[PaQSO] QSL & 73, Sam

[TwelveVDC at aol.com]

  Yesterday, (Saturday) I received an envelope from my QSL Bureau that 
contained exactly one (1) card.  It was from CT1EEN, Sam Pimenta who I worked on 20m 
PSK on Dec. 27, 2004.  Over the label in his handwriting it says, "73 de Sam" 
and then initialed with a fancy,"SP."

  I opened the envelope while sitting in the car with my daughter as we 
waited for my wife to run into the supermarket for milk.  She wanted to examine the 
card too, because it bore a beautiful photograph of the setting sun over an 
ocean horizon, and was curious where it came from.  I love when she asks good 
questions because it allows me to expand on things like geography, so I 
explained the wealth of information a typical good QSL card offers.  She was 
surprised it took over two years to arrive, but hams know that's not unusual.

  The reason I remember this contact is because I was working on my WAS (all 
PSK), and had only 5 to go when I was interrupted by the DX station who was 
amused that I was looking for stateside only, when I had a true 599 RST into an 
evolving mini European pileup.

  You see, the ARRL was offering a special award for accomplishing WAS during 
the calendar year 2004 to commemorate it's 90th anniversary, and the 
procrastinator that I am, decided to begin this effort on December 7, leaving me to do 
this in 25 days.  I really didn't think it would be so hard, but #49 & 50 
wouldn't go into the log until Dec. 31st.!  (RI & MA)  I didn't want to work DX 
until my mission was accomplished.

  Every week or so I upload everything I work into ARRL's Logbook Of The 
World. (LOTW)  This is more for others than me, because I already have DXCC 
hanging on the wall.  But if I get a real paper card from anyone, I return one the 
same way theirs arrive.  So I sat here smiling, filling out Sam's card after 
looking up the contact, flooded with the memory of that great effort as time was 
running out, and being called by Sam while trying desperately to find 
stations in New England.

  To spare him some anguish, I figured I'd treat him to a direct reply since 
he obviously needed my card; explaining that his had just arrived.  Being over 
two years old, I should not rely on the card's printed address when 
up-to-date information is readily available on line at QRZ.com.  What I read would 
occupy my thoughts for the rest of the weekend.

  I discovered that Sam had tragically become a SK in July 2005, only 7 
months after that 20m contact.  Someone kindly posted this information and a loving 
tribute to his memory there.  It seems he enjoyed a wonderful following, and 
had earned his credentials as an accomplished contester and IOTA DXpeditioner.

  I've never knew him so it's hard to explain why, but I'm saddened that he 
will never receive the only thing he ever asked from me in return for his final 
courtesy.  His QSL card is special to me for this reason.

  QSL and 73, Sam

  Pete / NL7XM