up.

“I’ve found your callsign – YU7QDT – but a different operators name. Brane?”

It made perfect sense: Brane is my younger brother who would operate under my callsign at very early morning hours. It was him who Pete logged on January 29, 1984.

To this day, exactly 40 years ago!

You’ve gotta love this hobby!