11/25/2004 | K6LLK Really enjoyed my "first" SSB Sweepstakes contest. Not being a SSB person, I was hesitant to say the least. Once I got started and was able to get into the swing of things, I quickly forgot about the SSB vs. CW bug a boo's that have haunted me for years.

Having just got my station back on the air after a 3 year down period to relocate while retiring and building a new home, I wasn't sure how things were going to work out. Using only a 8 band 140 ft. long (w/tuner) OCF dipole at 60 ft. in the pine trees I had my doubts?

My station performed better than my expectations for 6 hours before my out of state guests arrived to shut me down for the remainder of the contest.

Using a barefoot FT-1000MP at 100w, I felt fortunaute to work 160 stations and 60 sections. Not a big time performance to say the least but enough to assist my local contest club with one more entry for their log.

Thanks again to all who managed to pull my little signal out of the noise for a contact. It was a thrill working all of you! I look forward to future Sweepsteaks and a better effort on my part from South Lake Tahoe, Ca.

73, John K6LLK

Oh' BTW up here @6325 ft. AMSL due to severe enviromental restrictions "antennas" are not allowed to be seen only heard!! -- K6LLK