Jonas Asplund, was a farmer, a pilot . . . as well as a ham radio operator, call sign W71G.
QSO commonly refers to the contact between two amateur radio stations. Jonas mailed this proof of contact out to Frank Taylor of McLeansboro, Ill. stating contact was made September 27, 1948 at 10 am.
What I love about this is all the extras that Jonas added — the picture of the mountain, the hight of Mt. Rainier, and Silver Lake.
Amateur radio was quite popular in 1948 judging by this 1948 cover of Radio News.
There is quite a history about amateur radio. To read a little, just click HERE. Also to learn more about call signs, check out the Wt71 Group.
Images of card courtesy of Diane Mettler.
Click on images to enlarge.
Eatonville To Rainier 
8 responses to “Jonas Asplund, W7IG – ham radio in 1948”
[…] Mr. and Mrs. Pecchia, Jonas and Helen Asplund, Vynar Fish, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Boyles, Ethel Black, Don Baublits and Fay Duke. […]
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Jonas was my Father’s Uncle (Uncle Joe)–I flew with my Father, Donald Thirtyacre (son of John Thirtyacre married to Mabel Asplund) into 0WA5 (FAA designation for Asplund Field) many times as a boy and enjoyed playing on the farm all day. Jonas was quite the character and created a walking tour through the forest complete with Big Foot behind a tree, a moonshiners camp, snakes in the trees, and the famous “Iron Springs” (bedsprings). Jonas’ love for flying was passed down to my father and my father to me.
David Thirtyacre
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Thank you for sharing this. So glad to hear it was passed on! I spent time out there as a kid too and has my first airplane ride in his plane, and enjoyed his trail with the moonshiners and everything. 🙂 Great, great memories!
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Hello.
Suddenly I saw this page and I was happy. Jonas is my fathers cousin. I met he and her wife Helen here in Norway (Hvasser) by my grandmother Olava Marie Evensen (sister of Jonas’s mother) in 1970 (little bit unsure about the year). My father is called Sigurd ( one of 8 sisters). Jonas is born 2 km from my place.
Regards Arne Erlingsen, 63 years
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Hi, Thank you for sharing. Some of my fondest memories as a kid are of Jonas. I actually lived in Norway while going to school and try to get back to visit. Where are you from, if I can ask?
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I am from a small island in Oslofjord called Hvasser. It is 120 km South of Oslo of the western side of the fjord. Jonas’s Family is from a small island Close up to Hvasser – called Brøtsø (2,5 km by car). Where did you live in Norway? I have also an active Facebook profile.
Regards Arne
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Wow, I just looked it up. What a beautiful location. I lived in Tau (outside Stavanger). Now may friends are mostly living in Stavanger, but my (host) sisters are living out near Oslo and was hoping to get over the see them. — I’m on Facebook too. I’m off to go find you! 🙂
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This is my Grandpa Joe. My name is Kelly Seiber. I’m now almost 60, yeah not looking forward to January . When I was around 4 years ok f we watched Lawrence Well that’s was the debut of the Beatles. I’m so proud that this was posted. My Grandpa was my best friend,
Ell Seiber daughter of Naida.
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