12/12/2005 | N4XML The year was 1989 and the ink was not even dry on my Novice ticket when my Elmer, Scottie Lawrence K4SL (previously AA4LY) suggested I enter the Novice Roundup contest, so I did, and only having my license for 30 days finished Section Leader in S.C. I entered the November Sweepstakes the following year and also captured the 1st place in S.C. I continued entering the Novice Roundup for the next three years and in 1991 & 1992 finally attained my goal, 1st place in the Roanoke Division.

I took a 10 year break in the hobby and resurfaced in March of 2002 and it has been nothing but fun since. I am back to contesting and just finished 1st place in this year SC QSO Party and have set my eyes on the ARRL 10 Meter Contest. I enjoyed this weekend and it brought back a lot of memories with only one regret, I still have problems with CW, copying above 5-7 WPM, and was hoping to hear some slow CW QSOs but I never did. I suppose I will have to get on the ball and rekindle my CW activity.

73
Bob Gagliardi -- N4XML