Wow. I can't believe these comms are still on-going. Nearly 20 years ago a family member confided how he was using his "converted" ham radio to maintain a regular sked with his Brazilian relatives. He stated that there were numerous Brazilians living in the U.S. that used this method of communications on a regular basis with those living in the Amazon Rainforest. He also stated this practice came about due to the high cost of international phone calls.