The AM Forum

Found this on one of Gary's sales items.

I guess the SWLR # is a short wave listener number from the early days?
I'll have to research ; didn't know these numbers existed.
Are they still in use?

Not that far back:
http://www.swl-registry.com/
http://www.swl-registry.com/images/samplecert.pdf

or maybe:
http://www.southwestllamarescue.org/

Thanks Pete.
I guess the criteria of receiving a signal is more stringent than I thought for SWL's.

Anyone remember the old "WPE" prefix swl "callsigns" issued by Popular Electronics?  Other than that prefix they used the same format as ham calls. Some members even had QSL cards printed up and would send them to amateurs, requesting a QSL in return as verification.

This was back when Popular Electronics was small format and was an electronics hobbyist magazine, and included monthly articles on SWL'ing and even ham radio.

I'm WPE2RC. Still have my certificate.

Did you make up a QSL card that looked like this:



WPE2RC               ;D

It was certificate wall window-dressing back in the "good old days". Never was into intense SWL'ing, sending reception reports, QSL's other then for a few pirate radio stations. Operating, I spent most of my time on the VHF/UHF bands back then.

It wasn't that, long ago that you needed a license to have a satellite dish (the State flower of W.VA) in your yard.

Fred

I was issued WPE2MGU in 1964.  Since it doesn't have an expiration date, it must be still "valid".  And no, I did not have QSL type cards with the WPE identifier.  I never sent a reception report to hams.  I used to DX the AM broadcast band and the VHF TV band in those days. 

As a kid, before getting my Novice license, I met the requirements to get a WPE certificate.  I SWL'ed on 75 meters and never really did any short wave broadcast listening.  To qualify you had to collect a certain number of QSL cards from stations you heard.  It was tuff getting QSL cards out of some Ham's back then!  I do remember I got a card from Bill, W3DUQ and later my mentor, Harry W3FDY.  I forgot the other 75 meter greats that I got cards from.  I don't thing those cards were ever returned once you sent them in to Popular Electronics, but I may be wrong on that.  As soon as the certificate came, I got myself an official WPE3GJF QSL card!  As a young kid I thought it was really cool and could just image the next step of getting my Ham ticket which was about a year later. 

Here is a picture of the certificate and I will post my QSL in another post since the scan created a large file.

Joe, W3GMS       

Here is my WPE3GJF certificate...
Joe, W3GMS 

Joe, I recall having to receive the requisite number of verifications and I believe you had to have a certain number of countries verified also, but I never recall actually sending in those cards/letters.  I think it was the honor system.  I believe that they reserved the option to request those verifications from you.  As a result, us 14 year old kids would not even consider applying without actually having the verifications in hand... at least I know I did.  Somehow I doubt they ever requested anyone to send in proof.  Can you imagine them being that concerned with minutia? After all, it was only a magazine, not the FCC.

Eric,
That was a bunch of years ago and all I remember is that I interpreted that I had to send my QSL cards as proof that I deserved a certificate.  I know I sent in at least 10 cards.  The year was 1965 as documented on my certificate.   

I wonder if you still have your certificate? 

Talking about certificates, I wish I still had my RCC (Rag Chewers Certificate) from the ARRL.  That was the first piece of wall paper I had gotten when I got my Novice ticket in 1966. 

Regards,
Joe 

I resemble that! urk,
I'll have you know that we've reduced our symbol from 7 Ft. to 18 inches. ;D
Technological progress.

p.s. Kentucky's still using 7's.

Joe, GMS,  is 'Official Shortwave Monitor' same as an "OO."  ;D

WPE2QVL - and I was honored to get it. It hsort of legitimized the 8-10 hours a day I spent spinning the knobs on the Heathkit GR-64 I built and worshiped. Antenna was a 150" wire, and it took me all over the world! 1969 was a very good year!

150'. Typo. Sry - rough seas here - big snow coming and the wife has Dean Martin cranked. My DNA has been damaged significantly.

Why not send Gary and email or P&M and ask him?

Yes, I still have it.  And I still have all of the QSLs I received from BCB DX and TV DX stations.

The evolution of the Popular Electronics WPE certificate program:
http://www.bobsamerica.com/wpe.html
The first two were issued under the banner of Popular Electronics. I have the first one. The 3rd and 4th, I believe, were no longer issued by anyone working for Popular Electronics or at least, no longer supported by Popular Electronics.

Good info Pete.
& Interesting comments from everyone.


Why didn't I think of that?  Actually disturb the King with such minutae?  ;D

Steveo, comments from the Gansta's is why it was sort of a rhetorical question.
Besides, you'd think that Gary would have a "My name is being mentioned on my board" alert or alarm. 

Very interesting and I liked you comment Rick!  No, it was not the same as an OO. 

Pete,
It looks like I have the second vintage certificate.  Thats great information on the evolution of the WPE historical trail. 

I used to like to get the magazine and look at the pictures of the SWL listening post as well as the pictures of the novice beginner stations. 

Joe, W3GMS

I think he put the SWL number up there to generate comments and questions.   I hear the noise of spinning fishing line!  ;D

Funny stuff.

Actually I did not reply because I thought I was being reeled in on a hook.!! I still think I was -- Go Figure.

I never got an SWL ticket when I was younger and I figured it was time. I still do spend a lot of time dxing SW and BC. I like the Caribbean and South American stations on a cold winter night.

I got it here _http://www.swl-registry.com/ (http://www.swl-registry.com/)

Okay, I am going back into the water.

G

I never understood it. You don't need a license to listen. Why bother?

 " Why didn't I think of that?  Actually disturb the King with such minutae?  ;D "

The King is always very attentive to our wants and needs.


klc

As I remember I was WPE2CQA

no, no; seriously I was curious and was going to google it, just wondered if it was significant, others had a 'call,' etc.

Same as many of us, some of my very early radio memories were in front of the livingroom consol with the magic eye.  Later I learned such esoterica as it had 6F6's in PP, a 5Y3 rectifier, etc.

Short wave in the 40's was wonderful BBC stuff, all voice hams were AM, the tall ships the only ones you could hear in a bedlam of heterodynes....