11/23/2004 | VA1CHP This was my first contest effort by my lonesome. I got seduced into contesting during the CQWW SSB test last Oct by VE1JF and his co-conspirator VE1AI. I had never seen a major contest operation like VE1JF's setup and was VERY impressed, Soooo I broke down and replaced my ancient FT-757 with a FT-1000 MKV and got the Writelog program. Now the fun begins!! I had a blast doing the SS and learned quite a bit in the process. Using a Windom antenna, which lays along the peak of my roof due to Subdivison covanants, my biggest thrill was working KH6WT thru the pile up. My biggest shock was being told by a Southern gentleman that VA1 was NOT a valid prefix----HMMMMMMM----. I didn't quite get the clean sweep as WPA and EPA along with VE7, VE2, VE8 and the ever illusive VO1 couldnt be had. I heard the PA stations and the VO1 and VE7 but never got thru, maybe next year. I hope I made a few people happy with a MAR section contact.

CU next year
-- VA1CHP