DM2ABK 1954 German Democratic Republic

I found your site by googling for the call DM2ABK, which once belonged to one of the most famous GDR hams, Karl Rothammel (later call Y21BK). Most famous because he's the original author of the "Antennenbuch" (antenna handbook) which is simply /the/ German-language reference book for ham radio antennas. As Karl died in 1987, the book is now edited by another ham, but still in print.

History says that Karl belonged to the first 16 ham radio licensees issued in GDR, July 14, 1953. So your card shown really belongs to the early historical document.

Joerg DL8DTL asked me why Karl's name and street address was blackened out. I went to my collection and found 3 more of the DM2ABK cards that were sent to different hams. All 3 were from the mid 1950's and had his name and street address blackened out. This means it must have been done by DM2ABK. I also wonder why ...K8CX

I just saw your and Joe's (DL8DTL) comment regarding the unreadability of Karl's (DM2ABK) name and street. I had an idea and just had a talk to Max (DM2AUO) who got his ticket in 1954. Max is living in Berlin - not far away from myself. The most sensible explanation could be the following: Karl lived in Sonneberg which is located several hundred meters away from the previous borderline between East and West Germany. Possibly that should prevent 'unexpected' visits. DL9WVM

Hey Tom, just saw your DM2ABK card. Mine is also blacked out. Its dated July 2, 1955. I also have cards from DM2AGO and DM2AEB both from Dec. 1955. They are also blacked out (only the last name). All three have the DM-QSL Bureau postbox 666 stamp on the back. Maybe it was done at the bureau. The DM2AAB dated Sep. 1956 card I have is not blacked out. All cards after that date are not blacked out........Patrick Rigg

I had some other phone calls with OOBs and just talked with Uli (DM2AOC). He is a very helpful HAM and I know him for several years already. He recalled that there has been an instruction by the Central Radio Club of East Germany in the mid 50th to print on the QSL cards only the surname and the city. He worked for the PTT till mid of the 90th still and so I'm fairly sure that his remembrance is correct.
Additionally I just called my friend Manfred (DL3HRM) in Halle/Saale. As you can see on Karl's card the East German QSL bureau were located in Halle and NOT in Berlin in those times! He knows Gerhard Meinekat (DM2AMH) and he asked him regarding the this procedure. Gerhard immediately recalled this. The radioclub was leaded by 'simple' civilians in the first half of the 50th. But in 1954 an old general took over the leadership and ordered to print only first name and the city on the cards (for 'security' reasons). This happened about 2 years until a smart guy told him that all addresses were listed in the Call Book and it would make no sense to not print the full address on the card. So this order were revoked.
I hope this clears up the situation at those times and explains why Karl's family name and his street were blacked out. DL9WVM

QSL courtesy of SP2DX
Info courtesy of DL8DTL, DL9WVM, Patrick Rigg