11/24/2004 | NE1RI Last year I operated as KB1IAR and had a personal goal of 100 QSOs operating alone. I had a severe head cold and was hoarse most of the weekend but still made that goal precisely. I worked 44 sections and had a claimed score of 8,800. It felt great to make my personal goal as the casual contester that I am, and I even ordered the PIN and have been proudly displaying it on my call-sign baseball cap.

Now operating as NE1RI, having earned my Extra earlier this year, my personal goal this year was to top last year's score and work at least an additional 10 QSOs. Well once again I was blessed/cursed with a headcold that made operating challenging with blocked sinuses, headaches and a sore throat. Nonetheless, I exceeded my personal goal working 121 QSOs in 49 sections for a claimed score of 11,858...a decent improvement.

I have a very modest station, an Icom 718 barefoot to a G5RV Jr up about 30', but it's enough for me to have fun. I doubt I'll ever achieve a sweep with my station, but this time I did sweep all of 2, 3,9, and missed a sweep of 0 land only by ND.

Once again, I've ordered the PIN...a simple souvenir/trophy that may not mean much to the champion DXers, but I'll treasure it and proudly display it on my cap.

This is such a fun contest - thanks to everyone who worked me. I look forward to next year, and I'm praying now that I might be 100% healthy next time! I'm hoping to have a full size G5RV up soon, and might even consider trying QRP.

73, Happy Thanksgiving,
James -- NE1RI