by Clifford Williams

Created on: September 07, 2008   Last Updated: May 01, 2011

SWL Call Signs are even available to enthusiastic shortwave listeners via the Internet. Simple searches can locate web sites that offer free registration and optional certificates for the radio shack wall. Having your own Monitoring Station Identifier certainly adds to the uniqueness of the hobby, and the thrill of sending reception reports and QSL cards to Broadcast Stations, Ham Radio Operators, Time Signals and Beacons. The anticipation of receiver a confirmation from the signals one has intercepted, regardless of the radio equipment one uses, is very exciting. Collecting QSL cards from stations all around the world can be enjoyed by persons of any age, male or female. It is through this process that worldly good will is enhanced and has resulted in many life-long friendships across the globe.

For example, one evening I copied amateur radio station FY7BC, in French Guiana, having a nice QSO with a fellow ham somewhere in the state of Wisconsin. I found Gerard's address by using www.qrz.com and sent him a signal report and one of my QSL cards. Little did I know that a great friendship had been started thanks to my hobby of shortwave listening. We began to write letters frequently sharing photographs of family members and scenes from our area, and audio cassette tapes. This all occurring prior to the advent of the Internet. Gerard lived in the city of Kourou, and worked at the European Space Center located there. He was a brilliant engineer who's specialties consisted of satellite communications and infra-red earth imagery.

Shortwave listening prepared me for a wonderful future in communications as well. When I joined the Navy, in 1968, it was determined by several test results that I should be a Communications Technician, and was assigned to attend the Naval Communication Training Center in Pensacola. My world of "intercepting" had suddenly become professional and totally interesting, satisfying and adventurous. Along with being able to visit several foreign countries, who's broadcast stations I had heard prior to the Navy, I also obtained my ham ticket in 1971. For a while, I even held a German call sign while stationed in Bremerhaven. What a thrill it was to work the club station there. My first contacts included working the King of Jordon and WA4ECY back in Pensacola.

Shortwave listening as a youngster also led to a civilian career in electronics. For several years I worked for various instrument companies testing, troubleshooting and repair of a wide variety of equipment. These included DC power supplies, RF power amplifiers, high voltage generators and digital counters.

It was due to shortwave listening that I became friends with two shipmates while serving aboard the USS Jamestown AGTR-3 in 1968. We are still in contact to this very day, almost on a daily bases... thanks to the Internet. Robert, ARS K7TUC in Burien, WA, also make contact via ham radio when conditions are favorable, and Paul, SWL'er QSL9CLR in Ladysmith, WI, have had several wonderful reunions over the past several years. The reunions have provided us with a wide array of wonderful visits at each of our home QTH's. We are due to schedule our next reunion very soon.

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