This is my first QSL card. It bears a lot of battle scars from being tacked and taped to the wall. However, I still have fond memories about this card. As a kid, I always had an interest in listening to the radio. Besides the local stations, I began to notice that there were stations in between. Little did I know that that other people did this also as a hobby called DXing.

In those days, our household boasted a Grundig Satellite 2000 radio, a device that became my gateway to unraveling the mysteries of those distant transmissions. I’d tinker with its knobs, navigating through the bands marked SW, inquisitive about the voices and melodies emanating from afar. Then, one fateful day, I tuned into the 19 Meter Band and was greeted by an entrancing melody, punctuated by intermittent announcements. Among them, I distinctly heard Japanese phrases followed by a crisp English voice proclaiming, “This is Radio Japan, the international broadcasting service of NHK in Tokyo.” The realization hit me like a wave – a radio signal traversing the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean from Japan to my humble receiver. I was spellbound, captivated by the entire program.

In those days, our household boasted a Grundig Satellite 2000 radio, a device that became my gateway to unraveling the mysteries of those distant transmissions. I’d tinker with its knobs, navigating through the bands marked SW, inquisitive about the voices and melodies emanating from afar. Then, one fateful day, I tuned into the 19 Meter Band and was greeted by an entrancing melody, punctuated by intermittent announcements. Among them, I distinctly heard Japanese phrases followed by a crisp English voice proclaiming, “This is Radio Japan, the international broadcasting service of NHK in Tokyo.” The realization hit me like a wave – a radio signal traversing the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean from Japan to my humble receiver. I was spellbound, captivated by the entire program. At its conclusion, an invitation echoed through the airwaves, beckoning listeners to submit reception reports in exchange for a prized QSL card.

Weeks later, a package arrived from Japan, sparking excitement within our home. With trembling hands, I unwrapped it to reveal a treasure trove: a program schedule, a newspaper from Radio Japan, and, nestled within, the coveted QSL card displayed before you. That moment marked the beginning of an enduring passion. From then on, I was hooked, and the rest, as they say, is history.