ZS2EZ

UPDATE : MAIL IS ONCE AGAIN BEING RECEIVED!! 
SOUTH AFRICA IS ONLY ABLE TO OFFER INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SERVICE TO 37 COUNTRIES - SEE HERE FOR THE LIST! (AMENDED 29 JUNE 2021)
FOR EXAMPLE WE CANNOT CURRENTLY MAIL TO  NORWAY OR AUSTRALIA, AND GERMANY ONLY BY SURFACE MAIL (CAN TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS)!!

OUR LOCAL POST OFFICE IS CURRENTLY HANDLING COVID GRANTS AND IS INACCESSIBLE FOR NORMAL POSTAL SERVICES - HAVE TO TRAVEL ACROSS TOWN TO POST REPLY CARDS - PLEASE BE PATIENT!

ELECTRONIC QSL STILL PREFERRED - IF YOU ARE NOT USING LoTW WHY NOT SIGN UP - IT IS FREE AND EASY!

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QSL REQUESTS RECEIVED WITHOUT POSTAGE OR SAE WILL NOT BE ANSWERED !!

PLEASE NO IRCs - THEY ARE WORTHLESS HERE!!
Our local Post Office does NOT accept IRCs!!!

PLEASE NO BUREAU!!! LOTW/DIRECT ONLY!!

As I am NOT a member of the South African Radio League, I am not able to use the SARL Bureau. Please do NOT waste your cards sending via the Bureau - they will only be either returned to you or dumped by the SARL Bureau!.

ALL QSOs ARE UPLOADED TO LoTW AND EQSL (AS A COURTESY ONLY) AFTER OPERATING SESSION, AND QRZ.COM SYNCED ONCE LoTW UPDATED (RAVAGES OF COVID-19 MAKES QRZ XML SUBSCRIPTION UNAFFORDABLE!).  NOTE : I TREAT EQSL THE SAME AS LoTW - NO EDITING OR CHANGING OF QSO DETAILS!

CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE AT www.zs2ez.co.za

I was born in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in January 1966, and (apart for a 9-year stint in Johannesburg) have been in the same house in the suburb of Walmer all my life. I attended the Grey High School in Port Elizabeth, and subsequently spent a couple of years studying Computer Science at the University Of Port Elizabeth before finances forced me to abandon studies and embark on my 2 years of Compulsory Military Service in 1988. I was trained at the SADF School Of Signals, and during 1988 joined the SADF Permanent Force. I was posted to the Eastern Province Command in Port Elizabeth, where I served until late 1991. After a brief stint in the Liquor Trade I moved to Johannesburg in early 1995, where I trained and worked as an Apple Service technician until late 2003 when I returned to Port Elizabeth due to health issues (diabetes and high cholesterol). After a time recovering and working part time, I joined my friend Donovan ZS2DL in his Radio Business up until 2012 when I returned to the IT industry as a freelance Support Tech. In August 2016 I married Tracey, and we live happily in the flatlet at the back of the family home with our 3 dogs (a Border Collie and 2 "Rescue" crossbreeds) and a cat. We are devout Christians, actively involved in both our local Methodist Church and our regional EMMAUS Community.

First licenced in 1985 in Port Elizabeth as ZR2AAB (restricted licence, limited to VHF), and subsequently held further restricted calls ZR6DXB (following move to Johannesburg) and ZR2DX (upon return to Port Elizabeth). Upgraded to my current Unrestricted call of ZS2EZ in 2005.

Active from 80m - 10m. Particularly keen on digital modes, predominantly FT8, FT4, RTTY and JT65. I am set up for most digital modes, using JTDX (predominantly), WSJT-X, FLDigi and MultiPSK, and assorted individual-mode applications. I am a member of the DMG, EPC, WCC and 30MDG.

ADDENDUM : AFTER HEAVY WINDS DESTROYED MY CUSHCRAFT A3WS WARC BEAM, 17/12M IS CURRENTLY RUN OFF A ZS6BKW DIPOLE AND 30M OFF INVERTED V.  ALSO REDUCED TO MAXIMUM OF 100W UNTIL I CAN UPGRADE MY TUNER TO COPE WITH MY RECENTLY-REPAIRED AMERITRON AL-811 (600W).

A note re the JT Modes : I hold the view that these are Weak-Signal modes, NOT Low-Power modes. I routinely run 100W on both JT65 and FT8 (I do NOT use my amplifier though!). If you cannot get through to me, you may need to TURN UP THE POWER! Additionally, I am located in a relatively high-noise Suburban area, so very weak signals are a problem for me!

I currently hold DXCC Awards for Mixed (335), CW (314), Digital (313) and Phone (300). I also hold DXCC on 80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10 meters (8BDXCC), and in July 2018 reached the entry level of DXCC Honor Roll (at present on 332 of the current 340). I also hold the ARRL Triple Play Award, and qualify for WAS on 40-10m (hold certificates for 17m and 12m). Still need 2 States on 80m (AK and NV). Have both RTTY and Digital (endorsed for FT8, FT4 and JT65) WAS certificates. I also hold a WAZ Certificate for RTTY, as well as WAZS (300 Level) and All Africa Awards from the SARL. During 2020 (by tuning my 80m dipole to 160m) added the SARL Top Band Certificate!

PLEASE QSL DIRECT! REMEMBER TO ENCLOSE POSTAGE AND SAE! Status of QSLs sent and received can now be viewed at https://www.zs2ez.co.za/qslstatus.htm !!

All logs are uploaded to the ARRL's Logbook Of The World (LoTW), eQSL and QRZ Logbook regularly (normally directly after operating sessions). All QSOs are also automatically uploaded to HRDLog.net (see below) and Clublog.

LOG SEARCH now also available for entire logs -  ZR6DXB and ZR2DX logs at  http://www.zs2ez.co.za/search.html (Java-aware browser required) and ZS2EZ log via the HRDLog.net applet below. Also searchable on Clublog and QRZ.

NOTE: Please check the log before sending cards - particularly in contests the QRM is very bad, and several NILs result!

ZS2EZ QSL POLICY :DIRECT QSLs (with SAE and  2x green stamps) , received will be answered promptly, No SAE or POSTAGE = NO CARD!!!

REGARDING IRCs: As my local Post Office does not accept IRCs,I am NO LONGER accepting IRCs!!!! Please respect this - they are worthless to me!!!

STATION : Kenwood TS-590S, Ameritron AL-811 HF Amplifier,  HyGain TH-7DX 7 element Tribander,   80m/60m/40m/30m Dipoles, ZS6BKW Dipole (40m/20m/17m/12m/10m),  MicroHam MicroKeyer II, Heil ProSet Plus Headset, Kenwood MC-60 Desk Mic, SDRPlay RSP1 SDR Receiver