FIRST ENCOUNTERS

My first encounter with DXing was not on a Ham Radio. In the 60's my family lived in a small town in the interior of Brazil. With no TV, we got most of your news via shortwave radios. I began by getting QSLs from radio stations around the world. I did hear some ham radio (CW and distorted SSB) but initially really was more interested in shortwave radio stations. Nevertheless, after a few years I began to wish I could also talk and not just listen. At the time, my father was not an amateur but we did know others in the city who were. We contacted family members in the USA via phone patches. In 1969, my father became interested in getting his own license. While on furlow in the USA during 1970, he got his Novice license and his first Heathkit. He brought the unembarrassed kit back to Brazil with him and spent what seemed like months putting it together.

Because of the reciprocal agreement between the USA and Brazil, Dad was able to get a Brazilian Amateur Radio license without further tests. Even although he only had a Novice license in the USA, since Brazil only had one license class, he actually could operate as an Extra! Nevertheless, Dad mostly used his radio to talk with family. He really did not think of Amateur Radio as a hobby. However, I used his radio to listen just wishing I could talk.

PY1ZBX

After I returned to the USA in 1972, my parents moved to Rio de Janeiro. That is when he purchase many more Heathkits (see about picture). In Rio, his license was PY1ZBX. Nevertheless, again he mostly used it to contact people in the USA for himself and for other Americans who lived in Rio. He was on a Missionary phone patch net most evenings. Since I was no longer there, I missed out on this part of his Ham experience.