Although I've had a license for a number of years, I'm still new to making contacts. Today, I believe I made a good contact with someone using AO-51. What do people do with this information? Is there a place people usually record it? Is there a way to confirm with the person after the fact?
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Still new, what do I do with a contact made?
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I think I know what your asking but if I'm "off track", I apologize.
I asked a few people on some local repeaters what they use to keep track of contacts and how you can just enter a callsign in a database I could use on a local machine.
The reply was most of them use "Ham Radio Deluxe".
If you Google it you will find it's a free program.
Myself I use a book and notepad in my Windows.
My laptop is to old to run this program and only has Win 95 on it.
I still can do a search for a callsign but it's much slower.
At times, I transfer the information and then print it on another PC to keep my book organized.
Hope this is what you were asking for? Hope this helps.
tracker.
I asked a few people on some local repeaters what they use to keep track of contacts and how you can just enter a callsign in a database I could use on a local machine.
The reply was most of them use "Ham Radio Deluxe".
If you Google it you will find it's a free program.
Myself I use a book and notepad in my Windows.
My laptop is to old to run this program and only has Win 95 on it.
I still can do a search for a callsign but it's much slower.
At times, I transfer the information and then print it on another PC to keep my book organized.
Hope this is what you were asking for? Hope this helps.
tracker.
There are a variety of ways to keep a log of memorable contacts (I certainly don't log every one nor those that are routine). ARRL, CQ, Yaesu, and likely others will sell or give away log books to write the pertinent information in. I would guess that Google would turn up a few log sheets, in fact here is one in PDF right at the top! Programs abound for those who wish to maintain their log on the computer. Very active stations will upload their QSO data to various online logbooks for awards and such.
Even though a number of operating awards can now be obtained electronically, paper QSL cards are still popular and preferred by many operators. The same awards can be applied for with paper QSL cards and that will likely remain so. As for your QSL card, there are a variety of methods here as well. Printers abound who will allow you to make certain customizations to stock designs and sell them by the hundred count and in greater volume. Here again there are computer programs available to design and print a QSL of your design.
Personally, I make my cards using OpenOffice.org Impress (similar to Microsoft Office Power Point) to create my front and back side of the QSL. I use heavy paper stock and run each sheet through the printer four times (twice front and back) and use a paper cutter to make two QSLs per sheet. The advantage to me is that I can make a special QSL at the spur of the moment or change info on the card without having a run of one hundred wasted when only 15 will be used. The down side is that I don't have a color laser printer so all my cards are shades of gray. I typically make a couple dozen at a run and they last me quite some time.
The QSL card has often been referred to as the "final courtesy" of a QSO. At one time some hams would QSL every contact and some still do a lot of them. Personally, I return QSL 100% as I'm not particularly interested in awards as such but I support those who do.
Hope that helps.
Even though a number of operating awards can now be obtained electronically, paper QSL cards are still popular and preferred by many operators. The same awards can be applied for with paper QSL cards and that will likely remain so. As for your QSL card, there are a variety of methods here as well. Printers abound who will allow you to make certain customizations to stock designs and sell them by the hundred count and in greater volume. Here again there are computer programs available to design and print a QSL of your design.
Personally, I make my cards using OpenOffice.org Impress (similar to Microsoft Office Power Point) to create my front and back side of the QSL. I use heavy paper stock and run each sheet through the printer four times (twice front and back) and use a paper cutter to make two QSLs per sheet. The advantage to me is that I can make a special QSL at the spur of the moment or change info on the card without having a run of one hundred wasted when only 15 will be used. The down side is that I don't have a color laser printer so all my cards are shades of gray. I typically make a couple dozen at a run and they last me quite some time.
The QSL card has often been referred to as the "final courtesy" of a QSO. At one time some hams would QSL every contact and some still do a lot of them. Personally, I return QSL 100% as I'm not particularly interested in awards as such but I support those who do.
Hope that helps.
If you want to exchange contact confirmation, you can send a QSL card. They're basically post cards with the contact information. You can design your own at several online places. You can also send an electronic QSL card. The two ways to do that are LOTW: Logbook of the World and eQSL: eQSL.cc - The Electronic QSL Card Centre
Hehe . . . I use QRZ.com's logbook.
It is easy, fast, and anyone can confirm a QSO for no loss of cash for postage stamps. You can always send the contact an email with a QSL card that you can make yourself using PaintShopPro or other programs like it. They can print it up at their end if they like.
Just made 50 entries the other day, as I haven't logged everyone that I've made contacts with until I began to use QRZ's logbook.
New Ham too . . .
It is easy, fast, and anyone can confirm a QSO for no loss of cash for postage stamps. You can always send the contact an email with a QSL card that you can make yourself using PaintShopPro or other programs like it. They can print it up at their end if they like.
Just made 50 entries the other day, as I haven't logged everyone that I've made contacts with until I began to use QRZ's logbook.
New Ham too . . .