12/27/2004 | WA9BXB Had a great time during the contest running low power, mixed mode. The CW contacts really helped to increase my meager score. This is the first time I actually sent in my log. Although the band conditions were terrible, it was a good training exercise in picking out and identifying weak signals down in the noise level. Wearing headphones was a definite plus in the ability to copy. Managed to work everyone I could hear from my Illinois QTH. Mostly South American and the Carribean with a few West African countries and of course all arond the U.S.A. With the continuing decrease in Sunspots, I wonder what next years propagation will be like? Good luck to all. -- WA9BXB