[UPDATE II] – AWESOME! 10 minutes after writing UPDATE I, step forward and take a bow Werner ON7WM. Thanks to your generosity, Eric will have a new headset! Thanks Werner – you’re a STAR !
[UPDATE I] – Personally, speaking on behalf of DX-World, this has really disappointed me — not one single offer of a headset or microphone for Eric. Not even more than one share on Facebook for a fellow op in need of a tiny bit of help.
I read about HUGE DX organisations happily supporting DXpeditions with thousands of dollars. I see mega $$ being donated by individuals to upcoming DXpeditions. But, nobody is bothered to help Eric?
While it is always at the discretion of others what they choose to donate to or support, 24 hours after a simple request for help for someone in our hobby less fortunate than many of us, it’s a sad state of affairs to see absolutely nothing of assistance, not even an enquiry as to how they could help.
It seems not even online ham radio stores have surplus or spare mic / headset? Is it really too much to ask supporting an operator in Liberia with a microphone?
Col MM0NDX
DX-World
[SEPTEMBER 10] – Back in 2017, DX-World gifted Eric EL2EF a Kenwood TS-570D and headset. The radio developed a fault but has now been repaired, however the headset no longer works and Eric also has no working microphone. Yesterday he took a short video showing the transceiver hearing well.
At the moment, Eric uses a loaned IC-706MKII-G, but would prefer to use the Kenwood TS-570D as it’s his own radio. On behalf of Eric, DX-World is asking if any generous reader has a spare / surplus microphone or headset that Eric could use? If you are able to help, please get in touch with Col @ DX-World – a reliable postal address in Liberia will be provided. Thanks for your help.
Okay, you explained it nicely and I get it. If it fits a microphone from another station, eg Yaesu, my colleague has a few extra and is willing to send them for free. An esteemed colleague from Liberia can easily insert another plug if he knows his way around electronics. I’ll tell my colleague to get back to you for contact. I give some connectors for coax cables etc. for free offcours.
Dear Harold (without a callsign).
The gifted radio was never destroyed. It was broken and is now repaired. The gifted radio came from me (MM0NDX) in 2017. The headset simply broke.
Since I know Eric, and DX-World is not a place that rips off people, using my platform I gently asked for some help for Eric. Nothing came. Nothing. Until today after a new plea was put out. Thankfully, ON7WM stepped up, and did not ask questions.
Liberia may not be rare (it’s still semi-rare, right?) but the point you miss is that not even one club, organisation, shop or person stood tall and offered to help. That, more than anything, says a lot.
BTW, the “ham in question” is already active. And he does not ask for any money.
Sorry for the question, but what happened to the gifted radio that was destroyed along with the microphone and headset?
Unfortunately, we have to be aware that today radio amateurism has become a business and not a hobby, and it is very difficult to get anything as a gift…even a QSL card.
We have radio amateurs who take advantage of the situation and work remotely and then ask for 5€ for a QSL card + 2€ for LOTW + PayPal fee… and these same radio amateurs ask for donations for devices and equipment, sometimes even after payment they blackmail before sending a QSL card.
And in summary, Liberia is not a rare DXCC and I’m sure that when the ham in question becomes active he will be asking $5+ for a QSL card or even more…noting that the postage costs from his country are drastically expensive, which is now a note with most hams .
I personally bought a radio that is now 20 years old, I built the antenna, rectifier and interface myself and I am not asking for money for a QSL card.