06/30/2006 | W4IO This was my first attempt at ANY contest running solo. I might be hooked on contesting now. It sure was a lot of fun. I have participated before in previous Field Days, but never under my own call. I was in my 18-wheeler for the entire contest (minus bathroom breaks in the truckstop) in Jackson, GA.

I didn't get an opportunity to expose Ham Radio to anyone around, but it sure was fun operating for a straight 24 hours (minus a little nap). I didn't get very many bonus points either, but I sure was rockin' on the CW key. I ran 50 watts for all QSOs and had great success. Maybe next year I will go for the 5X multiplier at 5 watts.

Unfortunately I couldn't make it home in time to work with my club in Florida, but as a truck driver, my friends understand.

Being in a truck so much for my job made the Field Day working conditions easy. My HF equiptment is always set up and I have plenty of time on the air to keep up with the efficiency of my equiptment, plus there was nothing extra for me to do to get ready for Field Day. I hope everyone else had great success also. -- W4IO