Andre’s first QSL card as 5Z5KL in Kenya
At the meeting of the Lothians Radio Society on 11th April 2012 Andre Saunders GM3VLB talked about “Radioactivating East Africa in the 1960s/70s”. Andre was accompanied by his wife, Veronica, who acted as projectionist. Report here.
Andre says: “The alternative title to my talk might be “From Scottish Crystals to Tanzanian Gemstones” – the ‘Scottish Crystals‘ were the lumps of galena which allowed an 11-year old lad on the shores of Loch Lomond to detect the then Scottish Home Service 18 miles away, and eventually to become an active radio ham in Kenya, which had then just recently gained independence from its colonial masters. With my first licence – 5Z4KL – I became instantly ‘rare DX’, but when not looking for a “new one”, there were unlimited opportunities to operate /P and /M. To understand the reference to ‘Tanzanian Gemstones’, you’ll just have to come to the talk! Veronica and I look forward to meeting up with old friends again on the 11th…Vy 73 de André, GM3VLB.”