02/20/2003 | N7OU/HI9 Propagation from HI was even better than I had hoped. I arrived a few days early to familiarize myself with the station and to get used to being dx. A couple of cqs on a likely band would inevitably result in a howling pileup. All my qsos were on my favorite mode cw except for some relaxed, post-contest chats Monday on 10m ssb.
During the contest I tried to set an even, steady pace. When not too many stations were calling me, I could work 3 or 4 a minute, even with my awkward callsign dragging after every qso like a long tail.
On Sunday afternoon my paddle or my fist or both developed the yips and it became increasingly hard for me to send. What started out as e's would become i's, a's would turn out to be u's, etc. Slowing down and placing the key on a softer surface helped some. Thanks to the patient ops who bore with me. Maybe I need to become less keyboard averse.
Thanks also to Erwin DL4NCF for entrusting me with his excellent house and station in Las Terrenas, and to Jos and Ans, Los Holandeses, for their good cheer and hospitality.
Please qsl via the buro or direct to N7OU with an sase. It will take a couple of weeks to get cards printed up.
73 mis amigos,
Bill N7OU
Gear:
FT990
LP7 log periodic up 54 ft.
40m and 80m dipoles up 45 ft. -- N7OU