The QSL card featured confirms a radio-teletype contact I had with a Taiwanese station on 26th February 2017. This is my one and only teletype contact. I used the Ham Radio Deluxe software package for log-keeping. The package also includes various communications programs for computer sending and receiving of morse-code, rtty and use of amateur satellites.

I typed in a CQ call, repeated three times, wound back the power of my transmitter (rtty is a key down methodology and I treated my radio as I was was transmitting FT8 or even AM), Imagine my surprise when my first call was answered by James, BX2AAA – the 15 metrre band was quiet, or so I thought! Signals were 599 both ways.

My reservation about rtty and FT4 is that they both require the operator to have reasonable typing skills, including accuracy. I don’t qualify. I have been around the sun 84 times and I have a health condition that is not working in my best interests. I will stick with radio telephony and radio telegraphy, that is, voice and morse code (cw) using a paddle.

Thanks Grant (VK5GR) for the encouragement.