[Milsurplus] I've Been Bootlegged! Call AB5S "Borrowed"

[Thomas Adams]

Considering how easy it is to get a license nowadays, one would think that bootlegging would have
died out.

Maybe 15 years ago, somebody bootlegged MY call (W9LBB), and I didn't know it until I was contacted
by a QSL bureau, asking me if I wanted the pile of DX cards that had accumulated there! Curious, I asked
for them to be sent to me.

The bootlegger, whoever he or she was, loved 20 meter SSB, and damned near made DXCC !!!

For all I know, this person is STILL out there, operating as the ersatz W9LBB.


Mr. T.



-----Original Message-----
From: David Stinson <arc5 at ix.netcom.com>
Sent: Jan 11, 2026 9:58 AM
To: ARC-5 <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>, milsurplus at mailman <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>, Boatanchors at mailman <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [Milsurplus] I've Been Bootlegged! Call AB5S "Borrowed"

I was checking the "Reverse Beacon Network" 
and found something eye-bugging.
Someone is working 30 WPM CW, mostly contests,
Many, many QSOs using my call sign, AB5S.
I did none of them.  My station has been down 
for months. Take a look at this:
https://tinyurl.com/yhksaffv

I mean- I know AB5S is a good call for CW, 
but a polite request might have been in order.

I support CW and might even have designated 
him an op if he had asked, but I have no idea 
about him.  He could be up to no good, or maybe 
he's old like me and misread his license, 
or who knows? 

I asked three of the guys he contacted last night on 80M:
Did he give you a name and QTH?  Did he 
give any other clues as to where he might be? 
We'll see what they say.
The reverse beacon reports the origin point 
to be Nevada, Texas, of course.  It listens for 
the transmissions, but doesn't do any DFing.

Maybe I've been sleep walking??
What would you do?
If found, maybe I should charge him rent?

TNX ES 73 DE Dave (the real) AB5S.""

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