07/08/2002 | GM2T Club - Cockenzie & Port Seton ARC Equipment - FT1000MP barefoot and a 4 element monobander @ 6.5m agl Hard work without DX Cluster Access in the shack and that's probably why we missed so many mults. Our first proper attempt at this event, albeit with 100W and a 4 element yagi at 6.5m agl - both limited due to suburban location! However, it was great not to be in a cold and draughty tent for a change! Poor conditions to JA and Far East both days, particularly on Saturday morning! Some great stateside signals though! As relative newcomers to ARRL events it was frustrating for us that so many US stations on SSB said "59 State Name" rather than "59 (State abbreviation in phonetics)". Too many states contain letters which are very similar, so it's easy to log a QSO incorrectly if the abbreviation is not given. It's maybe up to us to keep a list of state abbreviations but there should perhaps be some onus on the US stations to assist too. Having said that, any stations which were questioned were more than willing to supply the state abbreviation. Highlight - working ZL6QH despite conditions, Low points - missing VK5GN both days! Thanks to everyone who worked us, hope we can be a bigger signal next year! -- GM2T