2008 IARU HF World Championships
07/14/2008 |
AA6MZ
A few weeks ago, my XYL asked me to get her a power strip. I knew I had some stored away in boxes in my basement, so I started to go through the boxes.
I opened the first box I suspected might hold the power strips, only to find my 20 year old TS-440S (safely tucked away in its original shipping carton). I also found a desk mic, an Astron power supply, and a key, along with all of the cables and stuff. Soon I had rigged up a di-pole antenna and had the rig up and running. Unfortunately it needed some tweaking, so off it went for service.
While I waited for its return, I played with my old 2-meter mobile rig and met the local hams.
It should be noted that my rig and everything else has been packed away for over 10 years, so I felt like a newbie as I was catching up on all the changes in Ham radio over the last decade.
I found a log book and a map of the world, but was surprized that my map still showed the U.S.S.R. along with East and West Germanies.
To make a long story short, I got my rig back shortly after Field Day (which I attended for the first time in a long while) and I started looking for a contest to enter. I had also replaced the ginned-up di-pole with a multi-band, ground mounted, vertical antenna.
Saturday morning came and I went down to the "shack" in my basement and turned everything on. After just listening for a few minutes to get the feel of the exchange, I reached over and sent out my call sign to a Zone 7 call (I'm in Zone 8) and was able to copy his reply. I was contesting again and in seventh-heaven. I ran 40 meter CW, then took a 5 minute break to grab a cup of water. Then I ran 40 meter SSB and jumped up to the 20 meter band, working both CW and SSB. Another break and I worked the 15 and 10 meter bands. Wow, I was hooked.
I worked the first 12 hours of the contest, then took a break to spend some time with my XYL (when Mama's happy, everyone's happy), then went to bed a little early. I set the alarm clock for 4AM and got up to make a few 80 and 40 meter contacts on both CW and SSB. I was thrilled when my signal reached New Zealand and Australia. That is just about as far away from Maryland as you can get.
During the contest, the 6 in my call seemed to confuse a few people, but I assured them I was really in Zone 8. Perhaps I'll update my callsign, but I've had it for so long, I don't know if I can get rid of it that easily. Perhaps my voice and fist will improve so I can add the /3 to my call without adding too much time to the exchanges.
Oh, and if you're wondering, my XYL never did get her power strip. -- AA6MZ
I opened the first box I suspected might hold the power strips, only to find my 20 year old TS-440S (safely tucked away in its original shipping carton). I also found a desk mic, an Astron power supply, and a key, along with all of the cables and stuff. Soon I had rigged up a di-pole antenna and had the rig up and running. Unfortunately it needed some tweaking, so off it went for service.
While I waited for its return, I played with my old 2-meter mobile rig and met the local hams.
It should be noted that my rig and everything else has been packed away for over 10 years, so I felt like a newbie as I was catching up on all the changes in Ham radio over the last decade.
I found a log book and a map of the world, but was surprized that my map still showed the U.S.S.R. along with East and West Germanies.
To make a long story short, I got my rig back shortly after Field Day (which I attended for the first time in a long while) and I started looking for a contest to enter. I had also replaced the ginned-up di-pole with a multi-band, ground mounted, vertical antenna.
Saturday morning came and I went down to the "shack" in my basement and turned everything on. After just listening for a few minutes to get the feel of the exchange, I reached over and sent out my call sign to a Zone 7 call (I'm in Zone 8) and was able to copy his reply. I was contesting again and in seventh-heaven. I ran 40 meter CW, then took a 5 minute break to grab a cup of water. Then I ran 40 meter SSB and jumped up to the 20 meter band, working both CW and SSB. Another break and I worked the 15 and 10 meter bands. Wow, I was hooked.
I worked the first 12 hours of the contest, then took a break to spend some time with my XYL (when Mama's happy, everyone's happy), then went to bed a little early. I set the alarm clock for 4AM and got up to make a few 80 and 40 meter contacts on both CW and SSB. I was thrilled when my signal reached New Zealand and Australia. That is just about as far away from Maryland as you can get.
During the contest, the 6 in my call seemed to confuse a few people, but I assured them I was really in Zone 8. Perhaps I'll update my callsign, but I've had it for so long, I don't know if I can get rid of it that easily. Perhaps my voice and fist will improve so I can add the /3 to my call without adding too much time to the exchanges.
Oh, and if you're wondering, my XYL never did get her power strip. -- AA6MZ
Back
