06/30/2006 | W8VY Sometime around 11PM EST, on 40M cw, my co-operator K8WPI and I heard what might have been a Long Delayed Echo. We think this because of the nature of the signal and the content. We had been cruising up and down the band all day and were familiar with the "feel" of the band. It was repleat with normal FD activity; callsign, section and class. On a particular frequency, we were waiting to make a call with a station that was just finishing a contact, when out of nowhere came this very strong, yet watery sounding signal that said "my rig is kenwood". It is hard to describe in words, but it was clear to both of us that that signal didnt belong where it was. No one talks about their radio during FD. This signal was there and gone. It was unconnected with any conversation on that frequency that we heard. Its sound was eerie. We feel that it may have originated at least hours before we heard it.
I realize that many will dismiss this report, and offer other explanations, and they may be right. I, however, like our explanation . It recognizes the possibility of something special, something that re-kindled the "Magic" of Radio, which I feel is lost on so many these days. We will never know, but by the same token, we will never forget that moment, sharing it with our friends, our big 40M delta loop and the fun we had putting it up, and especially FD 2006. -- AB8EO