When SKN started this New Year’s Eve, I found that 40 meters was not in good shape. After a couple of contacts, I decided to hold off, I went to bed early and got up about 4 a.m. local (1000Z) with the thought that maybe I might snag a JA or two. That didn’t happen, but I did make a couple of good contacts, went back to bed and got up at 11 a.m. local, made a pot of coffee and some breakfast.

After confirming no activity on 10 or 15, I started out on 20 meters. It wasn’t too bad. No DX, but I did work K3Y/KL7 at 2135Z.  Things seemed to be going pretty good.  Normally I use the Search & Pounce method, but I decided to call CQ and try holding a frequency.  A little of that and Shige, JH1GNU, called me, time was 2253Z .  I about fell out of my chair. His signal was about a 359, not real strong and there was some QSB. My 13th contact, don’t you just love lucky numbers? 

My 15th contact was an old timer, he was 90 years young, who had been off the air for a while. A nice contact. When we signed there was about 15 minutes left. Do I call CQ again or not? Why not, not a contest, but why not make one more? That last one was a really weak signal from California, it was WD6DBM running 1.7 watts with a Heathkit HW-8 QRP rig. My wife’s HW-8 was sitting right in front of me, I was pretty familiar with HW-8s. What a way to end a SKN, loved it!!

My QSOs included: WF5W, TX, ; W0LPD, TX; KB2SEO, GA; KY3Y, PA; K3Y/7, WA; N4NQ, GA; K7SDW, CA; AE5QU, TX; K6RC, CA; K3Y/KL7, AK; W5GXV, TX; W6VNR, CA; JH1GNU, Japan; AA4TB, SC; K6GWR, CA; and WD6DBM, CA. Of the 16, 5 are from California and 4 from Texas.