On Friday of last week, I was in the car on the way from Kampala to our site at Masaka when my cell phone rang. The caller informed me I could come to the receptionist at the Uganda Communications Commission building and make payment. I asked the amount and was told it would not exceed 100,000 Ugandan shillings. That is about $50 US. When I asked her what would happen after I made payment, she told me I would receive my amateur license.

I was appreciative and told her someone would be in the first of the week, that I was on my way up country (actually Masaka is southwest of Kampala so I guess I am down-country). I wondered, and still wonder, why the license would be issued without the specified and promised inspection, but I did not ask the caller. It is best not to look a gift horse in the mouth.

A few minutes ago, I received a text message that the license had been issued! The fee is closer to $60 US, which is the amount I had read in the ARRL information page on Uganda. My call sign is

5X7JD

A couple of hours ago I met with our electrician who will install the grounding system for the antenna and the gear in the shack. To get a good ground, they dig a hole, insert a copper ground rod, then bury it with a mixture of earth, charcoal, and salt. It seems strange to me, but apparently the soil here does not offer very good conductivity. Ordinarily, installing a ground would be a job I would handle myself, but labor here is quite inexpensive. The same electrician installed 9 light fixtures, wired a new outlet for a maintenance room, and repaired a switch. The labor charge for the electrician and his assistant was under $30. I hired a plumber to install a new float in one of our water tanks. His labor fee was $5. So It makes sense to let someone else dig holes and install wiring. This is supposed to happen tomorrow, Wednesday, 25 November.

I am registering my new call sign on QRZ.com now along with the geographic coordinated. I'll order QSL cards and use my Florida address for mailing them. Details to follow along with photos of the installation tomorrow.