Something new every night

Working HF is definitely like fishing – or maybe like the proverbial Forrest Gump “box of chocolates”.  You never know what you’re going to get.

Last night, I cast my net out upon the waters and was fortunate to have two nice QSOs on 40 Meters. One was with Rick KC4KNN and that was immediately followed up with a nice chat with Scotty KG3W.  I have worked both ops before, Rick once back in 2006 and Scotty several times in various QRP events.  It’s always nice to run into someone you’ve worked in some contests. The chance to QSO and talk for a bit longer than “559 NJ 5W” is very pleasant.

Tonight, I was tuning around 30 Meters and heard a loud station way down near the bottom at 10.103 MHz.  Loud, calling “CQ DX” and not getting many takers.  I listened for a bit to find out it was ZB2FK.

ZB2 – that’s Gibraltar!  Hot chocolate, that’s a new one for me!  I have heard Gibraltar several times in the past; but was never able to break the pileup.  This time, Ernest was not all that busy. I waited until he was done with the station he was working and threw out my call.  As I finished unkeying, I heard several others also calling.  I thought to myself, “Here we go – from nobody to pile up in 60 seconds” but he answered ME!  Little, puny ol’ 5 Watt me – and on the first call! Talk about being at the right place at the right time!

There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of netting a new DXCC entity.  And I’m a lucky kind o’ guy, as I seriously doubt I’ll ever make Honor Roll, I have close to 200 more chances to feel that exhilaration again!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!

Larry Makoski, W2LJ, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Jersey, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

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