Next goal 150 DXCC

My latest diplomas (DXCC, QRP DXCC) are important milestones. My next goal is to reach 150 DXCC entities, which will be marked by an endorsement sticker. There are endorsements available for reaching 150, 200, 250, 275, 300, 305, 310 entities, and so on in steps of 5. 

Collecting entities

I've worked 165 entities as of today, but only 133 are confirmed. I'll continue to work new entities when I can. This includes DX-peditions, contests and the random QSO. Unconfirmed entities will also be worked. 

Collecting confirmations

Confirmations for DXCC (and endorsements) are in the form of a paper QSL-card or a LotW confirmation. I am glad to report, that 95% of QSOs today are confirmed by LotW. The LotW system is fast, secure, and cheap. 

LotW disadvantage: No pictures, drawings or personal remarks can be transferred, and that makes the system impersonal. 

Falkland Islands QSL received after 14 years

Figure 1. QSL from VP8DNM (front).

I went through my logbook looking for unconfirmed entities, and I found a QSO with VP8DNM (Falklands Islands) from 2011. I decided to send him a letter asking for his QSL-card. The next day, I mailed my QSL-card, an return envelope with my address, and 3 x 1 USD to OM Frank. I looked up his current address in QRZ.com, where I also learned, that his stay in Falkland Islands had ended, and he moved to Australia. He spent his time in the Falklands on-board a sailing vessel (figure 1) from where he operated ham radio. 

Some months later, I was happy to receive Frank's QSL in my mailbox. One more entity confirmed!

Figure 2. QSL from VP8DNM (back).

73 from OZ1BXM Lars
Homepage: A Tiny QRP Page by OZ1BXM