12/16/2003 | KD5YIL What a great learning session!!! This weekend really taught me the value of "patience, Grasshopper." Friday was a heartbreaker as I was expecting the band to open up but only ran 14 contacts, mostly in CA. Saturday I didn't play at all until late but I could hear stations all up and down the East Coast. Sunday was the day I finally was able to get on and try to build up a decent (to me) contact list. Dealing from an antenna restriction, I was using a 120' loop made out of 24 AWG wire laying on my roof but still was able to work PJ2, XE, TI5 and numerous others. Some surprised me and I'm sure if the other op had known what I was using, it would have surprised him/her as well. The weekend, for me was a total thrill!! See all y'all next year!!!!! -73- KD5YIL -- KD5YIL